Opinion on GME TX3540 and GME AE4705 antenna combo

[lorrieandjas]

Hi guys - pretty sold on the GME TX3540 and looking to add to it the AE4705 antenna. Any thoughts on this? Can get the lot for $595.00 delivered and I know there are some cheaper antennas out there but I want removable and also heavy duty.

Jas

[the evil twin]

No dramas recommending the radio but that is one fairly big antenna cobber. I have one and it works great but is fairly specialised.

Why do you need a removeable antenna?

This package from Prestige is over $100 cheaper. Antenna has the same gain and you can swap the element for a lower gain around town, in the hills etc
http://www.prestigecom.net.au/index....oducts_id=2660

[Bloodyaussie]

What terrain you using it in as the 6.6 is suited more for open country is it not!!!!

[lorrieandjas]

Thanks ET. Not really sure on the antenna but the guy from Prestige recommended that as I wanted to be able to pull it off for parking, when not using, etc? Or do you think I should just leave it on?

Jas

[lorrieandjas]

What terrain you using it in as the 6.6 is suited more for open country is it not!!!!

Hi BA - going to use it for convoy, outback stuff and the like. Do you think I should be going for a lower gain antenna?

Jas

[the evil twin]

IMHO the most versatile antenna option with the best performance for most 4X'ers is an elevated feed such as the RFI Explorist pack or the GME versions etc.

You can have a dinky little ruber whip (3dB or so) for around town/hills/convoy etc and in seconds swap it for a tough as nails metal whip or fibreglass colinear of 4.5 to 6.5 dB. No need to take it off at all.

I have 4 antenna mounts on my truck and quite a few antennae which I select depending what I am doing and my 4705 and 4706 are the best performers but the least used. Great Antenna's but big and expensive. The most useful of my antennas is a little ZCG rubber whip on the roof or front bar or a 4.5 Nagoya metal whip.

I only ever consider using my GME's for the billiard table stuff and when travelling alone to get max range

[lorrieandjas]

Hey ET - thanks for that - when you say elevated feed - could you explain a little more? I'm not overly familiar with UHF other than had one and used it in the past - but by no means an expert. Are you talking about the spring base? And as such you can change whips keeping the same base?

Jas

[the evil twin]

Hey ET - thanks for that - when you say elevated feed - could you explain a little more? I'm not overly familiar with UHF other than had one and used it in the past - but by no means an expert. Are you talking about the spring base? And as such you can change whips keeping the same base?

Jas

Yeah, it's sorta like 3 bits
A spring base (not absolutely necessary but I would sure use one on a 4X)
The elevated tube (choke) with the whip attachement point on top
The radiating element or whip if you prefer

The base and tube stay on the vehicle and you just swap 'whips'. Here is my pick of the best bang for your buck in elevated feed jobbies http://www.prestigecom.net.au/index....products_id=56

The AE4018K1 is a GME elevated feed but I like the RFI in the link above better

If you use Prestige you could ask them what price they can do for you if you bundle a 3540 with the Explorist Antenna instead of the GME

[lorrieandjas]

Thanks ET - you're a legend. The guy actually did recommend the RFI CD5000 as the first option - but I see the option you have indicated is actually a couple of $ less and comes with two whips. Thanks for the explanation too mate - really appreciated - and understand it a whole lot better now.

Jas

[the evil twin]

I should also add be a tad wary of spring bases. The 4705/6 base is very heavy duty because it takes such big antennas... great for them but too strong for smaller jobbies and the antenna takes most of the impact.

The lighter springs on the smaller antennas and elevated feeds can be more appropriate especially if you get a birdstrike.