Is GME TX3220 still the way to go?

Joined: 21 Aug 2006 Location: nowhere interesting

Looking for a good reasonably priced UHF + bullbar mount antenna for my Sierra. Has to be a 1/4 DIN unit to fit the limited space!

Did a search and found the TX3220 was the OL favourite last year ... wondering if any new products have come out since that are any better?

Can get a TX3220 + 1.2m 4.5dB colinear bullbar antenna (incl cable and spring mount) for $440 at my local Electric Bug store. Or a 2.1m 6dB antenna for $25 more but that sounds a bit big for a Zook....

What should I be looking for in an antenna? It seems odd to me that they advertise a smaller, cheaper whip antenna (RFI 6db Ground Plane Independent mopole base) as their "most famous and powerful antenna"

Got me all confused.

Any help appreciated - I know bugger all about UHF / antennas, and don't trust shop salespeeps...... Spend my dough for me Very Happy

Joined: 21 Apr 2008 Location: Melbourne

I'm doing the same reaserch at the moment and found the TX3220 & 6db GI Antenna Pack for $275.00.

This unit is great.

This is the link to the website. Sorry can't help with antenna advice.

http://www.prestigecom.net.au/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=31&products_id=677

Good luck with it.

Joined: 02 Aug 2003 Location: Croydon, Victoria

the 3220 has now been replaced by the 3420. The 3420 has buttons on the mic to change channel - a wank I originally thought but I have found it useful since upgrading. So useful in fact i think the 3440 would be even better with all the buttons on the mic.

Make sure your aerial is ground independent for ease of mounting.

the db gain has more to do with the type of terrain you drive in as a different gain aerial has a different signal pattern.

GME AE4018K1 Hi-gain 6db Heavy Duty UHF Antenna is very good compromise for bush/convoy use

A higher gain aerial will have a longer flatter signal but will not work with obstructions eg hills and trees

A lower gain aerial is suited to a very hilly area.

I have purchased stuff from contact communications in SA and found them EXTREMELY helpful

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/GME-TX3420-Remote-Head-UHF-Radio-6db-Higain-AntennaPack_W0QQitemZ370091747729QQihZ024QQcategoryZ149995QQtcZphotoQQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp1742.m153.l1262

Joined: 21 Aug 2006 Location: nowhere interesting

Hmmmmm bugger. Shouldn't have linked me to prestigecom.net.au and all their tempting deals Laughing

Was going to buy a cheap handheld from DSE for my spotter, but don't think I can go past the GME pack at prestigecom.net.au - TX3440 + TX680 for $425.

I love that the TX3440 can be put anywhere (under the seat / in the glove box) and all controlled remotely via the mic.

Looking at either an RFI CD900 6.5dB stainless whip antenna (920mm - also comes with a 400mm 3dB antenna) or a GME AE4018K1 4.5dB fibreglass whip antenna (920mm). Couldn't find a 6dB version of the AE4018K1 TRobbo. Either one better than the other for general highway / convoy use?

Joined: 02 Aug 2003 Location: Croydon, Victoria

Moph wrote:

Hmmmmm bugger. Shouldn't have linked me to prestigecom.net.au and all their tempting deals Laughing

Well you did ask me to spend your money for you Laughing

Moph wrote:

I love that the TX3440 can be put anywhere (under the seat / in the glove box) and all controlled remotely via the mic.

It might get a bit wet under your seat. You will probably find that you have room to mount the main part of the unit behind the glove box. ie you will need to take the glove box out to mount it. This sounds like a PITA but it only take about 15 minutes in my disco. The other benefit of mounting it there is no one can see it and it is unlikely to get stolen.

Moph wrote:

Looking at either an RFI CD900 6.5dB stainless whip antenna (920mm - also comes with a 400mm 3dB antenna) or a GME AE4018K1 4.5dB fibreglass whip antenna (920mm). Couldn't find a 6dB version of the AE4018K1I

Stainless antenna's tend to snap if driving continuously on corrugations and so I would reccomend fibreglass. A 6db gain antenna would be better than a 4.5db for most applications.

try this one on for size. It is spring mount, ground independent, and 6db. total height including the spring is approx 80 cm at a guess

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/New-GME-AE4018K1-Hi-gain-6db-Heavy-Duty-UHF-Antenna_W0QQitemZ140271077392QQihZ004QQcategoryZ48692QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Joined: 21 Aug 2006 Location: nowhere interesting

Yeah I intend to put it in the glove box. Will investigate putting it behind the glove box, but I'm not sure there is any room back there in a Sierra!

My point re the AE4018K1 is that according to GME's website, both the AE4018 (ground dependent) and AE4018K1 (ground independent) antennae are 4.5dB gain. I think that eBay ad is incorrect in stating 6dB.

Have read a number of good reviews (love slow Fridays! armsup

) on the RFI CD900 6.5dB + 3dB combo, and no reports of breakages. Think I'll give it a go - use the longer 6.5dB on the highway and the shorter 3dB off the beaten track when I'm not likely to be trying for long distance RX/TX anyway.

$530 ... ouch Confused

Might slip this one through without the missus signing off Wink

Joined: 02 Feb 2003 Location: south australia

TRobbo wrote:

the 3220 has now been replaced by the 3420. The 3420 has buttons on the mic to change channel - a wank I originally thought but I have found it useful since upgrading. So useful in fact i think the 3440 would be even better with all the buttons on the mic.

Not quite right there. The TX3220 hasnt been replaced it is still avaliable along with the TX3440 and TX3420

The AE4018K1 being 4.5dB is a pritty good allrounder, altho the CD900 is a very nice antenna, RFI is where its at for antennas. Shop around a bit should find it at a reasonable price

The price you had in your original post seems pritty good for the TX3220 and that antenna

Joined: 23 Sep 2007 Location: SE Melbourne

Hey Moph.

Here is what I have done with the radios in my 91 Sierra:

The radios are Amateur (Ham), but you could still use this method for hiding the radio box behind the glove box. Works well! (I still managed to get my radios wet though - whoops! Laughing

)

Cheers,

Pez

Joined: 21 Aug 2006 Location: nowhere interesting

I'm lucky enough to have air-con filling that space Pezooki Wink

But there is space down there still for a UHF.

Off topic, did you relocate the bonnet release? Mine's in the glove box.

Joined: 23 Sep 2007 Location: SE Melbourne

Oh - you lucky bugger! Cool

Yes I relocated the bonnet release - the best idea EVER! It was such a PITA in the glove box - it was always hidden behind all the tools and spare parts in there! Every time I wanted to open the bonnet, all the tools ended up falling out on the floor!

Took no time at all to move it - it's all good! Very Happy

Cheers,

Pez

Joined: 21 Aug 2006 Location: nowhere interesting

Well, finally ordered. Now just gotta break the happy news to the wife Very Happy

- GME TX3440 + TX680 value pack ($414)
- RFI Explorist 3 + 6.5dB antenna package ($105)

Should do the trick Smile

Joined: 21 Aug 2006 Location: nowhere interesting

Damn! That's service. Ordered yesterday at 9am ... arrived today at 10am (Perth --> Adelaide). Very Happy

Bought through prestigecom.net.au.

BigHomo4U Joined: 13 Apr 2006 Location: Melbourne

4.5dB is best for hilly terrain and convoy stuff as its signal is less linear. Downside is less range.

6dB+ is best for open highway type stuff where its signal is linear and will reach much further. Downside is its crap in the bush.

Personally my prefered aerial is the thin flexible whip type. I have the thick fibreglass GME type on a spring base and have snapped the top 6" off it from hitting a tree branch at speed. My mate's got the first mentioned type and it's lastest the test of time much better than mine.

Joined: 21 Aug 2006 Location: nowhere interesting

Yup whip aerial is the go. Very impressed with the quality of the RFI aerial. The combination of spring base and whip top gives it heeeeaps of flex if hit, and mounted to the top bar of my bullbar it only just protrudes above the Zook's roof anyway.

Joined: 17 Dec 2006 Location: Bairnsdale, East Gippsland

If you look around and want a "tunable" TX3 series get the 3200 or 3400 from a few years ago, you see them pop up now and then new

I say this cause you cant adjust any output with the newer items

Joined: 06 Apr 2007 Location: Cambridge Park

I bought the 4.5db one listed above the other day, bloke reckons it is the best for bush/hilly application.
Best bit is once installed, the booster cannot be removed unless the wire is cut, and the whips for the top are only cheap.