Which UHF To Get?

[Racer]

Now about antennas. 6db seems to be the usual and, as I understand it, is good for all areas except mountains. Lucky there ain't many of them in SA. Looking on the Prestige site, most of their bundles come with a choice of antenna. One is coax connected whilst the other is RG58 cable. I am assuming the latter is better quality (signal) given it's dearer. Am I on the right track?

COax is RG58 cable....

The best for you would be the RFI CD900. That antenna is the best all round...I have been to Adelaide and its reasonably flat..if you want to drive around with a broomstick on your bull bar get one of the 5db jobs....

Majority work well but the RFI excels others...

[Greedy]

COax is RG58 cable....

The best for you would be the RFI CD900. That antenna is the best all round...I have been to Adelaide and its reasonably flat..if you want to drive around with a broomstick on your bull bar get one of the 5db jobs....

Majority work well but the RFI excels others...

It's all starting to become clear. I have now decided not to go the bundle (radio and antenna) route but buy them separately. I will get the RFI DB900 antenna and I'm now just tossing up between the IC-440 and TX3440. Leaning towards the IC-440 due to the speaker in the handset. Now just have to wait for Tars to loosen the purse strings. That ain't a common event.

[Homer]

Just got lucky with the wife (that don't read so well )

Yep watch out for Jop

[boycee]

Check out the uniden uh400sx they have the speaker and mic in the handset too. they are a cheaper unit but still do the job. being cheaper it might be easier to get past the boss.

[Greedy]

Check out the uniden uh400sx they have the speaker and mic in the handset too. they are a cheaper unit but still do the job. being cheaper it might be easier to get past the boss.

I had that on my list but somewhere in her internet travels, she found someone prepared to give negative feedback on Uniden therefore she crossed it off my list. A UHF will get purchased, just a matter of timing as to when it happens. Something about credit card cycles.

[boycee]

fair enough. goodluck with that one.

[Greedy]

Alright!!! Received the OK to purchase. The antenna will be mounted on an ARB bullbar using the existing mounting points on the top rail. Am I going to need to buy any other items to complete the install or do they come complete?

[boycee]

should all come complete. having said that you will need to get some wire to run the power. I have a fused wire set designed for uhf radios if you like complete with connections.

[Greedy]

having said that you will need to get some wire to run the power. I have a fused wire set designed for uhf radios if you like complete with connections.

Thanks for the offer but I have fuse blocks everywhere in this car (under the bonnet, in the cab and in the tub).

[King Triton]

You should get all the cables you need with the uhf. Mine came with the power cable that was at least a metre long with an inline fuse. When you order your antenae they usually come with cable but make sure.
The Benelc one i got was already pre crimped and conected. It had a fancy connector that goes on the back of the UHF unit and the large screw fitting unscrewd and all you had was a small fitting that was sligthly larger than the cable diameter which is easy to feed through the fire wall and then screw it togehter and on the unit.

Cable ties, Electrical tape, Soldering iron & solder if antenae is not pre connected, Silicone to seal where you put cable through rubber gromet in fire wall. (best spot for the this i found was the one just to the drivers side of the centre console nice and easy to pop out and get back it).

And some metal brakets and screws if mounting below the ash tray behind the console. best place if you get a UHF with a remote mic.

[Greedy]

Thanks King. Looks like some brackets to mount the head unit will be all I'm up for.

[boycee]

it should come with brackets too greedy. looks like its alot easier than you thought hey.

[Greedy]

looks like its alot easier than you thought hey.

It's starting to look that way but I usually find something is missing that I think should be included hence the question.

[boycee]

fair enough. give me the shits when that happens. usually happens at around 4:55pm on sunday just as the shops around 6mins away are about to shut. anyway good luck with it.

[Greedy]

I know that feeling. All ordered now so hopefully get it by the end of the week

[Quinny23]

Sounds like I've got the same as Sloppyjoe.....GME TX3440

Good unit. $380 from prestige communications, with aerial. Delivered free in 2 days from Perth to Sydney

http://www.prestigecom.net.au/

Donks1

I went with the 3420...

http://www.prestigecom.net.au/index.php ... ducts_id=2

Great unit and I believe it can also take the head hand peace control unit also... Easy to install and I had a preference for a small head unit located in the cab...

Highly recommend GME... we run over 200 trucks plus sub contractors, most stay clear of Uniden and prefer GME or Motorola and a few other brands... I know little bout UHF but they reckon the build quality of the Unidens fails them after a few years of vibrations...

And shop around... mine cost $330...

[Greedy]

Decided on the Icom 440. Looks to be a nice piece of gear. Couldn't agree more with what everybody has said about the service and prices from Prestige. Highly recommended. Managed to get the install done today. Mounted the head unit under the centre console in front of the gearsticks. Even managed to get it switched from the accessories. Haven't decided where to mount the handset yet. Now I just have to learn how to use the bloody thing. Thanks for the feedback guys

[snowman]

greedy i was surprised at how heavy and solid the microphone handset was......makes my old GME unit look pretty average.

[Greedy]

I was thinking there or on the other side of the radio. I'm also considering mounting it on the passenger side of the centre console next to the gearsticks so it sits on the tranny tunnel.

[Greedy]

Just food for thought

It's all good.

[Adz]

Greedy, Im not sure who it was but I read that someone had mounted a mic connector into the dash & just plugged the mic into that. At least that way, when you're not using it, you can just unplug it & pop it in the glovebox. I guess it still comes down to where you mount the connector but it might be an option?

[King Triton]

Yeah i have done that i will post a pic.
i have not put the connector in the dash it just sits in the centre console.

**EDIT**

Here are the pics

My UHF (GME TX3440) is mounted behind the centre dash under the ash tray out of site.
GME just use RJ45 connectors for there hands sets (not sure on other brands) so i just used the extension lead that came with the unit and the extension socket which sits in the tray under the dash until need it. You could always get a surface mount RJ45 socket and fit in the dash if you wanted.

[CCM]

I've got a programmable Midland Unit which works fantastic! Better than it should But its possibly the ugliest UHF ever made!!!! Thats not true.. I've got an even older Midland unit that is even worse in my Vitara...! hehe

Trying to find a permanent mounting solution that doesn't make my MY09 Triton feel like a Troop Carrier once I've fitted mounted the UHF... Its full single din size but hugely deep once you take into account the 2 inch of heat sink hangin off teh back of it so making life hard to find somwhere it fits without runing the newish car look....

[Naff]

Ok I need ideas about where to mount an Icom IC-400PRO (yep, part of the work buy out) and it's a bigger unit than I thought... but I ain't going to complain since I got it for next to nothing.

[MR T]

do the same as me and make a center consol\arm rest