Member Since: 09 Jul 2007
Location: somewhere over the rainbow
Posts: 217
UHF or CB radio for G4?
Anybody know which radio was fitted to the G4 D3s? I have all the pre-installation in my glovebox and the antenna mount on the roofrack.
I have a MIDLAND CB but I wanted a UHF radio for better range when in the Sahara. What was fitted to these vehicles by LAND ROVER for the G4 event and are they still available? And the antenna??
18th Feb 2009 12:38 pm
MacLeod 313
Member Since: 18 Apr 2008
Location: away
Posts: 10723
PM XTC, he fitted some to the G4 Event Vehicles
18th Feb 2009 12:41 pm
Spanish Fly
Member Since: 09 Jul 2007
Location: somewhere over the rainbow
Posts: 217
PM sent thanks
18th Feb 2009 2:00 pm
Roel
Member Since: 16 Aug 2008
Location: home
Posts: 1215
If you get an answer I would be interested too. According to Thijs Maartense the Dutch participant it was a 27mc but he didn't know which brand or modell.Roel
1997 Camel Trophy Disco ex-P101JWK (traded it for a Britains 42101)
1984 90 TD5
2005 G4 Disco 3 BN55WPT
Also member of club MTR
and Club Faultmate
Interested in my 4x4 history see my website: www.mudmachine.webklik.nl
Sorry it's in Dutch and with google translator it gets funny.
18th Feb 2009 2:29 pm
MacLeod 313
Member Since: 18 Apr 2008
Location: away
Posts: 10723
XTC (Richard) will be able to help you without doubt guys. If he did'nt do those directly (i am sure he did), he knows exactly whats onboard them. Thats his trade
18th Feb 2009 2:59 pm
xtc
Member Since: 27 Mar 2007
Location: Hampshire
Posts: 1072
Hi SF, (& Jason!)
The radio's fitted for the 03 & 06 events were the Standard Vertex (Yaesu) VX2000.
They are a VHF PMR set covering 148-174 MHz at 25 watts. The aerial, if the original, fitted to your D3 will be a Sigma MC150 which is tuned for 161 MHz. This must not be used for CB!!!!! Post a pic of the base and I'll confirm which it is. Do you have the spring base and whip? I have some if not. I also have the extension speakers we used.
It was intended to use the VX2500 50 watt version for the '09 event...
These radio's are not now current models, but are still about if you wanted that particular one to be authentic. Any VHF PMR will do the same job, but most are bigger and will not fit in the glovebox!
I agree that this will give far better service than using CB, but in theory a licence is needed to operate on these frequencies. That is up to you... In the middle of the Desert I doubt there'd be many complaints
Your companions would need the same equipment or VHF handhelds programmed to the same frequencies and CTCSS tones. It would be no use for general comms if traveling alone.
It's not like CB where you can put out general calls to see who is about. That would be a disadvantage if you needed help. But if with mates it's far better. Maybe both?
If you go with CB or UHF PMR you will need to change the aerial to match the band chosen.
Hope that help's a bit!
Cheers, Richard.
Click image to enlarge
Off Roading is OK.... But I'd rather be Boating!
18th Feb 2009 8:47 pm
MacLeod 313
Member Since: 18 Apr 2008
Location: away
Posts: 10723
Thought you would be in the know sir
18th Feb 2009 8:55 pm
Spanish Fly
Member Since: 09 Jul 2007
Location: somewhere over the rainbow
Posts: 217
Thanks Richard. Great info! I'll take some pics in the daylight of the antenna base. It has a male thread and is thicker than the thread on my CB antenna base.
Any idea how they mounted the unit inside the glovebox? With velcro? I see no evidence of screw holes. And did they just close the lid on the mic cable or did they jam the lid permanently open?
I have PM'ed you
Cheers, Chay
18th Feb 2009 10:33 pm
Roel
Member Since: 16 Aug 2008
Location: home
Posts: 1215
I don't know if the picture is clear enough but you can see the base at the right hand rear corner on my G4.
Most G4's still have the speaker and cables located but the wip and radio are gone.
Click image to enlarge
Roel
1997 Camel Trophy Disco ex-P101JWK (traded it for a Britains 42101)
1984 90 TD5
2005 G4 Disco 3 BN55WPT
Also member of club MTR
and Club Faultmate
Interested in my 4x4 history see my website: www.mudmachine.webklik.nl
Sorry it's in Dutch and with google translator it gets funny.
18th Feb 2009 10:55 pm
Spanish Fly
Member Since: 09 Jul 2007
Location: somewhere over the rainbow
Posts: 217
Yep, I have the same aerial base. Do you have a close-up shot?
18th Feb 2009 10:56 pm
Roel
Member Since: 16 Aug 2008
Location: home
Posts: 1215
I know you have the same. I have a picture off it but from the wrong side. I have a speaker picture from I think WPJ but i am not sure.
I have the same speaker but have it in the glove box at the moment. You probably too.Roel
1997 Camel Trophy Disco ex-P101JWK (traded it for a Britains 42101)
1984 90 TD5
2005 G4 Disco 3 BN55WPT
Also member of club MTR
and Club Faultmate
Interested in my 4x4 history see my website: www.mudmachine.webklik.nl
Sorry it's in Dutch and with google translator it gets funny.
18th Feb 2009 11:13 pm
Spanish Fly
Member Since: 09 Jul 2007
Location: somewhere over the rainbow
Posts: 217
Yep identical
18th Feb 2009 11:16 pm
xtc
Member Since: 27 Mar 2007
Location: Hampshire
Posts: 1072
That's the original base. It will work between 140-170 MHz depending on the whip length. The bandwidth at a specific length is about +/- 6MHz of the cut centre frequency. The G4 whips were centered at 161 MHz so will work from 155 to 167 Mhz. If using this base with ham VHF sets, which is what most do, then a longer whip would be needed. Also the aerial is only rated at 25 watts and most ham sets are 50 watts these days.
I will PM you with my thoughts on suitable radio's as the G4 one is not ideal for your use as it is PC programmed and not freely tuneable.
If you have friends with VHF do you know what frequencies they use?
The radio's were held in with velcro, the speakers were held on with double sided tape as the brief was not to damage or drill any dash mouldings. The mic cable was just shut in the glovebox lid, which looking back was not ideal so now for all the launch support vehicles we run a 1.5m CAT5 jumper cable from the radio mic socket, out the hole in the back of the glovebox to a back to back CAT5 coupler mounted in that gap on the side of the center console between the cupholder and the dash in your pic.. It's very easy & tidy.. I'll take a pic tomorrow to show you what I mean..Off Roading is OK.... But I'd rather be Boating!
18th Feb 2009 11:19 pm
Rich71
Member Since: 21 Feb 2009
Location: Hitchin
Posts: 81
Hi, I have a midland cb radio that I'd like to fit to the disco for greenlaning events. It doesnt need to be a permanent fit so I can take it in and out of the car easily and quickly. I'd rather not drill holes for the mounting braket or cables. Does any one have any suggestions where to mount it? I'm using a mag mount aerial so thats not an issue, its where the unit should go without getting in the way but where the display can be seen and the internal speaker heard. I dont have the sat nav screen so I was thinking it could go in its place. Any suggestions?
You cannot post new topics in this forum You cannot reply to topics in this forum You cannot edit your posts in this forum You cannot delete your posts in this forum You cannot vote in polls in this forum
