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Uniden MHS157 Dual Band VHF/UHF 2-way radio

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More and more people are buying 2-way radios for their overland or marine adventures. The frequencies differ for each: UHF for land and VHF for water. This means having a separate 2-way for each. We review the Uniden MHS157 dual band VHF/UHF 2-way radio that enables you to have one handheld offering land and marine in one radio.

What is VHF vs UHF radio?

VHF stands for Very High Frequency and supports the marine 2-way frequencies used in Australia. You should possess a Marine radio or short-range radio certificate to operate a VHF radio. VHF Marine radio is used for all marine traffic, distress, and safety calls. A good practice when going out in your boat, especially offshore, is logging into and out of the local Marine rescue base using Channel 16. Marine weather is also transmitted on these frequencies. For safety and inter-boat communication, most boats carry a VHF radio.

UHF stands for Ultra High Frequency and is the primary band for land-based 2-way communication. No license is required to use it; you will find it used in restaurants, retail stores, job sites and farms beyond recreational use. Any serious RV traveller, truckie or 4-wheel driver will have a UHF 2-way radio.

We previously wrote a guide to buying a handheld radio or walkie-talkie. VHF and UHF radios can be bought in either 12-volt inbuilt units for a vehicle or boat or as a handheld unit containing a battery power source. Different models can transmit at different power outputs of up to 5 watts, which will determine the range the other party will receive. Many other factors affect range, including antenna type, topography and obstacles.

A UHF radio is for land use, and a VHF radio is for Marine Use!

Uniden MHS157 dual band VHF/UHF Features

Many people will buy a UHF radio for land use and a VHF for marine use. Most, including myself, had no idea you could have one unit to achieve both. Uniden is the only brand in Australia to produce dual-band radios for consumers.

The MHS157 is bright yellow, so it is hard to miss, especially if you drop it overboard. If you did, it will float and is also IPX7-rated. It would be best not to intentionally give your radio a swim. Still, IPX7 means it is designed to withstand 1 metre of submersion for 30 minutes if you do. If your boat turned over, the radio would float, and you could call for help.

Transmission power determines how far your voice will travel. When used in close range, you do not want everyone in long range listening to what you say, so a lower power is more suitable. A lower transmission power will also extend battery life. Both bands have low, medium, and high power settings, and the transmit key (push to talk button) has a second transmit button labelled boost. When pressing this button, it automatically transmits at the highest level, no matter your default power setting. In Marine VHF mode, the choices are 1W, 2.5W and 5W. In Land UHF mode 0.5W, 1.5W and 2.5W. Note that other UHF handhelds can legally transmit at up to 5W.

The VHF features include a dedicated weather channel key, which will tune you into channel 67 for Australia, where weather forecasts are regularly broadcast. A triple watch mode allows you to monitor three channels simultaneously, such as Ch16 for emergencies, the weather channel, and another channel you might be communicating with your mates. The VHF channels you can access are the international channels, so unlike the land channels, your marine channels will work no matter where you are in the world.

The UHF band has the standard 80 channels available in Australia and will also work with repeater stations, extending your reception up to 100km, depending on conditions. For those wanting more privacy, the UHF can be set up with DCS and CTCSS codes so only the other party with similar settings will hear the conversation.

The Uniden MHS157 Dual Band VHF/UHF retails for $300 and comes with a 3-year warranty.

What comes in the box?

You will find the radio with a belt clip and the antenna removed in the box. There are two battery options: an 1100mAh Lithium-ion rechargeable battery or a battery tray requiring 4 AAA batteries (AAA batteries not supplied). The AAA battery option gives you a get-out-of-jail ticket, assuming you have some AAA batteries and no charging source for the Lithium. Note transmission power output is reduced when using the AAA solution.

To recharge the Lithium battery, the Handheld radio is placed in a supplied cradle with a 12-volt cig charge charger lead and a mains power lead.

The radio must be assembled by removing the rear cover, plugging in the required battery pack, replacing the back cover and installing the screw-in antenna and belt clip.

Using the Uniden MHS157

The Uniden MHS 157 Dual Band VHF/UHF radio has a longer antenna than other UHF handhelds, but its construction is flexible and durable. The upside is it is harder to lose. The illuminated display is easy to read with a battery indicator, channel, band, and power setting. Changing between UHF and VHF is as simple as pressing the Band/Menu button once. Keylock can also be activated to stop you from invertedly changing channels, etc.

Voice reproduction is clear and loud with the squelch at the default setting. Squelch helps to cut out the background hiss enabling clearer reception.

We did not like the belt clip, which seems less useful than what we have seen in other models with a spring clip. We would have liked to have had the ability to scan all channels rather than a select few. However, this is more for fun than practicality.

Two features we like that we have not seen before include a vibrate function when a transmission is received on the UHF and a busy channel lockout, which stops you from transmitting when the channel is active.

Note the knob on the top at the left is not for volume but a waterproof cover for an external speaker to be connected.

Summary – Dual Band VHF/UHF Radio Review

If you own a trailer boat and a four-wheel drive to tow it, then the Uniden MHS157 Dual Band VHF/UHF radio is for you. One device will fulfil most of your basic 2-way needs with your safety and communication covered.

Even if you don’t own a boat, this unit makes a great handheld to pair with an in-car mounted UHF. Suppose your are camping on the beach, and you can also use it to communicate with your mates out in their boats and for in-car to handheld communication.

Uniden UPP1000 Jump-start Kit review

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According to the NRMA (NSW car breakdown assistance), the most common causes of breakdown are flat batteries, flat tyres and running out of petrol. Cars are much more reliable now, and let’s face it, most cars carry a spare tyre and ignore the low fuel light at your peril. A flat battery is also something we can deal with, and we look at the Uniden UPP1000 jump start kit.

The Uniden UPP1000 is a rugged portable car battery jump start kit and USB power bank that will start a flat car battery.

What is a Jumpstart kit?

A portable car battery jump starter kit is everything you need to start a vehicle flat battery. The kit has a portable battery that can power a vehicle’s electrical system to enable the starter motor to start the engine.

WHY should you consider a Jumpstart kit?

Running a small business, you probably rely heavily on your vehicle for transport. If the battery goes flat due to age or simply leaving a light on, you are stranded and not making money. This can happen at any time and most likely when it is most inconvenient.

The whole kit weighs 1kg, and the carry case measures 21 x 9 x 13 cm, so it will easily fit in your glove box, underneath the seat or car boot. At the RRP of $200, it’s great insurance if you don’t have roadside assistance or the time to wait for them to arrive.

What is in the Box?

Modern Lithium battery technology means that a 10,000mAh battery can produce 250 cold cranking amps. That’s enough juice to start up a 7-litre petrol engine or a 5 Litre diesel engine. Thus, you could start a small truck(12v) with this device. An included jumper cable with large alligator clips allows you to connect to your vehicle’s 12-volt battery terminals.

The UPP1000 is also a portable power bank which means you can recharge your mobile phone, tablet or other devices that support USB charging. There are two USB-A sockets and one USB-C socket with a maximum output of 18 watts. There are even 3 USB-A cables included (to USB-C, Micro USB, and Mini USB)

To charge the Uniden, included in the package is a USB wall charger (240 volts) and a cig charger plug to use in your car’s 12-volt socket. From flat, it will take 7 to 10 hours to charge.

The Uniden battery is waterproof IP67, has a rugged impact-resistant rubber coating, and the electrical outlets are covered by a rubber grommet. This and all the accessories fit into a durable carry case.

Using the Uniden UPP1000

It is important to recognise that Uniden recommends that the UP1000 be recharged every 3 months to ensure it is ready to go when needed. A good habit may be to do this every time your BAS is due. If unused, the battery will lose 20% of its capacity annually and has a useful life of 1000 chargers.

When you recharge it, 4 external LED lights indicate the charging state. Each illuminated LED equals 25%, so 3 lit LEDs means you have 75% battery capacity.

If you need a torch in your car, the UPP1000 has a LED light that will last a very long time if you are not doing anything else. The light is also able to signal SOS.

To charge a smartphone etc., simply insert a USB. The external button on the Uniden battery pack operates merely the light.

Our favourite feature is that the two alligator clips are slightly different lengths. This has nothing to do with one battery terminal being further away from the other but with ensuring the two alligator clips do not touch each other and cause a short circuit. The plug into your Uniden battery has clear instructions to help you jump-start your car versus flipping through the paper instruction manual.

Don’t stress about short circuits, as the UPP1000 has several circuit safety features to keep you and the start kit safe.

Depending on just how flat your battery is (The car still needs to have a working car battery), the Uniden has 2 modes. The first is active once you connect the blue plug of your jumper cables to the Uniden battery. Match the red and black alligator clips to your red and black car battery terminals. Once you see a red and green flashing light on the jumper cable plug, you are ready to start your car.

Uniden recommends that you disconnect the jumper leads and wait 30 seconds between each additional attempt to start your car. After 3 attempts, you can try the 2nd mode called “force start”. Activated by pressing a button on the jumper cable, this mode increases the current, maximising your ability to start your vehicle.

Although we tested this unit, we did not have the vehicles to push the UP1000 to its limits. Still, Uniden shares some videos of just how powerful this unit is.

Our Take

This is a great piece of mind accessory. Whether it be being able to charge your smartphone or deal with the most common car breakdown, a flat battery. The Uniden UPP100 Jump start kit is cheap insurance. This lightweight package has everything you need and easy instructions to start your engine. Whether it be for your tradie Ute, rescuing you on that camping trip when the kids left the radio and interior light on or just the security for your partners’ car.