TWO-WAY RADIO CONSIDERATIONS FOR 4X4 DRIVERS

Communication & Navigation Equipment: VHF, UHF, GPS, Satellite phones ETC.
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Family_Dog
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Re: TWO-WAY RADIO CONSIDERATIONS FOR 4X4 DRIVERS

Post by Family_Dog »

Herrie,

I have sent you a PM...


-F_D

White Fang: 1999 2.7i DC Raider 4x4
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Re: TWO-WAY RADIO CONSIDERATIONS FOR 4X4 DRIVERS

Post by Vikka »

Gee whiz, this is all very complicated! Over here in Oz we have a Citizen Band frequency comprising of 40 channels. They range from 476mhz to 478mhz UHF. the radios are 5w and can be bought second hand for $100AU or so. No license is required.

With HF over here you can join a 'radio club' for about $100AU per year and they give you access to their frequencies of normally 5 or 6 channels.

I have a TAIT 2020 UHF and a Barrett SB250RC HF in my Patrol and wouldn't be without them. I feel sorry that you have to go through so much to get a radio license. I guess the upside is you don't have all the idiots on the radios like we sometimes get over here (especially in the cities).
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Re: TWO-WAY RADIO CONSIDERATIONS FOR 4X4 DRIVERS

Post by Family_Dog »

Well, we have 9-channel CB available here, on AM, LSB or USB, all on 27MHz. While one still needs a licence for this, it is easily obtained but the same can no longer be said for the equipment. The more common frequency amongst 4x4ers here is 29MHz AM... Heaven only knows why! It is obsolete technology and as old as the hills. The later trend is to 25W VHF FM, and many people obtain the necessary licence through the Off Road Radio Association (ORRA). This generally takes a week and the frequency is a national one.


-F_D

White Fang: 1999 2.7i DC Raider 4x4
Bull Dog: 1987 4Y-EFI 2.2 DC 4x4
Pra Dog: 1998 Prado VX 3.4
Hound Dog: 2000 2.7i SC 4x4

One Staffie, One Jack Russell, One Ring Neck Screecher, One Gold Fish
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Re: TWO-WAY RADIO CONSIDERATIONS FOR 4X4 DRIVERS

Post by Family_Dog »

Topic updated with hopefully easier to follow write-up than the previous one. The first four threads in this topic apply.


-F_D

White Fang: 1999 2.7i DC Raider 4x4
Bull Dog: 1987 4Y-EFI 2.2 DC 4x4
Pra Dog: 1998 Prado VX 3.4
Hound Dog: 2000 2.7i SC 4x4

One Staffie, One Jack Russell, One Ring Neck Screecher, One Gold Fish
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Re: TWO-WAY RADIO CONSIDERATIONS FOR 4X4 DRIVERS

Post by ChristoSlang »

Family_Dog wrote: The same rules for AM antennas apply to the FM antennas as well. However, there are two common types available:

* Quarter Wave Antenna, which should once more be mounted in a central position on a metal surface or on the B or C pillars of a vehicle. The antenna whip is only some 400mm or so in length. This is the currently preferred antenna for ORRA purposes because of the fairly wide spread in the current ORRA frequencies. Quarter-wave antennas are a good choice in hilly terrain.

* 5/8 Antenna, normally, suitable for B or C pillar mounting but can work on a bull bar. This type of antenna will produce good results when used either for a single frequency or a group of frequencies clustered in close proximity to one another. Not suitable for frequencies that are spread far apart from one another.
FD, I was under the impression that 1/4 wave antennas have a wider bandwidth than 5/8 wave antennas! I see that the 5/8 ZARA 130 is specced at 3MHz, whilst the 1/4 wave ZARA 50 is rated as 0.5-9 MHZ. Is the 0.5 MHz measured at lower frequencies and the higher number at the higher frequencies the antenna can handle (54, all the way up to 470MHz) when correctly trimmed?

I normally use a 1/4 wave that's trimmed smack-bang in the middle of the two ORRA freqs in hilly Gauteng, but also have a 5/8 wave antenna (trimmed the same way) for use in flat areas where the additional gain over a 1/4 wave antenna will come in useful. Is that a good strategy?

BTW: Apparently there is a third ORRA frequency underway. Will this fall outside the limits of our current antennas' bandwidth?
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Re: TWO-WAY RADIO CONSIDERATIONS FOR 4X4 DRIVERS

Post by Family_Dog »

Christo, your impression is correct. At VHF frequencies, the current ORRA frequencies are 152.xxx and 161.xxx, hence the preference for the Quarter-wave whioch can accommodate these widely-spaced frequencies. At VHF frequencies, the quarter-wave antenna has a bandwidth of some 10MHz, whereas a 5/8 (Zara130) has a bandwidth of only some 1MHz.

The third ORRA frequency will be compatible to 161.xxx MHz and will be released soon.... I hope! ;)

ORRA has also introduced a new frequency chart, which means all radios should be re-programmed. The old ORRA 1 frequency will now be reserved for special events and the two adjacent frequencies will be the main frequencies used. When this is officially released, I will advise accordingly. You will then be able to use your existing Zara130 as the main antenna, suitably trimmed for 161MHz. The amount of use we will make of the old ORRA 1 frequency will in the future be fairly minimal.


-F_D

White Fang: 1999 2.7i DC Raider 4x4
Bull Dog: 1987 4Y-EFI 2.2 DC 4x4
Pra Dog: 1998 Prado VX 3.4
Hound Dog: 2000 2.7i SC 4x4

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Re: TWO-WAY RADIO CONSIDERATIONS FOR 4X4 DRIVERS

Post by Mark Greenhill »

Good Day Eric

WOW, awesome informative information! - Thank you

I however need some help. My uncle who was a HAM passed away sometime ago and left me he's landy. Inside the landy was a ALINCO DJ-V5 VHF/UHF Dual Band FM Transceiver. (pic attached) Can I use this for communicating when joining a club or expedition? :think:
Also attached to the bonnet of the landy was a Diamond Antenna NR 770R (pic attached) - what is this for? :think:

Your help is appreciated
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Mark Greenhill

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Family_Dog
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Re: TWO-WAY RADIO CONSIDERATIONS FOR 4X4 DRIVERS

Post by Family_Dog »

Unfortunately not. The Alinco radio is designed to be used by Radio Amateurs - Hams - and as such will only operate on the Ham bands. Note also that is is an all-bander, commonly used by Hams as it covers more than just the VHF Ham frequencies.

The radio cannot operate on the Commercial VHF frequencies, which extend way past the Amateur frequencies.

Likewise, tha Diamond Antenna is a dual-band antenna designed to operate on the VHF & UHF Ham frequencies, but will not be effective on the Commercial frequencies.

Not what you wanted to hear, I know.


-F_D

White Fang: 1999 2.7i DC Raider 4x4
Bull Dog: 1987 4Y-EFI 2.2 DC 4x4
Pra Dog: 1998 Prado VX 3.4
Hound Dog: 2000 2.7i SC 4x4

One Staffie, One Jack Russell, One Ring Neck Screecher, One Gold Fish
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Re: TWO-WAY RADIO CONSIDERATIONS FOR 4X4 DRIVERS

Post by Mark Greenhill »

Hi F_D

Thank you fo the speedy reply.

It's ok, I didnt think it would work - :thumbdown:

So, I will re-read your articles and hopefully gain enough knowledge to purchase something in the future!

Have a great day! :thumbup:
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Family_Dog
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Re: TWO-WAY RADIO CONSIDERATIONS FOR 4X4 DRIVERS

Post by Family_Dog »

My pleasure! :thumbup:


-F_D

White Fang: 1999 2.7i DC Raider 4x4
Bull Dog: 1987 4Y-EFI 2.2 DC 4x4
Pra Dog: 1998 Prado VX 3.4
Hound Dog: 2000 2.7i SC 4x4

One Staffie, One Jack Russell, One Ring Neck Screecher, One Gold Fish
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