UHF radio

I have 2x ICOM handhelds , one connected to an external RFI antenna and connects and disconnects easily through a BNC connector.. Don't listen to any rubbish about them not transmitting as far as an incar 5 watt radio...Connected as above there both the same, but you can walk out turn a handheld is not in vehicle.. If you later decide you want an in car unit the handheld comes in handy for recoveries etc..


Goodluck.

G'day Jerry D,

I've always had an in car radio and a couple of hand held radios.
I like the bigger in car sets because they have a lot of features that we use and the hand helds are good for going for a walk, sitting away from the vehicle if we're waiting for a call from someone or as a back up for the in car.

All I'll say about brands is don't get a Uniden. My current unit is playing up and Uniden aren't interested in feed back form me or have given me a contact number to see if it can be repaired. I'm pretty disappointed with the company's lack of service.

When I get another unit I'll get a GME.

My two cents worth.

Hoo roo,
Steve

I have an old (16yo) trusty GME in-car unit installed in my vehicle, and I have a Uniden handheld (12yo). Both have operated flawlessly for many years. Both of these brands were (and still are?) the benchmark brands in Australia.

We prefer the combination of a car mounted set plus at least one hand held. And personally, the simpler the radio the better. is no buttons on the microphone that could be bumped when in a panic or dropped. And especially simple so that anyone can use it in an emergency not just the radio nerds. (sorry nerds - just joking).

Hint: When using a hand held don't climb right into the radio when talking and keeping the antenna vertical can also increase your range to other radios especially those that are car mounted with their antennas mounted vertically.

You lose a lot when the antennas are not lined up. It hasn't got to be exact - close is better than one vertical and one horizontal. I am only talking about increasing the range of a hand held so lets not make it a technical or engineering discussion. That just suits the nerds (oops sorry again). From the back of the van/car to the driver when directing - it doesn't matter.

I am moving my antenna off the bullbar and back to the right hand mudguard. I have lost two expensive antennas from the bullbar after they vibrated and broke. I would prefer the roof but the garage doesn't like that. I am yet to find a suitable collapsing mount for the roof so the mudguard is our best compromise. And I think this time it will be on the right hand side guard.

FYI: We have four antenna mounts. One for UHF and three for "other" services.

I have had a GME 6100 handheld since 2005/06. I also purchase the in car mount for it. Antenna screws off and coax cable screws in from car mounted antenna + 12V charging/power for the radio. I got it so if I got stuck I could get out of the car and walk to get comms and so I could also use it on my motorbike. It is almost indestructible and one of the only radios that you can charge and operate at the same time.. I use it in the boat as well as some remote places I can get a tower or a land user but no boats.

The only problem is they are not listed on the GME website anymore but there should be an equivalent.