What Radio?

Azza · Post by **Azza** » Thu Aug 16, 2007 10:39 pm

ok, so I think it's about time I look at the options for keeping in touch with others drivers in a convoy...

So what radio setup would everyone recommend? UHF, AM, Single Side Band, smoke signals?? :shock:

what's best, what does everyone use and what frequency?

Is it best to buy a 'pair' or PRS handhelds or something mounted in the truck? what about scanning capabilities or is it best to get a 'fixed' frequency unit?

What brand? is Uniden or Tait better than the imported cheapies off trademe?

And of course, price is a factor (isn't it always) so where should I buy from? Who am I likely to get the best deal from?

Az

hulux-happy · Post by **hulux-happy** » Thu Aug 16, 2007 10:49 pm

hay mate you would proberly find the uhf better but as you know i have uhf/prs and am but with a handheld prs you can talk if in a group and with 0.5 watts you can get a couple of kms. if you want more rang then you can go for a higher wattage like 2 watts. that will do more like 5-7 kms
aleast with a portable you can leave you truck and dosn't matter if truck goes flat or something like3 wayne that wenesday down the waimak. i guess it comes down to presonal prefferance. smoke signals only work in good conditions and at night they are useless :lol:

. jaycar have a few different prs models but they are digitor brand (dont know if any good but a 3 watt prs is just under $200. hope this helps azza

Azza · Post by **Azza** » Thu Aug 16, 2007 11:02 pm

hulux-happy wrote:hay mate you would proberly find the uhf better but as you know i have uhf/prs and am....
jaycar have a few different prs models but they are digitor brand (dont know if any good but a 3 watt prs is just under $200. hope this helps

Your opinion always helps :wink:

the thing that really got me thinking about the whole subject was that I noticed that Supercheap are running a deal on UHF PRS handhelds at the mo (I assume they are 40 channel, but need to check this) for a tiny outlay of $65 for a 'pair' :!:

they are a generic brand but for the price... need i say more.... :lol:

hulux-happy · Post by **hulux-happy** » Thu Aug 16, 2007 11:05 pm

hay thats not bad. well at the end of the day aleast you will have two so if one craps out you have a spare

Azza · Post by **Azza** » Thu Aug 16, 2007 11:09 pm

hulux-happy wrote:hay thats not bad. well at the end of the day aleast you will have two so if one craps out you have a spare

True

but if I can only talk to myself they're not much use :wink:

hulux-happy · Post by **hulux-happy** » Thu Aug 16, 2007 11:16 pm

you can talk to me.

i reckon we see what others say but i still reckon uhf. hopefully some others will have input

kiwipete · Post by **kiwipete** » Fri Aug 17, 2007 7:05 am

Go for both handheld and truck mounted 40 channel PRS radios.
The vehicle ones usually do not come with an aerial, so here is another cost to factor in too. Mount the aerial where ever it suits your application. There are many who will both agree and disagree here, but from my own experience, I believe it makes little differnce. Some recon you need a decent ground plane under the aerial, ie. bodywork, for a good reception. Mine is on a z bracket comming out from under the bonnett up over the wheel area.
The handheld is particulary useful when out of vehicle, assisting someone in a recovery etc. You can even get small chargers for the handhelds that will run off 12/24V so th batteries will always be charged too. :wink:

The older type AM CB's are not so common nowdays, I would not reccomend these.

MudBum · Post by **MudBum** » Fri Aug 17, 2007 7:14 am

Hey Azza, i'll talk to you tonite as my Uncle has a CB for sale.

albundy · Post by **albundy** » Fri Aug 17, 2007 7:18 am

Cb is just about dead. I still run it only because some clubs still use it. I tend to be a comms relay truck whebn there are both PRs and CB being used. Those ones from supercheap are real crap, they will only last a year, won't tkae a knock or a little bit of moisture. Go with a quality brand and it will last for years.
Al

MudBum · Post by **MudBum** » Fri Aug 17, 2007 7:22 am

albundy wrote:Cb is just about dead. Al

AM CB ?? What about UHF CB AL??

BIG_BOY · Post by **BIG_BOY** » Fri Aug 17, 2007 7:55 am

i would recmond bying one of these of this guy he is a store so you get warrinty ect but has some outstanding prices like if you read my questions down the bottom i got a AM/UHF unit sent to me with both aerals for $17 less than i could by just the unit in dunedin

also this way you get the best of both worlds i have it set up lissening to AM 23 & 11 all the time then have my wintch bitch out the truck on ch17UHF & the club is normaly UHF** (depends who im wth) & i just flick to who i want to talk to & lissen to all 4 at once & can change that up to 6 main stations i think

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing ... =110203472

edit: spose it helps if i put the link in

dazza85 · Post by **dazza85** » Fri Aug 17, 2007 7:57 am

MudBum wrote:
albundy wrote:Cb is just about dead. Al

AM CB ?? What about UHF CB AL??

UHF CB = PRS radio

I am planning on picking up a cheep AM CB for the same reason as Albundy and will also be getting a vehicle mounted PRS for local coms, I already have a pair of Uniden hand-held PRS as do most of the people I know

My Recommendation ... Uniden or Motorolla hand-held PRS to start with and as budget allows a vehicle mounted one.

My 10c worth

Post by **Mark** » Fri Aug 17, 2007 9:57 am

If you are interested in a more technical explanation of the UHF/CB/PRS topic, have a look here:
http://www.offroadexpress.co.nz/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=6255#64367

Have a look at the rest of that thread too because there is quite a bit of useful info in there including where to buy stuff from.

aroma · Post by **aroma** » Mon Aug 20, 2007 8:55 pm

was looking at a vechile mounted one at super cheap on sunday uhf cb 40 channel from memory $200 super works brand anyone with any thoughts
Warren

dixie · Post by **dixie** » Mon Aug 20, 2007 9:34 pm

Hey guys,thought id add to ya thread ......

I brought a couple of uniden uho-64sx hand helds in the weekend, down from $350 to $200,mad sale apparently due to them misrepresenting the item, they advised there were no earpiece and handsfree voice operating control(VOX), so out they go!!! :shock:

Get home and open the box and there werethe gadgets that apparently not there :wink:

so abit of a score for once.They'll do until I decide what to put in as a mobile unit.

xj · Post by xj » Mon Aug 20, 2007 9:41 pm

i got the uniden uh012 (i think it is)truck mounted version at dicksmith back in january.... $228.00 on sale. Go to the website and theyre on sale again but only stocked in certain stores, which are listed.... mainly auckland stores, and theres one in the mount at the mo too.

MudBum · Post by **MudBum** » Tue Aug 21, 2007 7:32 am

I've just put in a Uniden 015sx, $400 on spec from DS. Nice unit with remote face and scanner,just need to learn how to use the damn thing :oops:

Looking to get a set of Uniden 043 from our flybuys (710points) to add to the truck soon.

wjw · Post by **wjw** » Tue Aug 21, 2007 8:09 am

If your looking at handhelds don't buy the tiny uniden ones, their crap. I think they are $99 for a pair or something like that. Even with the truck mount I was struggling to hear them over about 1.5KM with straight road between us.

rangimotors · Post by **rangimotors** » Mon Sep 03, 2007 6:38 pm

come on then guys let me no a model or two, seems for around 200 i can get a uhf prs handheld but differnt brands and features
eg
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=115638302

or
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=115870793

am i looking at the right things??

rangimotors · Post by **rangimotors** » Mon Sep 03, 2007 7:23 pm

i guess the question is should i be going for the 2 watt uniden (a brand i no)
or the 5 watt citizen (dont no them)
any advice would be great thanks

4wdnuts · Post by **4wdnuts** » Mon Sep 03, 2007 7:45 pm

i wouldnt go for the citzen one. its made in taiwan or korea or somewhere like that. if your after a handheld, i would go for a Zares brand one. Even though they are made in one of those countries they are abit cheaper. they are 4watts and are about $150. ive got one and i can hit the repeater on mt grey from chch no problem at all with it.

for a handheld thats pretty good i reckon. click here http://www.trademe.co.nz/Electronics-photography/Radio-equipment/Amateur-radio/auction-115920267.htm?p=4

i havent had any problems with mine yet and ive had it for over a year. i know of about 6 other guys that have them to and havent head of any problems from them either.

hulux-happy · Post by **hulux-happy** » Mon Sep 03, 2007 7:49 pm

hi dave,
i think the uniden aswell. its a name brand so warrentee will be good.
if you go higher in wattage the you should look at an in car set. like this one.
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Electronics-photography/Radio-equipment/Amateur-radio/auction-116047952.htm?p=7

as for me i will go for one of theis little gems for the new truck
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Electronics-photography/Radio-equipment/Commercial/auction-115974201.htm?p=11

see how you go mite even put the uhf/gps uniden unit into the safari tommorow so i have a good radio in the truck. untill i sell the surf and can get the am/uhf unit. hope the advice helps. just make sure you get good batteries for it whitch ever one you decide on.

rangimotors · Post by **rangimotors** » Mon Sep 03, 2007 9:21 pm

4wdnuts wrote:i wouldnt go for the citzen one. its made in taiwan or korea or somewhere like that. if your after a handheld, i would go for a Zares brand one. Even though they are made in one of those countries they are abit cheaper. they are 4watts and are about $150. ive got one and i can hit the repeater on mt grey from chch no problem at all with it.

for a handheld thats pretty good i reckon. click here http://www.trademe.co.nz/Electronics-photography/Radio-equipment/Amateur-radio/auction-115920267.htm?p=4

i havent had any problems with mine yet and ive had it for over a year. i know of about 6 other guys that have them to and havent head of any problems from them either.

you no that link is for a citizen one aye

its just the 4 watt one...

Leithfield · Post by **Leithfield** » Mon Sep 03, 2007 10:19 pm

I can thoroughly recommend this company; the ICOM units (in-cab & hand-held) are the ducks guts:
http://www.prestigecom.net.au/ (they will remove the AUS GST for export orders).

dazza85 · Post by **dazza85** » Mon Sep 03, 2007 10:38 pm

With vehicle mounted UHF sets which aerial is better

long ones ??

http://www.dse.co.nz/cgi-bin/dse.storefront/46dbe08900977a0c2740c0a87f330706/Product/View/D4007

or short ones ??

http://www.dse.co.nz/cgi-bin/dse.storefront/46dbe08900977a0c2740c0a87f330706/Product/View/D4013

or one like this ??
http://www.dse.co.nz/cgi-bin/dse.storefront/46dbe08900977a0c2740c0a87f330706/Product/View/D4000

petefj40 · Post by **petefj40** » Tue Sep 04, 2007 12:40 am

Leithfield wrote:I can thoroughly recommend this company; the ICOM units (in-cab & hand-held) are the ducks guts:
http://www.prestigecom.net.au/ (they will remove the AUS GST for export orders).

I've heard ICOM are one of the best.
It's the old story, You get what you pay for?

4wdnuts · Post by **4wdnuts** » Tue Sep 04, 2007 4:04 pm

rangimotors wrote:
4wdnuts wrote:i wouldnt go for the citzen one. its made in taiwan or korea or somewhere like that. if your after a handheld, i would go for a Zares brand one. Even though they are made in one of those countries they are abit cheaper. they are 4watts and are about $150. ive got one and i can hit the repeater on mt grey from chch no problem at all with it.

for a handheld thats pretty good i reckon. click here http://www.trademe.co.nz/Electronics-photography/Radio-equipment/Amateur-radio/auction-115920267.htm?p=4

i havent had any problems with mine yet and ive had it for over a year. i know of about 6 other guys that have them to and havent head of any problems from them either.

you no that link is for a citizen one aye its just the 4 watt one...

citizen isnt the brand, the brand is zares. the have put "citizen band" in the auction when really it should say PRS

rangimotors · Post by **rangimotors** » Tue Sep 04, 2007 4:43 pm

cool thanks for the info, i bought one the same as you

4wdnuts · Post by **4wdnuts** » Tue Sep 04, 2007 5:58 pm

awesome. hope it goes as good as mine has. let us all know what you think of it when you get it