just wondering what nomads would suggest as a minimum UHF radio and any brand and model suggestions. I am new to this and wondering if a hand held is ample or if I should go to a fitted model?
Hi,
Quite a bit to understand.
5 watt output is the max you can have, but that is far better than 2 watt for any distance work. And remember that we are talking UHF here - that means distances are not vast.
But 5km is possible.
An external antenna works best. The antenna design determines whether it has a low and longer radiation pattern, or a shorter but higher one results. You might carry both to change as required. The lower pattern suits convoy work, the higher pattern is better to reach up to work the repeaters- mountain tops.
So if just a hand-held, get one with a detachable antenna ( a BNC plug/socket) so that you can plug in a lead going to the externals. The rubber ducky type on hand-helds is usually only good for a few hundred metres, all being well.
A GME or Icom is recommended. Not just about a one-off performance, but also about case/internal strength, ability to be repaired, as well as longevity. H-H's and mobiles.
Using a guide equipped with a hand-held to direct the driver listening on the vehicle rig when reversing is a great idea - no shouting, can go out of view etc.
Both types can go to low power for close working.
Also best if both 5 watt capable, so that the h-h can stand-in for in car work should the car rig go belly up - spilled coffee, yanked mic cord, the car battery goes flat, etc.
Usually, with a 5 watt H-H, it can run off the car 12volt system. They can use Li-ion rechargables, or old fashioned dry cells for portable work.
Very handy to lend to a non C.B. vehicle if tagging along on a jaunt. Also handy when looking for the kids or asking re that forgotten item when shopping. And for co-ordinating when loading/unloading the boat.
The mobile rigs can be plain or sophisticated. Can have a semblance of privacy, can have hands free, control on the steering wheel, remote speaker.
The H-H rigs usually come with a speaker-mic, ear buds, carry strap. Usually extra for a protective pouch.
There are combo mobile/portable twin packs available.
Read the on-line reviews and also the channel usage guides. Most channels have defined uses, even if they are "general".
Check the on-line pricing - one can save big dollars.
Oh, and the 40 ch UHF rigs are staying legal, and will work fairly well alongside the original 40 channels of the new 80ch rigs.
Remember your on-air etiquette. No need for lingo, everyday respect gets more answers and help.
Just wondering what nomads would suggest as a minimum UHF radio
The minimum requirement is 1/2 watt Tx power. Many fellow club members have had little hand held radios like that. The police radios I maintained back in the 70s were only 1/2 watt models and they worked well. They work well in convoy or for talking to other traffic. More important than Tx power is the length of the aerial. If you are comparing similar powered models then go for the one with the longer aerial (the shorter the aerial the less the efficiency.)
If you are only interested in contacting nearby traffic then I recommend a 1 or 2 W handheld radio with a reasonably long antenna.
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PeterD Nissan Navara D23 diesel auto, Spaceland pop-top Retired radio and electronics technician. NSW Central Coast.
GME May be Aust Based.
BUT ICOM or Standard Horizon are BOTH
waay better quality.
I have both V and UHF.
GME. Uniden and a few others. In comparison to
on Boat and touring club runs with up to 30 on the go.
have less clarity. Less range. and more static.
Specially near limits of ranges.
Just a comment on power
With the narrowing of bands and the fact it is UHF and not HF or LF makes a very big difference, radios of old were on much lower frequency bands and the signal not as dependant on line of sight
the old 27Mhz units at 1/2 watt easily out perform the UHF at 475Mhz but the new ranges are much clearer and of course the technology of the radios also.
My personal recommendation is look for a radio with 5w and with a dial type squelch control. (much easier to use and change when there is background noise)
We have fixed units in the Motorhome and 4x with Hand units for both. For the motorhome I have an excellent navigator who can see far more than the driver even with the cameras, not just for positioning or getting out of somewhere we should not have driven on but to keep the bystanders from under the rig.
With the 4x again the brilliant navigator can tell me where to place the wheels to get the best line over an obstacle without having to yell and can be a much safer distance from it if it went pear shape.
And all that is in addition of listening to the other road users for traffic information and such.
One point to note is that the 80 Channel units chat well with the 40 channel units but not necessarily the other way around as the narrow band technology the 80 channel units utilise sometimes blocks the older units. particularly when both radios are in close proximity.
I have had excellent results from uniden for many years
Whilst your comment about long aerials is accurate to a point. With UHF there are some very good aerials with high gain that are not excessively long, Length which can actually reduce their effectiveness at speed due to the inability to remain straight. This also reflects in hand held units in that people generally don't hold them so the aerial is in the vertical position. (although for short distances this is not usually relevant)
E.g. the GME vehicle mount 9db aerial is less effective at 100Km/h than the 6db (removal of the centre piece) purely due to the different bend in the aerial from wind.
In addition to ensure that there is a positive contribution to my post I would add that
- Height relative to the environment (mounting position) and good connections are also extremely important to effective use of the modern communications radios.
- Ground plane not as relevant either tody with the modern bases - introduced largely due to the general communities reluctance to mount aerials in the centre of the roof.
