UHF's?

Submitted: Wednesday, Jul 13, 2011 at 14:08

ThreadID: 87545 Views:3647 Replies:6 FollowUps:8

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UHF Radio

If you are considering a trip into Australia’s vast outback, then a UHF Radio is an important communications device to have. Besides the entertainment value, such as chatting with other travellers,

Litlbalt

We are looking at upgrading our UHF we were looking at the GME's not a particular one at the moment just started looking when a fair few mates recommended the Icom 208 just wondering is this one up with all the new channels? And what is the difference between this and the 400?

any other info would be great as I am trying to sneak this one in for Hubby's birthday or christmas and dont want to be asking him to many questions.

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Reply By: Member - Mark G Gulmarrad - Wednesday, Jul 13, 2011 at 14:14

Wednesday, Jul 13, 2011 at 14:14

Litlbalt

can comment on any of the others, but we run the GME's in all our trucks and never ever have any problems with them.

AnswerID: 459834

Reply By: garrycol - Wednesday, Jul 13, 2011 at 14:15

Wednesday, Jul 13, 2011 at 14:15

That is not a CB radio - it is an amateur radio that puts out 55w and will need a licence to operate.

UHF CBs like the 400 are limited by law to 5w and has a generic licence so you do not need an individual licence tom operate.

I would go the 400 and make sure it has the new 80 channels programmed in.

Garry

AnswerID: 459835

Follow Up By: Litlbalt - Wednesday, Jul 13, 2011 at 14:23

Wednesday, Jul 13, 2011 at 14:23

Oh ok cool thanks something good to know. I like how they just recommend it and not tell me you would need a licence to operate it, good one boys.

FollowupID: 733453

Follow Up By: Dust-Devil - Wednesday, Jul 13, 2011 at 14:51

Wednesday, Jul 13, 2011 at 14:51

I was going to say something extremely profound re this post, however I would respectfully suggest that you go to the ICOM Aust site and find out for yourself what the difference is between the two radios you have mentioned.

DD

FollowupID: 733458

Follow Up By: garrycol - Wednesday, Jul 13, 2011 at 15:47

Wednesday, Jul 13, 2011 at 15:47

See this linkIcom 208

FollowupID: 733460

Follow Up By: Litlbalt - Wednesday, Jul 13, 2011 at 19:11

Wednesday, Jul 13, 2011 at 19:11

I have looked at the Icom site

What I see is two radios that are similarly priced

one that is an 80 Channel UHF CB , without a detachable face

the other is a dual UHF / VHF, with detachable face and handset controls. Is which is, off the shelf, in 5W non licence required configuration (enquired with Andrews Communications ) Is User programable, with the ability to program in 500 channels ( so can double as a scanner)

All of the brochures and instalation guides indicate it is also for in car use ( see Garrycol's link )

the 400 is basically on par with all the GME's , all of which I have heard good stuff about.To me it looks we get a whole lot more from the 208 and its been highly recommended by a mate who seems to know his stuff and all for the same price. so what am I missing ?

FollowupID: 733475

Follow Up By: garrycol - Wednesday, Jul 13, 2011 at 19:49

Wednesday, Jul 13, 2011 at 19:49

Look at the wattage of the 208 - it is 55W and is in the amateur radio section not the CB section. It requires a licence - if you meet the licence requirements then get it. The radios in the ICOM UHF CB section are all 5w or less and do not require an individual licence - it is this class of radio that most of us have in our cars - me, I have the old Icom 440.

If you are not sure of the importance of the above then I think you need to go to the Aust Communication Management Auth (ACMA) and ask them.

If you use a 208 without the appropriate licence you can be prosecuted if caught

Garry

FollowupID: 733481

Follow Up By: garrycol - Wednesday, Jul 13, 2011 at 19:57

Wednesday, Jul 13, 2011 at 19:57

While 15w and 5w are selectable - the fact that 50w (and 15w) is also selectable means that a licence is required. If the 15w and 50w functions can be permanently disabled to ACMAs satisfaction then sure - but why bother look at a 5w Icom, Uniden or GME radio.

Garry

FollowupID: 733482

Follow Up By: SteveL - Wednesday, Jul 13, 2011 at 21:04

Wednesday, Jul 13, 2011 at 21:04

If you want a radio that is easy to use while on the move then I would give the 208 a miss.I owned one for a while (licensed amateur) and found it to be a PITA.I much prefer commercial type radios which are designed to be used while moving.
If on the other hand,you enjoy playing with lots of buttons and trying to figure out what they do, then this is the radio for you.

FollowupID: 733488

Follow Up By: olcoolone - Thursday, Jul 14, 2011 at 16:00

Thursday, Jul 14, 2011 at 16:00

Why is it someone always have to mention what's legal and what's not AND go into detail of why it's illegal?

Some things we do regarding 4x4 is illegal or is boarder line.

And Garry even is the Icom IC-208 can be set to run at 5 watts it is still ILLEGAL to use on the CBRS.

Plus it is illegal for people to give legal advise with out legal qualifications (though I would tell everyone... so I must be breaking the law to for giving legal advise on giving legal advise) LOL

FollowupID: 733520

Reply By: rumpig - Wednesday, Jul 13, 2011 at 18:37

Wednesday, Jul 13, 2011 at 18:37

i had a GME uhf for about 15 years before it died and i have now replaced it with an ICOM unit. personally i reckon my old GME had better clarity for speaker output, and i almost wish i'd just shelled out some $$ to try and get it fixed over buying a new unit....my 2 cents anyhow.

AnswerID: 459861

Reply By: Member - Doug T (NT) - Thursday, Jul 14, 2011 at 02:40

Thursday, Jul 14, 2011 at 02:40

The ICOM is a good Radio but if your a new to UHF's the ICOM can be a little tricky to operate, stick with the GME , you will not be sorry.

.

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AnswerID: 459887

Reply By: Member - Doug T (NT) - Thursday, Jul 14, 2011 at 02:49

Thursday, Jul 14, 2011 at 02:49

Check my report from a 2009 archived thread

HERE

.

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Reply By: olcoolone - Thursday, Jul 14, 2011 at 10:40

Thursday, Jul 14, 2011 at 10:40

The Icom IC-208 is a dual band VHF/UHF amateur radio and has to be modified to operate on the CB band and are a lot harder to use then a dedicated CB, it's not a simple as turn on choose a channel and start talking unless you know the radio well.

The Icom IC208 is a cheaper radio in construction but offers more, the Icom IC 400pro is a commercial radio with some of the bells and whistles removed to make it a user friendly quality consumer UHF CB.

The IC-400pro is more robust and reliable.

The dedicated UHF CB radio's are basically idiot proof, turn on, choose a channel and start talking.

I still prefer a dedicated type UHF CB (we use commercial Icom IC-F6063) as opposed to an amateur radio due to ease of use.

Choose a dedicated Icom UHF (prefer IC-400pro) or a GME and you won't go wrong.

One other note, Icom and GME dedicated UHF CB radio's come with a 2 to 3 year warranty whereby amateur radio's have between 6 and 12 months but any modification will void the warranty (you have to modify the IC-208 for UFH CB use) plus parts for amateur radio's are harder to source if your not in the know and are not available everywhere.

AnswerID: 459904