Cb/uhf Radios

[Phatboy]

Hi all, a GB is starting to form in the Vic forums for UHF CB handheld radios, excellent for cruises.

Just wondering if any of you have had any experience with either of these radios?

Thanks.

[GTR-N1]

God_speed and myself have used the Digitech DC-1040 UHF CB before.

They've supplied very good clarity. Range is rated to be up to 8Km. That's not tested by us to the max tho'. My 2c

They'll both be used again at the 10th ANNIVERSARY R34 GT-R Celebration next month.

[Phatboy]

OK, cool thanks. That's good to know.

I actually went and bought the FDC-460A. Currently impressed with it, but need to test it out on the GOR cruise!

[GTR-N1]

Hehe Go for it! Quite clear eh? Good on cruises!

Funny how the cops say it's OK to use these but not a mobile ph. = INCONSISTENCY +

[grigor]

The spec. on the FDC-460A has it at 1 or 5 watts which is pretty impressive considering the $$$$$.

I'd be interested to hear of comparisons to the Icom IC41s

Always found Icom gear outstanding.

[Kinks]

icom gear is great. I have an IC40s and honestly the difference beween 1W and 5W isn't as much as you might think, but it is great for when they ask you to repeat yourself you bump it up to high power and get heard. Remember that if the other guy has 500mW then you can't hear him, plus your antenna makes a difference if your radio has a tiny antenna it will have poor range for transmit AND receive.

as always buy shit and you end up buying twice. buy quality and enjoy using it.

[Phatboy]

Hehe Go for it! Quite clear eh? Good on cruises!

Funny how the cops say it's OK to use these but not a mobile ph. = INCONSISTENCY +

Really? So we can use handheld CB radios legally while driving? I thought all handhelds were illegal when driving????

[Phatboy]

The spec. on the FDC-460A has it at 1 or 5 watts which is pretty impressive considering the $$$$$.

I'd be interested to hear of comparisons to the Icom IC41s

Always found Icom gear outstanding.

icom gear is great. I have an IC40s and honestly the difference beween 1W and 5W isn't as much as you might think, but it is great for when they ask you to repeat yourself you bump it up to high power and get heard. Remember that if the other guy has 500mW then you can't hear him, plus your antenna makes a difference if your radio has a tiny antenna it will have poor range for transmit AND receive.

as always buy shit and you end up buying twice. buy quality and enjoy using it.

I have only heard good things about Icom, but they are expensive. I am sure they are better quality than FDC though. That said, the 460A seems quite solid in construction and is built on a metal frame, unlike some cheapo plastic ones.

Disadvantages of the FD-460A are:

1. No supplier/distributor in Oz, so have to ship it back if it breaks down under warranty

2. Manual fails at English, although it's not that hard to figure it out

3. Car charger still needs desktop charging dock to be connected - can't plug directly into the radio unless you buy the battery replacement car adaptor, which means you have to change to your normal battery if you want to take it out of the car.

3. For some reason if you buy it with the 40 CB channels pre-programmed, you can't use CTCSS/DCS, unless you manually enter the frequency of that channel.

4. Antenna blows. As soon as I have time I'm going to Jaycar to get a replacement for a few bucks. I think it is an SMA-F port on the radio.

However, these are all relatively minor considerations when you consider it costs $90 delivered to your door, compared to the RRP of $160 for a 3W Jaycar one or $300 for a 5W Dick Smith one. I could buy three FD-460As for the whole family with all accessories and it would still be cheaper.

[grigor]

Yes I think for general applications, cruises etc, price outweighs that unit's minor disadvantages.

(IC41s is a touch under $400)

I had the old standard Uniden VHF on the yacht, mast mounted antenna. It simply didn't hear stuff that the Icom's had coming in clear as day with the same height antenna. Couldn't believe they supposedly have the same power.

Edited March 27, 2009 by grigor

[Silvia GTR]

I love taking the piss on Cb's

[Phatboy]

Just came back from the member's GOR cruise.

Very impressed with the power and clarity of the FD-460A. Definitely no probs reaching everyone in the convoy with a cb. Many had lower power ones (0.5W, 1W) so they had some probs being heard.

Need to get a better antenna though. Neither Jaycar nor Dick Smith sell them, despite selling CBs. I think Timeplus on Sydney Rd, Brunswick is the only place that does in Melb???