I was recently looking for some type of CB radio for communication in the bush, and came across this deal. Originally I was tempted to get a "Baofeng" radio, however after some research it turns out you need an amateur radio licence and you could get in some serious trouble without a it!!
Hope this helps someone looking for decent CB radios for the holidays!
I totally agree however, I couldn't find any such radios in store for less than $20 each. I was trying to get something that would have a moderate range and most importantly legal without a licence. I would appreciate any suggestions you have as I don't have much experience :)
At least these would [surely] take rechargeables, so carry a few of them and grab a $1 "Ritmo" usb powered charger from an MSY junk-bin. You can then keep them topped up from a pocket power-bank or small solar cell so you have contact if you need it.
I'd put a bit of red insulation tape around them so they can be easily spotted if you are in green. If it's just for convenience, then these will be OKish, but if you are going well out and relying on them as a safety back-up, then I'd consider the extra cash worth it.
We had similar these for notifying people re phone-calls etc at a community center, and they have dropped out of use as the jill-of-all trades in the office has just got sick of replacing the batteries once every day and a half…
I think in the uniden range the most powerful ones that take AA are https://www.uniden.com.au/australia/p_uh820S_index.asp but they are around $100 each (JB has twin pack for $199 right now). I always figured its better to get something that takes AA batteries instead of proprietary battery pack, which will be more expensive in the long run, but it limits choices for output.
I personally wouldn't get these as they don't support CTCSS codes. That's the feature that allows you to block out other users who might be using the same channel as they or you are passing by, as well as any random RF interference which might cause nuisance squelch triggering.
Not too bad in the bush tho - and nothing blocks out the cowboys who used to drive on the Nullabor running what seemed like 200Kw towers on their rigs that would break into comms in NZ!
Can anyone recommend me a set for my kids to use at a caravan park / beach holiday? Happy to spend a bit $50 would be awesome, $100 if there's real benefit.
Also only need them for Xmas, so china postage is A OK.
These are fine as a toy. Step up at $79 for two:
https://www.jbhifi.com.au/phones/UHF/uniden/uniden-uh515-2-u…
Why buy from overseas when it could interfere with something and you get a fine? Especially as a toy something like this would work.
I'd just grab this deal. I recently got a Oricom 0.5w pair from Supercheap for the kids and they're awesome, certainly not a toy but cheap enough to knock around.
I use second hand commercial radios. They are type approved and when programmed correctly are legal to use.
They are so much more robust than uniden or chinese imports plus easier to find parts and accessories for.
I stick to kenwood, motorola, simoco and taits.
If you aren't into radio programming I suggest the kenwood tk range - the software is very easy to use. Keep the power at 5 Watts and make sure you program the correct frequencies for UHF CB channels.
I've never paid more than $40 for a Hand held and $100 for a base/car radio.
Where do you get them? Any VHF?
Last lot I got was 10 Tait T-2000/II car radios for $5 each at the local tip recycle shop.
The trick is to memorize the bandwidth splits and model numbers for the radios you like - not easy when it comes to Motorola radios, so you can grab a bargain. For UHF CB radios you want radios that usually have a split of 450-480MHz and are conventional not trunked.
A genuine battery for a commercial radio would cost more than $40 though.
I've tried chinese GP-series batteries… they work, but have failed randomly.
I've had some success at repacking my own batteries using 18650 cells and a 3D printer - it was easy for the Kenwood TK-350 160 channel hand helds I got in a bulk lot - took them from 1850mAh to 6000mAh with cells reused from old laptops.
Most radios aren't suited to this kind of mod though.
Would like to know a good source for quality second hand hand helds too?
Thanks
i got these last year for $22 during christmast sale.
Have the older variant of these, takes 3 AAA batteries and they don't last very long at all, especially if you're transmitting a fair amount. Being 500mW they also have pretty poor range, even in line of sight. Only really good if they're being used as a toy.
We do a fair bit of offroad stuff, and the last thing you want in the bush is batteries. Yes they cost more (around $79 single or ~$130 a pair), however the GME TX665 UHF handhelds work really well. 1 watt is fine for a rugged handheld, especially if you have a 3 watt UHF in your 4WD.
They look like AAA battery units. Do yourself a favour and get AA powered ones. You have sod-all battery reserve and 500mW doesn't carry quite as far as you'd like. Luckily it looks like "jungle cammo, so if you are heading into the Simpson, you should be able to find them if you put them down or drop them when tired, otherwise I'd like a nice strong yellow…