We are in the process of setting up our rig for departure in September (can't wait!).  We're just wondering if it's worth getting a UHF radio fitted into our Landcruiser of if all the new technology like GPS and mobile phones has made them outdated?.  We're planning to take a couple of 4WD tracks on our journey and have read with interest about VKS-737 network. 
We would love to hear from someone who has used UHF radios on their trips.  Are they worth having?  Any advice (also about make and models) would be appreciated.

Jan & Bob,

I would not be without mine. (GME brand) It is a brilliant way to talk to others on the road and will allow you to talk to the truckies to allow safe passing etc. When in the far reaches where the road trains live, the radio can be an absolute life saver. Most people who do the road trips will tell you the same thing. Make sure you get a quality unit (ya get what ya pay for thing) and preferably an in dash mounted unit. A quality antenna is also the way to go.

You will notice that many nomads use ch 18 and list their names on the back of their vans etc. so easy discussions can be had about the road conditions ahead, places to stay etc.

Just my 2 bobs worth.....eh but!!

Grrr!!!

-- Edited by Crazy Dog at 14:00, 2008-06-17

I would agree with Crazy Dog , he has a GME ,he;s a smart man because in my job before retirement I used UHF radio talking to Truckies and Tourists all day and I did notice that the Uniden radio's sounded very distorted and hard to understand, after a few years one gets to know how to tell , Another good brand is Icom but very complicated to use at times , I use an Icom and the quality is as good as GME ,
VKS-737 does not use UHF , that is on the HF band spectrum and the main
frequency used is 8.022mhz ,here as UHF covers from 476.4250mhz to 477.4000mhz
The brand of radio's used on VKS-737 is usually a Codan or a Barrett and cost around the $3400 area.

Thanks for all the info, Crazy Dog and Doug and Dusty.  We'll definitely invest in a UHF.  I kind of like the idea of learning the lingo and also having some sort of means of communication when we are out of mobile phone range.  Over and out!

Handy bit of kit if you are off the road or out of Mobile range. I've only ever used mine once in anger to get some help after I was run off the road and it worked brilliantly. I'm not really into the long convoluted convos that some seem to enjoy but they are handy....