Just wondering what brand of UHF walkie-talkie's everyone uses when out bush. I have borrowed a pair of old Oregon TP380. seem to have a decent range and very clear. I see there are some Uniden sets on evil bay for $99.00
Cheers
Cheers
Walkie-talkie's
- Thread starter Wishfull
- Start date
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Uniden but i have seen people with better clearer ones , even some cheaper internet ones peformed well , especially one cheaper set that could monitor 2 or 3 channels for activity from memory , no idea what brand they were, yellow and black i think maybe.
I've got a pair of Uniden, can't find a model or number on them, very compact,(smaller than a cigarette pack ) they fit in the palm of your hand, takes 3 AAA batteries that last a couple of years, range is about 1.5 to 2 klm's, maybe more if you were on top of a hill, very hand if you're travelling in convoy. I think they cost about $80-00 for the pair
I have a pair of higher end Uniden's 3W. I replaced the 600 MWH MNiH batteries that came with them for 3,000 MWH Metal Nickel Hydrides, which last for a very long time.
There are a few threads on the communications topic on the forum. See the following for one of them -
https://www.prospectingaustralia.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=16939
I have a small Uniden and a Garmin Rino. The Rino is a multi function device including GPS, so it can save carrying a couple of devices, but it is darned expensive. I am not sure that it is worth it, unless working with a partner that has a similar device as it allows other functionality between the 2 devices.
Rob P.
https://www.prospectingaustralia.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=16939
I have a small Uniden and a Garmin Rino. The Rino is a multi function device including GPS, so it can save carrying a couple of devices, but it is darned expensive. I am not sure that it is worth it, unless working with a partner that has a similar device as it allows other functionality between the 2 devices.
Rob P.
Crystal 5w 80 chanel $139.00 ebay
Works very well and i also use it for work
Works very well and i also use it for work
4WD Action have a special at the moment Two Uniden for $69 posted. Only 1.5 W but range listed as 8K so plenty strong enough for buddy talk :Y:
https://www.emgstore.com.au/magazin...9-7551645&mc_cid=8d660f1d89&mc_eid=9dcf4c1f8b
https://www.emgstore.com.au/magazin...9-7551645&mc_cid=8d660f1d89&mc_eid=9dcf4c1f8b
condor22
Mike
Regardless of brand-
1. If you are detecting in the VIC GT, where there are plenty of trees, quite a few hills etc, then power is not really an issue as UHF is line of sight. A 1W handheld would suffice as getting to the top of a hill they will still get out several kms and in that area you are never very far from anyone.
However if you are talking about the open plains of WA, then the more power the better, i.e. 5W (legal max).
2. If your Coms are for convoy, or for coms to a detecting buddy close by then a 1/2 or 1W each is plenty. If its for emergency further away then 5W is better.
I have an 80ch 5W in car rig which is Uniden with a roof mounted antenna for max range when driving. I have an 80ch 5W handheld Uniden for max range when on foot.
I also have (from many years ago) 2 x 40ch 1W GME handhelds, originally bought for me to have coms to my wife at the rear of the caravan whilst I am reversing as power is not an issue at close proximity.
FYI The government has rescinded its plan to phase out 40ch and make them illegal to use. (I think that was slated for mid this year) The old 40ch frequency transceivers will coexist with the recently introduced 80ch rigs. For those not informed - The first 40 channels of an 80 ch rig are the same as the older 40 ch rigs and will talk to each other in both simplex and duplex modes. The sound may be distorted between the 2, but will still work.
40 ch is called wide band, 80 ch is called narrow band. The reason is in simple terms that ch 41 thru 80 slot between ch 1 thru 40 roughly midway ie ch 60 sits between ch 20 and 21 re frequency.
The only downside of older 40ch rigs is they won't receive or transmit ch 41-80 if others use them. Also cheaper 40ch rigs with lower quality filters or frequency lock may pick up distortion from 80ch transmissions.
The brands to look at are Uniden, GME, Icom or Oricom (there are others) do a Google for reviews once you decide on power.
1. If you are detecting in the VIC GT, where there are plenty of trees, quite a few hills etc, then power is not really an issue as UHF is line of sight. A 1W handheld would suffice as getting to the top of a hill they will still get out several kms and in that area you are never very far from anyone.
However if you are talking about the open plains of WA, then the more power the better, i.e. 5W (legal max).
2. If your Coms are for convoy, or for coms to a detecting buddy close by then a 1/2 or 1W each is plenty. If its for emergency further away then 5W is better.
I have an 80ch 5W in car rig which is Uniden with a roof mounted antenna for max range when driving. I have an 80ch 5W handheld Uniden for max range when on foot.
I also have (from many years ago) 2 x 40ch 1W GME handhelds, originally bought for me to have coms to my wife at the rear of the caravan whilst I am reversing as power is not an issue at close proximity.
FYI The government has rescinded its plan to phase out 40ch and make them illegal to use. (I think that was slated for mid this year) The old 40ch frequency transceivers will coexist with the recently introduced 80ch rigs. For those not informed - The first 40 channels of an 80 ch rig are the same as the older 40 ch rigs and will talk to each other in both simplex and duplex modes. The sound may be distorted between the 2, but will still work.
40 ch is called wide band, 80 ch is called narrow band. The reason is in simple terms that ch 41 thru 80 slot between ch 1 thru 40 roughly midway ie ch 60 sits between ch 20 and 21 re frequency.
The only downside of older 40ch rigs is they won't receive or transmit ch 41-80 if others use them. Also cheaper 40ch rigs with lower quality filters or frequency lock may pick up distortion from 80ch transmissions.
The brands to look at are Uniden, GME, Icom or Oricom (there are others) do a Google for reviews once you decide on power.
Been in the SES since 1985 did a lot of coms using VHF HF UHF Marine GRN and Sideband 27 meg so kind of got the idea on line of sight etc. Just looking for input on value for money units that you guys recommend. Motorola Uniden and all those are like Holden and Fords but there are a lot of options out there.
condor22
Mike
Wishfull, I also have a 40ch in car in the shed, it's 20 years old and still good - Uniden
The 2 1 W GME handhelds are GME about 14 yrs old also still good.
I prefer Uniden, but either are good and reliable, I can't speak for other brands, but Icom are more expensive
The 2 1 W GME handhelds are GME about 14 yrs old also still good.
I prefer Uniden, but either are good and reliable, I can't speak for other brands, but Icom are more expensive
I run a couple of Icom 400s and they are basically a commercial quality radio ................ have a heat sink on them that would sink a ship and can be programmed with cable to computer. Also 25W capable so handy if you wish to bump an emergency channel to 25 W output. :Y:
Fully aware that over 5 W is illegal but hey if it gets the message out there and gets me out of the proverbial I'll worry about any consequences later
Fully aware that over 5 W is illegal but hey if it gets the message out there and gets me out of the proverbial I'll worry about any consequences later
I use the GME tx6150
https://www.gme.net.au/catalogue/hand-held-radios/tx6150.aspx
I had some issues with the battery crapping out after a few hours use..... But GME sent me a new charger and two new updated batteries that fixed the problem.
So I'm extremely happy with the service from GME.
https://www.gme.net.au/catalogue/hand-held-radios/tx6150.aspx
I had some issues with the battery crapping out after a few hours use..... But GME sent me a new charger and two new updated batteries that fixed the problem.
So I'm extremely happy with the service from GME.
Apart from the vehicle radio I run 2 uniden 5W 80 chan units. Work well when detecting on long walks in remote WA. I have two and carry one with spare battery in pack when detecting. With zed I have radio behind shoulder and extension mic to reduce interference with detector. Getting a cigi socket 12v car charger for the handhelds is useful.
RDD
RDD
