UHF Radio Aeriel

Submitted: Thursday, Dec 08, 2011 at 10:37

ThreadID: 90517 Views:2320 Replies:3 FollowUps:1

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UHF Radio

If you are considering a trip into Australia’s vast outback, then a UHF Radio is an important communications device to have. Besides the entertainment value, such as chatting with other travellers,

Shelto S1

I have a GME 4400 UHF radio which is not performing as well as my previous GME (different vehicle) a lot of static and I feel not a very long range. I feel that it may be the Aeriel. Currently I have a GME aeriel with spring base and 30mm steel then 600mm fibreglass piece. Not sure of the Db rating. My question is - Would is be OK to replace the short fibreglass piece with a longer 1200mm whip type 6Db aeriel or would this damage the radio? I do have some pics but not sure how to upload them.
Thanking you in anticipation
Gordon

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Reply By: wombat100 - Thursday, Dec 08, 2011 at 11:44

Thursday, Dec 08, 2011 at 11:44

If your setup has the 'ground independant' tube (about 180mm long)- then yes, a 1200mm whip would cause a mis-match and may cause damage to the radio.
That setup is designed for the 600mm whip, or the stubby 140mm.

AnswerID: 471944

Follow Up By: Shelto S1 - Thursday, Dec 08, 2011 at 11:53

Thursday, Dec 08, 2011 at 11:53

Thank you Wombat. Yes it is 180mm then 600mm so it is as I expected and not a good idea to use the 1200mm whip. I suppose the only choice is to remove and replace with the whip only to see if that makes any difference. Will have to cut and join cable though so I hope that will not cause any problems?
Cheers
Gordon

FollowupID: 746707

Reply By: Whirlwinder - Thursday, Dec 08, 2011 at 12:56

Thursday, Dec 08, 2011 at 12:56

Mate, the best way to get the right answer is to ring GME themselves. They are very helpfull with this sort of problem. The rest of us are not experts but just users and may not always be right.
Good luck with it as my TX4400 works a treat.
Ian

AnswerID: 471950

Reply By: MEMBER - Darian, SA - Thursday, Dec 08, 2011 at 13:27

Thursday, Dec 08, 2011 at 13:27

Cutting off and then replacing the PL295 plug on the end of the coax needs to be done with great care Gordon - just a single strand of braid going astray and causing a short can fritz the radio - as for which antenna - taking advice from a retailer who does a lot of installations is useful - the supplier of my last radio sold me an antenna kit that they used for their many commercial UHF clients - made sense to me (centre of the roof is said to be best - roof gutter next best - bullbar is acceptable, but a compromise).

AnswerID: 471956