40 or 80 channel UHF Radio question.

Another question from the newbie.
I am fitting a radio to my vehicle for the forthcoming trip to the centre. On this excursion, I do not plan to divert off into the Mulga any great distance as I am not that adventuresome (foolhardy) and being cautious. As one of you says, "One is never too old to do stupid things!"
It would seem that the price difference between the two is not that great but which would be the most practical to purchase? Is the 80 channel version the new way to go? I was told that they are digital ready- whatever that means, in the operation of the thing, day to day! I have been quoted about $700.00 to purchase and have fitted with the aerial. Does this sound about right?
Also is there anywhere I can get the radio etiquette information. I do not wish to sound too much like a goose when I need to use the thing.Your information is, and has been, of great value to me.
regards, Stanley
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Reply By: just goin - Friday, Aug 26, 2011 at 05:50

Friday, Aug 26, 2011 at 05:50
Morning Stanley,
The $700 price tag doesn't seem to be overly high, but in saying that i don't know what brand you are going for or what aerial.
I recently put a new one in our playdo and it was $600.
IN terms of 80 or 40 channel its up to you. Like digital TV, uhf is going to 80 channel from 40 channel but this wont happen any time soon. They have basically split the 40 channel frequency's hence giving us 80 ch.
You can still pick up 40ch uhf from a 80 ch unit and vice versa with the only problem being one is quieter to receive thean the other. Cant help you with that one, not sure my self.

Uhf etiquette? We just say, " Copy, The Car make pulling the Van make heading that way". If i am travelling with some one i just use their name. We just are polite and dont swear and have had no problems.

If you google uhf channels there is a list on the net of ch allocations??? for you to look at.

Happy Trails

JG
AnswerID: 463546

Follow Up By: Member - Stanley D - Friday, Aug 26, 2011 at 19:08

Friday, Aug 26, 2011 at 19:08
Thank you 'just goin'. From the look of the replies I have I might have opened a can of worms! You have all confirmed my suspicions about the 40/80 debate and I thank you all. Regards, Stanley
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Reply By: Member - Stephen L (Clare SA) - Friday, Aug 26, 2011 at 08:21

Friday, Aug 26, 2011 at 08:21
Hi Stanley

If you are a handy man, they are dead easy to install yourself and even though we sell them at work, why pay someone to do what you can do yourself as there is no rocket science involved.

As for radios, do not under any circumstances be sucked into buying an old 40 Channel as they will be illegal to use in as little as 5 years or less, it will be money wasted and do not let anyone tell you anything different.

As for being digital ready, go and tell the person that told you such bull that they should go and have a few lesson on how to sell and not tell lies.

There was even a question the other day about the new radios and one of the comments posted was not correct, as when you buy a new 80 channel out of the box, there is NO WAY at all that you can turn them into a 40 Channel unit, impossible and end of question.......

You will get many varied questions from some very experienced people and information from people that know very little.

If in doubt, ring the suppliers direct and they will tell you what I have stated above.


All the best with your purchase.



Cheers


Stephen

Smile like a Crocodile

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AnswerID: 463554

Follow Up By: Hairs & Fysh - Friday, Aug 26, 2011 at 08:45

Friday, Aug 26, 2011 at 08:45
Hi Stephen,
A question mate, How will the authorities know that you're still using a 40Ch unit and how would they enforce it? just curious.
I'm not trying to stop Stanley from buying an 80ch unit, he should be purchasing the new UHF, but why do the old UHF's become illegal when they will still work.

Cheers.


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Follow Up By: Member - Stephen L (Clare SA) - Friday, Aug 26, 2011 at 09:14

Friday, Aug 26, 2011 at 09:14
Hi Hairs

How they will enforce it will be anyone guess, but the transmission from both unit is very unique and you can tell who is using either unit.


Cheers


Stephen
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Follow Up By: Hairs & Fysh - Friday, Aug 26, 2011 at 09:23

Friday, Aug 26, 2011 at 09:23
Fair enough,
Yeah I have a two & half year old GME XT4400 and it's serial number isn't compatible for the upgrade.
I guess I'll be having to buy new in a few years time.
Thanks again
Cheers

Jon


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Follow Up By: muffin man - Friday, Aug 26, 2011 at 10:39

Friday, Aug 26, 2011 at 10:39
I also have an 11 year old TX4400 and cannot be upgraded. But I'm going to hold out and wait and see if it works. If it doesn't I'll buy a new one, if it does even better, and besides the places I use the radio I doubt there will be any radio enforcement police in those locations.
MM
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Follow Up By: Member - joc45 (WA) - Friday, Aug 26, 2011 at 11:13

Friday, Aug 26, 2011 at 11:13
The "digital ready" hype is just that, and nothing more than a sales plug, like digital-ready tv antennas. The mode of transmission is analgogue, unlike say, police radios, which are digital modulation.

The 40 channels have been cranked out to 80 channels by interleaving the extra channels between the existing channels; ie, the channel spacing has been halved.
And bringing it into line with commercial VHF and UHF channels which have been using the spacing for years.

Two issues:
The receivers on the new 80ch sets have a narrower bandwidth to suit the new channel spacing
The transmitters in the new 80ch sets transmit a narrower bandwidth.
It is possible that some of the transmssion from an old wide-bandwidth 40ch set will spill over into the adjacent 80ch frequencies, creating interference.
Similarly, it is possible that intermediate 80ch frequencies will interfere with one of the 40ch frequencies, as the 40ch receiver bandwidth is too wide to reject it.
So bascially, there are interference issues between the two standards which is why the 40ch sets be eventually phased out. In reality, you would probably only experience this in buit-up cities.
Unless you're offered a 40ch for almost free, I'd be buying an 80ch. Check outPrestige Communications.
cheers
Gerry
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Follow Up By: Member - Stanley D - Friday, Aug 26, 2011 at 19:16

Friday, Aug 26, 2011 at 19:16
Dear Stephen L.,
Thank you for your information. It is as I suspected with the 40/80 differences.
It would seem that I have opened the proverbial can of worms on this issue!
All your replies are appreciated and have helped me to clarify my confusion and doubts.
Thanks agian,
Regards, Stanley
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Reply By: olcoolone - Friday, Aug 26, 2011 at 08:27

Friday, Aug 26, 2011 at 08:27
40 or 80 channel is a no brannier, if you want it to be obsolete get the 40 channel, is you want it for the future get the 80 channel.

If you don't have the confidence of installing it your self get it done professionally.
AnswerID: 463557

Follow Up By: Member - Stanley D - Friday, Aug 26, 2011 at 19:18

Friday, Aug 26, 2011 at 19:18
Thank you 'olcoolone' for your reply.
you have confirmed my thoughts.
Regards,
Stanley
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Reply By: Member Al (Sunshine Coast) - Friday, Aug 26, 2011 at 08:28

Friday, Aug 26, 2011 at 08:28
Hi Stanley, There is an article on this ExplorOz site about UHF radios which may help you.

On the blue bar at the top of this page click on 'Topics' then select 'Communications' then 'UHF Radio'.

Or just click here.

Cheers
Allan

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AnswerID: 463558

Follow Up By: Member - Stanley D - Friday, Aug 26, 2011 at 19:21

Friday, Aug 26, 2011 at 19:21
Dear Allan,
Thank you for your reply.
The topics page was the first place I visited with regard to communications before I went on actual search and costings for the units.
Regards, Stanley
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Reply By: Member - Troll 81 (QLD) - Friday, Aug 26, 2011 at 09:42

Friday, Aug 26, 2011 at 09:42
Get the 80 for sure you will be going backwards if you buy the 40. Don't worry about sounding like a goose mate all you have to do is tune to channel 40 in build up areas and you will hear plenty of them.
AnswerID: 463566

Follow Up By: lindsay - Friday, Aug 26, 2011 at 17:42

Friday, Aug 26, 2011 at 17:42
I have just purchased a new GME uhf. The model has 40 channels that is upgradable to an 80 channel set that you can do yourself, with the instructions on their web site. I am going to leave mine as a 40 channel set until there are more 80 channel sets around then I will change it to an 80 channel set. See the GME web site and the instructions are simple.
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Follow Up By: Member - Stanley D - Friday, Aug 26, 2011 at 19:23

Friday, Aug 26, 2011 at 19:23
Thank you, 'Troll 81'
Your information is invaluable.
regards, Stanley
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Reply By: Echucan Bob - Saturday, Aug 27, 2011 at 14:33

Saturday, Aug 27, 2011 at 14:33
Stanley

I don't want to sound like I am not in agreement with the masses, but $700 sounds like a lot to me.

Will this trip be the first of many, or just a one off?

If its a one off I'd consider a cheap hand held. For the little use it'll get this will more than suffice. Even with 250 mW you get a range of at least 5km line of sight.

The other option is to get a secondhand 40 channel unit, plug it into a cigarette lighter socket, and use a magnetic aerial mount.

40 channels will be the go for many years to come (as if you are going to strike an ACMA inspector out in the Centre!)

Lastly, if you have $700 burning a hole in your pocket, and you are likely to use the radio beyond five years, then get the 80 channel.

And don't worry about sounding like a goose - you'll blend in very nicely with the people to whom you will most likely be communicating.

Bob
AnswerID: 463642

Follow Up By: Puma1 - Sunday, Aug 28, 2011 at 00:05

Sunday, Aug 28, 2011 at 00:05
G'day
You can get one of these hand helds on eBay for under $260 delivered & they are 80 channel models (well 77 usable ones)

NEW UNIDEN UH076sx 5 WATT WATERPROOF RADIO 3 YEAR WARRANTY.

5 Watt (12km line of sight for this one) is the same power as a fitted one, and you can always fit a bigger ariel to the car so will not only be the same power but range too & they have all the latest technology & features. Beauty of a hand held for me is you can take it with you when hiking . It's even waterproof to 1 metre so if you fall in a creek - no worries!

I bought 2 of them 1 for me and 1 for the missus (phones don't work everywhere)
Cheers
Nigel

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