UHF or CB radios?
Posted: Sun Jun 21, 2009 3:57 pm
Im just starting out and i want to get a radio in the truck, what would be the best option and what do most people use in theirs? cheers
Page 1 of 1
Posted: Sun Jun 21, 2009 3:58 pm
UHF, AM would be rarely used these days
Posted: Sun Jun 21, 2009 4:02 pm
As Tez says, get a UHF. Keep an eye out in the For Sale section, they pop up every now and then. As a rough idea, a good second hand UHF goes for around $200.
Posted: Sun Jun 21, 2009 4:04 pm
or brand new online for around $220 upPJ.zook wrote:As a rough idea, a good second hand UHF goes for around $200.
Posted: Sun Jun 21, 2009 4:05 pm
Yep, UHF is by far the more popular these days, and is also full of idiots.
If your interest is talking to mates when out wheeling, UHF is your better bet, because more of your mates are likely to have one.
If you have a close circle of mates who regularly wheel together, AM may be better because it will have less traffic.
If you're after range (i.e. for outback use), an AM unit with SSB will achieve much greater range than UHF, but an HF radio is better again. Unfortunately, an HF ratio is less useful for convoy use (and a bucketload more expensive
)
If you can make the search function work, there have been a number of good discussions on this topic - the secret is how to find them.
If your interest is talking to mates when out wheeling, UHF is your better bet, because more of your mates are likely to have one.
If you have a close circle of mates who regularly wheel together, AM may be better because it will have less traffic.
If you're after range (i.e. for outback use), an AM unit with SSB will achieve much greater range than UHF, but an HF radio is better again. Unfortunately, an HF ratio is less useful for convoy use (and a bucketload more expensive
)If you can make the search function work, there have been a number of good discussions on this topic - the secret is how to find them.
Posted: Sun Jun 21, 2009 4:06 pm
I got the Uniden 500sx which is a DIN sized one from Prestige Comms.
It seems to be ok for the price.
It seems to be ok for the price.
Posted: Sun Jun 21, 2009 4:15 pm
Ohh good stuff, Coz im looking at upgrading the one in my tipper and i was going to put it in the ute n get a new one for the tipper.. So theres no need to get a massive ariel for it i hear? thanks for the replys...
I went to the ormeau track this morning to have a look and it was pretty awsome, i did a bit of it in the rain but i dont have the experience yet to keep on heading up the rutty hill..soon tho
I went to the ormeau track this morning to have a look and it was pretty awsome, i did a bit of it in the rain but i dont have the experience yet to keep on heading up the rutty hill..soon tho
a
Posted: Mon Jun 22, 2009 12:38 pm
I agree with Scott 100%
Small aerials with coils are better in the scrub areas and perfect for wheeling, those big white GME aerials are all about looks, they are expensive and dont perform in the bush, from experience.
The aerial im using now is by far the best ive ever had/seen, its a 4ft 9db stainless steel with 2 coils made by Benelec.
I think it was $140 or thereabouts anyway, ive had it for a year.
Small aerials with coils are better in the scrub areas and perfect for wheeling, those big white GME aerials are all about looks, they are expensive and dont perform in the bush, from experience.
The aerial im using now is by far the best ive ever had/seen, its a 4ft 9db stainless steel with 2 coils made by Benelec.
I think it was $140 or thereabouts anyway, ive had it for a year.
Posted: Mon Jun 22, 2009 2:50 pm
UHF and aerial choice make a big difference in the overall scheme of reception.
But if you are only going in a convey, etc, not really a problem. However, if you plan on big trips involving dust, it might be several k's from the first car to the last.
GME and uniden are great brands and make many models to suit (including head-units, integrated mic/head units and traditional units)
I use an Icom which has some added functions I like, but as a professional radio is not all that user friendly.
For an aerial the difference is between long range (but not good in trees/mountains) or short range (good in mountains/trees) or a combo, say 6-9db.
Anything over 150cm tho is really a bit unnecessary and just becomes annoying IMHO
But if you are only going in a convey, etc, not really a problem. However, if you plan on big trips involving dust, it might be several k's from the first car to the last.
GME and uniden are great brands and make many models to suit (including head-units, integrated mic/head units and traditional units)
I use an Icom which has some added functions I like, but as a professional radio is not all that user friendly.
For an aerial the difference is between long range (but not good in trees/mountains) or short range (good in mountains/trees) or a combo, say 6-9db.
Anything over 150cm tho is really a bit unnecessary and just becomes annoying IMHO