KMsMK Posted May 5, 2012 Report Share Posted May 5, 2012 never had a UHF before so when I wired my new UHF up I thought it should start picking up something, anything, but it doesn't. I've heard you need get them tuned, but where do I go to get mine tuned? And what does tuning a UHF do? Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fatboyz inc Posted May 5, 2012 Report Share Posted May 5, 2012 Your UHF and areial should be tuned from the factory in most cases you may need to adjust your squelch so you can hear the white noise then just go back up a flys dick and then scan you should be able to pick up a repeater chanel?? eventually Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dronus4x4 Posted May 5, 2012 Report Share Posted May 5, 2012 Yeah just check that you haven't shorted out the antenna wiring. In Adelaide you will normally find some mentally challenged dole bludger whining about something on one of the repeater channels.. 1 for Salisbury and 3 for glenelg. If its too quiet they are spamming up ch 10 or 40. That is, if the truckies haven't found him and set fire to his house or knee capped him with a tyre iron. Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2 The Big Rig, setsujoku and T.R.C. Offroad 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikegq Posted May 5, 2012 Report Share Posted May 5, 2012 What UHF and what antenna did u use UHF cb (40 or 80 channel) doesn't need any tuning other than the correct 477 meg antenna fitted If u fitted ur own connector to the coax check it's not shorted out, which will result in no receive plus may damage the UHF on tx Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
green troll Posted May 5, 2012 Report Share Posted May 5, 2012 I had a seniors moment once when swaping aerials in my tin shed. Enough said. Sent from Brett's Galaxy using Tapatalk green troll, GQ Beast and mikegq 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dronus4x4 Posted May 6, 2012 Report Share Posted May 6, 2012 I have a SWR meter if anyone needs one to trim their AM antenna. Fairly sure as mentioned UHF antennas are pre tuned and don't need calibration Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GQ Beast Posted May 6, 2012 Report Share Posted May 6, 2012 Hope heaps of info comes on here, never had one but in the market for one. Should i go the 80 channel?????? T.R.C. Offroad and KMsMK 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Big Rig Posted May 6, 2012 Report Share Posted May 6, 2012 Hope heaps of info comes on here, never had one but in the market for one. Should i go the 80 channel?????? There all going to be 80 channel soon. Some of the 40 channel radio have free upgrades avaible to make it 80 anyhow GQ Beast 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
admin Posted May 6, 2012 Report Share Posted May 6, 2012 I think if you buy new now there all going to be 80 channel - or should be. One important thing is grounding. On your bonnet at the back on the under side grind away the paint and bolt on an earth strap and connect the other end to a good chassis earth point. GQ Beast 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KMsMK Posted May 6, 2012 Author Report Share Posted May 6, 2012 (edited) I resoldered the connector that goes into the UHF (oricom 80ch, the one on sale at autobarn) the truck came with a couple of aerials, a long thin black one and a shorter black one. You can see the base on the bullbar. I will get photos of the 2 aerials cause I have no idea what dB either are. I heard about 2 sec of talk today but later when I asked if anyone was on channel I didn't get an answer. Edited May 6, 2012 by KMsMK Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikegq Posted May 6, 2012 Report Share Posted May 6, 2012 there ur voltage at the bck of the radio when txing, if u have a poor power source thevoltage may be dropping to lowto tx properly. shouldbe a minium 12.2 when tx Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GQ Beast Posted May 6, 2012 Report Share Posted May 6, 2012 http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/ORICOM-UHF058-UHF-RADIO-80-CHANNEL-5-W-5-WATT-NEW-477-BAND-MHZ-2-TWO-WAY-2WAY-CB-/290703665082#ht_2554wt_1269 Is something like this OK for a first timer or does anyone know what would be suitable. Cheers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GQ Beast Posted May 6, 2012 Report Share Posted May 6, 2012 (edited) Or this?????? http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/UNIDEN-UH7700NB-AT770-ANTENNA-NEW-77-CHANNEL-UHF-RADIO-PACK-/290706927971?pt=AU_Electronics_Radio_Equipment&hash=item43af7bb163#ht_2258wt_1269 Edited May 6, 2012 by GQ Beast Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KMsMK Posted May 6, 2012 Author Report Share Posted May 6, 2012 there ur voltage at the bck of the radio when txing, if u have a poor power source thevoltage may be dropping to lowto tx properly. shouldbe a minium 12.2 when tx Thanks mike, I will check. Although it should be ok. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
admin Posted May 6, 2012 Report Share Posted May 6, 2012 Check out GME radios - also on eBay. Dearer, but Aussie made and quality from my recent experience. BigGQWesty and GQ Beast 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikegq Posted May 6, 2012 Report Share Posted May 6, 2012 As far as a basic UHF that lil uniden is a great unit. Good speaker audio, and a independant ground plane antenna so even if ur installation of the antenna is poor it will still work as it doesn't need a ground plane to operate. Defiantly go the uniden mate Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mk tank Posted May 6, 2012 Report Share Posted May 6, 2012 (edited) All antennas once installed should have there VSWR (voltage standing wave ratio) checked. The factory pretuned antennas may be faulty, the connector may be faulty the location of the antennas may be affecting the antenna. A vswr check will indicate of the antenna is ok, plus you can "tune" the antenna for best operation. I have found the UNIDEN antennas to be very flimsy and they move around a lot while you are driving. I would adviod using a 80 channel rig until all people are running 80 channels, as dependent on the receiver design of your 80 channel rig, the rig may block somee one transmitting on a old 25 Khz rig. The first 40 channels for both rigs are the same. Im a radio tech Edited May 6, 2012 by mk tank twisty 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikegq Posted May 7, 2012 Report Share Posted May 7, 2012 All antennas once installed should have there VSWR (voltage standing wave ratio) checked. The factory pretuned antennas may be faulty, the connector may be faulty the location of the antennas may be affecting the antenna. A vswr check will indicate of the antenna is ok, plus you can "tune" the antenna for best operation. I have found the UNIDEN antennas to be very flimsy and they move around a lot while you are driving. I would adviod using a 80 channel rig until all people are running 80 channels, as dependent on the receiver design of your 80 channel rig, the rig may block somee one transmitting on a old 25 Khz rig. The first 40 channels for both rigs are the same. Im a radio tech Who do u work for? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KMsMK Posted May 7, 2012 Author Report Share Posted May 7, 2012 (edited) All antennas once installed should have there VSWR (voltage standing wave ratio) checked. The factory pretuned antennas may be faulty, the connector may be faulty the location of the antennas may be affecting the antenna. A vswr check will indicate of the antenna is ok, plus you can "tune" the antenna for best operation. I have found the UNIDEN antennas to be very flimsy and they move around a lot while you are driving. I would adviod using a 80 channel rig until all people are running 80 channels, as dependent on the receiver design of your 80 channel rig, the rig may block somee one transmitting on a old 25 Khz rig. The first 40 channels for both rigs are the same. Im a radio tech thanks Mktank, where does one get it checked? auto electrician (doubt) or a dedicated stereo shop? Do the tech's need access to the back of the uhf cause mine is in a front roof console which can be a real b*#ch to take down? By the way I heard another snipit on the uhf today, 2 sec worth. Edited May 7, 2012 by KMsMK Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikegq Posted May 7, 2012 Report Share Posted May 7, 2012 Yes they need access to the antenna connector on the rear of the unit, just leave it loose Even with an out of tune antenna u should still be able to receive most audio Is the squelch adjustable? Almost sounds like its set very high and could explain ur rx problem. Any 2 way radio specialist should be able to check swr I believe that most pretuned UHF cb band(477meg) antennas should work well enough Regardless if they r perfect or not. If u remove the antenna and check ur coax with a ohmmeter. Inner to inner. Outer to outer for continuity and inner to outer for an open circuit and have the correct Antenna then the antenna should be fine.. If this check out and the voltage on tx is ok then provided the radio isn't faulty then it should be fine. Get someone else with a 2way to try and talk to you and see if it works.... With out test gear or special equipment there isn't much more you can do by ur self I am also a radio comms tech and an auto electrician ( in a past life) twisty 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KMsMK Posted May 7, 2012 Author Report Share Posted May 7, 2012 Thanks for that, I'm pretty good when it comes to X-rays but any others is out of my league Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KMsMK Posted May 7, 2012 Author Report Share Posted May 7, 2012 I will get photos of the 2 aerials cause I have no idea what dB either are. Forgot to get a photo, but they are both about 7-8mm diameter. The long one is 1550mm long and the short one is 650mm. Will try to get photos next wkend. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mk tank Posted May 8, 2012 Report Share Posted May 8, 2012 I used to work for the big M, but now back with the goverment The most comment problem I see if guys doing there connectors incorrectly. mikegq 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KMsMK Posted May 9, 2012 Author Report Share Posted May 9, 2012 You could be right the mk tank especially on the aerial end. I tried to google info on that end but couldn't find anything so just did what I thought was correct by looking at the copper and wires go. I'm 90% sure I did it right though. I have also decided to take it and get it hooked up correctly. Don't want to get out on the tracks and have it stop working on me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jacket_1985 Posted May 11, 2012 Report Share Posted May 11, 2012 i like my GME tx4400's. they make a new tx4600 now with 80channels. love having a large forward facing speaker. and one din fits nice, where else could you put a uhf where it looks/works better?. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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