Uniden X76 UHF review: Keeping it simple

Most folk want top-of-the-range everything if they can afford it.

I’m in the same boat. I generally choose top-tier accessories where possible. The more features, the better. The more whiz-bang buttons, specs and mind-boggling high-tech wizardry, the better. Right? Well, not this time. I’ve got two other 4x4s fitted with high-spec Uniden UHF radios with repeater functions and the like, so I figured that when it came time to fit a UHF to my N70 HiLux, I’d go the same route.

I literally sat in my other 4x4s and pondered how often I’d used some of those extra features. The answer: a surprisingly big fat zero! Not that there aren’t worthwhile features to have at times, but I’ve simply never used them. So, for the HiLux, I figured I’d go low-spec and buy a boxed kit with an antenna included. Nothing fancy, just a well-built, solidly engineered UHF radio.

I ended up buying the Uniden X76 kit with a 5.5dB-gain antenna (↗). Yeah, I know that sits between my usual 6.5dB setup and the more mountain-oriented 3.0dB option, but I had my reasons – read on.

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The antenna and mounting setup

Generally, the higher the antenna gain (say 6.5dB), the better suited it is to open, flat terrain. The lower the gain (say 3.0dB), the better suited it is to hilly terrain. The kit I purchased included an all-purpose 612mm, 5.5dB radome antenna with a spring base.

My usual antenna mounting point is on a bullbar tab, with a tall 6.5dB antenna that pokes above the cabin roof. But given I was trying something different with the radio, I figured I’d go with a different mounting position too. I purchased a bonnet-mounted bracket that fits at the base of the windscreen, plus a folding bracket for when I don’t want the antenna up. This allows me to fold it across the windscreen without hitting the glass, bonnet or wipers – different, eh!

This allows the antenna to sit either vertically or horizontally while still allowing the bonnet to open without fouling on anything. It also removes it, for the most part, from the passenger’s field of view, for which she is eternally grateful.

With the mounting bracket, which sits higher than the bullbar, the folding bracket and the antenna, the tip still reaches above the HiLux roofline for a relatively unobstructed field of view.

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Specs and missing features

Nope, I don’t get the repeater function, GPS tracking, dual scanning or a coffee-making facility. Do I care? Not one little bit. The saving of a few hundred folding ones kept the wallet a little more padded, which put a smile on my dial.

I still get a top-notch, Japanese-manufactured, quality-engineered, trade-quality, 5W, 80-channel UHF radio with open and group scan functionality, a seven-colour display, dual speakers in the handpiece and base unit, duplex, squelch, volume and channel controls, along with a host of standard adjustments and basic features. The ground-independent 5.5dB antenna sits on a heavy-duty spring base, comes complete with 4.5m of cable and measures 612mm long.

My kit also came with a magnetic mounting option for the handpiece, which I’ve attached to the HiLux dash. While it’s a handy feature, I’d be just as happy with the old-style hook. To date, the magnetic mount has proved strong and easy to use, so I’ll stick with it.

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Verdict

All up, I’m as happy as a dusty camper with my latest Uniden UHF radio.

I can clearly hear and speak to others in convoy, and I’ve listened to highway chatter on the East Coast – that’s a whole eye-opening, ear-pounding learning curve in Aussie-English vocabulary for those who haven’t mastered the vernacular. Don’t listen in if you’re easily offended!

I’m impressed with the antenna placement and folding bracket. It’s sturdy enough not to attract the attention of either driver or passenger, and the whole kit performs as well as any I’ve had in the past.

While I understand the advantages of the latest electronic features offered by higher-spec Uniden models, which I’ve trialled in my other 4x4s, I’m confident I’ve made the right decision for my HiLux.

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FAQs

How much does the Uniden X76 kit cost?

The kit was purchased directly from Uniden online (↗) for $309 on special, but has since increased to $439.

What are some alternatives to the Uniden X76?

Similarly featured units from GME and Oricom are worth considering, including the GME XRS-330CTP (↗) and Oricom UHF390PK (↗). Prices can vary significantly depending on where and when you buy, as well as the exact kit and antenna specifications.

Where can I buy the folding antenna bracket and bonnet mount?

The folding antenna bracket was purchased from Outback Equipment for $39 (↗), while the dedicated N70 bonnet mount cost $49 (↗).