Werk dit op die ou Boere kanale? Yes. Same channels, same aerial.
BantX is Sthal's vehicle and base radio for farms still running on the old farm midband network. It talks to your neighbours' Bantams, keeps your existing aerial and gives you more power and more channels.
Coming soon: pre-order enquiries only. Sthal's ICASA radio dealer certificate and type approval for this model are still pending. We won't sell or fit BantX until both are in place. Register your interest now and we'll contact you first.
Will it work with my old Bantam network?
Short answer: yes. That's what BantX is built for.
- Same band: BantX covers the full old farm midband, so it can be set to the exact channels your farm and farm-watch use today.
- Talks to old radios: neighbours on Bantam, Tracer and other midband sets hear you and you hear them. Nobody has to change radios at the same time.
- Keeps your selcall: 5-tone and 2-tone encode and decode, so individual and group calls on your network keep working.
- Keeps your aerial: it fits your existing midband aerial and coax. We check the plug and add an adapter if needed.
- Your licence stays the same: it runs on your farm's existing licensed frequencies, as long as your licence covers the new radio (we check that with you).
The Bantam swap-out service
Old Bantams can't be reprogrammed any more: the cables and software stopped years ago. We swap yours over on the farm.
1. We read your old set
We note your channels, frequencies and 5-tone codes from the old radio, your network or your licence.
2. We program BantX
Your channels and codes go into the new radio before we fit it, labelled the way you know them.
3. We fit it on your aerial
Same spot in the bakkie, tractor or office, on the existing aerial. New bracket, power lead and mic.
4. We test on your network
Calls to your base, your neighbours and farm-watch, checked before we leave.
5. We take the old set in trade
Your old radio goes against the price, or stays with you as a spare.
Why farmers will switch
More power
Up to 45 W transmit, against the 30 W of a Bantam MX. Low and mid power settings too.
More channels
200 channel memories, against 80, so farm, neighbour and farm-watch channels all fit.
Security features
5-tone ID on every call (PTT-ID / ANI) so the base knows who's calling, plus a theft alarm.
Local support
Fitted, programmed and repaired by Sthal in the Southern Drakensberg. No old PC needed to change a channel.
Clearer audio
Built-in compander to cut background noise on long, weak calls.
Bakkie, tractor or base
One radio for the vehicle and the farm office, with a base power supply.
Full specifications
| Specification | BantX |
|---|---|
| Frequency range | 66–88 MHz (VHF low band, "old farm midband") |
| Channels | 200 |
| Output power | 45 W / 25 W / 10 W (selectable) |
| Channel spacing | 25 kHz wide, 20 kHz mid, 12.5 kHz narrow |
| Signalling (encode and decode) | CTCSS, DCS, 2-tone, 5-tone, DTMF |
| Caller ID | 5-tone ANI and DTMF ANI / PTT-ID |
| Squelch modes | Carrier, CTCSS, DCS, 5-tone, 2-tone, DTMF |
| Supply voltage | 13.8 V DC ±15% (12 V vehicle systems) |
| Frequency stability | ±2.5 ppm |
| Receiver sensitivity (12 dB SINAD) | ≤0.25 µV wide / ≤0.35 µV narrow |
| Adjacent channel selectivity | ≥70 dB wide / ≥60 dB narrow |
| Audio output | >2 W |
| Operating temperature | −20 °C to +60 °C |
| Dimensions (W × H × D) | 145 × 47 × 190 mm |
| Weight | Approx. 1.2 kg |
| Antenna socket | SO-239 (UHF female) |
| Microphone | Handheld mic with DTMF keypad |
| ICASA type approval | Pending |
| Price | Request a quote |
Specifications are the manufacturer's published figures and may change.
What's in the box
- BantX mobile radio
- Handheld microphone with DTMF keypad
- Mounting bracket and screws
- DC power lead with fuse
- User guide, plus your channel list card from Sthal
Exact box contents are confirmed when stock lands.
Installation options
Bakkie install
Under-dash or roof-console mount, fused to the battery, on your existing midband aerial or a new one.
Tractor install
Cab mount with a clean power feed, tidy routing and an external speaker option for noisy cabs.
Base station
Farm office set with a 13.8 V mains power supply, desk mic option and a mast aerial. Battery backup on request.
Compatibility FAQ
Does it work on the old Boere kanale?
Yes. BantX covers the 66–88 MHz farm midband, so we program it with your farm's existing channels.
Will my neighbours on old Bantams hear me?
Yes, as long as we program the same frequencies and tones. That's part of the swap-out.
Does it do 5-tone selcall?
Yes, it encodes and decodes 5-tone and 2-tone, and can send a 5-tone ID with every call. We copy your network's codes across.
What about the panic button on my old Bantam?
The old panic function was 5-tone based. We'll set up a matching alert on BantX where your network uses one, and confirm it during testing. Exact panic behaviour is confirmed per network.
Can I keep my aerial?
In most cases, yes. It's the same band. We check the aerial and coax and add an adapter if the plug differs.
Do I need a new licence?
Usually not. Your farm's existing ICASA frequency licence must cover the new radio and its use. We check that with you before fitting and can help if it needs updating.
Can I still reprogram my old Bantam instead?
The original cables and software are discontinued and need very old computers, so a swap is normally quicker and cheaper.
When can I buy one?
BantX is coming soon. Sthal's ICASA dealer certificate and type approval for this model are still pending. Pre-order enquiries are welcome now.
BantX vs an old Bantam
| Old Bantam MX | Sthal BantX | |
|---|---|---|
| Band | 66–88 MHz midband | 66–88 MHz midband |
| Transmit power | 30 W | 45 / 25 / 10 W |
| Channels | 80 | 200 |
| 5-tone signalling | Yes | Yes, encode and decode, plus 2-tone and DTMF |
| CTCSS / DCS | Not published | Yes |
| Narrowband 12.5 kHz | Not published | Yes |
| Programming | Discontinued cable and software, old PC | Programmed by Sthal on current software |
| Status | Discontinued | Coming soon: new stock with local support |
Bantam MX figures are from published listings of the discontinued radio.
Still running Bantams on the farm?
Send us a photo of your radio and its label and tell us how many sets you run. We'll come back with a swap-out quote and add you to the pre-order list.
Bantam and Tracer are trademarks of their respective owner. Sthal is not affiliated with or endorsed by QD Electronics. "Bantam replacement" describes compatibility only. BantX is a working product name.