Which handheld UHF radio - Uniden or GME?

Thanks Ross. How much would I be looking at for the vehicle unit and would this require any car modifications as I am not too keen on making many more changes to a car we may sell after the trip. I was planning to take a day phone for emergencies but do you think a long range radio is better/sufficient?

Carolyn
You don't necessarily need an "in car" setup" ifyou are going to change vehicles.
A 5Watt handheld with an adapter in place of the standard aerial will allow the connection of a a coax cable to the magnetic base aerial on the roof.
These are reasonably efficient and are easily stowed away when parked or not in use.
For a more serious setup the handheld with it's coaxial cable can go to a "base loaded" aerial (more fixed than the magnet one) fitted to a roof rack or side bonnet mount bracket.
Most of these are as good as and in most cases far better than the big white aerials you see on the B&S porcupine utes.

There are many options and others will also have ideas on what is applicable.
To be a bit more serious than the little around towners will probably require an inflation of the budget though, whichever option you choose.
It all depends on where you are going. Mostly a phone in the outback is useless if not near a reasonable sized settlement and then onlyTelstra is any good anyway.
Unless you spend hundreds more for a SAT phone or $3000 to $4000 for a HF radio the above stuff seems to be the options.
All depends on places travelled and need, oh and budget.

Ross M

Thanks for all that Ross. My post was supposed to say sat phone, not day phone, problem with typing on my mobile! Was planning on a second hand Sat phone plus basic UHF radio.

Carolyn, re the Sat phone check out Client Sat and you may also be eligible for one of the subsidies. I got a new one from them for $118 with the full subsidy. I live in a non mobile reception area but would certainly be worth a free phone call.
Good luck on your trip too.

hi there carolyn,
I use 2 icom 41s 80 channel 5watt hand helds when both the cook and i separate into different directions along with an 80 channel 400pro remote icom in the vechile. Yes these radios are more expensive but you get what you pay for. I'm an icom person from way back for quality and back-up. There is nothing wrong with the other radios , but to get the distance you quote i would assume these are 5watt radios not 2watt. hope this will help

forgot you can get an adaptor to connect to a remote ariel. eg 4dbgain dipoleor better and a power cord to plug into your vechile power supply in the cabin