Icom Radios

Submitted: Thursday, Apr 19, 2007 at 00:09
ThreadID: 44482 Views:2570 Replies:12 FollowUps:12
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After looking at a few manufactures ive decided to go with the Icom's. Handheld IC-41S and the IC-400pro... Now the question is am i better off buying two handhelds or one of each.. I am getting conflicting views

How would you guys go about it, your views would be appreciated.

Cheers
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Reply By: Footloose - Thursday, Apr 19, 2007 at 00:31

Thursday, Apr 19, 2007 at 00:31
It depends on what you want to do with them. H/H's are fine for close convoy and relatively close person to person. I'd hate to try and drive too far whilst holding onto one, though. If you're planning on doing a lot of talking or listening a h/h isn't the answer.
AnswerID: 234379

Reply By: Red Frog - Vic - Thursday, Apr 19, 2007 at 00:39

Thursday, Apr 19, 2007 at 00:39
One of each, mounted inthe cab the 400 will be far nicer to use while driving than the handheld, then you have the handheld to use away from the vehicle, it's a no brainer really
AnswerID: 234381

Follow Up By: warfer69 - Thursday, Apr 19, 2007 at 11:19

Thursday, Apr 19, 2007 at 11:19
*it's a no brainer really*

Well one would think so but as you see from thread its not...

Now how i see it is if your holding your mike from a fixed radio whats the difference from holding one attached to handheld ????

From the below thread that makes sense is that a fixed radio you can have a better ranging arial attached to it.....

Now where getting somewhere

cheers
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Follow Up By: Red Frog - Vic - Thursday, Apr 19, 2007 at 11:40

Thursday, Apr 19, 2007 at 11:40
I prefer not to have to put up with the cross modulaton problems that handhelds have in populated areas, of course that problem doesn't exist so much if you only use the radio in country areas, even sensitive mobile radios can have cross mod problems but generally not as bad as handhelds. All good handhelds will have cross mod because the receiver is designed to be very very sensitive to make up for the crappy antenna, cross mod in busy areas can render your radio useless.

Your question was two handhelds or one of each, why would you want to use a handheld as a mobile radio when you can have a proper mobile and a handheld as well.
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Follow Up By: warfer69 - Thursday, Apr 19, 2007 at 12:01

Thursday, Apr 19, 2007 at 12:01
*why would you want to use a handheld as a mobile radio when you can have a proper mobile and a handheld as well.*

Hiya

Where my block is i DO NOT get mobile range at all... Now i do not know what is meant by cross modulaton but will google it as soon as i get a chance..

Ive never owned a uhf before so its all new to me and would like to get it right..

thanks
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Reply By: Member No 1- Thursday, Apr 19, 2007 at 08:12

Thursday, Apr 19, 2007 at 08:12
mmmm....
two hand helds have a benefit as below.....but an incar is good to have also due to increased range because of higher db gain antenna

As for operating a hand held in car get a lapel mic and speaker...makes for much easier handling and legal (in SA anyway...one can use a cb but not a mobil phone?..stupid aint it)

Hand helds are good when hiking. And a lapel mic also makes for easier use if hand held is clipped to belt and when out treking
AnswerID: 234399

Follow Up By: warfer69 - Thursday, Apr 19, 2007 at 11:21

Thursday, Apr 19, 2007 at 11:21
Thanks bud

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Reply By: MikeyS - Thursday, Apr 19, 2007 at 11:18

Thursday, Apr 19, 2007 at 11:18
I have an Icom 40s which I put in a secure cradle in-vehicle. I connect it to an external antenna mounted on the bullbar, and have a"battery eliminator" which substitutes for the normal battery pack. I also have a lapel mic. To swap from an in-car to handheld takes about 30 seconds. Best of both worlds in my opinion.
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Follow Up By: warfer69 - Thursday, Apr 19, 2007 at 11:20

Thursday, Apr 19, 2007 at 11:20
Thanks Mikey

Thats the answer i need

Cheers Mate
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Follow Up By: marcus - Thursday, Apr 19, 2007 at 13:40

Thursday, Apr 19, 2007 at 13:40
MikeyS,
I have the same system and with the 5w output through the external antenna i have plenty of range and if i need the unit as a handheld it comes out of the vehicle in no time.
Mark
Take it bush or take it back.
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FollowupID: 495411

Reply By: warfer69 - Thursday, Apr 19, 2007 at 11:31

Thursday, Apr 19, 2007 at 11:31
Thanks Guys

My girlfriend goes off for long walks while away...(always comes back-dang)

At easter she had a bleep hassle her,she told him to f-off,but he come back and forth and stopped car about 10 metres away from her etc,she was going to run to a campsite but he finally drove off.....

I told her i would pick her up in an hour and a half,when i got their she was startled and told the story ,i said did you get his rego and of course no..There were a few red cars about so the chances of nailing the right prick were slim.....

So hence the radio's-one for her-one for me !

You know you always worry about being safe in the city -- well idiots like to go to the bush too i suppose !

cheers
AnswerID: 234443

Follow Up By: Mike Harding - Thursday, Apr 19, 2007 at 17:26

Thursday, Apr 19, 2007 at 17:26
Depending upon the geology/hills of the land you're in (Vic High Country is very bad) you may only get as little a 500m or 1km from a UHF CB handheld radio. _Never_ consider UHF CB to have any safety capability.

Mike Harding
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Follow Up By: Robin - Thursday, Apr 19, 2007 at 19:17

Thursday, Apr 19, 2007 at 19:17
This shows you how times change - up the road from there at the stonehouse a day before New Years eve once someone drove by and put a bullet thru one of the car doors (shotgun actually) - after some initial checks we slung the 243 over our shoulder and jumped on the bikes and went for a look see towards Jamieson - theres a CB repeater up there on Mt Terrible - and someone called the police and they came up from Jamieson , they stopped in front of us ,noting the obvious that we were carrying guns - and we quickly explained a shotgun was used - so they kept cruising up while we checked out the 4wd tracks.

Robin Miller

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Follow Up By: Black Shoe - Thursday, Apr 19, 2007 at 19:29

Thursday, Apr 19, 2007 at 19:29
I agree with Mike, a brick will do far more damage and consider a "how to kick the goolies" course, a brick and a good kick in the nuts will do far more damage than a handheld.
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Follow Up By: warfer69 - Friday, Apr 20, 2007 at 13:13

Friday, Apr 20, 2007 at 13:13
Hi Blacky

My daughter has played number1 -section1 tennis since she was about 12,now 14,started when about 7-1/2 (not bad considering the age group-her opponants age up to 17 years and 11 months old) I started her in win chung-kung fu about 2-1/2 years ago..does about 4 hours training a week with all the tennis) went to fake hit her the other day and she blocked naturally and felt like she nearly broke my wrist) put my tail between my legs and walked away without showing any pain... You know the tough old dad- I tell ya it hurt for bloody ages..... Nothing wrong with her mind you..

Might hav the missus go with her from now on because most the time an idiot is not going to expect a women to smash them really !
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Reply By: Jeeps - Thursday, Apr 19, 2007 at 13:31

Thursday, Apr 19, 2007 at 13:31
I have several Icom 400pros and an Icom Ic-40s which i find to be excellent radios.

I have 2x 400pro's in the Jeep and also carry the 40s handheld on trips. The reason i have 2 in-car units? I have access to private channels (non-cb band) but often out the back of nowhere i will have one on a cb channel chatting to mates and the other scanning around or on ch 40.

My preference for this discussion would be:

1) 2x handhelds if you intend on using them both while on foot.

2) 1x in-car at base camp and 1x handheld for you gf for her walks as that would give better range than 2x handhelds alone.

cheers
AnswerID: 234468

Reply By: Strahan - Thursday, Apr 19, 2007 at 14:03

Thursday, Apr 19, 2007 at 14:03
I have 3 Icoms for amateur use.
I would go with 1 handheld and one mounted in the car.
The cross modulation mentioned is strong signals overwhelming the "front end' of the h/h. Basically it can't seperate signals well enough. The result is loud noise overriding what you want to hear.

The vehicle mounted unit will be much better at reducing this interferance.
You can also put a much more effecient antenna on it to make life even better.

I use a H/H in the wifes car with an external antenna and find it a bit annoying having the antenna lead hanging off the top of it. Also plugging in an external antenna lead has a lot more leverage so beware that it does not break off the connector!

No battery problems either with a vehicle mounted unit.
AnswerID: 234476

Follow Up By: warfer69 - Friday, Apr 20, 2007 at 13:03

Friday, Apr 20, 2007 at 13:03
Thanks Strachan for your time to explain !

cheers
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Reply By: Robin - Thursday, Apr 19, 2007 at 14:51

Thursday, Apr 19, 2007 at 14:51
The cross modulation problem Red Frog spoke of is real and can be a limiting factor in low cost products Wayne.

The manufacturer you have choosen is at the top end of the quality range.
I have reviewed most of these products and can assure you that cross modulation will not be a problem in your situation, wether you get hand helds or in car radio.

Robin Miller
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Reply By: Member - 'Lucy' - Thursday, Apr 19, 2007 at 23:41

Thursday, Apr 19, 2007 at 23:41
Yep! totally agree - only way to go
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Follow Up By: Bonz (Vic) - Friday, Apr 20, 2007 at 22:36

Friday, Apr 20, 2007 at 22:36
yes a FC221 should do the trick
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Reply By: warfer69 - Friday, Apr 20, 2007 at 13:30

Friday, Apr 20, 2007 at 13:30
Thankz guys

End result is 2 x Handhelds- connect one to high gain on vehicle or 1handheld and 1x Vehicle based unit.....

glad i asked the question...

Cheers
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Reply By: Member - Doug T (W.A) - Saturday, May 12, 2007 at 11:37

Saturday, May 12, 2007 at 11:37
warfer69
Your choice of radio brand is a good one, GME would on the same level, your transmission will be clear and readable 100% , I also read in the replies where someone mentioned range, I came across traffic controllers Just North of New Norcia WA , they were using Handhelds, one was a Uniden, 60% unreadable, the other radio could be heard 100% about 9klm down the road.

Doug
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Reply By: warfer69 - Saturday, May 12, 2007 at 14:53

Saturday, May 12, 2007 at 14:53
Thankz Dougie i totally forgot about this thread lol....

Will be getting them in this month (Icom).

Still havnt tested my Honda20ui Genie yet still in the box ,delivered about 2 weeks ago lol

cheers
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