UHF radio
Submitted: Tuesday, Oct 07, 2014 at 17:08
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hooks
Hello Everyone,
I wish to purchase a simple
UHF radio. I am keen on the GME TX3100 Plug 'N' Play as this seems a simple thing to fit. I am not wanting to fit a permanent unit in the ute, but could be persuaded.
I will be interested in peoples
views re reception and use etc. Also comments on the various hand held units that operate on lower than 5 watts. The other consideration is the antenna, i.e. use the small magnetic one that comes with the unit or fit a permanent one to the bull bar.
thanks
Bob.
Reply By: Ross M - Tuesday, Oct 07, 2014 at 17:32
Tuesday, Oct 07, 2014 at 17:32
Apart from the radio performance which is good with GME units anyway (I have 5 of them) the real performance difference comes down to the aerial performance and where and how it is mounted to the vehicle.
Bull bar not being the ideal place. Up on the roof, ( remember that song) is the cool place to be, it works
well up as high as you can have/get it. No good for carparks though.
All is a compromise. Get the best options = best performance.
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540036
Reply By: Member - Nutta - Tuesday, Oct 07, 2014 at 19:31
Tuesday, Oct 07, 2014 at 19:31
I have seen 75 channels on sale at Aldi for $70-, a bit more work fitting it, 5 watts, 60 day money back and 12 month warranty, hard to beat!
Ignore if you wish, I'm always raving about Aldi!
AnswerID:
540046
Follow Up By: Member - Munji - Wednesday, Oct 08, 2014 at 18:15
Wednesday, Oct 08, 2014 at 18:15
Yep $70 will get you the reliability you need when you break down, good luck
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825834
Follow Up By: Member - Nutta - Wednesday, Oct 08, 2014 at 18:59
Wednesday, Oct 08, 2014 at 18:59
Possibly, could be a bit like a chinese ute.
I have hammered the Aldi stuff for a few years now and it's actually pretty good, big price doesn't always mean good quality!
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825840
Reply By: rocco2010 - Tuesday, Oct 07, 2014 at 19:41
Tuesday, Oct 07, 2014 at 19:41
gidday
Hired something similar many moons ago before I got a permanent installation.
Worked fine in a convoy situation with the magnetic mounted aerial on the roof.
One drawback is that you have a few cables running around the cab and if you are anything like me they get in a tangle all the time.
I was tempted by the 5W handhelds (would not go lower) but again, if you are like me it will always be out of reach or the battery will be flat.
Cheers
AnswerID:
540047
Reply By: Member - Tony H (touring oz) - Wednesday, Oct 08, 2014 at 10:39
Reply By: Bob Y. - Qld - Wednesday, Oct 08, 2014 at 18:44
Wednesday, Oct 08, 2014 at 18:44
Bob,
I fitted one of the plug 'n play units to my Falcon
sedan, and for what they are, they work very
well. Didn't use the supplied mount, but it appears quite strong, so may handle rough roads.
As for the midget antenna, it performs much better than its size indicates. Have talked to some mates in road trains and they said the signal is as clear and strong as many of the trucks. However if you were doing some remote travel I'd put one of the extended gain antennas, with magnet mount on roof for better performance.
Audio is a little rough with too much volume, but an external speaker would fix this.
Bob
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Follow Up By: hooks - Friday, Oct 10, 2014 at 09:31
Friday, Oct 10, 2014 at 09:31
Thanks for all your advise and comments
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825927
Reply By: Member - bungarra (WA) - Friday, Oct 10, 2014 at 11:03
Friday, Oct 10, 2014 at 11:03
You could consider having a hand held 5w that has a flexible a removable rubber antennae (such as GME 6100) ............
mount an antennae on the bulbar.....
run the cable through and connect directly onto the hand held (adapter required).........this way you have the best of both worlds in as much that a 5w in vehicle (dont waste your time with 2w).......and a hand held (antennae back on) when away from the vehicle
A roof mount may give a better all-round reception than a bulbar......but it wont be on there for long off road
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540162