Bringing together those who enjoy the outdoors
Tips and advice on various topics.
When going on a trip:
Once you have your radio properly set up, there are a few simple ways to keep it working in top order.
Prevent water from entering your antenna cables by sealing them with silicone prior to any trips. Once water has got into the cable corrosion will occur and the antenna system will stop working efficiently and the cables will have to be replaced.
Electrical
The radio, no matter which type should always be connected directly to the battery via a fuse, and not to any convenient wire under the dashboard. By doing this, you will isolate any interference from the vehicle’s electrical system which could be misinterpreted as poor reception. A filter can be wired between the power supply and the transceiver to stop the interference.
There is no point in spending thousands of Rands on the top of the line transceiver if you cannot hear anyone because it has not been properly installed.
There are three types of antennas recommended on the SA market, ie. Magnetic antennas, glass mount antennas and body mount antennas.
Planning your communications in advance of your trip is essential as the bureaucratic systems can delay issuing of license’s for months and failure to have the required licence in neighbouring countries can result in your radio being confiscated.
Many people want a “radio” for their 4×4 vehicle, but when you question the reason for wanting a radio you invariably hear “well in case I get lost or my vehicle breaks!” My response is always, well who are you planning on talking to?