Advice for first time CB radio buyer

[twr7cx]

I'm looking to purchase my first incar CB radio and just chasing a bit of advise from people with a bit more know and experience.

I'm looking for a unit which has a remote handset - in terms of being able to fully control the unit using the speaker/microphone handset.
I've looked at the Icom and GME, but have shortlisted it down to two Uniden units due to the significantly cheaper price (the Icom's are about 40% more expensive and the GME about 25% more):
UH400SX-RM - :: Uniden Australia ::
UH500SX-RM - :: Uniden Australia ::

Any recommendations as to which to get? My preference is for the 400 due to the smaller size for ease of installation into the vehicle. I have only identified that the 500 offers the following additional feature:
Interference Eliminator (38 CTCSS Codes)
Price wise, both are identical.

And then what antenna should I mate with it?

[mattyg]

The extra codes are handy for not being interrupted by other people as much, however the other person your talking to must have this feature as well. As far as antennas go it depends where you will mount it and what terrain you are travelling through.

In hilly areas use a low gain antenna eg a 2 - 4.5 db

In open country use a 6.5 db

Pretty much these days unless you want to cut extra holes in your roof to mount your antenna, you will need a ground independant antenna.
You will get the best reception if you mount the antenna as high as you can however you need to balance this with getting into a garage etc.
If you mount it on a bulbar it will need a heavy duty barrel spring base.

I use a 30 cm 4.5 db ground independent antenna mounted on the roof rack as it is nice and high but I can still get into carparks. And around Brisbane 4.5 db is good for the hilly areas.

[twr7cx]

I'll be mounting the antenna on the bullbar. I don't leave the roofracks etc. fixed on the vehicle so don't want it up there.

[Sprint]

tbh it boils down to where you want to mount it..... if its not in a DIN sized slot, go the 400....

is there any particular reeason you want to control everything from the microphone? i've found the remote control microphones to be annoying at night.....

might also be an idea to wait untill the 80ch UHF's get released

[85 county]

remote handset?

Na hate it. you bump buttons, change chanels and end up doing every thing you doint want to do. normal handset is better

[twr7cx]

is there any particular reeason you want to control everything from the microphone? i've found the remote control microphones to be annoying at night.....

Because there isn't really anywhere for me to mount the unit in an accessable spot. Having a handset with remote functions means I can mount it under the seat and still control it.
The Uniden models come with both a standard handset and the remote handset.

[twr7cx]

Ended up getting the Uniden UH400SX-RM with a 6db antenna for $250.00. The antenna is not ideal for hilly Tassie country, but I'll sort that out later.

[Nungarra]

They were supposed to have this up and running by now. Still waiting. But then it takes 5 years for Govt to get anything moving.....

[101RRS]

Ended up getting the Uniden UH400SX-RM with a 6db antenna for $250.00. The antenna is not ideal for hilly Tassie country, but I'll sort that out later.

I hope you got the 80 channel version - 80 channels are now in.

Garry

[twr7cx]

I hope you got the 80 channel version - 80 channels are now in.

Nah, I don't think it is.
For the additional price of the 80 channel units, and that most users don't have them at the moment, I didn't feel the need. This unit should have the main channels for me.