SacredDog

Make that another vote for doing the Foundation Course & Exam. The 2m Band running 10W into a decent 5/8wave mobile antenna (about the same size as the average Mobile CB antenna) blows the socks off of CB for local use (up to 50miles simplex and double that through a repeater). But like you say you can only talk to other Amateurs. You can get CBs that when in export spec can cover both CB & 10m band like the Intek H-520 but you have to turn it off and back on (with Menu pushed in the case of the H-520) to select the different bands. The Intek M-495 is similar but also runs more power in Export spec so only legal to use on the 10m band. And not many Hams use 10m until the sunspots are very active, so even less people to talk to. Also the 10m AM/FM band is not much better than CB even with 10W available (2.5 times the power is less than one S point) apart from the lack of 'bucket mouths'of course. I would still recommend the H-520 Handheld though which works perfectly well with the supplied mobile adapter for in-car use and even better with the addition of a fist Mic for either CB or 10m use. Colin 2E0XSD.

Make that another vote for Intek. I have the M-495 (but I use an Export spec one for 10m AM/FM Ham use rather than CB) and the H-520 Handheld which works perfectly well with the supplied mobile adapter for in-car use and even better with the addition of a fist Mic. The H-520 is particularly useful to use handheld either in a convoy situation or away from the vehicle but I find the power soon drops to 1W when on re-chargable batteries although that seems plenty for a 1-2 mile range in the open. Colin.

My preferred combination is: Garmin Trex (Summit in my case) and/or Bluetooth GPS HP PDA (HX2750 in my case) and/or Laptop Fugawi Mapping Software (UK Digital Maps and/or Global Navigator) If I have a passenger then I prefer the Laptop with them doing the actual Navigating from that & I can just watch the Garmin (showing a pre-prepared route). If I'm on my own I prefer the PDA just showing the OS Maps (either 1:25000 or 1:50000 when off-road, 1:50000 or 1:250000 when on-road), that shows just enough information for your immediate vicinity. The Bluetooth GPS is useful if you don't want or need the added benefit of the Garmin. The PDA and Garmin are particularly useful if you want to leave the Landy. I find the above most flexible and can cope with most situations. I also have a Smartphone that I can use with the Bluetooth GPS that I can use as a backup in case of any failures. Colin.

I had something broken off in mine (I presume from a failed attempt to unlock the cap to nick my petrol), the barrel was pretty mangled up. I found that with careful use of a Dremmel with the round ended bit in it,I could remove enough of the lock internals, such that any key/screwdriver would open it. Colin.

I am another that thinks the NAS lights don't look right on older Landies, they look fine on shiny new ones (but if a Defender stays looking shiny & new for long,I don't think it is being used correctly;)). I think the NATO screw-on ones look good and purposeful on both old & new though.

Ahh, so that's why mine are on the outside, I'd forgotten. Seriously, the first pair were fitted White Out without me asking (and I hadn't even given it any thought).

My interpretation of the Ofcom rules is that you can use a Transceiver as 'Receive only equipment' if the Transmit is disabled. On most mobile Amateur Radio's you can just remove the Mic and it will operate as 'Receive Only',unlike most CB's where removing the Mic disables receive as well. Just check you don't have any other buttons that can operate the Tx (like 1750Hz Tone or MOX). My Callsign is M6XSD, hoping to upgrade to Intermediate in the New Year.

I did vote 'Cubby Box' as I think it would be useful but I must admit a centre seat was good when we only had one dog & I wanted to take the 'other half' along as well. Now we have two dogs the 'other half' has to stay at home. Colin:)

I must disagree with Fridge on this one, I think you either Love or Hate Land Rovers (I don't think there is anything acquired about it). Most people can tell within a few miles one way or the other. Although I have heard that some people can learn to live with them (if they have to) but never really Love them. Colin.

I agree totally with Fridge, if you want a 130 go for one that is based on a Ex-MOD Rapier V8 130. I have a MY94 (K Reg) that has had the back converted into a 'Box Van' and that has the 'One Piece' chassis (as opposed to the earlier extended 110). I think that genuine Defender 130's (as opposed to Land Rover 127's) were all 'One Piece', have the benefit of the HD Disc Braked Salisbury Rear Axle and therefore greater Load Carrying ability. Colin.

I wondered what AFAIK meant , I've learnt something today . I think my Rig has CTCSS because it is a 'Multi-Standard' International Rig.

Thanks Fridge, I assumed you had tried . That's good to know, so one would always be handy to keep for spares for the other then. Those pictures might come in useful in future . Cheers, Colin.

No Miserableolgit, I haven't put my 'TwoPenceWorth' in yet Sorry to disagree with you Western (I do make a habit of doing that sometimes) but a few modern CB's have CTCSS, my Intek M-495 certainly has (it's not that easy to set up & use though). Anyway, my money (if I were a betting man) would be on the two sets of users using different modes (one on AM the other on FM). 73's, Colin M6XSD.

How do you know? (well you did ask). Does that apply to V8's as well as TDi's? Just out of interest as I have LT77S's in both my Defender 130 & Rangie and was wondering (as you do) what is compatible. Cheers, Colin.

No I haven't used it abroad yet (& probably wont for quite a while). It doesn't come with a Car Charger, the lead that comes with it powers it from the Lighter Socket (you have to remove a battery to avoid damaging the adapter) and provides an SO239 socket for the aerial so you can have it permanently attached to the Car & just remove a battery and connect it & you are running Mobile. I'm sure it could be modified to work as a Charger but I haven't looked into that yet. I've got a good 2-3 miles out of it Handheld and 5+ miles easily Mobile. The problem with Handheld on Rechargable batterys is that once the voltage drops below a certain level it will drop to 1W output. I don't think you have that problem with Non-rechargable because of the higher voltage (when it drops to 1W with them they have had it). Hope that helps, Colin.