location of uhf radio and best antennae

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Originally Posted by blindin

I have mounted mine by my right knee. I had to cut the underside plastic cover to pieces though, and also some other trim. I done it as it was already broken, so didn't have to many concerns.
My 2 way is also a cheapish / large unit, but I am pretty happy with the location.
Even after all the cutting, it doesn't look to bad, but the underside panel would defiantly need replacing if I was to ever remove it.
My antenna is mounted on some brackets, which in turn are mounted to the back of the front bumper.
In wa, the legal side is that you can use it if it is a fixed unit. If it is a mobile / handheld unit, it is then classed as a mobile device which is illegal to use.

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Simon,

If I use the external microphone (referred to as a car kit in the manual) does that make it legal? The bizarre bit about that is that thee is now an umbilical cord attached to the microphone that could possibly get in the way :angel:

Gary

In wa you are not allowed to use any mobile device for any purpose, if it is attached to the vehicle, it is no longer a mobile device. So yeah, if it has it's own holder it should be fine. I'm not 100% sure about how you would talk, if you still need to press the ptt button on the side of it,then that may be the dodgy part! but with an external mic I'm sure that is fine.
With regards to the power. I would go direct to the battery, with or without a relay for the ignition, but obviously with a fuse. Not for any computer reason, but just to get good power there. I once had an issue where my gme tx3100 worked for 6 mths, then stopped transmitting. After taking it to the manufactures twice, it turned out to be the power. It was wired from the stereo, but once wired to the battery, never a problem again. It lite up and I could here every one, just not transmit.
I also have to say, the tx3100 was great, and nice and small. I now have a oricom from repco which is nearly as big as the stereo.

I don't exactly know the law but what I do know is that thousands of trucks every day traveling up and down the east coast are using them constantly.

Now having done a bit of interstate trucking myself, I know first hand how the law loves to pick on truckies.

If it was not legal to use a CB they could reign in nearly every tuck and make a fortune in fines.

So what is the consensus on the type and brand of antenaee. Are they all about the same 6.5db gain fibreglass or steel any recommendation or ones ,types to avoid.

This is the very question I asked Mr. Plod. The answer was, "A two way radio is considered a 'driving aid'". :confused:

It's stupid but that was the legal status here in SA. :o


Cheers

Mike

In NSW, a CB radio is perfectly legal to use while driving:


ROAD RULES 2008 - REG 300 Use of mobile phones by drivers (except holders of learner or provisional P1 licences)


Googling "road rule 300" indicates that it's fine in other states too.

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Originally Posted by PeterAllen

So what is the consensus on the type and brand of antenaee. Are they all about the same 6.5db gain fibreglass or steel any recommendation or ones ,types to avoid.

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I purchased my UHF off ebay. I then went to a shop that specialized in communications to get my antenna.

It was a while ago and I can't remember the reasons why, but after asking what my needs were this is what they recommended.

It works well for my use which is generally in a trip convoy or talking to truckies.

I will be getting a new one for my D2 and will probably go with the same.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/im...014/11/911.jpg

I'd like to mount my antenna as far as I can from the field of vision.. don't know if that's possible:( Was thinking about a side mount just near the EAS magic compressor box...

Where mine is, once I got used to it, I don't even notice it there when driving.

I've always been a fan of the ground independent antennas from ZCG. Similar to what d2dave says, I don't particularly notice it on the bull bar, even when I'm using a big bugger out in the open.