Looking to get a UHF CB

wow, hell of a delta between the prices for the two units............ From what I have been told, Icom is the better unit.............. is it worth an extra $100, probably not. A lot depends on your aerial any way........maybe better putting the extra money into a better aerial.........my two cents worth. I am sure others will provide a more technical answer.

John,

90% of the features on a UHF radio are not used, ICOM is well known as a commercial unit and its reputation flows from that. GME (Australian) are good so is Uniden. I use a GME 3100 and a Uniden UH8060NB both are good and work well.

You will be happy with either.

The Icom would probaby be the better unit, but nowadays it is much of a muchness.

As John said, it is pretty much dependant on the antenna anyway.


.

Hell of a typo on my original post, the price difference should read $100 NOT $1050.

Grumpy,

Just had a look at Prestige, in WA, and there is a $200 difference in the 2 units you are interested in. :-)

Been using UHF for work for many years, like 30+, and the one thing that almost always stuffs up first is the microphone. So it's possible the 2 units you "like" may be expensive to maintain if they get more than normal usage. And with all the controls on the mike, there's a lot to stuff up too.

GME makes good gear too, but imagine you've checked them out as well, John?

Bob

Its hard to go wrong with any of the mainstream units - but they all have many more functions than you'll probably ever be interested in. I have several makes of UHF, but my Icom 400 Pro is just that....for professionals (its upgradable to 25W for commercial applications - vehicle fleets etc.)....I found it very complex and tiresome to configure and the handbook assumes advanced familiarity with complex 2 way radio configuration.... but it could just be me). Get a basic GME with their best antenna and you'd have to be laughing.

I have never had a problem with any gme radio over many years and numerous vehicles from big to small.

The only thing I will say if you choose gme is, don't use the super compact models.

I bought the same Uniden and gave it to my daughter when it just didnt cut the mustard. Went and bought a Icom IC41W and its absolutely fantastic

Grumpy John,

"The only difference I can see is that the Icom is 12/24v and you can change the colour of the screen."

Looks like the Uniden UH8060NB will do this too . . . 7 LCD colour choices

I have the Uniden 7760NB, 3 years now and a great little unit, love having all the controls right there, and just the cord and mike out there.
If you can get this at a cheaper price than the 8060, don't sweat the extra size (not much in it anyway), it fits up under the dash no probs.
I run an external speaker on the dash.

radios are similar, perhaps more dosh and consideration should be spent on the correct aerial and placement of the aerial.
the aerial gets overlooked too often.

There is a difference between Uniden and Icom.

I would choose an Icom over a Uniden any day and as for the price difference...... over 10 years the $100 is such a small amount to pay ($10 per year) for quality.

Icom and GME would be the only two I would look at with Icom winning.

Icom are built on a more commercial platform over Unidens consumer platform.

QUOTE "The only difference I can see is that the Icom is 12/24v and you can change the colour of the screen."

The only difference I can see with a Rolls Royce and a Hyundai is the Rolls Royce is bigger....... but as most know it's more then just size.

Thanks everyone for the great responses given, and also to the mods for correcting my typo. I wasn't sure whether or not to post the question as I didn't want to start a patrol/cruiser - waeco/engal type argument, but I must say everyone stayed on topic and gave good information.

Since the arial is also important are there any recommendations?

Luckily the place I intend to get my unit from sells all three main brands mentioned here.

I went through this exercise last year and after much research decided to get the IC-440N after having a used a GME for many years.

My Icom isn't as good as the old GME I had and I've just sent it back to ICOM to see if they can get it working properly.

When I contacted Icom re the poor radio performance and told them I had bought it from Prestige, they replied "It is really the responsibility of the dealer to provide first level support. Prestige is not one of our direct authorised dealers ............We recommend purchasing only from dealers who can provide personal ongoing support and installation services." When I bought the radio I was unaware that Prestige weren't on the Icom approved list.

I'll have the radio back next week and hopefully it will be better than it was.

Icom are the top shelf unit, also solely made in Japan.....no Chinese components.

lf you just want to dip your toe into the water take a look at the GME plug 'n play unit.

Doesn't require installation.

Hi John, I have a Uniden 7760NB 80 channel unit (looks like the precurser to the 8060?) and it has delivered flawlessly for the past three years. I like the idea of having a speaker in the handpiece.. one of the few (if only) units that does. I originally had a 4.5db whip but have since gone down to a 3db one on the same base. Performance is within my expectations... I hear before I see by 15 minutes on flat country like the Nullabor, and built up range is about 5km... ample for me. I don't really want to hear mindless chatter miles away.
Cheers
Greg

Everyone has said it all already, but as a Amateur radio operator and user of UHF for 30 years any of the main brand radios work well, I have in my vehicles and house Unidens,GME and Icoms all work well.

The most important thing is the antenna. I have found on 4wds the best antenna is the GME AE4705, its a biggish antenna but works better than anything else Ive run.

I have its bigger broth the 4706 but only use that in the out back because of its length.

Hi Grumpy John,
have you looked at these? Helluva good price in this weeks Repco cattle dog.

http://catalogues.repco.com.au/offer/automotive-communications-equipment-supplies/oricom-5w-uhf-cb-radio-pack/502ielv6v.html

80 channel unit that I have had for 6 months and no problems. Has the front speaker which I need in my setup.
Rgds
Nev

Thanks for all the replies guys, I'll probably go with the Icom IC-440N. The antenna that the sales person recommended it the Aerpro CBA36F1L, here are the specs:

3 + 6DBI
477MHz
6dBI GAIN (GROUND INDEPENDENT)
65CM WHIP (6dBI)
15CM WHIP (3dBI)

5M RG 58 CABLE IS FITTED WITH AN FME CONNECTOR. THE KIT INCLUDES AND FME TO PL259 (STD UHF) CONNECTOR

A GME 1018K 6Db is an excellent aerial and will still go in a normal garage on a bullbar.
Well mine did on a 100ser.
Was the exact height that if it wouldnt go in neither would the vehicle. Gives good distance and is very durable. About $100 worth New tips if you break them are about $35