I may have asked this a year or so ago but I can't find my post. So here is is (maybe again).
I would like some advice on two-way radios (not sure if that is the correct name).
For two reasons - I may well be walking away from the caravan or Land Cruiser to take some photos by myself, and it would be good to have a two-way radio just in case something happens so I can let Sue know that I am hurt/lost etc.
And I have heard that it is useful to be able to talk to the truckies, esp if I am going slower than they would like.
And maybe a third reason - are they useful if I am backing the caravan into a spot in a caravan park?
So
- are two way radios useful?
- if so, which brands would you recommend?
- are there any accessories I should purchase?
Thanks for any advice you folks can offer.
Cheers, Rex
Mike Harding said
01:27 PM Jul 16, 2018
May I suggest you do a Google on "UHF CB radio" then do some reading. That will give you a basis of knowledge from which to ask more pertinent questions.
yobarr said
02:02 PM Jul 16, 2018
rexboggs5 wrote:
I may have asked this a year or so ago but I can't find my post. So here is is (maybe again).
I would like some advice on two-way radios (not sure if that is the correct name).
For two reasons - I may well be walking away from the caravan or Land Cruiser to take some photos by myself, and it would be good to have a two-way radio just in case something happens so I can let Sue know that I am hurt/lost etc.
And I have heard that it is useful to be able to talk to the truckies, esp if I am going slower than they would like.
And maybe a third reason - are they useful if I am backing the caravan into a spot in a caravan park?
So
- are two way radios useful?
- if so, which brands would you recommend?
- are there any accessories I should purchase?
Thanks for any advice you folks can offer.
Cheers, Rex
Hi Rex....When I started looking,I contacted a friend who is an interstate truckie,and does a lot of 4wd trips with a club that he is a member of.He said that I should buy a 5 watt set...nothing less....so I did a bit of research and ended up buying Digitech, which I got from Jaycar for a couple of hundred dollars.GEM is apparently a good brand,but too pricey for what I wanted. Like you,I just wanted to be able to call SWMBO if we become separated whilst wandering about in the outback.They also are good for calling truckies,although I have a much bigger set in the car.Good luck with your search.Cheers
P.S They also would be good for help with reversing,if it was needed!
Warren-Pat_01 said
02:44 PM Jul 16, 2018
Hi Rex,
I endorse Yobarr's post - for the car set.
I use the set that came with the car (Uniden) 5w but for "away" walks, I carry one part of a pair of Oricoms. They are approx 1w, have rechargeable batteries & do the job well. Our bird club has sets of 2w portables in the Leader's kits - they are generally GME (amongst the best & made for Australian conditions - were made here too, not certain if that is still the case).
Often the 5w portables have a 1w switch setting to conserve battery power.
The last thing you want to carry is something that is too heavy (along with binoculars & heavy camera equipment) unless you have a well designed pack.
Remember that the UHF frequency is line of sight transmission & can be impeded by trees, rocks, etc. Don't believe everything you read on a pack of small radios - they may not work over 7-10kms.
Happy shopping!
Desert Dweller said
04:43 PM Jul 16, 2018
For casual use a pair of 5 watt hand held radios from Jaycar are ideal. No point or advantage in spending megabucks.
We bush camp most of the time, both doing wildlife/bird photography. We usually set off in different directions from base camp so being able to contact each other is a good thing.
''I'm tired, hot & hungry, it's time for a pre dinner glass of chardonnay, see you back at camp''.
Hand held radios work well in places like this, taken in the Pine Plains area of Wyperfeld National Park. No other campers around.
We go our separate ways doing our wildlife photography & can both end up a few kms away from camp in different directions but still be able to speak to each other.
Wandering around the bush.
Back at camp.
rgren2 said
07:27 AM Jul 17, 2018
If you both have mobile phones, use the Bluetooth in your vehicle instead of the UHF, that way no one else listens in and you don't have to use the mike.
rexboggs5 said
07:50 AM Jul 17, 2018
Thanks very much for the expert advice - very much appreciated.
Two questions - would the 'pair of 5 watt hand held radios from Jaycar' be sufficient for talking to truckies when on the road? I'm guessing yes, but would like to be sure.
And 'Bluetooth in your vehicle' - does that come standard in vehicles (I have a Land Cruiser 200 series)? Or is it a add-on?
Thanks and Cheers
Rex
yobarr said
08:17 AM Jul 17, 2018
rexboggs5 wrote:
Thanks very much for the expert advice - very much appreciated.
Two questions - would the 'pair of 5 watt hand held radios from Jaycar' be sufficient for talking to truckies when on the road? I'm guessing yes, but would like to be sure.
And 'Bluetooth in your vehicle' - does that come standard in vehicles (I have a Land Cruiser 200 series)? Or is it a add-on?
Thanks and Cheers
Rex
Yes...
Desert Dweller said
09:35 AM Jul 17, 2018
rgren2 wrote:
If you both have mobile phones, use the Bluetooth in your vehicle instead of the UHF, that way no one else listens in and you don't have to use the mike.
That's if there's phone reception where you are which in most cases with us there isn't. We only have one mobile phone.
iana said
10:05 AM Jul 17, 2018
I find the radios are just too dammed complicated to use, its alright when one is not driving, have all the time in the world to sort it out, and the instruction book is handy. But when driving or backing 10-1 something is not working right and it is not the time to be reading the instruction manual.
If I was buying again, ease of use would be at the top of the list, and to have 2-3 pre-set channels ready for use would be the other.
Although I haven't used the system yet, I have my UHF sound coming through my hearing aids, via blue tooth. I can listen to the traffic, and the passengers don't need to hear a thing. I haven't used it yet as I broke the Bluetooth transmitter, and had to get another. As is usual, you don't find out when things are not right until you want to use them.
aussie_paul said
01:56 PM Jul 17, 2018
yobarr wrote:
Mike Harding wrote:
You do take some damn fine bird pics!
X2
X3
Aussie Paul.
Ger08 said
12:12 AM Jul 18, 2018
We have a UHF in the tug and two handheld units for when parking and around camp and this set up works us. I wouldnt be without the UHF in the car
Dave1952 said
06:08 PM Jul 18, 2018
I have a 100 channel GME in the tug and a 5 watt GME handheld for my wife when we have both vehicles. I find that the 5 watt handheld in the charge cradle in her car is excellent value for money. It also has a microphone attached, rather than her using the built in mike. Most reputable brands such as Uniden, Oricom and GME will also have the facility to attach a high gain antenna mounted to the vehicle, if required. That way, you can have the best of both worlds. We used the el cheapos extensively in the renewable energy industry but found that generally, if dropped, they ceased to work. Most industries not requiring intrinsically safe handhelds use reputable brands so they get bang for their buck.
Dave1952 said
06:10 PM Jul 18, 2018
BTW, the 5 watt handheld is also 100 channel.
rexboggs5 said
06:52 PM Jul 18, 2018
Thanks very much for the additional replies - much appreciated, and very useful. And even more would be appreciated - can't know too much!
Cheers, Rex
PeterD said
10:07 PM Jul 18, 2018
Dave1952 wrote:
BTW, the 5 watt handheld is also 100 channel.
What are these 100 channel radios that you are using. A CB radio that conforms to the conditions of the CB class licence is only able to transmit on 80 channels (less of course the guard channels around CH 22 and 23.)
If your radio is capable of transmitting on more channels than are listed on the licence you are operating under then you could be in big strife.
Aus-Kiwi said
11:14 PM Jul 18, 2018
Something like . We have them on charge on a clip beside the door https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.com.au%2Fulk%2Fitm%2F253749509121
I may have asked this a year or so ago but I can't find my post. So here is is (maybe again).
I would like some advice on two-way radios (not sure if that is the correct name).
For two reasons - I may well be walking away from the caravan or Land Cruiser to take some photos by myself, and it would be good to have a two-way radio just in case something happens so I can let Sue know that I am hurt/lost etc.
And I have heard that it is useful to be able to talk to the truckies, esp if I am going slower than they would like.
And maybe a third reason - are they useful if I am backing the caravan into a spot in a caravan park?
So
- are two way radios useful?
- if so, which brands would you recommend?
- are there any accessories I should purchase?
Thanks for any advice you folks can offer.
Cheers, Rex
May I suggest you do a Google on "UHF CB radio" then do some reading. That will give you a basis of knowledge from which to ask more pertinent questions.
Hi Rex....When I started looking,I contacted a friend who is an interstate truckie,and does a lot of 4wd trips with a club that he is a member of.He said that I should buy a 5 watt set...nothing less....so I did a bit of research and ended up buying Digitech, which I got from Jaycar for a couple of hundred dollars.GEM is apparently a good brand,but too pricey for what I wanted. Like you,I just wanted to be able to call SWMBO if we become separated whilst wandering about in the outback.They also are good for calling truckies,although I have a much bigger set in the car.Good luck with your search.Cheers
P.S They also would be good for help with reversing,if it was needed!
I endorse Yobarr's post - for the car set.
I use the set that came with the car (Uniden) 5w but for "away" walks, I carry one part of a pair of Oricoms. They are approx 1w, have rechargeable batteries & do the job well. Our bird club has sets of 2w portables in the Leader's kits - they are generally GME (amongst the best & made for Australian conditions - were made here too, not certain if that is still the case).
Often the 5w portables have a 1w switch setting to conserve battery power.
The last thing you want to carry is something that is too heavy (along with binoculars & heavy camera equipment) unless you have a well designed pack.
Remember that the UHF frequency is line of sight transmission & can be impeded by trees, rocks, etc. Don't believe everything you read on a pack of small radios - they may not work over 7-10kms.
Happy shopping!
For casual use a pair of 5 watt hand held radios from Jaycar are ideal. No point or advantage in spending megabucks.
We bush camp most of the time, both doing wildlife/bird photography. We usually set off in different directions from base camp so being able to contact each other is a good thing.
''I'm tired, hot & hungry, it's time for a pre dinner glass of chardonnay, see you back at camp''.
You do take some damn fine bird pics!
X2
Hand held radios work well in places like this, taken in the Pine Plains area of Wyperfeld National Park. No other campers around.
We go our separate ways doing our wildlife photography & can both end up a few kms away from camp in different directions but still be able to speak to each other.
Wandering around the bush.
Back at camp.
If you both have mobile phones, use the Bluetooth in your vehicle instead of the UHF, that way no one else listens in and you don't have to use the mike.
Two questions - would the 'pair of 5 watt hand held radios from Jaycar' be sufficient for talking to truckies when on the road? I'm guessing yes, but would like to be sure.
And 'Bluetooth in your vehicle' - does that come standard in vehicles (I have a Land Cruiser 200 series)? Or is it a add-on?
Thanks and Cheers
Rex
Yes...
That's if there's phone reception where you are which in most cases with us there isn't. We only have one mobile phone.
If I was buying again, ease of use would be at the top of the list, and to have 2-3 pre-set channels ready for use would be the other.
Although I haven't used the system yet, I have my UHF sound coming through my hearing aids, via blue tooth. I can listen to the traffic, and the passengers don't need to hear a thing. I haven't used it yet as I broke the Bluetooth transmitter, and had to get another. As is usual, you don't find out when things are not right until you want to use them.
X3
Aussie Paul.
BTW, the 5 watt handheld is also 100 channel.
Cheers, Rex
What are these 100 channel radios that you are using. A CB radio that conforms to the conditions of the CB class licence is only able to transmit on 80 channels (less of course the guard channels around CH 22 and 23.)
If your radio is capable of transmitting on more channels than are listed on the licence you are operating under then you could be in big strife.