UHF radios

Hi Bonz
My last radio was a 3400, and i loved it, saved me alot of waiting in queues at accident sites, aswell as opened my eyes at how bad this world can get at times.... but its time to have a look at whats new and better. I hear the police are going digital soon in the big cities, then again, funding for that might be a sticking point for a few years yet....
Andrew Wollongong

The TX3200 is $299 including free express air freight from:
http://www.prestigecom.net.au/

GO with the GME TX3800 and never look back! :D 100 ch, the works...

The 3800 is a nice radio, that said, most commercial radios are a good choice i think, I like the extra power (yes I know its illegal) and the better build quality of a commercial radio... I have a Phillips 8020... Old but tough

Hey Truckster, not sure what you paid for your TX3800, but I recently picked up two Icom Ic-F221 from the US for US$276 each. 128 channel and 45 Watts!

Have a look at:

http://www.icomamerica.com/land_mobile/mobileuhf/icf221main.asp

hi tuco69

have a couple of questions about the icom unit.

1. does it have variable power settings or does it always transmit at 45watts.

2. if you don't mind me asking where did you get it for US$276.

Thankyou,

Vojta.

Hi Vojta,

1. The F221 has 6 'assignable' buttons. If one of these is programmed as 'H/L' then it can be used to switch between 5 / 25 / 45 Watts. If not, then the power is whatever has been set on the individual frequencies. You need the Icom software and also cloning cable to do this yourself.

2. The F221 is available from a number of outlets in the US. Just a couple are:

http://www.actioncommunications.com/merchant/merchant.mv?

http://store.yahoo.com/nsiradio1/

Have a look at details and specifications on the Icom america site at:

http://www.icomamerica.com/land_mobile/mobileuhf/icf221main.asp

You will be able to download pdf's on brochure, specifications as well as instruction and service manuals from Icom.

With the current exchange rate, these radios come in under the AU$500 threshold, and no duty will be payable (if you buy one at a time).

Hi Tuco69,

I've spent the last week having a closer look at the unit trying to dig up anything on the web, and looks like i'll be ordering one later in the week.

How have you found using it and operating all the various features. Reading thru the manuals I noticed two things which may be of a nuisance more then anything;

Firstly the squelch seems to only be adjusted by pressing a whole series of buttons and then it will still change the setting for that particular channel. Is this really an issue when it comes to using using the radio or is there some other way of changing the squelch settings,

Secondly, you are unable to transmit on a chanel if it is 'busy', have you noticed this at all, and does this occur too often for your liking or is it not noticeable.

Finally, do you have an aerial that covers the full 440-490Mhz spectrum, if yes what sort is it and how much did it cost.

Thankyou, much appreciate your assistance, first hand is always best.

Cheers,

Vojta.

Hi Vojta,

The F221 does not have many of the features that the IC 400Pro has. Eg - it can not talk the selcall that other Ozzie UHF's do. It only has 6 programable buttons - where the 400Pro also has a 'function' menue.

I have had no problem setting the squelch on my 2 radios. Simply hold the up and down buttons while turning the radio power on. This will put you in the 'set mode'. I have found that the factory squelch settings are just about spot on. Both of mine are different. All radios are factory tuned and settings are different for both radios.

It wil TX any time I key the mic. If I want to TX over the top of someone - with 45W it is easy!

As I live in hilly country - rainforest - I use a half wave colinear on both base and mobile - very happy with the performance. Have used 6 and 9 dB gain aerials in the past and found that the small colinear works much better except over water or in flat open country - where the gain aerials are better. Have also used a pair of stacked 18 element yagis on a rotator - great base to base - useless to mobiles - too narrow a window.

These small colinear aerials are fairly broadband and swr 1.3:1 on our company channels 455 mHz and 464 mHz as well as UHF CB 476/477 mHz. I havent tried any others.

Tuco

Pluto
You must have your wires crossed, the TX3400 is a current model and as a matter of fact I'm waiting for another production run to complete back orders.

Cheers
Bob L

I obtained that info from a retailer that I have no reason to disbelieve.