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UHF Handheld Radios

Submitted: Monday, Sep 02, 2002 at 00:00

mike martin

I am considering purchasing a UHF handheld Radio, for bush walking etc and in car use, which radio has the better reception and transmit range, the GME TX6000 or the ICOM IC40S. or what other portable radio do you consider I should look at. Thanks Mike.
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ThreadID: 1883 Replies: 9
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AnswerID: 6269   Submitted: Monday, Sep 02, 2002 at 00:00

GPA replied:

Mike,

Check the following review :

http://www.dansdata.com/digitalk.htm
Reply 1 of 9
FollowupID: 2765   Submitted: Monday, Sep 02, 2002 at 00:00

Bob posted:

Do a search using Uniden as the keyword. A lot has been said.

I have a pair of the cheap Uniden's which perform well. But I note the remarks of others about supporting the Australian made GME brand (is it really? or made in China and badged here?)
FollowUp 1 of 2
FollowupID: 2767   Submitted: Monday, Sep 02, 2002 at 00:00

Member - Nigel posted:

Yes it is really made here, or else they have a big factory for nothing.
FollowUp 2 of 2
AnswerID: 6272   Submitted: Monday, Sep 02, 2002 at 00:00

Member - Nigel replied:

There isn't much between the TX6000 and the IC40S, except that the TX6000 has selcall and can be extensively damaged if dropped the wrong way. I've never used a IC40S but I've been told they are more robust (which is believable as Icom supply military radios).

I personally use the TX6000 because I need selcall and it's a very good radio. I can trip a repeater that's 70km away when switched to 5 watts. Try that on a Uniden.
Reply 2 of 9
AnswerID: 6285   Submitted: Monday, Sep 02, 2002 at 00:00

Tim replied:

I am looking at them as well, a bloke I talked to was an ex-CO of an army signal squadron and he said ICOMs are un breakable.
Tim
Reply 3 of 9
AnswerID: 6286   Submitted: Monday, Sep 02, 2002 at 00:00

Member - Nigel replied:

Another thing to remember - the 3km range quoted by the makers of the cheap units is only achievable when there is nothing to interfere (eg trees, buildings, etc). Even 5 watt car mounted units can have their range serverely limited in heavily forested areas, so if you want a good range in all conditions then go for a quality unit.
Reply 4 of 9
AnswerID: 6289   Submitted: Monday, Sep 02, 2002 at 00:00

Bill replied:

Just remember the cheap ones have an output of 500mw or half a watt compared with 5 watts of car nounted and the top range of hand helds. I have a GME TX 4400, definitely made in Australia (Bob why suggest otherwise because you couldn't possibly have any evidence) and a great unit! The cheapies are great for short distance communications and are really in the "walkie-talkie" category.
Reply 5 of 9
FollowupID: 2891   Submitted: Monday, Sep 09, 2002 at 00:00

Bob posted:

Bill, I didn't suggest anything-merely asked the question. Given that finding anything at all that is made in Australia, let alone electronic equipment, is such a rarity I thought it was a reasonable question.
FollowUp 1 of 1
AnswerID: 6308   Submitted: Tuesday, Sep 03, 2002 at 00:00

Mike replied:

Thanks for all the help, I noticed that ICOM's are 4 watts and the GME TX6000 is 5 watts, will that make a big difference to my output and receiving range?Thanks Mike.
Reply 6 of 9
FollowupID: 2789   Submitted: Tuesday, Sep 03, 2002 at 00:00

Member - Nigel posted:

If both antennas are of equal efficiency, then the difference in power would give you better output, but not affect receiving. Compare the lengths of the antenna's. The longer the better usually, although

Also may also be worth comparing the battery life of each if they publish those figure based on the same duty cycle. It's a tough decision.
FollowUp 1 of 1
AnswerID: 6315   Submitted: Tuesday, Sep 03, 2002 at 00:00

bob replied:

mike - 4 wd monthly did a good comparison between hand held and car mounted uhf's in the july 2001 edition. Its a interesting read. The GME TX6000 and the ICom IC40s were the best hand helds in the comparison. Their figures on the open range and forest test showed they are basically even on their performance.
Reply 7 of 9
AnswerID: 6325   Submitted: Tuesday, Sep 03, 2002 at 00:00

sean replied:

I have 2 Icom IC40S and have had them for 3 years.
They are an exceptional radio.
When I bought I first tried Unidenand they simply were not a match on the Icoms for distance. I have no problem transmiting to repeaters at 40 to 60 kms distance if the line of site is there.
The case is very robust being carbon fibre. I have dropped on rocks and no problems.
They do have selcall and I think also they are at 5 watts selectable to 1 watt.
The fast charger has a 12 volt INPUT so to charge in the car simply fix a 12 V plug into the fast charger and let it do the automatic fast charge.

Sean
Reply 8 of 9
FollowupID: 2884   Submitted: Sunday, Sep 08, 2002 at 00:00

Member - Nigel posted:

Icom dropped the Selcall a while back, so you can't get a new one with selcall (unless you buy a commercial handheld and get it programmed as CB maybe???)
FollowUp 1 of 1
AnswerID: 6624   Submitted: Sunday, Sep 15, 2002 at 00:00

Bob Y. replied:

We've been using Electrophone products for over 15 years, and Icom for around 3 years. The Icom 40S is a great radio, very robust and we'v had no problems, ie servicing, new batteries, in that time. HOWEVER, THE iCOM can't "hear" as well as the TX6000, this is in mustering situations on both bikes and horses. The TX6000 has choice of 3 aerials, which Icom doesn't, so you can tailor the reception you want, or need. The Tx6000 does like, or need regular visits to see tech., but this is often after swimming, or hitting the ground at high velocity, attached to chest of the user, when he/she falls off motorbike/horse.

I'd go for the GME product, they ARE made in Oz.
The TX6000 can be set up in a vehicle, with cradle, 12v charger, and TNC adaptor to suit the aerial co-ax.
Reply 9 of 9