Stubbornness can be costly

Eaglemax · Guru

Stubbornness can be costly

deverall11 · Guru

Comes down to a price. Aerial plays a big part. All are 5 Watts.

Personal preferences in the sense that do you want the unit installed out of the way

and control using the mike. These typically are small units as the electronics are

shared between the unit and the mike.

We had one from day one and found it invaluable. From letting a truck know you know

it's there and negotiate a suitable overtaking place to questioning oncoming wide loads.

The pilot does not always do a good job.
Uniden, GME.

-- Edited by deverall11 on Wednesday 27th of September 2023 05:05:48 PM

msg · Guru

Maybe you might like to consider a hands free one. Push a button on the steering wheel to talk hardly interrups your driving concentration. I have had a GME 80 channel one for about 10yrs and its still going strong.

rgren2 · Guru

deverall11 wrote:
Comes down to a price. Aerial plays a big part. All are 5 Watts.
Personal preferences in the sense that do you want the unit installed out of the way
and control using the mike. These typically are small units as the electronics are
shared between the unit and the mike.
We had one from day one and found it invaluable. From letting a truck know you know
it's there and negotiate a suitable overtaking place to questioning oncoming wide loads.
The pilot does not always do a good job.
Uniden, GME.

-- Edited by deverall11 on Wednesday 27th of September 2023 05:05:48 PM

Ahhh, no, they are not all 5 watt.

yobarr · Guru

Eaglemax wrote:
Some few years ago I refused to buy a UHF. We had driven from Victoria to Maryborough Queensland and even had wide loads from Goondiwindi to another town and didnt need one. My decision was solely due to preferring to concentrate of the road and not liking the chatter in towns however, soon we'll buy a 5w handheld. The TV show outback truckers (should be truckies) convinced me that they are invaluable.
Any recommendations on a brand? I think they differ a lot.
Tony

Initially I planned to get GEM but got talked into buying 2x 5watt Digitech.

Car has GME for travelling but the Digitech is used to stay on touch when walking in the bush etc.

Paid $110 each but didnt check prices of others.Cheers

yobarr · Guru

rgren2 wrote:
Ahhh, no, they are not all 5 watt.

Correct, but only a real Tytars would mess around with a smaller system. Spare me, you may as well yell out the window! Cheers

Cuppa · Guru

I'm a fan of ICOM UHF's. In car & handheld. Japanese made . High quality, robust & come with a 5 year warranty. Many outback staitons we have been to choose them to use as daily 'tools'.

Mariner30 · Senior Member

Handheld radios can have poor reception as they have very short stubby aerials and are usually housed low down inside the vehicle,
They are also easily dislodged and can end up on the floor or getting stepped on.
I bought 5 handhelds last year and one lasted a few weeks before it went for a swim inside a vehicle when out in the bush.

A fixed installation can take up space but dosen't have the above problems but the aerial still needs to be placed in the right place for best reception.

We've used all the popular brands over the years, in cars, 4WDS, boats and work trucks,

Including a Icom 412 bought new 12 years ago...still works perfectly though it is out in the weather.

deverall11 · Guru

rgren2 wrote:
.....
Ahhh, no, they are not all 5 watt.

Perhaps you could tell us learned one.

yobarr · Guru

deverall11 wrote:
rgren2 wrote:
.....
Ahhh, no, they are not all 5 watt.
Perhaps you could tell us learned one.

vanTas · Veteran Member

It is obvious that a lot of forumites do not read that which the OP writes.

He stated that he would be going for hand- helds, that is portables.
They do indeed have various output levels.
Beware. Some do not have a removable/extendable coax type fitting.

Mobiles are all 5 watt, some are switchable to 2.5 watt.
They all have a coax socket, so therefore the antenna goes outside.
Mounting position makes a lot of difference.
Proximity to other antennas/metal objects will impair performance.

rgren2 · Guru

deverall11 wrote:
rgren2 wrote:
.....
Ahhh, no, they are not all 5 watt.
Perhaps you could tell us learned one.

Answered by others.

Pradokakadudavid · Senior Member

Yeah you can't beat the GME units with the unit hidden under the dash and the main controls on the handheld mic.

I have been using these for years for 4 wheel driving and they are great.

Get the 5 watt versions as they are far more powerful with greater range than smaller wattage.

Long, detachable aerial is useful as well.

Cheers.

David

msg · Guru

GME Made in Australia

deverall11 · Guru

Eaglemax wrote:
.....soon we'll buy a 5w handheld. The TV show outback truckers (should be truckies) convinced me that they are invaluable.

Any recommendations on a brand? I think they differ a lot.
Tony

Initially we had a handheld unit - Uniden 5 watts. Worked fine but lacked range. For the purpose

which was to communicate with the closest truck, it never failed us. As mentioned previously range

comes from the aerial, put simply.

We could've had a bullbar mounted aerial and connect it to the handheld.

When we acquired the 'dash' mounted unit the first thing that became obvious was how much easier it

was to use as the microphone was somewhat lighter. As a side benefit, the radio had a location as opposed

to having the handheld on my lap, the passenger lap etc and remembering to stow it somewhere out sight

when not in the car.

In saying that there was the odd time when we took it with us as we went exploring - why I don't really know.

Eaglemax · Guru

I'm in awe of the replies- quantity and quality. I had done some research over the recent months hence the decision for 5w.

A few things-

Owning an SUV a bullbar or similar is not on the agenda. Nor is colliding with bulls :)
An antenna isnt on the cards and the reason is simple- 99% of the time the unit will be used for overtaking/advising to overtake/advice up ahead and giving it. Hence to and from vehicles in close proximity.
The other 1% if I abandon the wife in the desert. She should have some range in the unit - she's not a good walker :)
The GME units (thanks MSG) is tempting even though they arent handheld. The benefits of controls in the mic over power the portability. But then I have the antenna issue
Thinking more I'd settle for a handheld with appropriate cradle mount.
MSG... I'm less concerned now with the push button transmit on the steering wheel. My rig is really satable and far less length and weight of many so am confident I can operate a handheld or the other GME type while driving.
I've noticed there is a trap with some handhelds- they say 12v charging then only provide a base 240v/12v charger - not a charging jack for your vehicle.

So narrowed it down somewhat. Either a GME installed unit with controls in the mic (antenna to be sorted and not liking cables going against door rubber and roof mounting etc) note- *******now discounted****** or now prefer handheld in a charging cradle (not desktop) handy to my reach. I've noticed few have the in car charger cradle which I think is essential. Looking at this -

https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/190864264256?chn=ps&_ul=AU&_trkparms=ispr%3D1&amdata=enc%3A1iBsldnD6Sjmbq8A5HrhIIA0&norover=1&mkevt=1&mkrid=705-166974-041499-5&mkcid=2&mkscid=101&itemid=190864264256&targetid=2202710491347&device=c&mktype=pla&googleloc=1000588&poi=&campaignid=20419070128&mkgroupid=157137444932&rlsatarget=pla-2202710491347&abcId=9318008&merchantid=7610102&gclid=CjwKCAjwyNSoBhA9EiwA5aYlb-ss6rjmoqJRO0PJi52mDjVI_OXJRYPrw9Ed9pq1nIIGSMu0e4hV4RoCdLMQAvD_BwE

Both 5w I agree Yobarr.

Bearing that in mind comments appreciated.

Tony

-- Edited by Eaglemax on Friday 29th of September 2023 02:21:01 PM

-- Edited by Eaglemax on Friday 29th of September 2023 02:23:13 PM

-- Edited by Eaglemax on Friday 29th of September 2023 02:31:55 PM

-- Edited by Eaglemax on Friday 29th of September 2023 03:25:17 PM

Eaglemax · Guru

Ok, I have worked out that I would really like a in car charging cradle. I simply cant find a UHF that has one as an option. They have in car chargers but I'd like a permanent cradle the radio will slot into vertically and remain on charge.

Anyone know of one. Been on the www 3 hours now. Closest thing is GME and uniden but not really cradles.

Tony

deverall11 · Guru

I think this is as close as you're going to get. A little mod and your there.
www.gme.net.au/au/accessories/bcd020/

yobarr · Guru

Eaglemax wrote:
Ok, I have worked out that I would really like a in car charging cradle. I simply cant find a UHF that has one as an option. They have in car chargers but I'd like a permanent cradle the radio will slot into vertically and remain on charge.

Anyone know of one. Been on the www 3 hours now. Closest thing is GME and uniden but not really cradles.

Tony

This is mine, which looks similar to the one in the link supplied by Deverall. Has another fitting for charging from 240 volt.

Mind you, since I rarely use the hand held, I haven't actually charged the phone in the car! Cheers

-- Edited by yobarr on Friday 29th of September 2023 08:36:29 PM

Cuppa · Guru

The ICOM IC41PRO hand held ($248) has a 12v accessory charging cable . https://www.gadgetcity.com.au/icom-car-charger-cable-cp23l-cigarette-lighter-adaptor-for-bc213-p-4035.html

-

-- Edited by Cuppa on Friday 29th of September 2023 08:44:43 PM

deverall11 · Guru

Cuppa wrote:
The ICOM IC41PRO hand held ($248) has a 12v accessory charging cable . https://www.gadgetcity.com.au/icom-car-charger-cable-cp23l-cigarette-lighter-adaptor-for-bc213-p-4035.html

-

-- Edited by Cuppa on Friday 29th of September 2023 08:44:43 PM

He's looking for a cradle.

Eaglemax · Guru

Yeh thanks guys. Great response. So I've narrowed it down to a Unicom 5w handheld with mic/speaker thrown in. Has charging dock 12/240v. Cradles aren't available, dock will be fine. https://westsideexhaust4x4.com.au/products/ultra550-5-watt-handheld-uhf-cb-radio-speaker-microphone Thanks again. Tony

Cuppa · Guru

deverall11 wrote:
Cuppa wrote:
The ICOM IC41PRO hand held ($248) has a 12v accessory charging cable . https://www.gadgetcity.com.au/icom-car-charger-cable-cp23l-cigarette-lighter-adaptor-for-bc213-p-4035.html

-

-- Edited by Cuppa on Friday 29th of September 2023 08:44:43 PM
He's looking for a cradle.

Looks like he's made his decision, but for anyone else looking the 12v cable I linked to plugs into a dock

-- Edited by Cuppa on Saturday 30th of September 2023 09:11:46 AM

Eaglemax · Guru

Not quite yet Cuppa. I've got a short list and I'll add that to it. When looking for a unit even with www the information given isn't sufficient. Easy to think these have the 12v cig cable plug straight into the unit whereas they go into a dock, same dock the 240v one has. Thanks mate

Cuppa · Guru

Eaglemax wrote:
Not quite yet Cuppa. I've got a short list and I'll add that to it. When looking for a unit even with www the information given isn't sufficient. Easy to think these have the 12v cig cable plug straight into the unit whereas they go into a dock, same dock the 240v one has. Thanks mate

On the basis that I have owned both cheap & nasty as well as quality. I would never buy Uniden again, & would be suss about Oricom too. The latter have always been cheap but I notice the price on the one you linked to is very similar to Icom equivalent. Maybe Oricom have improved .... but the 5 year Icom warranty & easily available spares is hard to ignore. (My old GME hand helds both have broken antennas now - not replaceable. Icom hand helds - just unscrew the antenna & screw a replacement on). In regard to quality of sound when I switched to Icom I was quite amazed about how much easier I could understand what was being said. Chalk & cheese. Some things you buy provoke a thought/memory of 'what a good choice that was every time you use them. Our Southern Cross tent was one. Our Icom UHF another. I've had older GME dash mounted . They were what I consider to be mid range. Whether current models are of similar quality I can't comment because I don't know. Often reception can be a bit hissy or crackly, but my experience is that somehow the Icom just manages that better. Having experienced 'auto squelch' I wouldn't want to go back to manual, especially id the squelch & volume is on the same knob stem.

I am biased because of my personal experience, this should not necessarily sway you to one brand or another, but hopefully it will alert you to considerations like sound quality, ease of use (design) & parts replaceability vs 'throw away & buy another unit. There are far more models/brands I haven't used than I have.

In case my post creates an impression that I am a regular UHF user - far from it, but when the UHF is useful, it is very useful - if it is one which is easy to use & i can understand what is being said to me.

-- Edited by Cuppa on Saturday 30th of September 2023 10:42:12 AM

Eaglemax · Guru

Cuppa wrote:
Eaglemax wrote:
Not quite yet Cuppa. I've got a short list and I'll add that to it. When looking for a unit even with www the information given isn't sufficient. Easy to think these have the 12v cig cable plug straight into the unit whereas they go into a dock, same dock the 240v one has. Thanks mate
On the basis that I have owned both cheap & nasty as well as quality. I would never buy Uniden again, & would be suss about Oricom too. The latter have always been cheap but I notice the price on the one you linked to is very similar to Icom equivalent. Maybe Oricom have improved .... but the 5 year Icom warranty & easily available spares is hard to ignore. (My old GME hand helds both have broken antennas now - not replaceable. Icom hand helds - just unscrew the antenna & screw a replacement on). In regard to quality of sound when I switched to Icom I was quite amazed about how much easier I could understand what was being said. Chalk & cheese. Some things you buy provoke a thought/memory of 'what a good choice that was every time you use them. Our Southern Cross tent was one. Our Icom UHF another. I've had older GME dash mounted . They were what I consider to be mid range. Whether current models are of similar quality I can't comment because I don't know. Often reception can be a bit hissy or crackly, but my experience is that somehow the Icom just manages that better. Having experienced 'auto squelch' I wouldn't want to go back to manual, especially id the squelch & volume is on the same knob stem.
I am biased because of my personal experience, this should not necessarily sway you to one brand or another, but hopefully it will alert you to considerations like sound quality, ease of use (design) & parts replaceability vs 'throw away & buy another unit. There are far more models/brands I haven't used than I have.
In case my post creates an impression that I am a regular UHF user - far from it, but when the UHF is useful, it is very useful - if it is one which is easy to use & i can understand what is being said to me.

-- Edited by Cuppa on Saturday 30th of September 2023 10:42:12 AM

Cuppa, your comments are valuable because - I have some hearing loss. It's of the type that a hearing aid would not benefit. eg If I have noise from a barking dog or road noise I wont understand the words being said. With my wife mumbling I miss the commentary on the TV lol. So such information is really important. We are going to wait for some xmas specials. If its like hot cross buns it will be next week :) . Ease of use is also gold

Tony

Cuppa · Guru

I have similar hearing loss. Can't talk on the phone if any noise nearby, tv/radio, kettle boiling, tap running, conversation etc. In the car with the dash mounted UHF , having the speaker (& controls) in the mouth piece is very handy. I also have an external speaker mounted just behind my right ear in the ute's cab, from when I had the Uniden fitted.