Thread: Looking at getting a Uniden UH615 - any good?

Anyone using a Uniden UH615 in the bush or the tops? Would be keen to hear how they go (or don't). I'm not super familiar with handhelds, so would appreciate some guidance if anyone is running a set.

As far as intended usage is concerned: -

• Use in the bush for hunting (not massive distances involved I would think, more about keeping in contact if separated)
• Use in open tussock country (not likely to be a massive separation)
• Kids (8/10 year olds) using on skifields

Don't want to have an over spec expensive handheld, but also don't want to under do it if there are better options and end up buying a new set not long after.

Ease of use is important, especially if one of the kids is using it.

Find the cheapest VHF marine hand helds you can. VHF goes further, round corners where as the UHF cbs are line of sight. VHF marine is citizen band in NZ so you don’t need a radio license. I’ve got Baofengs from Ali express which run the marine band and they go mint

Originally Posted by nitram

Find the cheapest VHF marine hand helds you can. VHF goes further, round corners where as the UHF cbs are line of sight. VHF marine is citizen band in NZ so you don’t need a radio license. I’ve got Baofengs from Ali express which run the marine band and they go mint

I'd check that...

Originally Posted by nitram

Find the cheapest VHF marine hand helds you can. VHF goes further, round corners where as the UHF cbs are line of sight. VHF marine is citizen band in NZ so you don’t need a radio license. I’ve got Baofengs from Ali express which run the marine band and they go mint

Possibly the worst advice I've come across in a while.

1. VHF marine, although available under a general user radio license (GURL), is not a citizens band. Legally you need to hold an operators certificate with an allocated callsign to operate on maritime VHF channels from your vessel. https://www.rsm.govt.nz/licensing/fr...time-purposes/

2. If you were maritime VHF certified youd know the band is for maritime purposes not slaying backsteaks on land.
https://www.maritimenz.govt.nz/comme...o-Handbook.pdf

3. Baofengs are prohibited. https://gazette.govt.nz/notice/id/2018-go4836

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Originally Posted by Ryan_Songhurst

I'd check that...

Me too, you can only use (are supposed to use) VHF Marine band radio in an emergency if you are not a ticketed operator with an issued callsign.

Originally Posted by mikee

Me too, you can only use (are supposed to use) VHF Marine band radio in an emergency if you are not a ticketed operator with an issued callsign.

News to me I’ve done some reading and have learnt a lot thanks for the education apologies for terrible advice

Originally Posted by nitram

News to me I’ve done some reading and have learnt a lot thanks for the education apologies for terrible advice

It's often not till ya go looking that you find all the ins and outs and rules etc. For me, I got the maritime VHF ticket cos we got a boat. A lot don't get it and the radios are that poorly regulated that anyone can go buy one.

On land, getting the ham license (not as daunting as it sounds) opens up a world of possibilities for better comms.

Other than that, GME or Uniden on 5w PRS is where it's at for most hunters.

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Originally Posted by Feral

3. Baofengs are prohibited. https://gazette.govt.nz/notice/id/2018-go4836

Query on 3. there, it's not the brand I thought that's restricted - it's any two-way radio that's able to be reprogrammed by the user onto any frequencies other than what is approved in the amateur radio spectrum licence. On the other hand, I was under the impression that any receive-only unit (scanner) including those brands remains able to be imported and if you were able to get a two-way in that was restricted to the approved frequencies it would then be OK to import and use for any unlicensed person.

To use an unrestricted transmitting radio you need to hold the full general amateur radio operator's cert of competency - which is different to the usual maritime VHF radio operators cert or the restricted marine radiotelephone operator's cert which allows you to use SSB etc.

Have heard hunters talking on VHF when I've been out on lake Te Anau on our boat. Eventually Meri got onto them and gave them a stir up and a rundown on the rules

Originally Posted by No.3

Query on 3. there, it's not the brand I thought that's restricted - it's any two-way radio that's able to be reprogrammed by the user onto any frequencies other than what is approved in the amateur radio spectrum licence. On the other hand, I was under the impression that any receive-only unit (scanner) including those brands remains able to be imported and if you were able to get a two-way in that was restricted to the approved frequencies it would then be OK to import and use for any unlicensed person.

To use an unrestricted transmitting radio you need to hold the full general amateur radio operator's cert of competency - which is different to the usual maritime VHF radio operators cert or the restricted marine radiotelephone operator's cert which allows you to use SSB etc.

Yes I think that's generally right. So while they're "prohibited" due to being openly programmable, I think baofeng and poxun or what ever other dingbat named equivalents are cited as the examples of such equipment.

Most vhf / UHF amateur radios are able to be programmed outside of the ham bands tho and indeed some bands are shared with the likes of broadcasters etc, in which case amateurs must accept interference in those bands but not cause it themselves.

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Back on target:

The Uniden UH615 is only a 1.5 watt unit.

Any of the GME or Uniden 5 watt units plus a better antennae will give you far more peace of mind re connectivity over more than a few hundred meters of flat paddock. Bush sucks the absolute snot out of range with those 1.5 watt uhf unit with those tiny wee antennae.

Originally Posted by Ryan_Songhurst

Have heard hunters talking on VHF when I've been out on lake Te Anau on our boat. Eventually Meri got onto them and gave them a stir up and a rundown on the rules

My assumption probably came from hearing people chit chat flat out on VHF on the lake on a busy day about where their mates are, what the fishing is like, what the chop is like etc. I guess without a licence this is a no go as well. Like feral said a lack of education unless you go hunting for the info

Possibly not.
The Marine VHF network have dedicated channels for certain stuff: Ch 16 is always for official stuff; logging out and back into harbours, listening to the weather forecast, notifying all local boaties of potentially dangerous issues (submerged container, big log, run out of gas, boat on fire etc etc)

You go and use other set aside channels to yak with other boaties about fishing, where to meet up etc etc.

But being a muppet and using the official safety channels (i.e.16) for just yakking is a big no go. Its inconsiderate and potentially dangerous.