Which is the better UHF radio???

Post by **shortgq** » Sun Dec 12, 2004 4:44 pm

Am looking at putting in a UHF radio. I am deciding between the GME TX4400 or the ICOM pro400, just wondering if others have used them and what has been their experience??

Thanks

Post by **blkmav** » Sun Dec 12, 2004 4:50 pm

shortgq wrote:Am looking at putting in a UHF radio. I am deciding between the GME TX4400 or the ICOM pro400, just wondering if others have used them and what has been their experience??

I had the same decision. The icom is better made however I went with the GME because it's a true DIN mount. I wanted the install to look nice. I'm happy with the GME.

Post by **+dj_hansen+** » Sun Dec 12, 2004 5:47 pm

Not sure about the GME... but the ICOM has a wihle pile of user programmable listen only channels, and other special features.

Icom Pro 400 if i had the cash

Post by **Macca177** » Sun Dec 12, 2004 6:58 pm

the tx4400 has 40uhf channels and 20(or 40 carnt rember) progrmable channels. is the icom a 5 watt unit if so go the gme!

Post by **GUJohnno** » Sun Dec 12, 2004 7:19 pm

4WD Monthly did a comparo some time back and from memory both were very good and the Uniden was slightly behind.
GME is a very good unit and many of our club members use them. The performance depends on how well it is wired up and the quality of the areal.
I have a Uniden unit with a ground independant GME arial and it works a treat.
John.

Post by **OldGold** » Mon Dec 13, 2004 6:12 am

Keep in mind Police and Ambo etc are progressively moving to digital so consider how much you're going to use the scanner functions. :idea:

Post by **chopper** » Mon Dec 13, 2004 6:50 am

Go the Icom, there really is no comparison between Icom and Gme (then a distant third to Uniden..

At work all of our handhelds are Icom and we are moving across to the 400 pros to replace all of the TX3200s early in the new year (already replaced a few)

...and if you can find the Icom software, the things you can do :lol:

and the ICOM has 80 something programmable recieve only channels, (unless you have said software.)

better unit, better built better quality of sound, not a hard choice.

Post by **shortgq** » Mon Dec 13, 2004 5:01 pm

ah, now i'm really confused.... i rang prestige communications.... their offering good deals on both radios but the guy their said...

if I want good build , etc go ICOm
If i want features go the GME...

so know i gotta toss up whether the ICOM has the features i need.... I guess that would be,

ability to use repeaters...
selcall...
scrambling (i'm not sure whether either have this anyhow)

i guess thats the basics... i know the icom transmits at 5watts but does anyone know how much the gme transmits at???

any other suggestions as to what features i should look for... paticulalry travelling west by myself and in convoys??

Post by **eliteforce32** » Mon Dec 13, 2004 5:27 pm

isn't 5 watts the standard allowed for any public radio?

Post by **spazbot** » Mon Dec 13, 2004 5:37 pm

all UHFs will have the ability to use repeaters, You wont be needing selcall its not really needed for public use and the same with scrambling.
Both units have 5 watt output, with the right software tweaks you can turn the icom up to the full 25watt comercial system but that would be illegal

id get the ICOM as they are built tuff, 99$ of the features are a wank aslong as you can talk to the next car thats all that maters.

or if you got the $$ find yourself a nice kenwood tk-830

Post by **blkmav** » Mon Dec 13, 2004 5:41 pm

Another consideration is they mic lead is on the drivers side on the GME and passenger on the Icom. Depending on your install this may or may not be a factor.

Post by **shortgq** » Mon Dec 13, 2004 5:50 pm

yea 5 watts the maximum for public cbs, and prestige sell the software etc that can turn it to 25 watts, but i think spazbots right, i only need to speak to the next car, search for local repeaters and on occassion if i choose i can upgrade the unit to a private channel.....

and as for build quality the ICOm wins, so i think i'll be getting the icom..... if anyones interested prestige are offering the icoms for 400 with a 3db aerial.....

another question.. sorry guys...

can i swap the aerial in the future for a 6db and use the same base, similioar to am radios????.... sorry for so many q's but i never bought a uhf before....

Post by **Macca177** » Mon Dec 13, 2004 10:28 pm

with gme they have 2 types of bases... one for a whip and one for a fiberglass.... i have no probs with my 4.5d fiberglass 1.5m i thinks
:lol:

duno bout icom.

Post by **bogged** » Tue Dec 14, 2004 9:29 am

Working on the fact that most commercial business' use ICOM over the others, they are just better quality units. I had a uniden UH013, which was shit, couldnt even sell it! Threw it in the bin in the end.

I had a TX3400 which is brilliant... but I now have a GME 3800, 25w 100ch, etc etc.. proper commercial unit.

I can tell you it has HEAPS of features (you can program 3 freq to 1 channel and it will pick the strongest one!).. but you dont use most of them... Nice to have the features, but think about it, will u use them? Is it worth the extra $?

IMHO - if your only talking to the cars with you on the trip, you wont need either unit you mentioned.

I agree with others - Sellcall, I have never used once.. Dont even know my Sell #(which I programmed myself with this unit

)

Go and have a play with both of the radios you mentioned at a local store, then look at some lesser units, then buy from Prestige...

Post by **Meldge** » Tue Dec 14, 2004 1:11 pm

bogged wrote:I had a uniden UH013, which was shit, couldnt even sell it! Threw it in the bin in the end.

I had a TX3400 which is brilliant... but I now have a GME 3800, 25w 100ch, etc etc.. proper commercial unit.

Great to know now, as on the weekend I just paid for a UH013 and a new Aerial, I got it all for $470, from memory...

What is so bad about it, for basic use with a 9db aerial. I don't need too many other options, I don't know what they do yet.

I like the fact that I can mount the base unit elsewhere as it is going in a soft top.

For normal use do they stack up reasonably well? Range and so on?

Post by **whatever** » Tue Dec 14, 2004 2:34 pm

I have had GME TX4400 in the car and now I have Icom 400PRO.

The difference I found foe me is -

TX4400 is a bit more user friendly on functions, you don't have to read the instruction booklet to use it. I have the 400PRO instruction in the glovebox just in case, as it use one of those cycle menu button instead of single function buttons.

Function wise 400PRO hands down, 69ch receive only compare to 20ch in TX4400. As someone mentioned above, scanner is going to be useless sooner or later. If you have commerical licences you can have private channels on the 400PRO and transmitt at 25W.

Post by **bogged** » Tue Dec 14, 2004 2:58 pm

Meldge wrote:Great to know now, as on the weekend I just paid for a UH013 and a new Aerial, I got it all for $470, from memory...

What is so bad about it, for basic use with a 9db aerial. I don't need too many other options, I don't know what they do yet.

I like the fact that I can mount the base unit elsewhere as it is going in a soft top.
For normal use do they stack up reasonably well? Range and so on?

UH013 mount the base unit elsewhere? They arent remote head the 013's.

Range? I couldnt hear shit. Mate in front was talking to another bloke, and said to me is that ok with you, I told him I didnt even hear static.

It just fell apart internally.. In the end I had it repaired and they said 'good luck' as it was the second time they had tried. the solders inside crapped out, the mic jack wouldnt work... Gave up on it in the end as a true POS.. Maybe mine (having just run out of warranty *SHOCK* by few months was a dud)... Others like Johnno are happy with their Unidens..

Take it back and go with

http://www.prestigecom.net.au/default.a ... openmenu=1

GME Electrophone TX3400 + 6db GI Antenna Pack

GME TX3400 UHF CB
6db Pretuned Black 830mm Ground Independant Antenna
4.5m RG58 Coaxial cable and connector.

Our service department can program 10 extra channels into the receive only channels available on the TX3400 UHF Radio for a $15.00 labour fee. Select from the options provided below if your require this option.

PRICE: $465.00 (Including GST)

Post by **Meldge** » Tue Dec 14, 2004 3:41 pm

bogged wrote:
Meldge wrote:Great to know now, as on the weekend I just paid for a UH013 and a new Aerial, I got it all for $470, from memory...

What is so bad about it, for basic use with a 9db aerial. I don't need too many other options, I don't know what they do yet.

I like the fact that I can mount the base unit elsewhere as it is going in a soft top.
For normal use do they stack up reasonably well? Range and so on?

UH013 mount the base unit elsewhere? They arent remote head the 013's.

Range? I couldnt hear shit. Mate in front was talking to another bloke, and said to me is that ok with you, I told him I didnt even hear static.

Take it back and go with

http://www.prestigecom.net.au/default.a ... openmenu=1

GME Electrophone TX3400 + 6db GI Antenna Pack

GME TX3400 UHF CB
6db Pretuned Black 830mm Ground Independant Antenna
4.5m RG58 Coaxial cable and connector.

Our service department can program 10 extra channels into the receive only channels available on the TX3400 UHF Radio for a $15.00 labour fee. Select from the options provided below if your require this option.

PRICE: $465.00 (Including GST)

I didn't think i was that silly...

http://www.uniden.com.au/v3/FRAME_PROD.HTM

what are the different aerials like range wise, when they say 6db and 9db, much difference?

Post by **bogged** » Tue Dec 14, 2004 3:56 pm

Meldge wrote:I didn't think i was that silly...
http://www.uniden.com.au/v3/FRAME_PROD.HTM
what are the different aerials like range wise, when they say 6db and 9db, much difference?

They now have a removeable face kit, where as the old ones didnt. It looks the same as mine in the photo..

It all depends on the surrounding trees etc, and where the ariel is mounted as to how good they are.

Post by **bigbluemav** » Wed Dec 15, 2004 8:34 am

I've got a GME TX4400 and I'm rapt in it!!

True DIN size, fits below std. radio spot in GQ. Good radio.

Regards

Post by **Damo** » Wed Dec 15, 2004 9:57 am

My Philips FM900 is about as old as my zook and weighs about the same too :lol:

Full die cast aluminium chassis with remote head. It's a fawkin TANK.

Programmable? yeah but you have to pull the EPROM out and do the changes with a EPROM burner :oops:

Mine's an ex Telecom unit (YES, Telecom!) :cool:

Post by **spazbot** » Wed Dec 15, 2004 3:32 pm

i run a ancient kenwood tk-720 thing is huge but its has a full 50Watt or powerand 32 chans of goodness, could thow it at a brick wall and would be perfectly find, built tough to last in the old days

Post by **surfforyamum** » Thu Dec 16, 2004 11:07 pm

if you look hard i got my 400pro from timeplus in melbourne for $400 to my door step
the power you can get out of the is up to 45 watts out put thats if ya have the power program and its good for all the extra chanels too the power up to about 35 watts is good for when you are in one valley and someone in the next
i think its one of the top radios ya can get

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Which is the better UHF radio???

Which is the better UHF radio???

Re: Which is the better UHF radio???

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