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Discuss Vehicle Based GMRS/FRS Radios and Antenna Set Ups.

HoneyBadger

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Pine
I‘ve decided it’s time to get with the times and upgrade all the radios in my truck.
I recently purchased a few handheld Midland GMRS 50 channel radios. I’d like to have a vehicle based 50 channel GMRS with a good antenna set up on the truck.
I’m going to be replacing my old single din stereo and my in-dash CB with a double din stereo in their place. So I’d like to get my hands on a high quality GMRS radio that can either be mounted under a seat or the dash and have a smaller removable face plate control or a mic controlled set up.

By now I’m sure there are several members that now have vehicle mounted GMRS radios.
I’d love input on which radios seem to work best/have the best features, etc. And I’d also like some thoughts on top of the line antenna choices.

I know there’s been talk on this subject as far as the handhelds go. I’ve got some of those that I like.
But I haven’t been able to find much on the vehicle mounted GMRS/FRS so far.
Obviously there are several options on Amazon and I’m looking those over.
My first choice so far is the Midland MXT 575

Thanks.
 
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Lastresort576

Hard Core 4+
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Mar 21, 2016
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586
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Westminster
I have the midland MTX115 mounted in the useless cubbyhole of my 80-series. I picked up a 32" midland whip antenna with the mount right at the rear hatch. but with how much shit I have on my roof rack its no surprise that I had a hard time communicating with any rigs infront of me. Ive gone back to using he Mag Mount antenna that comes with the radio. Zero issues, and reception is great. Im really happy that i ditched the single din radio/single din cb setup I had prior.
 

Johnny Utah

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Mar 6, 2015
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Arvada
I have the MXT400 with a mag mount antenna in the 100. Great reception. The 400 is too big for a dash mount. I might try the MXT275 for the 80 and probably use the same mag mount type antenna.
 

Johnny Utah

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I really like the videos from NotaRubicon on YouTube. He is a big fan of the wouxan gmrs handheld radios but not a fan of midland. He is still good to watch. He keeps it really simple.
 

gungriffin

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Dec 4, 2017
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Denver
Do you think that 50w will really be needed for the radio? To me, the downside of the 575 is that there is no mid setting for power. It is either 5w or 50w.

I am looking at the 275 since it is only about $160 on Amazon. It would be nice if it was a bit more than 15w, but that seems like pretty good power for most GMRS. I am going in for my HAM test 2 Saturdays from now. HAM will be my distance coms.
 

dan1554

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I know there's plenty of good reasons to have a dedicated gmrs rig. But if space is REALLY a concern, there's aways the option of removing a resistor on the ham. Haven't tried it so I can't say how well it works. Also depends on how closely you like to follow rules.
 

DaveInDenver

Rising Sun Ham Guru
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Jun 8, 2006
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Grand Junction
There's nothing really really special about the radio. Choose the one that fits your budget and where the installation will work.

Bias towards transmit power only to the extent that it doesn't cause much compromise with the first two criteria.

In the case of GMRS the step up from a handheld at 1-to-5 watts to a mobile with 15 watts or more is a significant improvement. Going beyond 30 watts isn't going to make much practical difference, especially if most other people are running lower power handhelds or mobiles. Even just adding an external antenna makes it become an asymmetric link a lot of the times.

Get 50 watts if you want, it's never bad to have more than less. Just realize that the main reason hams (and commercial vehicles) run 50 watts is to access repeaters. They are located high in elevation and have 50 or 100 watts or more, so the mobile station is the weak side of the link. The limitation with even 50 watts isn't usually radiated power but having a line of sight between both stations. Sure, there's what-if scenarios where you might be able to utilize the power here but it's not usually the critical missing piece.

Antennas are important. They always are!

You need a good ground under the antenna and height is important. Going to an antenna with gain isn't bad but more important to get it high and clear of stuff around it. In this case roof is much better than a bumper mount. With CB it all equally sucked.
I know there's plenty of good reasons to have a dedicated gmrs rig. But if space is REALLY a concern, there's aways the option of removing a resistor on the ham. Haven't tried it so I can't say how well it works. Also depends on how closely you like to follow rules.
There's tech aspects beyond legal and ethical for not doing it. Please just get an out of the box GMRS radio. You have to watch the bandwidth of the radio's finals and filters. The manufacturer doesn't necessarily change just the configuration resistors that are populated when making a radio for different markets.
 
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gungriffin

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I did a bit of a dive on this topic this morning. Here is what I have found:

Midland 275 on Amazon is 165, but with sales tax, that comes to ~180 out the door.

Midland 275 with a better antenna is available from Midland for $203 with free ship using code SHIPWHIP Midland also only charges state sales tax so it is $212 out the door. The antenna is 32" and permanent mount.

If I spend a bit more, I will most likely buy a Wouxun radio based on NotaRubicon and online chat. Best I can tell, the company below is reputable and doesn't charge sales tax.

20 watts ~200 for the radio only

50 watts ~390 for the radio only
 

Johnny Utah

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@gungriffin there is a thread somewhere with a midland discount. I’ll try to find it.
 

gungriffin

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@gungriffin there is a thread somewhere with a midland discount. I’ll try to find it.
None of the coupon codes work with this particular 275 package that is on sale. I already checked.

Midland has a $100 off $500 code. My original thought was to group buy with 2 other people from Midland with 3 of the 275s which comes to almost exactly 500. That would work to reduce the price to $139 shipped w/ tax each out the door.

I might be persuaded to pair with one person and buy the 275 with the 6 db antenna and cable for $213 each out the door. This has the benefit of having 2 antenna options to pick between. The package the sell doesn't seem to include both antennas.
 

RayRay27

Cruise Moab Committee
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Jun 26, 2015
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If you get an antenna, we got a homie down in Alamosa called "Alamosa Antennas". It's owned by Scott Jensen. He will be at Cruise Moab again this and is donating a couple items. He carries the bad ass aussie style gmrs antennas. Check him out. https://antennas.alamosa.mobi/
 

Cruisertrash

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None of the coupon codes work with this particular 275 package that is on sale. I already checked.

Midland has a $100 off $500 code. My original thought was to group buy with 2 other people from Midland with 3 of the 275s which comes to almost exactly 500. That would work to reduce the price to $139 shipped w/ tax each out the door.

I might be persuaded to pair with one person and buy the 275 with the 6 db antenna and cable for $213 each out the door. This has the benefit of having 2 antenna options to pick between. The package the sell doesn't seem to include both antennas.
I’d consider going in on the $100 off $500 deal if you need takers to hit the mark.

Obviously if you go way past $500 the discount isn’t as effective on a person basis, so I don’t want to crash the party if it’s full.
 

HoneyBadger

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I did a bit of a dive on this topic this morning. Here is what I have found:

Midland 275 on Amazon is 165, but with sales tax, that comes to ~180 out the door.

Midland 275 with a better antenna is available from Midland for $203 with free ship using code SHIPWHIP Midland also only charges state sales tax so it is $212 out the door. The antenna is 32" and permanent mount.
This seems like a great deal, especially for what I'm going to be doing with this radio.
It's less than half of the 575 with the antenna I wanted.
 

gungriffin

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I’d consider going in on the $100 off $500 deal if you need takers to hit the mark.

Obviously if you go way past $500 the discount isn’t as effective on a person basis, so I don’t want to crash the party if it’s full.
I don't have any takers yet. I am looking to get 2 of the 275s with the 6db antenna. If you want, I can probably bring them to the next meeting and we can sort out payment then. It would be $213 each out the door.
 

Cruisertrash

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I don't have any takers yet. I am looking to get 2 of the 275s with the 6db antenna. If you want, I can probably bring them to the next meeting and we can sort out payment then. It would be $213 each out the door.
Are both for you, or are you buying the other just to hit the discount and then unload the 2nd one?

I want the MXT 115 so the buttons and screen are on the unit. I also want the 6db antenna, round bar mount, and low profile cable. I can get tricky with the bundles and get the total price to $259 and some change before tax/shipping, so just about half of the $500 bar. Shipping for orders over $250 is free though.
 

gungriffin

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Are both for you, or are you buying the other just to hit the discount and then unload the 2nd one?

I want the MXT 115 so the buttons and screen are on the unit. I also want the 6db antenna, round bar mount, and low profile cable. I can get tricky with the bundles and get the total price to $259 and some change before tax/shipping, so just about half of the $500 bar. Shipping for orders over $250 is free though.
I am just looking to buy a second to get the discount and then sell it for my cost. I will just PM you for details on what you want. We can get it figured out.
 

RDub

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Boulder, CO
Are Midland GMRS radios still narrow band only?
 

DaveInDenver

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Jun 8, 2006
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Grand Junction
Are Midland GMRS radios still narrow band only?
This post is from a fella who asked Midland.


"No, the MXT275 doesn't have Wide Band capabilities and cannot be programmed through PC software. We only offer those features on our premium products like the MXT400 & MXT500. We will be launching the MXT575 which is a 50 Watt version of the MXT275 in a few months. The MXT575 wont' be programmable but will allow users to switch between Narrow & Wide band in the menu.

Are you intending to use radio in off-roading groups? If you are using them to communicate in off-roading groups with other Midland Products, the narrow band will provide optimum reception and sound, since all Midland products come standard a Narrow Band. Even on the MXT400, MXT500, and MXT575, they are defaulted to Narrow band and have to be switched to Wide Band."
 

HoneyBadger

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Pine
@Squishy!
Time to spend more money on your truck! :ROFLMAO:
 

Inukshuk

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Denver, CO
MXT275 with the "Ghost" antenna works better wheeling than the "high gain" antenna because we are in mountains.
"The 32-inch whip antenna quadruples signal output." Not really. It focuses more like a flashlight beam than a bare bulb. So, you get dark areas.
I'd start with the basic MXT275. If dissatisfied with range, try the high-gain antenna sitting in my garage and/or the ghost antenna.

I will bring a 275 to the meeting tomorrow.
 
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