UHF Handheld - Best Option for Back-up on the CSR

Thks for the feedback Dug; have you got any feel for its range in 'line of sight' condits?

no not yet we only used it in convoy down from Brisbane to Victoria

Margo had the hand held in the Peugeot and I had the main set in the rodeo.

It was handy to keep in touch and work out fuels and rest breaks.


Coming into one small town we decided to stop for coffee and got a message from someone unknown saying "For goodness sake don't stop at the bakery their coffee is awful !!!"

we stopped at the cafe they recommended and the coffee was good ! :-)

I will try to go for a run out tomorrow and see what the range is.

What range are you looking for ?

2K 5K 10K ??

cheers

Maybe the "recommended" cafe has a UHF in the kitchen! LOL

Maybe but they were reluctant to recommend a place

Just NOT THE LOCAL BAKERY !!! :-)

My guess is they had a bad experience there

Probably no more than 2kms for the convoy Doug, but I'd like more for other purposes - as much as I could get.

Cheers.

I will try to go for a drive tomorrow and see what I can find


I am guessing conditions may change the range but it is flat and open here and it should be a fine clear day.

OK Cowwarr is dead flat dairy country and conditions were good

2 km was loud and clear

4 km was breaking up but still very audible

5 KM took me up a slight hill overlooking the town and it was loud and clear again.

Any further started taking me into the hills and valleys so I did not bother.

Hope this helps


cheers doug

PS the GME TX 670 is rated at 2W

It would be interesting to compare it with the el cheapo 5 W handhelds for sale out there :-)

Many thanks Doug, that's a good enough range for me. I have also been now recommended the ICOM units so it looks like a choice betw the GME 670 and the Icom rather than 2w vs 5w.

Cheers.

No problems. Either sound good.

Hope you have a great trip !

stay safe

Thks Teege. I've now broken three and have been told it's because the ECB bullbar I have has been fabricated to be compatible with the LC200 airbags, but as consequence, the bar vibrates more than most others.

The three that have broken were all flexible but the new type recommended to me is a 1cm diam white rigid jobby. I haven't really tested it in the field and I am now also carrying a spare.

Cheers.

I'm with Teeg. The aerial should not be breaking like that. Do you have one with a base and screw on tips? The base of ours is mounted on a spring and then there is a range of screw on tips for different purposes. I use a short flexible rubber tip around town and swap it for a longer wire unit that also has a spring in it when in the bush. I carry both tips in the bush just in case but have never had to use the spare. Also have the GME TX650 in the glove box. I've never had to use it but have lent it to others in the convoy when their radio went on the blink and it was just fine for that purpose. The more expensive models give more range, but in a convoy you don't need to have something that gives max range.

Yes, I also have the spring base; as before, I think it's the bar.

I've just compared it with a Toyota steel bar on a Troopy and the difference in solidity is marked.

Cheers.

John,
I also agree with Teege and MFewster.
I travel a lot in convoys and we often have to fix bullbar mounted aerials - especially the elevated feed ones. The cables break in the aerial mounts.
I also find that a trip leader with a bullbar mounted aerial tends to be poorly heard by the rear of the convoy.

It might just be a South Aussie thing, but many South Aussies use roof mounted stubbie aerials because they are indestructible and work well when mounted on the roof. There are simple brackets available that fit into the roof rail mounts of your 200series. The stubbies cost about $20 and I substitute a 6dB when in open country and need some extra range.

This is the aerial I'm talking about:
http://www.electricbug.com.au/product/90

Just to add, I also carry a simple 0.5Watt handheld. I put it on scan on the dash, to hear approaching convoys. It is also my backup if my big set were to fail - the range is usually OK for a 3-4 vehicle convoy, but any more, and you need to be in the middle of the convoy.

Thks Phil, I hadn't considered that set-up at all. I'll definitely consider it.

Cheers.

We have travelled with people who have had their aerial mounted on the bull bar and also have broken - my guess it is the vibration transmitted through the bar.

To follow on from Phil G, I have bought all my gear from Electric Bug. If you ask them where the aerial should be they will tell you for best reception, on the roof. If you tell them where you want to mount it, i.e. on the bar they will also do that.

Look at all the taxis, police, ambos where are theirs? - on the roof.

Aerials mounted on a roof pick up signals equally from all directions wheras those on a bullbar are better at both transmitting and receiving in the forwards direction. The reverse applies if the aerial is mounted at the back. The car body acts as a barrier too some degree. So putting them on the roof makes sense from a reception and vibration isolation point of view (you are getting max benefit from your springs and shockers on the main body. The only issue is clearance. I have mine on the front bar as I am too lazy to remove it when going into my garage/parking stations etc.

Thks Flynnie, that's great feedback - I'd only go the expensive option if it was faultless and significantly greater range.