Earthing everything UHF

Submitted: Tuesday, Aug 07, 2007 at 04:04

ThreadID: 48482 Views:3418 Replies:4 FollowUps:2

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UHF Radio

If you are considering a trip into Australia’s vast outback, then a UHF Radio is an important communications device to have. Besides the entertainment value, such as chatting with other travellers,

Member - Bucky (VIC)

Some mongrel had a go at my aerial, so a new one went on, and problems ever since
Well I think I have done it ,,,,,Earhted the Bull Bar, the Aerial, and now the box chassis on my Uniden 013 UHF,,,
Now lets see if she goes real well,,and what do you know I can hit the Foster repeater, for the first time, from the Inverloch Road.

I have been told that a real strong power supply is a must, ie heavy wire, and straight off the battery would be best ,,,and double fuse all wiring, ( its a bit of overkill ), but it's extra protection on the rough roads we go on, up in the desert

Any comments or suggestions would be greatly appreciated

Cheers

Bucky

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Reply By: Member - Andrew (QLD) - Tuesday, Aug 07, 2007 at 06:17

Tuesday, Aug 07, 2007 at 06:17

I would have thought that the relatively low 5W output wouldn't be affected so much compared to some amateur sets (VHF, HF etc)......am i correct in thinking so?

Andrew

AnswerID: 256192

Reply By: Grungle - Tuesday, Aug 07, 2007 at 06:39

Tuesday, Aug 07, 2007 at 06:39

Hi Bucky,

The Uniden draws less than 3 amps and will work down to 11V so its performance is not dependant on cable size. Sounds like overkill but if it works....

What sort of antenna do you have? If it is a ground independant/ elevated feed type then the earthing sounds a bit of overkill as it really isn't required.

If it is working now though that is good news.

What I would do (to put my mind at ease and to answer the question as to why), is once working with all the extras done is to remove each thing done one by one until the performance drops and then work out why it needed the earth.

Regards
David

AnswerID: 256193

Follow Up By: Member - Bucky (VIC) - Wednesday, Aug 08, 2007 at 07:05

Wednesday, Aug 08, 2007 at 07:05

RFI CD900 Aerial, ( ground Independent ) and its mounted on my bull bar. But as I said in my post , I can hit the repeater, on the way to work, regularly since I have earthed everything.
Good old Roachie gave me a couple of lessons, back in March/April, when we rebuilt ( and cleaned up my crap wiring job ) an old aerial.
But even then we ran a heavy earth lead from the base to the vehicle, just to be sure.

I can live with the news of only drawing 3 amps, but I have the wire, ect, here from another job , so why not I ask myself !

And thanks for the advice !

Cheers Mate
Bucky

FollowupID: 517398

Reply By: Diver1 - Tuesday, Aug 07, 2007 at 06:47

Tuesday, Aug 07, 2007 at 06:47

mornin bucky....good to see yoour up early.....just teasing but ill let ya know nathans out the back with a massive antler!!!!

he snapped out aerial the other day out at burrier so mt big ine is going on....must be a week for it!!

have a goodn see yas friday!!!

laura

AnswerID: 256194

Reply By: Member - Mike DID - Tuesday, Aug 07, 2007 at 12:41

Tuesday, Aug 07, 2007 at 12:41

Confused advice I think - for HF installations there are special requirements for earthing and heavy duty leads.

For 5 watt FM just using the wiring provided with the typical radio is fine.

What really matters for UHF CB is -
- a good aerial
- a good aerial location, high up and away from nearby metal
- good quality coax
- extreme care in assembling the coax connectors.
- installing the speaker so it points towards you - not under the seat or dash or pointing away from you.

AnswerID: 256237

Follow Up By: Member - Bucky (VIC) - Wednesday, Aug 08, 2007 at 07:16

Wednesday, Aug 08, 2007 at 07:16

Yes you are right, not sure about the co-ax, or the strange push pin connecters they at RFI use as standard, but that was hi on my agenda, when I have 1/2 day to kill.

Worst comes to the worst, and I get bleep off enuf, I will drill a hole in the roof, and put one of those short areials up there.

But its a last option.

Cheers Mate
Bucky

FollowupID: 517399