UHF handheld and handsfree op?

Submitted: Monday, Sep 12, 2005 at 12:13
ThreadID: 26374 Views:2567 Replies:6 FollowUps:0
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I am about to purchase a Uniden UH075 and do my first trip with club (training trip). I will be travelling alone in Patrol and wonder what my options are for using radio while keeping hands on wheel as much as possible. Are there mics that work? Have seen some interesting versions on website - one version makes driver look like astronaught (or the woman on the AAMI ad ) and another is listed as a throat mic. How does that work?

I'm not one for incessant chatter on radio in convoy situation, but need to be able to acknowlege advice sent by others.

Has anyone got experience with mics or other useful tips.

Can hardly pull over each time I need to speak and I have not developed the 'skills' used by some city drivers to use mobile phones and negotiate tricky manouevers in dense, fast-moving traffic and eat at the same time!

Cheers,

Patrolee
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Reply By: Truckster (Vic) - Monday, Sep 12, 2005 at 12:24

Monday, Sep 12, 2005 at 12:24
For how often you need to communicate, just use the mic, its worked for others for 100yrs.

From what I've seen, vox (i think its called) is a PITA. I have only ever been on a trip with 1 dude using it, so maybe others are better, but we couldnt understand a thing he said.. apart from when he was talking to his passenger and we didnt know that!

all the club driver training that Ive been on with our club, nobody has ever complained that they cant respond on a mic
AnswerID: 129638

Reply By: Member - Tonester (VIC) - Monday, Sep 12, 2005 at 13:15

Monday, Sep 12, 2005 at 13:15
Might depend on the unit, but you can get remote mikes run to a easy to reach location if the unit is unable to be put in one initially. At a cost of course. Speak to a radio installation joint. You'll find it hard going if you have to stop everytime you want to transmit. Its not hard to do. Or even leave it in your lap if you know your in a "conversation". Anyway, whoever is talking to you is going to notice if you don't respond, ie. you're in a tricky spot needing both hands permanently, and will very likely keep trying to see your ok.
AnswerID: 129648

Reply By: Ian from Thermoguard Instruments - Monday, Sep 12, 2005 at 13:45

Monday, Sep 12, 2005 at 13:45
Hi All,

Don't know whether 4WD clubs have other conventions, but I've found a pretty universally understood 'acknowledgement' of a message is a quick 'double click' on the push-to-talk button. Works for us when the road-train driver behind says he's starting to overtake our Disco and caravan - and I then need to keep my hands on the wheel as much as possible!

[Slightly off-thread but CB related: Caravan owners, don't be afraid to call up truckies approaching from behind with something like "Hello Southbound, (or North, West, etc.) Please give us a call when you're ready to pass". This seems to be always appreciated. When they begin to pass and are fully in the other lane, I tap-off the cruise control to wash-off speed, wait until the prime mover is passing the van, then apply just enough throttle to keep our rig 'stretched'. And then give them a 'flash' as the last trailer clears your front end. You might be surprised at the number of good remarks you get. But don't back-off while they are still behind you and don't try to tell the truckie when he should pass - leave it up to him (her?).]
AnswerID: 129651

Reply By: Member - Chrispy (NSW) - Monday, Sep 12, 2005 at 15:11

Monday, Sep 12, 2005 at 15:11
We've tried to use VOX a fair few times, and to be fair to it we've tried adjusting the sensitivity and even tried to modify the way we respond in voice - but we can't get over the frustration. The units won't start transmitting until you've already spoken at least one and sometimes two words already - often losing the point of the conversation.

I just use the button now.
AnswerID: 129678

Reply By: navaraman - Monday, Sep 12, 2005 at 15:35

Monday, Sep 12, 2005 at 15:35
If it's a training trip the trainers should be well aware that you are unable to use the UHF at certain times to respond to them. If you are doing something that precludes you using the UHF let them know before you start the manouvere, they should be on top of it anyway. I don't think you'll have a problem, as others have said VOX can be a PITA
AnswerID: 129683

Reply By: Patrolee - Tuesday, Sep 13, 2005 at 09:55

Tuesday, Sep 13, 2005 at 09:55
Thanks all. Will save money and frustration of VOX/mic and just use the old methods. On reflection, others in convoy will know by looking if road challenge is cause of my silence . Also means I can sing along to CD without anyone discovering the quality??? of my singing!

Thanks also for the reminder about how useful the UHF can be on outback roads frequented by large trucks. About 17 years ago I spent a lot of time driving on the roads of western QLD - without UHF (a work vehicle!). I quickly learned the rules of the road there. You could see the huge dust trail of approaching huge vehicles (front or behind) for miles, so started looking for a safe place to pull off and let the trucks and roadtrains pass. IF there was any bitumen, it was safest to let them have it all, but always pull off early enough that they did not have to brake suddenly. Many new drivers visiting the area DEMANDED to have their 50% only to be faced with a snaking road train, dust and rocks for their trouble. Best to let them stay on the hard top and be able to see where you are going!

The UHF can make this sort of travel so much more civilised. How do you know what channel the truck might be on? Are there channels more commonly used by certain groups?

Cheers,
Patrolee
AnswerID: 129834

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