Last thing to get for the Dmax, a UHF radio, which one tho'

A lot of the new radios that just came out in 80 channel have not been around long enough to prove their user friendliness and reliability. I certainly would not be opposed to buying a proven, tried and tested radio that has been around for years and unlocking the 80 channels. This is all the 80 channel radios are anyway but they charge more. I was quoted $20 for the Icom. Just my opinion.

Hi Luke,

The GME Radios have a 3 year warranty, should cover any teething problems should they arise. GME have offices in all Capital Cities so if you did need to have work done, you can deal with them direct and not have to take it to some small time 3rd party company.

These 80 Channel Radios are not revolutionary technology, mainly filter changes to make them 12.5khz instead of 25khz. I have had this radio for more than 3 months and it works a treat.

I have been using GME UHF CB radios for 2 decades and have never had the slightest problem.

Cheers

Yes I used to sell GME radios, I know all about them and they are a great unit. I don't disagree with anything you said. I don't doubt that if you had a problem you could get it fixed. And trust me, some do have problems. I just thought it was worth a mention that there are some great 40 channel units with proven reliability that require a 2 minute job to upgrade and because of the new 80 channel radios are dropping in price. To totally disregard them I think would be foolish. I don't have an issue with GME, infact a lot of their radios fit in the category I'm talking about.

I would disagree the 80 Channel is completely compatible with the 40 Channel unit.

We have been running 80 channels narrow band from the start and have found compatibility problems when 80 channel units are being used in a group of 40 channel units.

Some of the issues have been soft transmit audio and lack of range from our 80 channel unit and broken transmission from 40 channel units that we receive on our 80 channel unit.

We have over come the compatibility problems by programming our radio to be 1-40 wide band and 41-80 narrow band.

The compatibility problem is starting to raise it's head by people who use their radio's in a group of 40 and 80 channel units even to the point of transport companies and large pastoralists refusing to buy 80 channel units and seeking secondhand 40 channel units.

Ahh, very interesting. The 80 channel units were just coming in when I left that job and I must admit I didn't hear anything about that. I have continued to use 40 channels on my Icom, as it fits my needs, until I have to change in a few years and then everyone will be in the same boat. That is the first I have heard of those problems though.

Yeah I was a bit disappointed considering the radio we use is a Icom IC-F6063..... we also have Icom IC 2010's and Icom IC 400 pro,s and you could imagine how I felt especially as the new kid on the block was just shy of $1000 and the 15 year old 2010's were walking over it...... that's until I programmed the wide/narrow configuration.

It came to light as one guy travelling with us sell GME to farmers and he asked if we had a 80 channel radio...... appears most people with a large number of old 40 channels are asking for the 40 channel versions due to compatibility issues...... the sad thing is it's illegal for suppliers to supply 40 channel gear.

Might be money in the old stuff yet.

I second the vote for Prestige Communications. Good product lines, good prices and excellent service. How they consistently mail items from Perth with next day delivery in Melbourne beats me.

Yes I've often thought the same when GME radios are made in Sydney but can be bought in Perth and posted back for less than local retail prices then there has to some sort of price fixing going on. Usually overnight to boot.

Funny you should mention Prestige, I have just been looking at their site.

$429 for 80 channel with 6db antenna.

Make sure the aerial is worth the money.
If its a spring base with a 200mm length of tube followed by the whip you will find that the insulator joining the two is made of plastic and has a fine thread holding them together. This part is common to fail and is not available as a seperate part. They are fine for Road with the ocassional offroad but can fail if driving poor roads regularly. Nothing worse than heading off on a trip only to have your aerial drop on your bonnet!
I bought mine from Prestige and it lasted almost twelve months. I then purchased a more suitable aerial to suit a 4wd.

Craig

Peter/Bill

I thought I could put it in the space under the radio.

Perhaps I had better run the tape over it before I buy anything!

I have noticed that there is little room in the cabin compared to the troop, but where there is a will there is a way. I simply put all the accessories on the wifes side of the cabin. LOL

Having said that I have only hit the prodgy with my knee once.LOL

Thanks warren

I really didn't think of the space problem.

I think where to put it will be a major factor in what I buy.

A mate suggested I stick with the gme tx4400, but I'll have to look at the measurements on every uhf I look at.

Peter with the car kits etc are they on par with a 'car' uhf?

And are the brackets fairly small?

I intend to spend a bit of time on the net having a look at manufacturers sites to day to get sizes etc. Walgett hasn't got anderson plugs let alone uhf's to have a look at. lol

Which reminds me I'd better check if the anderson plug has arrived yet. It was ordered on Monday.