Communications

Hi,

Looking at investing in a UHF radio for my impending trip across the Simspons.

Been to many places and now totally confused.

Can anyone offer some sound advice as I very limited knowledge in this area.


Cheers


Drew
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Reply By: Member - Stephen L (Clare SA) - Wednesday, Jun 15, 2011 at 22:16

Wednesday, Jun 15, 2011 at 22:16
Hi Drew

First and foremost regardless of brand (I personally prefer GME) is to make sure that they are the new 80 channel radios. Many places are trying to quite the older 40 channel radios at cheap prices, but they will be illegal to use and operate after 2016.

Also the most important factor regardless of radio, is the quality of the Aerial. You could have the best radio in the world and the worst aerial and the ability to receive and transmit will be hopeless.


Cheers


Stephen
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Follow Up By: muffin man - Wednesday, Jun 15, 2011 at 22:18

Wednesday, Jun 15, 2011 at 22:18
Illegal to use, anyone know if and how this will be monitored ?
MM
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Follow Up By: Member - Stephen L (Clare SA) - Wednesday, Jun 15, 2011 at 22:28

Wednesday, Jun 15, 2011 at 22:28
Hi MM

I personally have not used the new 80 channel radios just yet, but from what we have been told by both the Uniden and GME reps is that it is very easy to hear the difference between the two types of radios.

I am not quite sure which way it goes but it is something like this.

Transmit from a new 80 channel and the 40 channel will receive your transmission with less volume, while the new 80 channel will receive a loader transmission from the 40 channel- it could be the other way road but both reps said that you will be able to hear the difference.

How Government agencies will monitor it will be anyone's guess.


Cheers



Stephen
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Follow Up By: Member - Boobook - Thursday, Jun 16, 2011 at 06:34

Thursday, Jun 16, 2011 at 06:34
Stephen, it is the other way around. The difference is mostly from a new one to an old one which comes across softer. Going the other way, the sound can also be distorted, especially if you are close to each other.

They can measure wide or narrow band transmission but in practice it would be pretty difficult to catch you . The point is that you can get 80 channels so why not. 40 Channels are old stock so you would want to be getting a bargain.

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Follow Up By: Member - Stephen L (Clare SA) - Thursday, Jun 16, 2011 at 09:10

Thursday, Jun 16, 2011 at 09:10
Hi Boobook

Thanks for clarifying that.


Cheers


Stephen
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Follow Up By: Member - Boobook - Thursday, Jun 16, 2011 at 09:31

Thursday, Jun 16, 2011 at 09:31
Actually Stephen, re-reading your post you were right. So I ended up not clarifying it!!!

Oops.

As per your post the new 80 channel will sound quieter on an old 40Ch unit.

Doh.

I'll go back to sleep now.

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Follow Up By: muffin man - Thursday, Jun 16, 2011 at 12:19

Thursday, Jun 16, 2011 at 12:19
Ok it sounds ike I can keep my old radio, it would be a real bugger to get it out.
MM
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Reply By: Member - Drew P (VIC) - Wednesday, Jun 15, 2011 at 22:26

Wednesday, Jun 15, 2011 at 22:26
Appreciate your comments.

Will be doing serious research just want to know where to start

Cheers


Drew
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Follow Up By: Member - nick b - Thursday, Jun 16, 2011 at 08:35

Thursday, Jun 16, 2011 at 08:35
gooday Drew; it would depend on what you want it for , car to car on trip only ? in most case you dont need the very best that money can buy ,I have just got a new 80 channel in kit bit under $ 400 . you also could have short & long range aerial depending on the terrain plus giving a spare if you brake one, as stated this is most important ,where you mount it makes a difference , I like to mount on the vehicle and not on b,bar with spring mount if possible .
let us know what you want to do with it .

regards nick
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Reply By: Member - Bucky - Thursday, Jun 16, 2011 at 06:05

Thursday, Jun 16, 2011 at 06:05
Drew

Get an Icom 400 Pro, and an RFI CD900 Black 6.5db UHF CB Antenna.

Prestige communications in Perth do good deals.

The radio has lots of potential and can be programed to meet all the new regulations, if ever they come in.

Note.. I wired mine in and have double fused it directly to the Auxillary Battery, and even fused the return Earth, (just in case)

I have a simplified user manual, in .pdf form, so feel free to contact me if you decide to get one, as the manual that comes with the radio is not real flash

Cheers
Bucky
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Follow Up By: Member - Rod N (QLD) - Thursday, Jun 16, 2011 at 06:33

Thursday, Jun 16, 2011 at 06:33
The new 80 channel regulations are now in. Ther have been several threads on the subject not so long ago.
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Follow Up By: Member - Boobook - Thursday, Jun 16, 2011 at 09:01

Thursday, Jun 16, 2011 at 09:01
Member - Bucky replied:
"..............
Note.. I wired mine in and have double fused it directly to the Auxillary Battery, and even fused the return Earth, (just in case) "

Bucky, that isn't a good idea. You should only fuse the +ve supply.

If for example you have a short at the radio, either the earth supply or +ve supply, but almost certainly not both, will fuse. Which one blows is purely dependant on luck based on the weakest fuse of the two. If the +ve one fuses you are ok. If the -ve one fuses, you can have problems.

The earth could also connect through the antenna earth, or through the chassis mounting, or through an external connection to a GPS, PC etc if fitted. None of these are designed to take the supply current and you could blow an internal earth connection to any one of these after your earth leading to an expensive destruction of your UHF, or any connected devices.

It is much better to remove the fuse in the earth supply and connect it directly to prevent this possibility.

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Follow Up By: Member - Bucky - Thursday, Jun 16, 2011 at 09:59

Thursday, Jun 16, 2011 at 09:59
BooBook


I never looked at fusing an Earth that way, and it kinda makes sence, explained the way you indicate.

Guess I wil be busy this afternoon

Cheers, and thanks for the advice

Bucky
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Follow Up By: Mike DiD - Sunday, Jun 19, 2011 at 13:46

Sunday, Jun 19, 2011 at 13:46
If you'd seen the result of the main Battery-Body lead failing, you would know why any device which has a separate connection to the body (E.G via aerial cable) must have a fuse in the earth lead.

Several hundred amps of starter motor current will then attempt to flow from body to radio to battery - very messy !!!
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Follow Up By: Member - Boobook - Sunday, Jun 19, 2011 at 17:45

Sunday, Jun 19, 2011 at 17:45
Several hundred amps of starter motor current will then attempt to flow from body to radio to battery - very messy !!!

Plus ECU plus Dashboard plus lights, plus any Electronics plus plus plus.
Mike, if that really happend, a a $400 radio would be the last thing you would be woried about.
radio
Anyway that fuse would still make it worse as per my post. Better to have the current flow through the -ve lead than the antenna.

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Follow Up By: Mike DiD - Sunday, Jun 19, 2011 at 17:53

Sunday, Jun 19, 2011 at 17:53
No, because they don't have a separate wire back to the battery Negative, which some people insist on doing for radios, even though every other accessory in teh car is earthed via the body.
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Reply By: vk1dx - Thursday, Jun 16, 2011 at 08:58

Thursday, Jun 16, 2011 at 08:58
Drew

I know a lot of people advise getting one with all the bells and whistles. Don't! You will only use the channel knob, volume (on/off) and microphone button. Unless you want to sit there and play of course. Ours sits on the club channel on a club drive, the touring channel on a tour (if we what it on) but mostly its off. I have never bothered with scan. But a simple scan button is good to see if anyone is around in an emergency

From 40+ years in mobile comms, commercial and mainly Defence, may I suggest that you get the most simpler one. Also try NOT to get one with heaps of buttons on the microphone. You drop it in the dark without it being locked and it may get into a strange mode that makes it unusable until you get home where you left the handbook. They are a pain to the novice also.

If you want to travel everywhere and therefore cross creeks then do not mount it low. A good idea is a roof console.

I do not know what your knowledge is of UHF but only count on "line of sight" contacts. Nothing past the horizon or over, and around, big hills. It may do it but do not rely on it.

I hope this helps.

Phil
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Follow Up By: Member - Boobook - Thursday, Jun 16, 2011 at 09:23

Thursday, Jun 16, 2011 at 09:23
Phil this advice ignores many 4wd situations.

Group scans and open scans are very useful in many situations.

Here are a couple of examples.

Scenario 1

Simpson Desert.

The "official channel" is Ch 10 so you should always listen to that and communicate to other groups on Ch 10.

However it is better to pick another channel for your internal convey use so you don't clog up Ch 10 with group "drivel" conversations, picking a channel with little voice traffic.

In addition Ch 5 is the emergency Channel and some people use, and there are repeaters on Channels 6( Mt Dare), 8 ( Mt Sarah), and possibly 4 ( near Purnie Bore) and 2 ( near Dalhousie).

I would certainly recommend a group scan of these channels.

Scenario 2

Logging Tracks.

There are a lot of logging dirt roads where trucks announce their prosition regularly on channels other than 40. An open scan will often alert you to the fact that there are Semi's or other vehicles such as convoys of 4wds heading your way.

You can't do either of these with a basic unit that doesn't support scan.
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Follow Up By: vk1dx - Thursday, Jun 16, 2011 at 10:22

Thursday, Jun 16, 2011 at 10:22
That's fine. I am not saying don't scan. Keep the radio simple. No need to spend top dollar.

Our simple low end and inexpensive GME3220 can do this. No need to spend heaps on the more expensive top end ones. And no buttons apart from the PTT one on the microphone.

I would not recommend the GME 3340 nor the nor the GME 3440 because of the microphones. Other manufacturers would have similar ones.

For us. We like the music and peace and quiet. Especially in the mountains where if you do not race you can hear the birds and lots of "bush" sounds with all the windows down and the radio off. Mostly the CB is turned off unless we are really in the remote areas or we see a problem. Of course there are exemptions so don't go there trying to show me how wrong I am.

Catchya

Phil
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Follow Up By: Member - Boobook - Thursday, Jun 16, 2011 at 11:17

Thursday, Jun 16, 2011 at 11:17
Not trying to show how wrong you are Phil. Just pointing out to the OP that scan is useful and the simpleset is not necessarily the best as your orignal reply would suggest.

Even those who like the peace in the bush LOL.

Just another opinion mate - if that is ok?


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Follow Up By: vk1dx - Thursday, Jun 16, 2011 at 11:40

Thursday, Jun 16, 2011 at 11:40
Boobook

I was not having a go at you personally mate.

In effect, I agreed with the idea of a scan being available. I did say "a simple scan button is good". Even the basic GME3100 has programmable scans. I would expect the others to be the same.

I added the last sentence to stop anyone picking me on some tiny detail and to stay on tack. Which was to keep it simple and stay away from those microphones with buttons.

Use the money you save by buying the basic radio on a better first aid kit for example.

Phil
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Reply By: MEMBER - Darian, SA - Thursday, Jun 16, 2011 at 10:31

Thursday, Jun 16, 2011 at 10:31
If you are travelling solo-vehicle in the Simpson Drew, many would say you'll need more that UHF for safety. Groups often have a sat phone or long distance HF to share between them in case of drama (they can be hired). That said, any mainstream supplier/installer of two way radios can short circuit your dilemma at a reasonable price - going that way, you get a suitable model, matched antenna and reliable istallation (but of course buying it all online at a great price, with self install is an option many choose). Agreed re much of the above - simple can be best in radios - any mainstream brand with the new 80 channels is a pretty safe plan - they all have scan and Duplex. My Icom 400 Pro is great, but has many features I'll never use (let alone understand :-o)........agreed re Stephen on GME - hard to go wrong with that 'Aussie' brand :-o).... I use one of their handhelds.
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Reply By: olcoolone - Thursday, Jun 16, 2011 at 12:22

Thursday, Jun 16, 2011 at 12:22
I would suggest Icom or GME.

DON'T BUY A UNIDEN.
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Follow Up By: Lex M (Brisbane) - Thursday, Jun 16, 2011 at 12:35

Thursday, Jun 16, 2011 at 12:35
DON'T BUY A UNIDEN.

A slightly biased opinion I think.










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Follow Up By: Member - Bruce C (NSW) - Thursday, Jun 16, 2011 at 15:32

Thursday, Jun 16, 2011 at 15:32
Any reason behind that comment olcoolone.
I am about to update and any advice is helpful.

Cheers, Bruce.
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Follow Up By: Member - The Bushwhackers -NSW - Thursday, Jun 16, 2011 at 20:47

Thursday, Jun 16, 2011 at 20:47
Nothing wrong with my Uniden......

cheers, Dave

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Follow Up By: Member - nick b - Friday, Jun 17, 2011 at 07:49

Friday, Jun 17, 2011 at 07:49
I have 4 uniden 1 gme all are cheap end of the market all scan all work well all Communicate well with others .

I bet Drew is more confussed now !!!!!

cheers nick

Cheers Nick b

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Follow Up By: olcoolone - Friday, Jun 17, 2011 at 10:09

Friday, Jun 17, 2011 at 10:09
The transmit audio quality on Uniden radio's are very poor and it get very annoying listening to Uniden users when in a convoy.

You can pick a Uniden radio miles away.

GME and Icom have better transmitter audio and build quality.

And at the end of the day your only looking at $100 difference between a cheap radio and a good one ..... have it 10 years and that's $10 per year for quality ....... I'll put it in a term more can understand "It's less then a six pack of cheap beer per year to have quality". LOL

Now before all you Uniden owners come on a say I'm wrong, have you ever listened to your radio from some one else's radio for a period of time?

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Follow Up By: Shaker - Friday, Jun 17, 2011 at 10:35

Friday, Jun 17, 2011 at 10:35
No, but I have listened to both Uniden & GME on mine ...... and can't tell the difference!
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Follow Up By: Lex M (Brisbane) - Friday, Jun 17, 2011 at 12:01

Friday, Jun 17, 2011 at 12:01
"Now before all you Uniden owners come on a say I'm wrong, have you ever listened to your radio from some one else's radio for a period of time?"


Yep. Sure have.

Usually lend my handheld Unidens to anyone in the convoy without a UHF.
Quite often they work as well as or better than installed radios of any brand.

Commonly have to relay messages between others (using my Uniden).

I think the quality of aerial and installation is much more important than the brand of radio.
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Follow Up By: olcoolone - Friday, Jun 17, 2011 at 13:08

Friday, Jun 17, 2011 at 13:08
Don't know much about there handhelds, I was talking about in vehicle mounted radios and no it's not an antenna issue.

If your happy with your Uniden that's fine and that's all that matters.

On forums it seems Uniden owners have to justify there purchase whereby GME and Icom owners are just happy to say they own a GME or Icom.

Me think it's the old "going into bat for the under dog"
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Follow Up By: Lex M (Brisbane) - Friday, Jun 17, 2011 at 14:40

Friday, Jun 17, 2011 at 14:40
"On forums it seems Uniden owners have to justify there purchase whereby GME and Icom owners are just happy to say they own a GME or Icom."

I'm not justifying a purchase. I'm simply saying I have no problems with Uniden.

By all means, buy a GME, Icom, Uniden, Digitech, whatever.

You seem to be the one having to justify NOT buying a Uniden. :-)
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Follow Up By: Shaker - Friday, Jun 17, 2011 at 15:44

Friday, Jun 17, 2011 at 15:44
The only reason that "Uniden owners justify there (sic) purchase", is because of ridiculous posts that say that they can hear the difference!
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Follow Up By: olcoolone - Friday, Jun 17, 2011 at 19:45

Friday, Jun 17, 2011 at 19:45
It seems it's OK to praise a product but it's not OK to say something bad about it!

People can say what they want and one persons observation about something is not right or wrong.

Forums are a funny place.

LOL
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Follow Up By: olcoolone - Friday, Jun 17, 2011 at 19:53

Friday, Jun 17, 2011 at 19:53
And Shaker don't use (Sic) when you don't know how to use it.

It should be [sic] and when used it means word for word has been quoted.

You didn't quote what I said word for word.

This may help youhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sic

Pedantic YES and so is disputing someone else's view point.
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Follow Up By: Lex M (Brisbane) - Friday, Jun 17, 2011 at 20:04

Friday, Jun 17, 2011 at 20:04
From that referenced link:-

"Alternatively, the sic can appear after the quote in parentheses (round brackets): "(sic)", especially when the error is obvious"

Hmmmmm.
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Follow Up By: Member - The Bushwhackers -NSW - Friday, Jun 17, 2011 at 22:07

Friday, Jun 17, 2011 at 22:07
All I said was "nothing wrong with my Uniden" [sic]

Didn't correct any spelling, grammatical errors or anything, probably a record for me.

Grow up, all of us... lol

Cheers, Dave

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Reply By: olcoolone - Friday, Jun 17, 2011 at 10:13

Friday, Jun 17, 2011 at 10:13
Lex M

If some one has an opinion it's always biased or it wouldn't be an opinion.

SOooooo....... your opinion about me being biased is biased and if you weren't biased you would be agreeing with me.

AnswerID: 457693

Reply By: Shaker - Friday, Jun 17, 2011 at 10:36

Friday, Jun 17, 2011 at 10:36
If you are only buying it for your Simpson desert trip, why not buy a good 5w hand held UHF radio?
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Follow Up By: Member - Kevin S (QLD) - Saturday, Jun 18, 2011 at 13:16

Saturday, Jun 18, 2011 at 13:16
I use a GME TX6100 5w hand held with an extension mic with a speaker in it with a mid range antenna on a magnetic base that I mount on top of the car. I get reception at greater distances than any bull bar or fender mounted uhf with which I have been able to compare it.
Kevin
Kevin
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Reply By: Member - The Bushwhackers -NSW - Friday, Jun 17, 2011 at 22:14

Friday, Jun 17, 2011 at 22:14
Damn this pedantic bulldust is boring...

I was involved some time ago in a discussion with those that insisted on buying Australian UHF radios ... as I pointed out, and showed manufacturers websites, there is no such thing.

Forget the bias, just give opinions on personal experience, and let others do the same, without being denigrated and having bleep put on them for having the audacity for actually having an opinion.

Like I said, nothing wrong with my UHF (forget about the brand).

Grow up!

Cheers, Dave



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Reply By: Darrynrj - Saturday, Jun 18, 2011 at 09:57

Saturday, Jun 18, 2011 at 09:57
Hi Drew, as you are now probably confused try asking around a local 4WD club. There will be plenty of people who could help, or ask on here for someone who is local to you. There will be plenty of people who would give you hands on practical advice as there are a few things to know with UHF that would help you get the best out of it and not interfere with other users.

For my money I would go GME making sure its upgradeable to 80 ch but I would wait until more 80 ch sets are in use before upgrading. Icoms are excellent quality being commercial grade sets but are very hard to operate beyond simple talking on one channel. Bucky's simplified manual might be ok but GME radios are far simpler to use if you ever want use the extra features. As has been stated the antenna installation is the most important thing to get right.

Any further questions fire away! Cheers Darryn

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