prefered antenna?

[DizzyDi]

Just bought a new Uniden UH400sx from Prestige (cheapest by a country mile).

Now I'm totally confused about the antenna db factor ... is it the higher the number, the more range/clarity you get? i.e. 4.5db vs. 6db the latter will be better? Unit will be used mainly in hilly terrain & on highway for radar checks

Oh, also, what is this pre-tuned caper? Cheers

[carvesdodo]

Originally Posted by DizzyDi

Just bought a new Uniden UH400sx from Prestige (cheapest by a country mile).

Now I'm totally confused about the antenna db factor ... is it the higher the number, the more range/clarity you get? i.e. 4.5db vs. 6db the latter will be better? Unit will be used mainly in hilly terrain & on highway for radar checks

Oh, also, what is this pre-tuned caper? Cheers

stockos link explains it as good as any .... http://www.ausjeepoffroad.com/forum/...96&postcount=7

[DizzyDi]

Cheers Carves, knew you'd be along to save the day Oooh my girlie brain hurts.

[Simsy85]

Di,

Higher the Db, the better range you will get, but the lower the signal (height wise) will travel, so it's ideal for highways etc (trucks run 6 - 9 db).

Lower the Db, the smaller the range, but the higher the signal will travel, so it's ideal for 4wding and valleys etc.

3Db will get you about 5-6km's range, but coverage in places like Glasshouse/Ormeau. 9 Db you will have serious trouble as your signal will be blocked by the various hills/valleys etc

6Db is a good comprimise, however i've purchased two, 3Db for wheeling and 6Db for roadtrips...

Of course on a cloudy day, you might reach melbourne from brisbane!

[Grant]

Just make sure you purchase a Co linear antenna as they are ground plain independant (do not use the vehicle as the ground plain)
You get a more circular radiation pattern (Transmission) where as vehicle dependant ground plain antennas tend to be more directional depending on where you mount the antenna (mount it at the front and radiation pattern is predominantly rearwards and vise versa if rear mounted)

[DizzyDi]

Thanks all, this is the antenna I got:

http://www.prestigecom.net.au/index....oducts_id=2050

Last minute change of plans on where to buy .... I got the Uniden UH400SX from Contact Communications, Gawler S.A. for $220 (not refurbed, brand new with 2 yr warranty) so saved around $100 on retail.

[carvesdodo]

Originally Posted by Simsy85

Of course on a cloudy day, you might reach melbourne from brisbane!

Welllll .... not quite Simsy

On extremely RARE, when hell freezes over, once in a blue moon, occasions - distances of Bris-Syd have occurred ... but only one that I know of.

Speech quality has been about as good as two kids yelling at each other, in an echoey, concrete storm drain, during a thunderstorm.