The drawback however, is that a small handheld radio will usually cover a far smaller radius than a mounted unit. This is due to the antenna in the radio being very short in comparison to an externally mounted antenna. This problem can be mitigated with the use of an external antenna, though at this point you might as well use a vehicle mounted system, since plugging in an antenna still leaves the radios with battery life as an issue.
Vehicle mounted systems are much better if you know you are only going to be using the UHF radio from within your vehicle. They come in a variety of sizes, and with a few different feature-sets, though all of them provide a much stronger and more reliable signal than a handheld unit will, and don't carry the risk of battery life being an issue by virtue of being wired into your car's electrics.
Therein lie their drawbacks though - Because they are mounted to your vehicle, in-cab UHF radios are limited to being used from inside the vehicle, and will be rendered unusable if your battery fails. Standard in car units are generally 5 watts and there are several reliable brands to choose from. You also have the choice between larger units that have all of the controls on the face plate, like a car stereo, or smaller units that can be mounted out of the way, and have their controls on the hand piece.
Radio sets used to be commonly installed on the side of the transmission tunnel or in the lower section of the dashboard, though with the small size of modern units, you are pretty much free to install the radio anywhere you please. Be aware that if you do serious off-road driving, and are likely to ford deep water, then installing your radio set under the seats or in the footwells can run the risk of exposing it to water damage, in the event that your door seals leak.
Most UHF radio units will come with the required mounting bracketry, though DIN kits can be purchased to allow installation next to your radio. Another option is to install your UHF system overhead, although you should always ensure that your visibility isn't hindered in any way.
The mic includes a large, easy to read LCD display that has 3 colour options red, green and orange. For ease of use, it features automatic level control to give consistent audio levels. It also has a dual speaker system one in the transceiver and one in the mic and it has an external speaker jack too. This twin pack of 1W handheld radios is ideal for use in a convoy or when hiking around a campsite. These are 80 channel radios and they also have FM radio so you can listen to music or tune into sports while on the go.
The radios can communicate within a 7km range but in practice, they only tend to offer a range of a couple of km. If you are travelling on flat terrain with no obstacles and a clear line of sight you will be able to get more from them but they are best suited to communication across a short distance. If the communication is lost then the radio will beep, this sound cannot be turned off so can become annoying if your convoy is coming in and out of connection a lot.
These radios are small, lightweight and deliver clear sound. They offer good features and the backlit LCD is clear and easy to read. These radios are charged via micro USB and the set comes with 2 car chargers and 2 charging cables so you have everything you need to get going. Although you should charge them for hours before the first use. This is a great value for money option when you need to stay in comms within a few kilometres.
The duplex extender helps with establishing a strong connection and the channel scan and busy indicator are useful too. The compact size of the unit makes it easy to store it in the glove box, under the dashboard, under a seat or down the side of the footwell area.
The microphone has all of the control buttons and the OLED display is clear and anti-glare ensuring you can see the channel and settings in all conditions. This radio is easy to use, has super-fast scanning and also has customisable buttons so you can adjust the functionality to suit your requirements. The 2W speaker in the mic produces clear sound so you will be able to hear it even in a noisy vehicle. This 5W, 80 channel GME radio is unlike many other options as it is being continuously improved with software updates.
Other updated features include dual watch to monitor two channels, auto shut down to increase usage time and an end of transmission acknowledgement called Roger Beep.
The UHF is small in size meaning you can install it anywhere around the dash. This is a 5-watt radio with the standard 80 channels. The radio has a backlit display with 7 colour options and for ease of installation it can be mounted either way and the display can be flipped to suit the way it has been mounted. The mic is heavy duty and has a channel controller for quick switching. A UHF CB radio is as essential to outback travel as a first-aid kit overflowing with bandages, antibiotics and wet wipes, as both can get you out of a real pickle when you need it most.
There are many stories of unprepared tourists blowing tyres kilometres from civilisation and sitting roadside for hours — if not days — waiting for someone to drive past.
A UHF radio is also an ideal tool for communication with other vehicles in your convoy — and no, not just for the banter. The other main advantage is easy, accessible comms between vehicles travelling together in a convoy. Anyone who has driven in a convoy understands the benefit of having everyone on the same wavelength, especially between the lead vehicle and the tail-end Charlie. Doing so can warn trailing vehicles of upcoming obstacles, roadside animals, difficult tracks and oncoming vehicles, and it can also be used to back someone in or navigate someone over a nasty obstacle.
WHEN browsing the radio pages of an aftermarket catalogue, there are a few key things to look out for before punching in your credit card digits. He also added that consumers must ensure the product is ACMA-approved programmed with Australian channels and meets legal requirements and is C-tick rated.
Tony Crooke from GME reiterated the importance of output ratings, but added that noting the IP ratings of handheld units is critical. Before heading out on that adventure it is important that you have the right gear for the job, and that means having a UHF radio especially if your next adventure is away from the big cities.
As UHF radios are available in several styles in both handheld and fixed mount options it can make choosing one seem difficult. To make it easier we have made a simple guide to let you know which UHF will suit your next outback adventure:. The durability coupled with a hour battery life makes it a great choice for those who are out exploring for a day or two. Reliable gear is a must in these cases, and we have made the kit to handle this with ease, the XRS Outback Pack.
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