UHF Expert required please

Two Strays · Senior Member

UHF Expert required please

rockylizard · Guru

Gday...

I currently have a 1-watt handheld UHF 40 channel CB. I am now contemplating updating to a 5-watt handheld 80 channel unit.

I am looking for a CB with at least the following features - 5-watt, ability to charge the handset in the vehicle 12v socket and the ability to connect to an 'external' antenna (one mounted on my bullbar) when in the vehicle.

I have done a bit of research and have found the following - UNIDEN UH076SX-NB, GME TX6200 and ICOM IC-41W.

A) Will either of these meet my criteteria above?

B) Does anyone know which is "the better/best" unit?

C) Are these compatible with the 'old' 40 channel units? (ie - will I be able to receive and talk to a 40 channel unit)?

All advice welcome.

Cheers

John

Dougwe · Chief one feather

I understand what you are saying about hand held John but I have the GME Tug Mounted and more than happy with it. I must add though I turn it off when in large Towns or the City. The rubbish there is not worth putting up with.

jimricho · Guru

May not answer all your questions but "UHF CB Australia" http://www.uhfcb.com.au/ is a wealth of information on matters UHF

Muso · Veteran Member

Howdy John,
I have a Uniden 5 watt 80 channel hand held which clips to my sunvisor while driving. I have external mount to interchange between the 4db gain antenna and the 9db gain. I also have 2 x 1watt handhelds for closer work around the campsite. All can be charged from a USB oulet.
When in the Flinders Ranges last November I got from Hawker to Willow Springs no problem (about 100 kms).

Cheers Glenn

PeterD · Guru

rockylizard wrote:
C) Are these compatible with the 'old' 40 channel units? (ie - will I be able to receive and talk to a 40 channel unit)?

There is nothing new with this band restructure. I have experienced many of them during my working life. They were all planned so that the new and old equipnent would work together with some limitations.

1. The narrow band equipment gives less volume when received by wide band equipment.

2. Signals from wideband transmitters will splatter across the adjacent narrow band channels. (the bandwidth occupied by wide band equipment is 16 kHz wide which is greater than the 12.5 kHz channel spacing.)

3. The signals from the narrow band transmitters will splatter into the wideband receivers (same reason as 2.)

The problems in 2 & 3 will mostly be when the two receivers are not too far from each other.

briggspc · Senior Member

Was in the game for a long time, GME are good but I like ICOM!

jonathan · Senior Member

briggspc wrote:
..... GME are good but I like ICOM!

I'd have to agree .. a few years ago I purchased (2) Icom IC 41s handhelds. They probably are dearer, but these have functioned without problems .. It recently cost me $18.00 to have them both (software) upgraded to current 80 ch standards ..

Jon