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UHF - hand held vs. in-car

Submitted: Monday, Mar 03, 2003 at 11:29

Member - Rohan K

Hi all. I'm looking to purchase a UHF set. Having been out the "game" for some time, I'm looking for some advice or personal experiences on the benefits/detriments of each type. I know most hand-helds only run 0.5 watts but you can get 5 watt units. Those are about the same cost as a 5 watt in-car unit. So, wattage aside, what do you all think? Which is "the way to go"?

Thanks
Rohan
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AnswerID: 14349   Submitted: Monday, Mar 03, 2003 at 12:52

Voxson replied:

The way to go is a fixed 5 watt unit in the car and a cheap hand held for giving to your missus so she can talk you through the deep river crossings...........
Reply 1 of 8
AnswerID: 14350   Submitted: Monday, Mar 03, 2003 at 13:11

Member - Peter replied:

I have an in car unit and a hand held for dick smith cost apprx $100 hand held Range around 2 km and have found it well worth it , I have used the hand held on many ocations when away from the car and also guiding others through obsticals Peter York 4x4
Reply 2 of 8
AnswerID: 14352   Submitted: Monday, Mar 03, 2003 at 13:28

Bob Y. replied:

R K, agree with Voxson, go incar set with handheld of your choice. Handhelds in the car may be alright for short trips, but on long trips, they are a pain because the speakers aren't big enough to give good audio, and you are forever saying "repeat", didn't hear that, or did you call us?

Though we use dearer h/helds, do have a couple of unidens, and they can occasionally access our repeater up to 30 kms away. But this is in ideal conditions.

Get an Electrophone TX4400 or TX3400, no other rubbish. hooroo...
Reply 3 of 8
AnswerID: 14360   Submitted: Monday, Mar 03, 2003 at 16:26

David replied:

Am just about to order two from priestige in Perth
http://www.prestigecom.net.au/
They seem to have the best prices... I'm going for a 0.5 w handheld (POSSIBLY a Uniden UH 042, but still haven't decided for sure) and a GME TX4400 for the dash- this setup has been highly recommended to me by a number of people with plenty of experienceexperience.
Reply 4 of 8
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AnswerID: 14361   Submitted: Monday, Mar 03, 2003 at 16:27

David replied:

Am just about to order two from priestige in Perth
http://www.prestigecom.net.au/
They seem to have the best prices... I'm going for a 0.5 w handheld (POSSIBLY a Uniden UH 042, but still haven't decided for sure) and a GME TX4400 for the dash- this setup has been highly recommended to me by a number of people with plenty of experience.
Reply 5 of 8
AnswerID: 14362   Submitted: Monday, Mar 03, 2003 at 16:27

Member - Motley replied:

I agree with comments so far. In car unit at 5 watts is best for travelling. If you want person to person, GME have just released a great little hand held for about $120 which can be used to talk to the driver when patrking vans, river crossings etc
Reply 6 of 8
AnswerID: 14392   Submitted: Monday, Mar 03, 2003 at 22:29

sean replied:

I have ICOM IC40S handheld units for about 5 years now as well as an in car unit (not installed at the moment).

The good quality handhelds give a very good range and are very clear - but of course not as good as in-car units. I like the versatility of the handheld because I can take it whichever vehicle I travel. The range is really irrevelant. An in car unit will not help you if the car is in a valley where you can walk to the top of the hill with the handheld.

Both units are line of sight only unless you can hit a repeater - and then both can get you to someone 100 km away.

This, or last months, 4wd monthly had a back issue atttached that has a shootout on all the radios. Whichever way you go, only buy the good brands. Before I got the Icoms, I trialled a pair of unidens and there was no comparison between the two units in terms of both clarity and range.

Sean
Reply 7 of 8
AnswerID: 14422   Submitted: Tuesday, Mar 04, 2003 at 13:36

Member - Rohan K replied:

Thanks guys. It looks like another wad of the folding stuff on its way from the hip pocket. It seems the ideal is an in vehicle set (I like the look of the TX3400) and a decent (preferably 5w) handheld. Ah well, what was I saving for anyway?

Reply 8 of 8