Mods to our Landcruiser

[Swisslulu]

Here you go Chuck. Yes, the black aerial is for the phone. Erich installed the ScanGauge himself. Not sure yet if it will remain where it is but we're running out of places to put things.

[Macca]

Lesley I hope you do not get as frustrated with the positions of your aerials. Bruce got our phone aerial moved from in front of me as it appeared ini very photo I took while travelling. It is now back beside the turbo & very seldom does it bother my photos. Then again Erich might stop if you want a photo & back up.
Yes you did show us Erich's cap

[Chuck]

Thanks Lesley,

Looks to be in a handy position on top of the rear vision monitor... same remote head as we had in our previous LC.

[Dot]

Why do you have such a big ph aerial? do we need one?

[Chuck]

You definitely need one for your UHF, & would recommend one also for your internet access & your phone - the last two 'may' be able to use the one aerial but probably not at the same time.

It really depends on where you wanna go & still keep the communication lines open.

[Swisslulu]

Dot, I'm sure we don't NEED a phone aerial but it is a convenience for us to be able to pick up signal in marginal areas. We know from our last trip to western Qld how often we had no signal at all. It won't help in very remote areas where only a Sat phone would work. This is the aerial recommended by the manufacturer of the iPhone cradle and is about the same size as the phone aerial we have on the van and we know how much difference that makes to the signal we get in the van. I will use the iPhone as a personal hotspot for my wifi only iPad in the car. It's a lot easier to look at things on the iPad than the phone when mobile.

As to whether it would benefit you depends on how and where you intend to travel. How have you found phone/internet reception when you are away in the bus? Often we can only get a weak or no signal until we raise the aerial on the van.

[Dot]

Thanks guys, so that is another thing to look into then Last time we were out WA we really didn't bother if we had no ph coverage but do you really think it wise to go for one for the uhf?? if yes are there things to watch out for ,, brand strength etc etc....

[Macca]

Dot talk to BB about UHf- he ahs used them on farm for years.

[Swisslulu]

Dot, when on the road, in my opinion the UHF is more important. We started out with a pair of hand held Uniden 2w units. They were ok but we had a few issues hearing and transmitting to the rest in the convoy from Kerang to Crystal Brook last Easter. Right guys? They are great to use when hooking up and reversing into a site for driver and navigator. We have now installed a GME with a 6.6dBi gain aerial. Originally we were going for I think a 4dBi aerial but when we saw how big (physically) the phone aerial was we decided to go for the larger UHF aerial. As the guy said, if no one picks you up on this, you are in trouble. Difference in cost was about $120. Bear in mind, we plan to do a lot of outback/remote touring in the future. Again, you need to decide what suits your mode of travel.

[Macca]

Lesley is the ScanGuage the gauge for checking tyres while travelling? Bruce has just read all this & wanted to know. Made a comment abot something else but did not take too much notice- something to do with the diff!!!???