Hand Held UHF radios

Submitted: Thursday, May 05, 2005 at 17:27

ThreadID: 22693 Views:3110 Replies:8 FollowUps:10

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abstract

I have heard that you can purchase an antenna that clips onto the existing the antenna of a hand held uhf. Is this the case??

My assumption here is that the antenna extension will improve the signal output from the hand held, thus increasing its range??

Your thougths...

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Reply By: Member - Paul P (Bris) - Thursday, May 05, 2005 at 19:13

Thursday, May 05, 2005 at 19:13

Greetings

If its a 5 watt handheld worth the expense and trouble. If its a .5-1-2 watt, not worth the effort as these are really for short range work.

I use a 5 watt hand held with a remote mike, in vehicle (GME). Its quite good without an external antenna.

My thoughts

Regards

Paul

AnswerID: 109891

Reply By: BenSpoon - Thursday, May 05, 2005 at 21:08

Thursday, May 05, 2005 at 21:08

i have come across the reradiating antennas for GPS and mobiles, but have not seen them for UHF- if you are going mainly for portability, youll be paying decent cash to get a device that will have a noticeable difference. Even at that, I would only imagine theres an improvement in signal if it makes like a directional antenna- which is not always useful.

A more effective semi-portable option is a patch lead to an external aerial- even a small one on a magnetic base can help.

AnswerID: 109916

Follow Up By: abstract - Friday, May 06, 2005 at 21:18

Friday, May 06, 2005 at 21:18

Hello

How does a patch lead work?? Does it clip on to the existing antenna of the unit??

I own a GME TX610...an you gat one of these antennas for this unit???

FollowupID: 366669

Follow Up By: BenSpoon - Monday, May 09, 2005 at 12:32

Monday, May 09, 2005 at 12:32

A patch lead for handhelds is basically an extension cord which lets you unscrew your current aerial, and screw in an external aerial.
Take your radio to a comms shop and get them to knock one up for you. If you're in perth, try memo communications, WACB or similar- they will likely have a number of them already made. The things you will need to know are the connector types for both your external aerial and for your radio. Theres a huge range of connectors and sizes out there, so often the best way to get the right match is to bring the gear in, let them know the length of the lead you need and they will crimp it up.

Another option is to do it yourself with jaycar components- just make sure you dont short the braid/shielding of the co-ax cable with the core wire or the patch lead will be useless. Test it with a multimeter as you go.

FollowupID: 366939

Follow Up By: abstract - Tuesday, May 10, 2005 at 22:07

Tuesday, May 10, 2005 at 22:07

Hello Benspoon

Thanks for the reply

From what I understand from your posting, you are supposed to remove the existing antenna and plug in the Patch Lead (is this correct?)

If so I do not think that I can unplug my antenna. My unit is a GME TX610

Regards

FollowupID: 367159

Follow Up By: BenSpoon - Wednesday, May 11, 2005 at 10:15

Wednesday, May 11, 2005 at 10:15

Correct- a patch lead is made to interface the two different items (antenna and radio)- in this case removing the existing antenna and screwing in the patch lead.

With not being able to remove the antenna, it looks like you may be right- I have not physically seen one of these units, but the pictures and blurbs dont seem to indicate that it can unscrew, although this could be wrong. The radios I have (except for the 0.5W unidens) all have removeable antennas, although they are 5W ones. Give it a try- you may have some luck.

Have you had any luck finding re-radiating antennas for the unit?

FollowupID: 367211

Reply By: Sports Junkie - Thursday, May 05, 2005 at 21:24

Thursday, May 05, 2005 at 21:24

I do it quite successfully with my Icom IC 40S. I have an adaptor to run to an externally mounted (magnetic base) 6Db antenna and a battery eliminator. It makes it fully transportable from car to car and converts back to a normal handheld in seconds.

AnswerID: 109920

Follow Up By: abstract - Friday, May 06, 2005 at 20:32

Friday, May 06, 2005 at 20:32

Thanks for the reply Sports Junkie

I have a GME TX610 which is a 1 watt unit. The unit does not have a jack or any other port to plug an external anntenna into. I was hoping that this "adapter" you are talking about can clip on to the existing antenna of the unit.

How many watts does your unit transmit at?

FollowupID: 366656

Follow Up By: Sports Junkie - Friday, May 06, 2005 at 21:03

Friday, May 06, 2005 at 21:03

Abstract,

My unit is a 1W/5W unit. To use an external antenna, I have an adaptor that replaces the stubby antenna with a BNC socket. It doesn't clip on to the existing antenna as such but replaces it. I then just plug into a normal coax lead to magnetic base and external antenna. This is only used when I travel in my road car. When I use the 4x4, I have a Uniden T'xer mounted permanently in a roof console and use the hand held when away from the vehicle. Sorry if I confused you.

FollowupID: 366665

Reply By: Truckster (Vic) - Thursday, May 05, 2005 at 22:31

Thursday, May 05, 2005 at 22:31

Do you mean to keep it portible or to make it an incar mount type?

AnswerID: 109931

Follow Up By: abstract - Friday, May 06, 2005 at 20:35

Friday, May 06, 2005 at 20:35

Truckster

Thanks for the reply....

I ultimately want to keep it portable. It appears that when suing the unit in the car, I seem to loos the effective range. it is a 1 watt unit with no external jack to plug in an external antenna (its a GME TX610)

Regards

FollowupID: 366658

Follow Up By: Truckster (Vic) - Saturday, May 07, 2005 at 14:48

Saturday, May 07, 2005 at 14:48

No, there is no external unit that fits it on the GME site.

I also think you are expecting a bit much from a 1watt hand held even with external ariel

FollowupID: 366739

Reply By: Big Woody - Thursday, May 05, 2005 at 22:41

Thursday, May 05, 2005 at 22:41

Hi Abstract,

I have had a handheld GME TX 6000 handheld UHF for about 3 years now. They are a great radio with lots of options. I have full in car kit with handmike fitted for transmission through standard bullbar mounted antenna.

In response to your question, for handheld use it came with the standard stubbie antenna (about 100mm long) which seems to work quite well.

I also purchased a high gain antenna which replaces the stubbie one. This one is about 400mm long. It definately improves the performance but I can't say by how much as I don't remember the specs of the antenna.

I hope this helps mate.

Cheers,
Brett

AnswerID: 109932

Reply By: Member - Troopytrek - Thursday, May 05, 2005 at 22:41

Thursday, May 05, 2005 at 22:41

Hi Abstract,

If your unit is a GME 5 watt hand held you can purchase a in car kit or to keep completely portable you can purchase what is called a high gain antenna.

Trooptrek

AnswerID: 109933

Reply By: traveller2 - Friday, May 06, 2005 at 08:39

Friday, May 06, 2005 at 08:39

As has been said if it is a 5 watt unit it will work ok but if a little 1/2 watter not worth the effort. Most of the handhelds are only meant for short range line of sight work and while they work well for what they are in open country are lacking in hilly terrain especially inside a vehicle.

AnswerID: 109975

Reply By: floyd - Friday, May 06, 2005 at 15:56

Friday, May 06, 2005 at 15:56

I have GME TX 7200 and have the in car kit. This trickle charges the radio via the antenna socket and symiltaneously plugs into an external antenna. With the speaker mic it basically turns it into a mobile rig. It runs 5 watts or low power (1 watt). 1 watt is ideal for vehicle to vehicle use at close range. You will have to buy the external antenna and mount it on the outside of the car and then run the cable to the hand held.

AnswerID: 110042