uhf replacement and selections
Submitted: Thursday, Jan 29, 2004 at 17:48
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tdcockers
hi all
i was recently given (free of charge, would you believe) a perfectly working gme tx4000. 3 days later, i did a real temporary install job on a mates 4wd for a trip to fraser in convoy.
unfortunately, the job was so temporary that an unfamiliar user reversed the polarity and as there was no fuses, destroyed the set (i was quoted $220 to repair it). Note to self - never to temporary wiring jobs :'(
anyways, i have caught the bug, and am likely to get a new set when i get the cash. from reading here, it seems uniden is not an option, so i am looking at the gme line again, having loved the first set i had.
what is the difference between the tx3200 and the tx4400, other than price? the 4400 obviously has more features, but the only feature i am really interested in is range. can anyone say how they compare? i am looking for a DIN mount unit or kit, so both these units can do it.
also, i am thinking i will get the benelec 3/6.5db 'explorer' antenna, prestige has them for $85, and dick smith has them for $100. is this worthwhile? i have seen a number of 4wds using them since i started looking at them. i am putting it on an old camry
sedan, so it won't be doing any harsh work, unless the entire sunshine coast floods...
anyway, i knew nothing about uhfs 2 weeks ago, until i got given this set, so any help is much appreciated.
cheerio, tim c
Reply By: jeff-wa - Thursday, Jan 29, 2004 at 18:35
Thursday, Jan 29, 2004 at 18:35
I'm just wiping the tears out of my eyes in respect for the poor old GME...
Anyhow in buying another unit the range is not going to change a heck of alot between unit, more the clarity and features. They are all 5 watts. (except for a few more expensive models) but 5 watts is all your legally alowed to use. More of the range will be to do with the cable you choose, the length of the cable, the arial and location, location, location!
The only tip is, make sure your arial's base is as high as is practial. I have just got rid of my 6db Aliminium Spring base Dipole Arial that was bolted to the bullbar and am now using a little GME 2.5db on my roof, around town I get better reception in and out of repeaters as they are all on the highest building and
hill around. It's not all about power with UHF!
Rule of thumb.
- Higher the DB the further you will transmit in a straight line. (flat highway)
- Lower DB means less choppy when driving and better in hilly or city areas. ie sand dunes etc.
AnswerID:
44774
Reply By: tdcockers - Thursday, Jan 29, 2004 at 18:42
Thursday, Jan 29, 2004 at 18:42
it was a sad day when the old girl died, but it was my own silly fault that it happened, i coulda done plenty to stop it. oh well.
thanks for the info, i really appreciate that. unfortunately, the camry doesnt have a lot of good spots for the antenna on the roof, but i will see what i can do....
(laughs evilly)
AnswerID:
44776
Reply By: TG065 - Thursday, Jan 29, 2004 at 19:04
Thursday, Jan 29, 2004 at 19:04
Hi Tim C
I have the gme tx3400 and could not say enough good things about it.
I had it installed at the
shop, with the bulky unit under the drivers
seat, and the face mounted on the dash.
It is really a compact unit which does not impede on the dasboard, and blends in well.
Thanks
tg065
AnswerID:
44779
Reply By: Richard - Thursday, Jan 29, 2004 at 20:05
Thursday, Jan 29, 2004 at 20:05
Just purchased a Uniden 089 for $283 and it works well.
AnswerID:
44787
Reply By: Truckster (Vic) - Thursday, Jan 29, 2004 at 20:53
Thursday, Jan 29, 2004 at 20:53
http://www.prestigecom.net.au/
The only place to
shop..
Have the 3400 Remote head, with the cop channels programmed in too.. Bonus.. No wonder they never catch crooks, always too busy doing traffic and bleep like that
AnswerID:
44794
Follow Up By: IT Doctor - Tuesday, Feb 24, 2004 at 01:54
Tuesday, Feb 24, 2004 at 01:54
Truckster
You gotta tell me how to get the cop channels programmed in. I have just picked up a TX3400 and an AE4018K1..
FollowupID:
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Follow Up By: Truckster (Vic) - Tuesday, Feb 24, 2004 at 17:34
Tuesday, Feb 24, 2004 at 17:34
Pay $$ to a radio place they will do it...
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309832
Reply By: Hacksaw - Thursday, Jan 29, 2004 at 22:29
Thursday, Jan 29, 2004 at 22:29
If you can afford it, and have room for a DIN mount unit, I'd be getting the 4400. Apart from the extra features, they're much easier on the eyes due to the larger size. As for the Benlec 'Explorer', sounds like a good idea if you've got somewhere hefty to mount it. If I'm thinking of the right antenna, they're pretty heavy because of the spring and elevated feed rod. Apart from that, good luck and happy UHFing.
AnswerID:
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Follow Up By: tdcockers - Friday, Jan 30, 2004 at 08:49
Friday, Jan 30, 2004 at 08:49
it sounds like you are thinking of the right one, i will have to have a look at one and see.
does the bulk of the signal still come from the bottom of the feed rod (for the antennas that have one) or does it come from the bottom of the whip?
'explorer' page
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Follow Up By: Hacksaw - Saturday, Jan 31, 2004 at 00:53
Saturday, Jan 31, 2004 at 00:53
Had a look at the link you added and it is the stick I was thinking it was. I haven't actually used one, so I can't comment on performance, but I certainly like the idea of the interchangable whips and the elevated feed, which gets it up that bit higher. It's where the whip is that counts. At least that is what I've been led to believe.
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Reply By: Lyds - Friday, Jan 30, 2004 at 19:53
Friday, Jan 30, 2004 at 19:53
tx4400
you can self program an additional 20 channels for alternate listening.Cheers,
Stuart
- To err is human, to moo bovine -
AnswerID:
44875
Reply By: Member - Toonfish - Saturday, Jan 31, 2004 at 00:35
Saturday, Jan 31, 2004 at 00:35
i thought there was a imple fuse in the unit designed specifically for this purpose .
you might want to get another quote .
sounds like a ripoff?1999 NISSAN NAVARA DUALCAB
DIESEL 3.2 & SPRINGY CARLTON TOY
2 awestruck kids (dads driving!)
AnswerID:
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Follow Up By: tdcockers - Monday, Feb 02, 2004 at 08:56
Monday, Feb 02, 2004 at 08:56
hmm, your not the first person to suggest that. sounds like i might have to go elsewhere....
i was led to believe that the guy i was going to (ralph
hill in nambour) was the best on the coast, but have since learned from a former employee that ralph often paid wages and bills late etc - but he is the cheapest for new equipment on the coast, he rivals presitgecom on the stock that he has.
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