Guys looking for some advice on whether a set of handheld UHF radios would be sufficient to communicate with truckies that are approaching from behind as well as using them to communicate with each other when positioning the van. I am not keen to add any external aerials as I don't have a bull bar and I would probably have to start drilling holes in things. I am also reluctant to bolt anymore bits and pieces in the dash area as I have already fitted a brake controller, breakaway unit and the rear view monitor. Their is a Digitech 5W UHF VOX 80 channel full set in the RTM catalogue that comes in a carry case complete with 12v charging cables and 2 x 24V chargers for $450 do you believe that these radios would do the job that I'm after.
Before posting I used the search function on CB radio and found a few old posts on this topic which had become quite ugly. I am not looking to rekindle arguments on the pros and cons of using CB radios while driving I am just after opinions from experienced users on whether these radios would be capable of doing a job..
Thanks
BB
Peter_n_Margaret said
11:14 AM Aug 5, 2018
The 5W Digitech would be fine, as would any good quality 5W unit, but all would perform better with an external roof mounted antennae.
Cheers,
Peter
Dave1952 said
02:06 PM Aug 5, 2018
I have a 5 W handheld for my wife to use in her car as we travel, and it has a remote microphone. Whatever you get, I suggest you ensure you can attach a remote mike as you dont have to worry about picking the entire handheld up every time you want to use it.
The Belmont Bear said
02:35 PM Aug 5, 2018
Thanks guys I just bought a set because when I was down at RTM getting some other things the price for the 5W set was down to $248. The 3W set was still at $348 so I thought why not, if it doesn't do the job Peter I will do as you suggested and fit an external antennae to the car.
Cheers
BB
PeterD said
05:55 PM Aug 5, 2018
I have travelled with people using 1/2 W hand held CB radios. They worked OK. It's surprising how many armchair experts there are on these forums with a fixation on needing high power to do the job.
normiek said
05:05 PM Aug 6, 2018
Any 5w uhf is equal, only look at aerial ,higher the better
Peter_n_Margaret said
05:51 PM Aug 6, 2018
normiek wrote:
Any 5w uhf is equal, only look at aerial ,higher the better
Mounted higher is definitely better, but higher gain is not necessarily better.
Cheers,
Peter
-- Edited by Peter_n_Margaret on Monday 6th of August 2018 05:52:02 PM
MikeL said
11:13 AM Aug 7, 2018
Not sure why the heck you would want high mounted aerials and 5W units if all you are looking to communicate with is a vehicle probably less than 1km away!
That said, there are some nice new handheld VHFs around at reasonable price AND with bluetooth for hands free:
Definitely go for a hands free kit of some kind though even if only a plug in ear/mic set.
-- Edited by MikeL on Tuesday 7th of August 2018 11:14:29 AM
-- Edited by MikeL on Tuesday 7th of August 2018 11:22:23 AM
Peter_n_Margaret said
12:28 PM Aug 7, 2018
A high mounted antennae avoids transmission "shadows" that can otherwise occur.
A car towing a van could have very poor reception from a vehicle 1km immediately behind if using a hand held in the cab.
Cheers,
Peter
Tony Bev said
01:01 PM Aug 7, 2018
I have a pair of 0.5 (half) watt hand held radios
My theory is that when I talk to the truckies, they should be close enough to be able to see my name, or type of rig
So far I have had no problems
I also hear farmers in the field, who I can not see
I can hear oversize vehicles, before I see them
But...
I do not have the type of rig, to go off road
In my honest opinion, a 5 (five) watt hand held, should be sufficient for bitumen travelling
If your radios fail, Dave
Then let us all know the make and model
DeBe said
03:05 PM Aug 7, 2018
Mikel, that is a VHF marine radio & is not legal to use on the Land. Land use units are UHF. Also you need a licence to use VHF marine sets.
-- Edited by DeBe on Tuesday 7th of August 2018 03:06:56 PM
denmonkey said
06:04 PM Aug 7, 2018
I'll concur with the opinions that the handhelds will be fit for your purpose even from within the vehicle.
As an amatuer radio operator, I routinely speak to others operating HTs from their vehicles without issue and have also done so operating a HT from my end. P&M is correct that an external antenna is always going to be superior with regards to distance and clarity of transmission but for what you have outlined, you won't have any problems.
If you're reluctant to poke holes in your vehicle, small magnetic based antennas can be had to avoid a permanent install scenario and can be mated up with your HTs should you ever feel the need. Assuming the ones you purchase have removable antenna. As suggested though, if you can get a external mic to go with your unit, you will find it that little bit easier to operate within the vehicle and out. If none of that is possible, you'll be just fine with what you already have and won't have to spend any extra money but if you want to ..................................
On a recent road trip with three other friends, two of them had purchased good Handheld 5 W units. We were having reception problems from one of the handhelds. Four vehicles spread sometimes over about (Nullabor) 5 kilometres, or more sometimes. She could hear us clearly but we were not hearing her. She had a hands free mike attached.
When we stopped and checked her unit (she handed it all out to us, no problems found with the transmission) Get on the road again and just a short distance we lost her transmission.
I heard the Tail end Charlie ask her, "where she put the hand held unit while driving".
ON THE PASSENGER SEAT of the car..
Hands free microphone was clipped to her lapel.
Tail end Charlie says put the base unit on the Dashboard.
Result was good reception by everyone over long distance. We ended up clipping her base unit high up in the vehicle which solved the problem.
The other Handheld had an Ariel fitted to the outside of the car. So never a problem with that.
I have the radio on constantly while travelling, Truck drivers appreciate you making contact and being aware of them, and what your intentions are. Letting them know your speed if they are coming up astern of you for instance. Or asking a WIDE LOAD Pilot what the width of the load is. They can Warn you to "get off the road" early, with reasonable time to find a safe stretch of Verge.
-- Edited by elliemike on Sunday 12th of August 2018 05:53:06 PM
Ger08 said
12:57 AM Aug 13, 2018
elliemike wrote:
On a recent road trip with three other friends, two of them had purchased good Handheld 5 W units. We were having reception problems from one of the handhelds. Four vehicles spread sometimes over about (Nullabor) 5 kilometres, or more sometimes. She could hear us clearly but we were not hearing her. She had a hands free mike attached.
When we stopped and checked her unit (she handed it all out to us, no problems found with the transmission) Get on the road again and just a short distance we lost her transmission.
I heard the Tail end Charlie ask her, "where she put the hand held unit while driving".
ON THE PASSENGER SEAT of the car..
Hands free microphone was clipped to her lapel.
Tail end Charlie says put the base unit on the Dashboard.
Result was good reception by everyone over long distance. We ended up clipping her base unit high up in the vehicle which solved the problem.
The other Handheld had an Ariel fitted to the outside of the car. So never a problem with that.
I have the radio on constantly while travelling, Truck drivers appreciate you making contact and being aware of them, and what your intentions are. Letting them know your speed if they are coming up astern of you for instance. Or asking a WIDE LOAD Pilot what the width of the load is. They can Warn you to "get off the road" early, with reasonable time to find a safe stretch of Verge.
-- Edited by elliemike on Sunday 12th of August 2018 05:53:06 PM
Great post. We use our UHF all the time with truckies and pilots for wide loads. The Pilots really appreciate it when you communi with them.
Hiddleston said
01:02 AM Nov 4, 2020
I was able to connect to my home from my daughter's school, about 3 miles away, and from my wife's work, about 3 1/2 or 4 miles away by baofeng uv 5r
Guys looking for some advice on whether a set of handheld UHF radios would be sufficient to communicate with truckies that are approaching from behind as well as using them to communicate with each other when positioning the van. I am not keen to add any external aerials as I don't have a bull bar and I would probably have to start drilling holes in things. I am also reluctant to bolt anymore bits and pieces in the dash area as I have already fitted a brake controller, breakaway unit and the rear view monitor. Their is a Digitech 5W UHF VOX 80 channel full set in the RTM catalogue that comes in a carry case complete with 12v charging cables and 2 x 24V chargers for $450 do you believe that these radios would do the job that I'm after.
Before posting I used the search function on CB radio and found a few old posts on this topic which had become quite ugly. I am not looking to rekindle arguments on the pros and cons of using CB radios while driving I am just after opinions from experienced users on whether these radios would be capable of doing a job..
Thanks
BB
Cheers,
Peter
Cheers
BB
Any 5w uhf is equal, only look at aerial ,higher the better
Mounted higher is definitely better, but higher gain is not necessarily better.
Cheers,
Peter
-- Edited by Peter_n_Margaret on Monday 6th of August 2018 05:52:02 PM
Not sure why the heck you would want high mounted aerials and 5W units if all you are looking to communicate with is a vehicle probably less than 1km away!
That said, there are some nice new handheld VHFs around at reasonable price AND with bluetooth for hands free:
https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Cobra-Marine-Hand-Held-VHF-5W-Marine-Radio-Floating-With-Bluetooth/162735427491?hash=item25e3c98fa3%3Ag%3AS28AAOSwk~ZZ-8l5&_sacat=0&_nkw=vhf+handheld+bluetooth&_from=R40&rt=nc&_trksid=m570.l1313
Definitely go for a hands free kit of some kind though even if only a plug in ear/mic set.
-- Edited by MikeL on Tuesday 7th of August 2018 11:14:29 AM
-- Edited by MikeL on Tuesday 7th of August 2018 11:22:23 AM
A car towing a van could have very poor reception from a vehicle 1km immediately behind if using a hand held in the cab.
Cheers,
Peter
My theory is that when I talk to the truckies, they should be close enough to be able to see my name, or type of rig
So far I have had no problems
I also hear farmers in the field, who I can not see
I can hear oversize vehicles, before I see them
But...
I do not have the type of rig, to go off road
In my honest opinion, a 5 (five) watt hand held, should be sufficient for bitumen travelling
If your radios fail, Dave
Then let us all know the make and model
Mikel, that is a VHF marine radio & is not legal to use on the Land. Land use units are UHF. Also you need a licence to use VHF marine sets.
-- Edited by DeBe on Tuesday 7th of August 2018 03:06:56 PM
I'll concur with the opinions that the handhelds will be fit for your purpose even from within the vehicle.
but if you want to ..................................
As an amatuer radio operator, I routinely speak to others operating HTs from their vehicles without issue and have also done so operating a HT from my end.
P&M is correct that an external antenna is always going to be superior with regards to distance and clarity of transmission but for what you have outlined, you won't have any problems.
If you're reluctant to poke holes in your vehicle, small magnetic based antennas can be had to avoid a permanent install scenario and can be mated up with your HTs should you ever feel the need. Assuming the ones you purchase have removable antenna.
As suggested though, if you can get a external mic to go with your unit, you will find it that little bit easier to operate within the vehicle and out.
If none of that is possible, you'll be just fine with what you already have and won't have to spend any extra money
This works very well for me!
In a Colorado...
On a recent road trip with three other friends, two of them had purchased good Handheld 5 W units. We were having reception problems from one of the handhelds. Four vehicles spread sometimes over about (Nullabor) 5 kilometres, or more sometimes. She could hear us clearly but we were not hearing her. She had a hands free mike attached.
When we stopped and checked her unit (she handed it all out to us, no problems found with the transmission) Get on the road again and just a short distance we lost her transmission.
I heard the Tail end Charlie ask her, "where she put the hand held unit while driving".
ON THE PASSENGER SEAT of the car..
Hands free microphone was clipped to her lapel.
Tail end Charlie says put the base unit on the Dashboard.
Result was good reception by everyone over long distance. We ended up clipping her base unit high up in the vehicle which solved the problem.
The other Handheld had an Ariel fitted to the outside of the car. So never a problem with that.
I have the radio on constantly while travelling, Truck drivers appreciate you making contact and being aware of them, and what your intentions are. Letting them know your speed if they are coming up astern of you for instance. Or asking a WIDE LOAD Pilot what the width of the load is. They can Warn you to "get off the road" early, with reasonable time to find a safe stretch of Verge.
-- Edited by elliemike on Sunday 12th of August 2018 05:53:06 PM
Great post. We use our UHF all the time with truckies and pilots for wide loads. The Pilots really appreciate it when you communi with them.