Using UHF CB Radio
So I have gotten the CB bug again. I have just installed a UHF cb into my Subaru Outback wagon and it has been fun listening to the waves. Channel 3 and Channel 7 for Sydney are a laugh but can get a bit nasty. I prefer 7 but Channel 3 gets particularly vindictive and nasty sometimes, where there seems to be a lot of racism going on. I guess those guys are happy to just shoot their mouths off because they are behind closed doors. Pretty gutless to be honest. For the most part though, there are a lot of decent people out there who are only too happy to help out. Some mornings/evenings when driving to and from work I switch on the Cb instead of turning on the car radio (am/fm). I get the news just the same because everyone is talking about current affairs, weather, sport etc. I also get traffic reports from truckies and passer by’s. If you wanna know the road traffic situation near you all you have to do is get on, put a ‘breaker’ in and ask about your road/area/way to work. There’s always someone that will tell ya. Kind of like a chat room, but real time with real people with real voices. Men and women.
Past UHF Radios
Well usually I have been a dedicated GME man and in the past have had a TX3420 with remote head, a TX3500 and recently a TX3600 which had been converted to remote head. Also my last two TX’s were 80 channel as 40 channel is dying and will be obsolete soon. These have been installed in a Suzuki Jimny, Mazda 323, Mazda 2 and a Mazda 6.
Current Setup in Car - ICOM IC-450 80 Channel 5W UHF
I have recently changed brands! I had been hearing a lot of good things about Icom in 4wd magazines so I thought I’ve give it a go. All my past radios were also second hand and this is my first brand new latest model radio. Aster selling all my other gear, I purchased a brand spanking new Icom IC-450 80 Channel 5W UHF Radio. It also came with an extension lead for the mic and a couple of extra brackets. It is a quality made radio and all controls are on the mic head. I wanted this in particular as I did not want to make holes or try and struggle to find a space in the car for a full radio. Remote mike head means I only have to worry about where to mount the mic. I have also installed a Uniden 3db antenna onto my roof rack using Rhino Rack Vortex channel mount. This mount slides into the channel the rubber normally sits in. A nice neat installation. Coax runs down into the rear hatch and into the cargo area. Main unit is kept in the side pocket with the jack and the ground wire runs to the seat bolt and the positive wire runs to the fuse block where I have a piggyback 15A fuse utilised to hook it up. I like everything about this radio. The only thing I don’t like is the scan function as I am too used to GME and prefer a rotary knob. A great radio and I am happy I bought it.
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Base Station Radios Setup
GME TX4500S 80 Channel 5W DIN Size Radio - UHF 477MHz
I have bought a second hand GME TX4500S 80 Channel 5 Watt UHF, did not come with its mounting plate or power cable, but it came with a newer style mic with channel selection and a priority channel button. I have changed the mic to an older GME one. I’ve tested it last night and it works perfectly, like new. Cost me $250. New it is close to $400. No mounting bracket but that is on the way. I also bought an old Motorola speaker and changed the plug to a mono plug to connect as an external speaker. The front speaker on the radio is fine but it is a bit 'tinny' sounding.
Antenna - Mobile One Comms Col6 6.6db Base Station Unit
For $50 I picked up a 6db base radio UHF antenna which is just over 2m in length. In excellent condition. Just needs to be mounted.
NOW ONTO AMATEUR (HAM) RADIO!!!
On the weekend just passed (10th & 11th 2018), I attended a weekend course and completed an exam to qualify for my Amateur Radio Foundation Licence. This licence will allow me to broadcast/transmit on 10 watts to quite a few bands. It is the entry level licence. I am only allowed to use commercially available equipment and cannot modify the internals in any way. I can however do other things outside of the radio to boost my output like build a better antenna, use better cabling and positioning and tuning of the antenna. This is only to transmit. To receive only I can go as powerful as I like. Now that I am licenced it will be on a government register with all my details. It's not like UHF 477MHz where most of the guys there are idiots as it is citizen band. 27MHz HAM radio seems to have people behaving themselves more. So thus begins my journey into being a HAM Operator!
Station Master Mk II Antenna - 27Mhz
This antenna is slightly longer than the UHF base antenna but came with the radios and looks like it is going to do well.
LDA-15S - 15M Long Wire Dipole Antenna
The information below is translated from German so it may seem a bit broken but you get the idea….
Frequency range: 160 m - 10 m
(RX ... 0,5 - 30 MHz, TX ... 1,5 - 30 MHz)
The wire antenna is two insulators and Guy wires made up. It is made high qualityMaterial made (wire rope galvanized, PVC-sheathed) and UV-resistant.The guarantees a long service life. End-fed wire antenna (LDA 15) Having a length of 15 M. It can be used for Transmission purposes, as well as for pure Receipting purposes (SWL) are used and a matchbox for the following bands be used: 160 / 80 / 40/30 / 20/17 / 15/12 / 11/10 m.
For the pure Receiving applications ( 0.5 - 30 MHz) is not necessarily a matchbox necessary.
This LDA-antenna has the entry point not in the center but at the End, so they can be quickly and with little effort to oddest places, mount (attic, garage roof garden etc.). For lack of space, this long wire antenna can also be angled, as open square or be constructed as a vertical L-antenna.
End-fed long wires are a 1:9 Magnetic Balun (See other auctions) adapted. This sets the low-impedance Cable impedance to the high value of the long wire around which is approximately at 400 - 800 ohms. Slight discrepancies are using antenna tuner balanced.
Frequency range: 160 m - 10 m
(RX ... 0,5 - 30 MHz, TX ... 1,5 - 30 MHz)
The wire antenna is two insulators and Guy wires made up. It is made high qualityMaterial made (wire rope galvanized, PVC-sheathed) and UV-resistant.The guarantees a long service life. End-fed wire antenna (LDA 15) Having a length of 15 M. It can be used for Transmission purposes, as well as for pure Receipting purposes (SWL) are used and a matchbox for the following bands be used: 160 / 80 / 40/30 / 20/17 / 15/12 / 11/10 m.
For the pure Receiving applications ( 0.5 - 30 MHz) is not necessarily a matchbox necessary.
This LDA-antenna has the entry point not in the center but at the End, so they can be quickly and with little effort to oddest places, mount (attic, garage roof garden etc.). For lack of space, this long wire antenna can also be angled, as open square or be constructed as a vertical L-antenna.
End-fed long wires are a 1:9 Magnetic Balun (See other auctions) adapted. This sets the low-impedance Cable impedance to the high value of the long wire around which is approximately at 400 - 800 ohms. Slight discrepancies are using antenna tuner balanced.
Balun - Dipole Center Insulator for Dipole Antennas, 2kw, SO239
Prices for balund and dipole centres vary depending on quality, make and shipping costs. I found this one to be middle of the way price range and all up it cost me about AUD $50 delivered. Below is the description from the ebay ad:
Top eyelet is grounded to the SO-239 which can discharge static or nearest lighting voltage to ground instead of radio. Good for all season, hot or cold weather, sold for commercial over 30 years worldwide.
Top eyelet is grounded to the SO-239 which can discharge static or nearest lighting voltage to ground instead of radio. Good for all season, hot or cold weather, sold for commercial over 30 years worldwide.
- Wire solder attach
- All our balun have a air gap for lighting and static discharge.
- Rated over 2KW
- SO-239 Nickel Plating
- Attach by top eyelet for inverted antenna
- Stainless Steel Eye and Bolts
- For various antenna 1.8 to 50 MHz
- Made in Canada since over 30 years
- Can hold and connect different wire configuration
Antsig 140cm Antenna Extendable Fascia Mount x2
Three interlockable poles/masts. When joined it totals around 1.4m in length. Galvanised and suitable for outdoors. Just need to get some clamping brackets now.
Uniden GRANT Mobile 40 Channel AM/SSB 27Mhz Radio
This is by far the best 40 channel AM/SSB CB that I have used. At the moment it is packed up because I have just acquired an Icom IC-208H VHF/UHF Transceiver. That radio will be programmed for 2m/70cm and also 80 channel CB. Was going to put the Grant in the car but I just changed vehicles and my Outback doesn't have much room in the dash or around it for this massive radio. I may just set it up at home as another base and switch between it and the Icom IC-718.
J-Pole Antenna - 2 meter band
I purchased this antenna online from America. Was going to buy one from KB9VBR J-Pole Antennas but he did not ship to Oz so I found someone else who makes the exact same antenna. Made entirely out of copper and can be unscrewed for transportation. I will be installing it on the house as a permanent base antenna. mainly for talking to a couple of mates. One just a few kms away and the other in Wollongong. So a couple of hundred kms away!