Outer Limits 4x4 Board

In the market for a new UHF radio. Have narrowed it down to the GME 4400 or the Icom IC 400 Pro. Not sure which to buy, just looking for any advice on the advantages and disadvantages of both of these or which one is the better of the two and why.
If people have had any good or bad experiences can you let me know also.

One last question where is the best place to buy them in QLD and get them installed, I am looking for a quality job.

Thanks for your help

I bought a 2nd hand gme 4200 and had Commex in Brisbane install the radio and supply and install an antenna.

they did a great job, no complaints here. they ONLY deal with radios so they know their stuff.

I have had a TX3400 in two cars over recent years (not TX4400 i know but)
Have also had a work car with an Icom 400Pro.

I find the GME units heaps more user friendly, and have a better 'sound' out of the stock unit. ie no external speaker.

4400

go the pro! it wins hands down!

ICOM IC-400 PRO

Can People please explain why they believe either radio is better!!

THis would be very helpful

the 4400 is a much more user friendly bomb proof radio. I had one before i sold it to buy commercial uhf's eg icom . Now i never owned a icom, but had a mate who did. They are a better radio interms of robust and power output . the have the ability for many channels to be programmed in,etc. where the 4400 has only 20 extra channels.

If you want a simple easy radio to listen to ch 40 and talk car to car in a convoy, go the 4400 . If you want a high power kickass radio that can be hard to use ( ?) go the icom

if i had my time again. I would run a 4400 in the wifes car and run my phillips prm's in my 4wd. Dont touch an prm unless you are ready for hassles, but the recieve is awesome.


Cheers.

phillips prms are crap! and icoms are a peice of piss to use providng there programed right!

I did a quick search and a topic like this has been covered a few times.

Here is just a few.

http://www.outerlimits4x4.com/PHP_Modul ... t=icom+uhf

http://www.outerlimits4x4.com/PHP_Modul ... t=icom+uhf

familybus wrote:phillips prms are crap! and icoms are a peice of piss to use providng there programed right!

I proved my good prm had better receive than a mates icom. i was in coles carpark and he was 4 blocks away in a home rig with a high areial and i had to relay messages. i dont really like the icom handpiece.

Now, if i had a tait 2020 id be happy

pongo wrote:

familybus wrote:phillips prms are crap! and icoms are a peice of piss to use providng there programed right!

I proved my good prm had better receive than a mates icom. i was in coles carpark and he was 4 blocks away in a home rig with a high areial and i had to relay messages. i dont really like the icom handpiece.

Now, if i had a tait 2020 id be happy

its very hard to compare them like that as there are some sweet spots and there are some dead areas! ive had prm before my icom and had them both plugged in to the same arial, same power suply and all and the icom recived just as good if not better than the OLD PRM! as for the handpeice, i had to replace my homebase one because it was shite but the new mics are good stuff! dont break as easy and sound heaps stronger!

glAD TO hear that they have sorted out the mikes. I went the prm's mainly due to being able to swap to low or high vhf back to uhf very quickly. My wishes of becoming a ham operator just isnt possible atm,even with the easier testing now.

Any way, Id go the 4400 as i dont really get into it all much now


Cheers

I have a tait 2020 it wins hands down. But as alot of people have said the GME's are easy to use but the ICOM's can be programed to have alot more channels in it and more power output....But it depends on your prise range as well..

I own the GME 3400 and several Icom 400 pro's. I prefer the 400pro because it's actually more sensitive than GME once you properly adjust the squelch. The only advantage the GME has is a remote head, i'm not overly impressed by the rest of the radio honestly.

Plus with the icom there's the better power output, more built-in software adjustability and better build quality.

I tested the factory power settings of my radios and they were as follows:

GME 3400 on 5w - 5.4 watts
Icom on 1w - 1.6 watts
Icom on 5w - 5.8 watts
Icom on 25w - 16.5 watts (fully cranked i later tested it at 39.8w)

If you want any info goto

www.ozgear.com.au

FrankB wrote: In the market for a new UHF radio. Have narrowed it down to the GME 4400 or the Icom IC 400 Pro. Not sure which to buy, just looking for any advice on the advantages and disadvantages of both of these or which one is the better of the two and why.
If people have had any good or bad experiences can you let me know also.

One last question where is the best place to buy them in QLD and get them installed, I am looking for a quality job.

Thanks for your help

I have an ICOM 400 pro and I think the unit is quite robust near to mil spec and when the correct ant is on its hard to beat.
ICOM 400 Pro is a stinker to understand but thats half the fun...A new toy to conquer..At the end of the day both units work. ICOM 400 pro when set up (really not that difficult) you pick the mic up and squeeze the button... now really how simple is that!

FrankB wrote:Bushpig you say the ICom 400 is brilliant when used with the right antenna, what is the optimal antenna to use with this???? It will be mounted on the front ARB Bullbar.

Sincere apologies on the late reply...( I reckon you have a set up by now)
All uhf antennas will work but having said that there is always a quite performer...the 1/4 wave for hill and bush is quite suitable GME or similar and is less apt to break but long distance stuff out comes the multiwave antennas eg 5/8th wave 3/4 wave etc etc the radiation pattern all vary but the 1/4 wave is good for local hill bush bash....
For the record when I chicken out on a nite run I listen on the base station which is on the roof at 9 -10 mtrs from ground and I can hear the boys at Paddys Swamp Vic on 1/4 wave ants some 45kms + away on simplex.. Not bad from wher I am located..
Cheers
John

The best antenna i've come across is the RFI 6.5db stainless steel elevated feed. Some Dick Smith stores sell if for about $80.

I've also got a Benelec $100 6db elevated feed and a $180 GME 6db white stick and i've replaced all my vehicles with the RFI because it absolutely makes or breaks the radio.

RFI !!!

i didnt even bother to read all the replys and im gona say the pro

or better still, get a kenwood

Used a few different brands before.
eg GME and Sawtron.
Both are good quality units. Sawtron is not as light or small as the GME but blo0dy strong build quality in radio and in handpiece.
As bushpig59 said 45k's plus and thats with him being in a suburban area and me in the bush. Crystal clear receive and transmit on either end!
Thats with me having a 1/4 wave antenna on the bullbar of a sierra.

go the i-com they are a much better built radio and the fact that the military use them is a big STEP UP IN MY BOOKS ALSO MANY PROGRAMMABLE FEATURES IN THE I-COM
sorry for the caps wasnt yellin!
Cheers Bourkey

one thing with ariels , if you are using it for bush use the 4.5 db ariel will work better due to the the bigger radio wave and will get you a lot further but if you are goin on an open flat trip the 6db will get you further ,

also the wire whips work good if you are at a standstill but you will get better reception on the move with a stiffer fibreglass whip as it doesn't move around as much. my 2c from working in the industry .

also go the icom they are $20 dearer rrp but shit all over them plus they can transmit up to 25w power with a licences or the right contacts + 88 channels

I have got a Uniden Sundowner in the HiLux (yes I know crap) but for the Missus in her Tarago I got her a TX4400, easy to use. I programmed in some of the guys selcall no.s into the radio for her so if she get stuck (flat tyre battery etc) she just send out a few selcalls until somebody answers her.

The kids like the 4400 over the uniden cause they think the mike easy to hold etc. Me I got the sundowner and a PRM8030 set up for 2m amatuer radio but I still like getting in the tarago and using the 4400.

Sound is smooth and the volume from the unit is much better.

IC400pro is a wicked radio though I have a mate that got one and although it is not a standard DIN fit you can get an adaptor set. Has and does everything but the screen is a bit small.

I have myself a Uniden UH015sx http://www.uniden.com.au/AUSTRALIA/p_uh015sx_index.asp

Awsome little unit, can scan as well! Gotta love the police. Only reason I went the uniden is cause I got it brand new for $300 and the single din mounting free!

The Icom can do heap of things as well if you can get it programmed

icom

look up the icom site from oversea's such as states or asia, and see what they have to offer and the price. i was looking at a uhf with 45 watt transmission power for about 320 us$. they need to be programed and have up to 200 something channels. i'm considering buying one, but i know the power out put is a little high for australian standards.

rockrover wrote:go the i-com they are a much better built radio and the fact that the military use them is a big STEP UP IN MY BOOKS ALSO MANY PROGRAMMABLE FEATURES IN THE I-COM
sorry for the caps wasnt yellin!
Cheers Bourkey

Just because they have been used by military doesn't make them any better. which military??? U.S. ummm yeah ok.

Australian army purchases milspec landrovers for 3 times more than they are worth and they are pieces of shite. ie. remove interior, take air conditioning out, put crappy canvas on and remove sound insulation. voila. oh yeah and change the 5 speed to a 4 speed. Thank god we'll get a replacement in the next couple of years.