uhf pro's & cons

ozi2 · Guru

uhf pro's & cons

DeBe · Guru

Hi Ozi2, Yes most 5W hand helds can be conected to an ext aerial & do have repeater facility. Certainly should do what you want. Daryl

Peter_n_Margaret · Guru

I have a 5w hand held in a car kit with external power and antennae. There is a second one in the rear of the OKA. That way, I can take the front one when I go fishing and not miss out on dinner.

Cheers,
Peter

ozi2 · Guru

Hi guys thank you very much for your comments re hand held uhf. This requires me to ask what type of hand held you use?
If you could also comment on manufacturer of same and brand of antennae and means of charging ......and likely cost for 5watt it would be appreciated.
Pete, it also appears that a 2nd hand unit has many practical uses!

Peter_n_Margaret · Guru

Ours are probably 15 years old ozi2, so a bit 'dated'.
Any of the well known brands will be OK. GME, iCom, come to mind.
They will cost a bit more than a dash mounted unit, but you do get some extra flexability.
Maybe a good idea to go to a local specialist dealer/installer where you are. In Adelaide, Electric Bug offer good advise.

Cheers,
Peter

Wombat 280 · Guru

I currently have an Icom 440 which has all the talkie bits in the hand piece and the black box bit is mounted under the seat in it's sealed dust and water proof shell. Mounted it myself not a big or difficult job.

Went for the 440 because it could be mounted out of sight and required no drilling into the body or dash space and the H/P can be disconnected and taken with you or locked in the glove box . Apart from the stick mounted on the roo bar no one would known if there's a radio installed or not

I also have a compatible ICom hand held for those beach trips and if I leave Mrs Wombat alone in the van while checking the track ahead Not bad when reverse parking and may save a marriage

BobnBev · Senior Member

Ozi2, The GME TX3100 are a nice LITTLE unit that can be put in a place that is out of sight, we have one in the van and it works fine..cost a little less than a good hand held and are aussie made as well..have a slide out GMC in the tug. its the big brother to the 3100..
Hand helds do have their good and bad bits hand helds do have to have batt. replaced and a charger and are much more prone to being picked up if left on the seat ,glove box, ect..
we have 5 hand helds for fishing walking ect.. not real reliable things ,re batt. going flat just when you need it ..If you do go for a HH make sure that it takes AA batt. not a fitted one that has to be brought from the manufactor..yuk and cost..
And its not the 5 watts that give range its the anttana..good anttana on the roof will be better ..just a few things to think over.. being a old VK3?? radio has been my hobbie for a while...wouldnt be with out one..good luck,,, Bob N Bev

ozi2 · Guru

Hi Wombat, thank you for your info re Icom fixed and hand held. It was most useful, but just a question if you dont mind........how did you fit it under the seat?
Many thanks
Ozi

ozi2 · Guru

Hi Bob and Bev....thank you both for your comments. 5 hand sets?
I certainly like the fact that your uhf sets are aussie made.
Reading the comments I am leaning back towards a fixed set with a portable hand held so thanks again for your input,
Ozi

VK3FEMT · Senior Member

ozi2 wrote:

"techies could throw some light on the subject of fixed uhf against say a 5watt hand held".
5 Watts is 5 Watts, regardless of the unit being a hand-held or a fixed mobile unit.
"Can the hand held be used in conjuction with external aerial successfully, is reception ok?"
Most certainly can. And I would be very, no exceptionally surprised if you noticed any significant difference in reception or coverage distance between a hand-held and a fixed mobile unit using the same antenna.
"Will handheld have repeater ability etc."
Most do - Although check first, some of the lower-end jobs don't.
Although if your looking at the 5 Watt output end of the hand-helds these will almost definately all have repeater capability.
I personally, have both fixed and portable. Mainly because its much easier on the road using a fixed mobile unit, then juggling a portable and a steering wheel. And the portable comes with me when I go wandering. I have a dedicated UHF CB portable, as well as my Yaesu portable I use for amatuer radio, and it also covers UHF CB as well, depending on the weather will depend which I take with me, if its likely to rain, then the Yaesu comes, as it is submersible.