UHF Radios (CB)

[Rangy35]

if this is the wrong place for this question then feel free to move it.
Anybody have a UHF radio fitted? What are you using? type of radio, antenna, extra speakers and where did you fit it, just after some ideas.
I got me a old 40 channel TX3400 with remote head unit, for free, need a few small things to fit it.

[Carzee]

I put a UHF in the center console. I powered it via the constant power from the old Lucas red n black jacks up in the central dash shelf area (near Army dials). I went in there, found the back of the Lucas plugs and wired up (with solder) longer equiv size loom and fed it out to the engine side of the firewall (thru the big grommet), down under vehicle and came up at rear of the seat box (behind passenger front seat base. Came into cab via the un-used/vacant center seat belt bolt hole. Did I mention that the extra loom I fitted, from way up in the dash shelf area, was poked inside vaccum hose to provide extra protection and insulation under the vehicle and that I cable tied it about every 200mm.

Once in the the center cubby box aka console I soldered in a blade fuse holder then I went to a 12v Narva dual cigarette outlet, soldered. So I can plug in the CB there but also a phone charger or a 12v Slow Cooker And Caserole Maker (yes they make them and yes I know someone who uses one so at the end of the day's driving up the Canning Stock Route your Irish Stew is ready to eat  ).

As a cubby box I found a $1 plastic Lego storage tub at the green shed (tip) exactly the right size and thickness. I cut holes in the base the size of the CB facia and stuck some Clark Rubber self-adhesive neoprene sheet to the sides of it. I painted it black first but it looked really 'pov'. I turned it upside down over the Perentie std rifle butt panel and fitted the radio in with its side mounting self tap screws. Cheap.
Oh, I had to feed the pwr loom and aerial co-ax out from under the Lego tub. The tub had a sizable gap moulded there already as a hand grip. And I had to cut notches in the Lego tub edges to fit over the seatbox/rear cab bulkhead joint which sticks up about 15mm. These two notches serve to keep the console where it belongs whens it put down upside down so that it doesn't move around and doesn't slop out onto the floor. Of course if I roll over the $1 console may be damaged beyond repair or something.

Looks ok because of the flat black Neoprene. And its cheap. And I didn't make a single drill hole or mod the Perentie at all, except for the disconnection of those old Lucas Inspection Lamp Sockets..

[AGAS 5]

Anybody have a UHF radio fitted? What are you using? type of radio, antenna, extra speakers and where did you fit it, just after some ideas.

Use a quality antenna base: GME, RFI etc.  On this use a short (3dB) antenna around town and in the mountains. I use a tall (9dB) antenna out on flat country.

I think a speaker is a good idea in a Perentie... perhaps mounted high behind the drivers right ear ?

I got me a old 40 channel TX3400 with remote head unit, for free, need a few small things to fit it.

40 chan is good for another 2 yrs or so... but you'll need to upgrade to a 80 chan after that. Icom are tough and dust proof. Othewise Uniden or GME are ok.

Pete

[Aussie Jeepster]

I'm currently running a 5Watt hand held GME.
I've put an aerial on an FFR mount and have the adapter to connect it to the handheld when I want.
But a speaker is definately needed up above the drivers ear if you want to hear it while driving.

[Rangy35]

The speaker is a must, been using a hand held and the Perentie is not very sound proof, well mine is not...

[Rangy35]

So this is interesting, the 40 channel is going to be obsolete? In two years? This install will then almost be worthless then.

[Aussie Jeepster]

I believe that most, if not all 40ch units being sold now can be upgraded. Not 100% sure. If not, then there will be some cheeeeep 40ch units knowing that the 80ch units are coming.

[AGAS 5]

So this is interesting, the 40 channel is going to be obsolete? In two years? This install will then almost be worthless then.

Nah... cost you zip and you'll get 2 yrs use out of it. Good value for money !

They make similar form factor 80 chan ... When the time comes, whip the old one out and plug in the new or 2nd hand 80 chan.

.... btw... Chan 1 - 40 on both types are interopable 

Pete

[Diana Alan]

Actually according to ACMA retailers were given 18 months from 26 May 2011 where they allowed to sell 40 channel sets, after that period (27th November 2012) all new sets sold were supposed to be 80 channel (12.5kHz channel spacing sets).

The change over period was 6 years so after 27th May 2017, the 25 kHz channel spacing sets will not comply with the act, so use could result confiscation of the equipment and a fine.  It may also impact on other equipment licences you may hold.

Just a point for info, in the case of an emergency where there is a threat to life or property, a person is permitted to use any radio communication equipment they have available to them, whether or not they hold an apparatus or operators licence and even if the equipment no longer complies with current regulations.

[THE BOOGER]

Deep breath everybody 

[AGAS 5]

Then why the selective culling of posts ? 

There is misinformation within that post that could get you into serious trouble. Using that as a valid reason for the installation of a radio no longer covered by the class license will get you no where, except short of funds.

[THE BOOGER]

Currently working off my phone will have a better look when i get home. So far just culled the posts that were personal or could be taken that way

[Rangy35]

How do you guys see posts that get deleted? Well that off topic anyway.....
Ok I spoke to the guys from Watts Communication and my unit is not upgradable, I was informed I should not worry,  to get from channel 41-80 you still need the first 40.

@Diana, everyone with a 40 channel radio has to upgrade soon then?

[Rangy35]

So.....this is my interpretation of fitting a radio to my GS and keep in mind that I may at some day be in some deep water so where do you go....??
This is what I eventually concocted in my mind and then made it happen....

[Rangy35]

The main unit behind the instrument cluster is mounted with velcro, the type you get to put up pictures in your home to not make holes in the walls, the nice thing is it is removable in under 2 minutes, and the way I placed the velcro is in a way I can adjust the actual re fitting of the unit, deeper, bit to the left, bit to the right, shallower, I thought it is a bit more versatile than the steel bracket and I could not get my drill in there to drill the holes anyway.