Outer Limits 4x4 Board

Hey all

Im looking at a cheap in car UHF and i've found the Uniden UH089SX to be a pretty dam good bang for buck little radio... but would like to know anyones experiences with them before buying.

It'd be used for some on road, but mainly offroad convoys - perhaps 1km range over a few hills is all i need - little hand helds just dont cut it!!!

Also, would a 6dB? stainless steel or fibreglass antenna be the best option? i like that the fibreglass comes in black, but not sure on strength should i (when i) put it through some bushes...

Thoughts? Suggestions?

How much are they asking. I just got a GME TX3220 from here:
http://www.outbacker.biz/radio-42.php

In my experience the GME offers far better sound quality, build quality and from the above supplier its only $30 more.

When I was doing earthworks we had the older model GME's in the machines. They were removed each day and abused pretty bad but worked day in day out without any dramas.

That said the radio I replaced was a 20 year old uniden. But the current unidens I have used are crap IMO.

prestigecom.net.au is offering the uniden radio with the antenna for $269.00 incl. shipping...

outbacker.biz offers the GME one for $40 more, (309.00, no shipping)

presigecom.net.au offers the GME tx3220 with antenna for $309.00 incl. shipping.

so your personal choice would be GME over uniden?

yep. Thats why I got the GME. I already had the antenna sorted though. Worth the extra money in my opinion.

i have the uniden UH015sx, and its bloody great little unit. i do have a GME antenna tho as i believe they make them better, its a 6db wire whip type, and its a great allrounder and bloody impossible to break.

You could probably pick up something good 2nd hand also, just sold a uniden uh100 for $130, older style din size unit, still looks good and has scan, selcall etc!
I like the steel ariels as they aren't as bulky (get in your vision) as the big co-linear fibreglass ones that a lot of people have and are more unbreakable than the thin fibreglass ones.
At the moment ive got a Benelec elevated feed with a 3db flexible black rubbery wire ariel (only about 150mm long), unobtrusive and indestructible.
For a radio i have a philips simoco prm8030 highly programmeable, rugged (commercial use) remote head and better sensitivity than gme 4400, also runs at 25w.
Not an overly simple option though, hence why my mate liked the uh100

Heres some info explaining antenna gain
http://www.olbis.com.au/ap_template/subcat_antennas.asp

very interesting antenna info - so i'd be more likely to want a 3dB antenna for the hilly stuff (getting up over hills etc). thanks!

alien wrote:very interesting antenna info - so i'd be more likely to want a 3dB antenna for the hilly stuff (getting up over hills etc). thanks!

Yea a 3db is better for hills but loses out in range a bit on the flat - its always a compromise tho, 4.5db is pretty common also.
Once you have the cable and base set up its pretty easy and cheap to screw on another ariel to experiment or for different terrain.
Benelec have a pack with cable hd s/s spring and elevated feed and a 3db and longer 6db ariel for about $100 from Dick smith, thats what i have (swiped the 6db fibreglass one off at beachport tho) - partially through having it on the far left of the bar.

alien wrote:prestigecom.net.au

GME from Prestige by far best value.

go GME. and a stainless 4.5db.

u will break it still but will handle it for a while. even a spring will make it better

cool as - GME it is..

im even now tossing up buy a good 3.5w handheld instead... i reckon it should do for what im after, and being that it'd be lucky to be used every 2nd weekend i'd say for the money its a better option...

time for me to go away and ponder =)