24-01-2023, 02:26 PM
(24-01-2023, 07:42 AM)Mordred Wrote: Uniden are good, GME are the better in my opinion. I dont rate Oricom very highly.
Handheld is convenient but without an external antenna range is very limited even with the same output. Using it inside the bus will cut the range to around a kilometre (with the correct antenna transmitting at 5 watts in open country you should be able to get 10km, and a vehicle mounted unit with a suitable antenna up to 20km in comparison) which is ok for a convoy but not much for highway driving.
Do some research on the best type of antenna and mounting location. It will make a huge difference to the range. Unless you are mounting on a roof rack or on the roof itself (or a gutter bracket) the body will shield the signal to a varying degree. Also if mounting on a bull bar or the bumper (sometimes the only option) you really need a ground independent antenna as you wont have the ground plane of the roof to assist with the transmission.
Attached is the ACMA listing for the channels you are allowed to use and their purpose.
The duplex channels are for repeaters which are usually mounted on hills and help to extend the range of transmissions. Once again a bit of research goes a long way, and it is best to stay off those channels unless you are want to use the repeater.
Adrian
Thanks Adrian, much appreciated . Liz