I'm doing a fair bit of country travelling mostly between country Vic and FNQ ( no swearing please !) what do you reckon - is it worth investing inone of these and what do you suggest I consider buying ?
Mike
Roostertales said
08:12 PM Jun 10, 2015
Also given there are lots of plugs and adaptors in vehicles are hand helds / portables just as good if not better should the verdict be get one - I have blue tooth in my vehicle
jonathan said
08:25 PM Jun 10, 2015
For 6 years now I've travelled with a fitted CB and 2 x handheld radios ..
Fitted one is quite practical for general travelling communication useage, and I've found the hand-helds most beneficial when occasionally backing up a caravan in a tight area,
and also if you wish to stay in contact with others when bush walking .. or simply when moving away from your parked vehicle to walk up a small hill etc and still remain in contact
with people staying at the vehicle .. for me it's a safety factor ..
Very much your own choice .. would recommend one for the vehicle if travelling a lot however.
NeilandRaine said
08:33 PM Jun 10, 2015
Shouldn't leave home without one. Oh and learn how to use it
Dougwe said
09:15 PM Jun 10, 2015
Got ya ears on good buddy?
I have. A UHF fitted to your tug is a must when travelling around the playground IMO.
I was involved in CB Radio many many moons ago and wouldn't be without my UHF now. A must to communicate with truck drivers etc and also hear any traffic problems etc.
I chose a GME fitted radio to the tug and very happy with it.
brickies said
09:39 PM Jun 10, 2015
I have a radio and hardly gets used but it's good to have , I tend to use indicator to let the truck know when to pass and back off when they pull out and indicate when they are clear of me by flashing my head lights and when they are clear they flick both indictors to say thanks this way we both have 2 hands on the wheel
aussietraveller said
01:59 AM Jun 11, 2015
When you are travelling especially if towing a UHF radio is an important bit of safety equipment and you shouldn't leave home without one, I also carry a portable hand held for the same reasons as Jonathan but make sure you change from the truckies or Caravan channel if you are going to use the hand held with the wife for putting the van on site otherwise you may attract some interesting comments.
Desert Dweller said
06:16 AM Jun 11, 2015
Definitely worth having. Haven't got around to fitting one to my new vehicle yet. I advise unscrewing the aerial from your vehicle if electrical storms are expected . My Ford Ranger that I have no more, was hit by lightning while parked in our driveway in February. It struck at the tip of the UHF aerial on the bull bar & blew the computer/electrics/ABS . LOL.
-- Edited by Desert Dweller on Thursday 11th of June 2015 06:17:25 AM
Ozzie_Traveller said
09:03 AM Jun 11, 2015
G'day Mike
I will join the others above with agreement that 'a 2-way radio along the outback highways is more important that your mobile phone'
May I expand...
Yes your phone is valuable for long-distance communication with family & friends when you have coverage and in many parts of the outback, from Cairns to Darwin to Perth, you can travel for hours with no phone coverage whatsoever
The 2-way radio is there so that you can
a) chat to other travellers that you can see on the road with you, b) so that others who can see you can talk to you, and c) so that you can hear / receive safety messages being broadcast by someone else on the road
Looking at the above-
a) It is very common to find small 'convoys' from 2 caravans upwards travelling together, and they chat as they travel. It means that you are not so close that you can see the damn numberplate ... you are 1-minute [2kms] apart, so you each have your journey and you can each 'spot' things for the other to enjoy too. It also helps with cuppa breaks etc etc
b) It is also very common that someone else on the road may want to ask you a question, maybe about rest areas or something like that, or alert you to a flat tyre at the rear of the caravan, something that you cannot see from the driving position
c) wide loads come with pilot vehicles, and via the radio, you can hear the chatter for 5 to 10km before you meet the wide load ~ rather than coming around a bend in the road and be faced with the "oh S!!t where can I get off the road in this instant". I have actually seen a caravan forced to exit the road into a gully as the driver stupidly had ignored the pilot vehicle and found the wide load went from white fog-ine to the other fog-line ... even though the other 8 or 10 parked vehicles had followed the radio advice and moved off the road and stopped
To my mind, as someone who is on the road travelling for most of each year ~ if you are intending to travel much of inland Oz, and you do not have, and do not use the 2-way radio daily, you are a bluddy idiot and you are a danger to me and fellow travellers. Sorry if that upsets you, but I have seen too many incidents
I also have had to stand in the middle of the Stuart Hwy 200km south of Alice Springs directing traffic via the 2-way radio, with radio-blind caravanners driving right through an unsafe situation with an 80+ yr old man in a broken down vehicle stationary on the road. Truckies and busses got the messages, but bluddy caravanners were doing 's' bends around the crew trying to get this bloke & his vehicle to safety off the road putting everyone else into danger via their own ignorance and stupidity
Phil
-- Edited by Ozzie_Traveller on Thursday 11th of June 2015 09:06:22 AM
-- Edited by Ozzie_Traveller on Thursday 11th of June 2015 09:08:51 AM
brickies said
09:16 AM Jun 11, 2015
I do think there are a lot of caravaner who do not have a radio I have got sick of calling to other on the road in western Queensland last year and no reply always got a reply from truckies
Desert Dweller said
09:49 AM Jun 11, 2015
Last year were traveling along the Barrier Hwy between Cobar & Wilcannia sitting on our usual speed of 90+kph. A rig came up behind us & a little voice said ''I'm coming through when it's safe to do so''. We said ''No worries enjoy your travels''. He overtook & slowly disappeared into the distance. Not long after we passed him as he was parked on the edge of the road having a pee. A bit later we hear '' I'm coming through when it's safe to do so''. We answered ''Go for it''. He again overtook & disappeared into the distance. We then overtook him while he was parked on the side of the road having another pee. THIS HAPPENED 4 TIMES IN 100K'S! LOL. A UHF radio is a vital piece of kit when traveling in Outback regions particularly if you have prostrate problems. IMO.
-- Edited by Desert Dweller on Thursday 11th of June 2015 11:18:17 AM
brickies said
09:55 AM Jun 11, 2015
If you got to go your got to go
Ontos45 said
11:09 AM Jun 11, 2015
Dougwe wrote:
Got ya ears on good buddy?
I have. A UHF fitted to your tug is a must when travelling around the playground IMO.
I was involved in CB Radio many many moons ago and wouldn't be without my UHF now. A must to communicate with truck drivers etc and also hear any traffic problems etc.
I chose a GME fitted radio to the tug and very happy with it.
An old pirate?
When we travelled we had 2 radios fitted, 1 in overhead console tuned to the truckies channel for me to use and the 2nd radio on the floor tunnel sweeping the caravan/4x4/emergency channels for Sue to use and monitor. We also had 2 hand held units for outside use.
-- Edited by Ontos45 on Thursday 11th of June 2015 11:21:12 AM
Dougwe said
12:55 PM Jun 11, 2015
"An old pirate?" Yep.
I was heavily involved and set up and ran "Westernport C.R.E.S.T" (Citizens Radio Emergency Services Team) VIC. Trained by the Melbourne office. Had a ball with CREST and away from them with my SSB radio, tweaked to "slide" between frequencies. Great fun and used the freezer a few times away from CREST and I tell you that for free.
"Romeo India" in area good buddy Quick, get the spider, pack the Radio and open the freezer
What memories!!
Sorry to digress a little there Mike.
Roostertales said
07:11 PM Jun 11, 2015
Hi all
I Appreciate everyone's valuable input.
I now consider it to be a "must have " item - who would care to recommend a mid range model and would I go to an auto elec to have fitted or could I buy from someone like JAYCAR ? and would they fit perhaps.
Not being electronically or communications minded I need some less than gentle pushing in the right B direction ! so I don't get my whiskers or pocket singed too badly !
Mike
Roostertales said
07:12 PM Jun 11, 2015
I don't want to end up with something that doesn't work / give me reasonable range / cover etc
Dougwe said
08:02 PM Jun 11, 2015
GME is about mid range and a good radio. Not sure if Jaycar actually have UHF though, never looked. Most Auto places have them.
They are reasonably easy to fit but if you are not sure go to a Auto Elec. Even some auto shops fit them so check with where you get one from. Make sure you get a good quality antenna as well.
Roostertales said
08:18 PM Jun 11, 2015
Hi Doug
Do you buy the antenna as a separate item ????
Dougwe said
08:28 PM Jun 11, 2015
There are kits around but mostly separate.
The people where you buy from can advice the best one for your needs RT.
Someone like Autobarn are good to deal with.
PM if you want mate.
Ozzie_Traveller said
08:53 PM Jun 11, 2015
G"day mate
While Jaycar are around the place, you might be better with a 2-way radio mob who sometimes will install as part of the deal
Another separate thing ... the radio [whatever brand it is] comes with a small speaker, maybe 7cm dia built in Its noise / quality is pretty poor to say the least
Suggestion - from jaycar or whomever, buy a small 4-ohm extension speaker to plug into the earphone socket in the main radio, and then put that speaker in a corner of the dashboard in front of you so that you can hear okay. I say '4-ohm' as it will give more volume that a regular hm speaker
Phil
exa41 said
09:05 PM Jun 11, 2015
I bought my got mine from a mob in Bairnsdale , recently broke the campers gearbox coming out of Broome, had to drive to Perth in 4th gear . I spoke, to the road trains 56 mtrs long continually and other travellers and had no issues at all , god bless uhf radio, so.
-- Edited by exa41 on Thursday 11th of June 2015 09:06:36 PM
Roostertales said
05:49 PM Jun 12, 2015
Hi Dennis - what brand and model ? who fitted in Bairnsdale for you ? I have a house at Loch Sport so get down there and was planning to go up the Barry Way so could organise that as a possibility probably end of July when back from a ( pardon me ) paid tour of Kimberleys as a taster for the area while planning longer trips.
Hi all
I'm doing a fair bit of country travelling mostly between country Vic and FNQ ( no swearing please !) what do you reckon - is it worth investing inone of these and what do you suggest I consider buying ?
Mike
For 6 years now I've travelled with a fitted CB and 2 x handheld radios ..
Fitted one is quite practical for general travelling communication useage, and I've found the hand-helds most beneficial when occasionally backing up a caravan in a tight area,
and also if you wish to stay in contact with others when bush walking .. or simply when moving away from your parked vehicle to walk up a small hill etc and still remain in contact
with people staying at the vehicle .. for me it's a safety factor ..
Very much your own choice .. would recommend one for the vehicle if travelling a lot however.
I have. A UHF fitted to your tug is a must when travelling around the playground IMO.
I was involved in CB Radio many many moons ago and wouldn't be without my UHF now. A must to communicate with truck drivers etc and also hear any traffic problems etc.
I chose a GME fitted radio to the tug and very happy with it.
Definitely worth having. Haven't got around to fitting one to my new vehicle yet. I advise unscrewing the aerial from your vehicle if electrical storms are expected . My Ford Ranger that I have no more, was hit by lightning while parked in our driveway in February. It struck at the tip of the UHF aerial on the bull bar & blew the computer/electrics/ABS . LOL.
-- Edited by Desert Dweller on Thursday 11th of June 2015 06:17:25 AM
G'day Mike
I will join the others above with agreement that 'a 2-way radio along the outback highways is more important that your mobile phone'
May I expand...
Yes your phone is valuable for long-distance communication with family & friends when you have coverage and in many parts of the outback, from Cairns to Darwin to Perth, you can travel for hours with no phone coverage whatsoever
The 2-way radio is there so that you can
a) chat to other travellers that you can see on the road with you,
b) so that others who can see you can talk to you, and
c) so that you can hear / receive safety messages being broadcast by someone else on the road
Looking at the above-
a) It is very common to find small 'convoys' from 2 caravans upwards travelling together, and they chat as they travel. It means that you are not so close that you can see the damn numberplate ... you are 1-minute [2kms] apart, so you each have your journey and you can each 'spot' things for the other to enjoy too. It also helps with cuppa breaks etc etc
b) It is also very common that someone else on the road may want to ask you a question, maybe about rest areas or something like that, or alert you to a flat tyre at the rear of the caravan, something that you cannot see from the driving position
c) wide loads come with pilot vehicles, and via the radio, you can hear the chatter for 5 to 10km before you meet the wide load ~ rather than coming around a bend in the road and be faced with the "oh S!!t where can I get off the road in this instant". I have actually seen a caravan forced to exit the road into a gully as the driver stupidly had ignored the pilot vehicle and found the wide load went from white fog-ine to the other fog-line ... even though the other 8 or 10 parked vehicles had followed the radio advice and moved off the road and stopped
To my mind, as someone who is on the road travelling for most of each year ~ if you are intending to travel much of inland Oz, and you do not have, and do not use the 2-way radio daily, you are a bluddy idiot and you are a danger to me and fellow travellers. Sorry if that upsets you, but I have seen too many incidents
I also have had to stand in the middle of the Stuart Hwy 200km south of Alice Springs directing traffic via the 2-way radio, with radio-blind caravanners driving right through an unsafe situation with an 80+ yr old man in a broken down vehicle stationary on the road. Truckies and busses got the messages, but bluddy caravanners were doing 's' bends around the crew trying to get this bloke & his vehicle to safety off the road putting everyone else into danger via their own ignorance and stupidity
Phil
-- Edited by Ozzie_Traveller on Thursday 11th of June 2015 09:06:22 AM
-- Edited by Ozzie_Traveller on Thursday 11th of June 2015 09:08:51 AM
Last year were traveling along the Barrier Hwy between Cobar & Wilcannia sitting on our usual speed of 90+kph. A rig came up behind us & a little voice said ''I'm coming through when it's safe to do so''. We said ''No worries enjoy your travels''. He overtook & slowly disappeared into the distance. Not long after we passed him as he was parked on the edge of the road having a pee. A bit later we hear '' I'm coming through when it's safe to do so''. We answered ''Go for it''. He again overtook & disappeared into the distance. We then overtook him while he was parked on the side of the road having another pee. THIS HAPPENED 4 TIMES IN 100K'S! LOL. A UHF radio is a vital piece of kit when traveling in Outback regions particularly if you have prostrate problems. IMO.
-- Edited by Desert Dweller on Thursday 11th of June 2015 11:18:17 AM
An old pirate?
When we travelled we had 2 radios fitted, 1 in overhead console tuned to the truckies channel for me to use and the 2nd radio on the floor tunnel sweeping the caravan/4x4/emergency channels for Sue to use and monitor. We also had 2 hand held units for outside use.
-- Edited by Ontos45 on Thursday 11th of June 2015 11:21:12 AM
"An old pirate?" Yep.
and I tell you that for free.
I was heavily involved and set up and ran "Westernport C.R.E.S.T" (Citizens Radio Emergency Services Team) VIC. Trained by the Melbourne office. Had a ball with CREST and away from them with my SSB radio, tweaked to "slide" between frequencies. Great fun and used the freezer a few times away from CREST
"Romeo India" in area good buddy
Quick, get the spider, pack the Radio and open the freezer 
What memories!!
Sorry to digress a little there Mike.
I Appreciate everyone's valuable input.
I now consider it to be a "must have " item - who would care to recommend a mid range model and would I go to an auto elec to have fitted or could I buy from someone like JAYCAR ? and would they fit perhaps.
Not being electronically or communications minded I need some less than gentle pushing in the right B direction ! so I don't get my whiskers or pocket singed too badly !
Mike
They are reasonably easy to fit but if you are not sure go to a Auto Elec. Even some auto shops fit them so check with where you get one from. Make sure you get a good quality antenna as well.
Do you buy the antenna as a separate item ????
The people where you buy from can advice the best one for your needs RT.
Someone like Autobarn are good to deal with.
PM if you want mate.
G"day mate
hm speaker
While Jaycar are around the place, you might be better with a 2-way radio mob who sometimes will install as part of the deal
Another separate thing ... the radio [whatever brand it is] comes with a small speaker, maybe 7cm dia built in
Its noise / quality is pretty poor to say the least
Suggestion - from jaycar or whomever, buy a small 4-ohm extension speaker to plug into the earphone socket in the main radio, and then put that speaker in a corner of the dashboard in front of you so that you can hear okay. I say '4-ohm' as it will give more volume that a regular
Phil
I bought my got mine from a mob in Bairnsdale , recently broke the campers gearbox coming out of Broome, had to drive to Perth in 4th gear . I spoke, to the road trains 56 mtrs long continually and other travellers and had no issues at all , god bless uhf radio, so.
-- Edited by exa41 on Thursday 11th of June 2015 09:06:36 PM
Hi Dennis - what brand and model ? who fitted in Bairnsdale for you ? I have a house at Loch Sport so get down there and was planning to go up the Barry Way so could organise that as a possibility probably end of July when back from a ( pardon me ) paid tour of Kimberleys as a taster for the area while planning longer trips.
Mike