Icom IC-400Pro 25w mods

John

Just the info I am after.

With the "2nd 40" channels, once you are using this set, does it look and feel much like the bottom 40 channels to use? This sounds good as my thinking is just to use the extra power in very hilly, bushy terrain to extend the range from a km or two at best currently.

I guess it is still pretty much line of site but do you think I could expect up to 5 or so kms? Ie how long is the piece of string?

Re using repeaters after your 'adjustment' to the 400 - would not the repeater's continued normal operating power and your normal reception performance for incomings be the snag ? Seems 25W is designed for grouped UHF's of that same spec, or maybe with a commecial spec repeater in the loop ?

Not sure.

I guessed that repeaters would normally be up high and with a dammed good antenna. I even assumed they were more than 5W.

I would have thought that 25W to the repeater would help unless you were too close, then go to 5W. After all if the repeater recieves low quality signal, that is as good as it can retransmit. Dunno, Good question for those who have tried it.

2nd 40 looks and works exactly same ... just more power and more heat if you do a lot of trans.

Given same terrain and aerial I have observed usually between 1.5 to 2x range from 5x more power.

If you really want range, I'm sure you realise HF is the go! (which I have also)

cheers
John

Thanks, sounds good.

Forgot to mention John, yeah totally agree re HF, I also have one but can't twist others arms into $1500 plus. but a few are looking to get new UHF's so that will probably fly.

Shaker, it is sometimes true that for a given power depending on the conditions. What actually matters is the effective radiated power ERP and a low gain antenna is good for hills but a low gain antenna and more power will be even better :-)

Correct, but a lot of people forget the aerial rating, so it was meant to be just a friendly reminder.
As they say in the classics ... aerials aint aerials!

Antennas are a PITA to think about you, can easily get a headache. Maybe that's why people forget them. :-)

Actually, re the whole 3db - 9db hill verses flat thing, I do think this is overplayed too. I agree that 4.5db is generally a good compromise in hilly country on the basis that if you are in a group traveling along a dirt road then you are probably up to 1 - 3 km or so apart to reduce dust and on flattish roads with minimal vertical plain difference so a bit of distance to cover but, near horozontal.

How many times can you hear the guy behind you, but not the tail end charlie etc. When you are on the really hilly track stuff you are so close that a 20db antenna would probably work.

As they say, "Actual experiences may differ, we can not guarantee that any gain antenna will work wherever the hell you are."