4x4 Action Group

4X4AG Radio coverage test.

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Paul#25
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4X4AG Radio coverage test.

#1

Post by Paul#25 »

Hi all.
There are now quite a few members that have new radios fitted to their vehicles. As a test to check the range of their radios and what coverage the club now has in the different areas how about we all go on air at 10am tomorrow (Sunday 5 August 2018). We can decide on a channel if there are guys that want to participate.
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Mad Manny
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#2

Post by Mad Manny »

I'm keen.
Lets start a list:

Radio Test @ 10:00 Sunday 5 August
1. Paulie
2. Mannie
3. Kurtie
4. Pajero Andriekie
5. Andreasie
6. Chassie
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KurtG
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#3

Post by KurtG »

Kurt: channel 2
Flex is overrated

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#4

Post by Bugger »

Would have Participated but at Cars in the Park Show Pta
And will not be At my bus

Why don’t you post your call Sign as well
Mine J91

Most distance If seen my VHF radio worked was 20 km
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Paul#25
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#5

Post by Paul#25 »

Thanks to the guys who participated. Andreas and I are only 4 km apart and had excellent comms. Once I changed the direct of the Disco to face more East I was able to talk to Andre 16 km away. Eastleigh to Constantine Kloof isn't too shabby. Couldn't hear Kurt or Manny.
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Mad Manny
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#6

Post by Mad Manny »

OK, we did the test.
Manny in Radiokop (Reasonably high up).
Kurt in 4Ways (@ Molly Malone's - opp Monte Casino) .
Andre on top of Constantia Kloof (high)
Andreas & Paul in Eastleigh/Edenvale area.

Results:
Kurt & I could heare one another clearly - 13km.
Andre could hear me (6km) & Kurt (about 14km).

Andreas & Paul could hear one another (less than 4km)

Andre could hear Andreas & Paul (14km & 16km respectively).

I could not hear the East Randers, but they are nearly 20km away.

Chas was smack bang in the centre of the lopsided pentagon formed by Kurt, Manny, Andre, Paul & Andreas but he couldn't hear any of us.
I put this down to the fact that he was on a different channel... Image

Good test - thanks chaps!
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XJ Junkie
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#7

Post by XJ Junkie »

Manny you should be getting far more than that. I regularly got 25km. The most I got was about 60km
Disclaimer: Uninformed, no research, just very strong opinions

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Paul#25
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#8

Post by Paul#25 »

XJ Junkie wrote:
Sun Aug 05, 2018 1:54 pm
Manny you should be getting far more than that. I regularly got 25km. The most I got was about 60km
The Urban Jungle isn't great for long distances comms with our little radios. The distances we got are more than ample for convoy use that is what most got them for.
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#9

Post by XJ Junkie »

ORRA operates between the 146 - 174MHz frequencies. So there must be an ideal length whip to accommodate.

Does anybody know what that length should be?
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#10

Post by Saxj »

XJ Junkie wrote:
Sun Aug 05, 2018 7:20 pm
ORRA operates between the 146 - 174MHz frequencies. So there must be an ideal length whip to accommodate.

Does anybody know what that length should be?
The best is to have you antenna properly tuned to your setup.

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#11

Post by XJ Junkie »

Saxj wrote:
The best is to have you antenna properly tuned to your setup.
Mine is, but I still don’t know what the exact parameters are.
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#12

Post by Saxj »

You need an SWR meter to measure correctly, then cut the aerial accordingly. (i.e. take it to a radio dealer)

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#13

Post by Michael »

Is a VHF antenna longer or shorter than UHF?
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Paul#25
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#14

Post by Paul#25 »

Michael wrote:
Thu Feb 21, 2019 8:12 am
Is a VHF antenna longer or shorter than UHF?
It depends on the type or make of antenna but generally UHF antenna are shorter than VHF antenna.
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#15

Post by grips »

Michael wrote:
Thu Feb 21, 2019 8:12 am
Is a VHF antenna longer or shorter than UHF?
Antennas are cut to the operating wave length of your radio. 1/2 , 1/4 for example. You need to fine trim antenna length with SWR meter as per Saxj.
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