UHF Radio - Where, and which aerial

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00falcon
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Joined: Mon Dec 05, 2011 6:44 pm
Location: Henderson

UHF Radio - Where, and which aerial

Post by 00falcon »

I know there are a few posts on here about UHF radios, but i have searched, and none seam to answer my specific question.

Ok, i know what im buying, i know when im buying it.
The GME 3100 deal from trademe.. next week.
(im sick of fumbeling with recharging batteries for my handhelds, and being out of range to talk the the guys with 5W units)

Anyway, my 2 questions are.

Which aerial...?
Do i go for a hi-gain or a lo-gain.
I understand that a hi-gain, is a more focused, directional (along the horizontal plain), and hence will give you a greater distance of transmission.
and a lo-gain will give you a better all-round bubble, albeit with a smaller transmission range.
So, in my head, on NZ Tracks in NZ Bush, the Lo-gain seams to make sense, as you are after more of a bubble due to the orientation of the sending and receiving units, rather than a focused horizontal transmission that would suit (for example) ozzy, where its flat (yes i know they have mountains as well), and distances will be greater.

also, a lo-gain aerial is shorter than a hi-gain, so is less likely to get damaged and/or torn off when pushing thru trees...

Which bring me to my next question...

Where is the best place to mount the aerial...?
the kit comes with a bull-bar mounting bracket, which is fine if you have bull-bars, and are out in the open.
but i don't have bars up front (yet), so i am thinking of getting the 'L' bracket, and placing it on the right rear corner of my (soft top, if that makes any difference) Wrangler.
the other option is half way down the bonnet, 30cm in from the guard. (see pic below)
My thinking is, as the Lo-Gain aerial is a 'No Ground plane' aerial, the right rear corner should work...
but it is quite hidden by the Jeep.
Where as a Hi-gain, being ground dependant, would be better suited on the bonnet, or above the roof line.
Or is it better to put it on the bonnet anyway...

Your thoughts..?

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Eat, Sleep, Jeep...
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kbushnz
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Location: Massey, Auckland

Re: UHF Radio - Where, and which aerial

Post by kbushnz »

I use a low gain short aerial and its mounted on a magnetic base which is in the middle of my bonnet... Seems to work fine.... And if I am doing an open road safari run it goes on the roof....
Cheers Calvin
KZJ78 Landcruiser Prado...
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tycho
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Re: UHF Radio - Where, and which aerial

Post by tycho »

I have the 3100 with the half wavelength stubby. Works good for me. Used a modified Z bracket to mount to side of bonnet
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Colinl
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Joined: Wed May 22, 2013 2:09 pm
Location: Wellington

Re: UHF Radio - Where, and which aerial

Post by Colinl »

If you are after maximum gain you can have a aerial sweep done. A technician tunes the aerial for max performance by trimming it to a specific length based on your operating frequencies.
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yeti
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Location: kainga

Re: UHF Radio - Where, and which aerial

Post by yeti »

got mine here ..works great ..


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v8 tj...luvs the gas......
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