Another HAM vs GMRS question

[1Louder]

CB is obsolete; don't waste a dime on it. Transmitting on those frequencies with 5watts AM is next to pointless. The FCC should have shut it down and switched truckers over to UHF years ago, more like what they use in Australia.

For solo vehicle travel in the mountain west, I'd say carry either 409MHz beacon and a HAM radio OR a 2-way satellite messenger of your choice. If in a convoy, someone in the convoy should be thus equipped, but use GMRS for truck-to-truck comms.

Well put. I finally yanked out my CB. A Midland GMRS is going in. I am 90% Ham these days and will use GMRS for the rest. For group trips I might throw my portable CB setup in the back of my FJ but that would really be for others benefit. Folks if you have no radios and need something to start please go with a GMRS to start if you find Ham to expensive (it isn’t) or intimidating (it isn’t). At least you will have a radio with some range and can get some cheap handhelds to use with a spotter.

 

[Ubiety]

I like APRS but it is old as mentioned. It is a convenience item (is someone nearby? Maybe I can reach them) and novelty more than anything else.

Totally agree with that; have been taking a new look at APRS for helping with "convoy management". Am really intrigued with the ability to see the location of vehicles/etc. in your group near real-time. Also think transmitting objects to the group has potential - intended camp spot occupied? Send plan-b camping spot object to the group.

 

[Ubiety]

Well put. I finally yanked out my CB. A Midland GMRS is going in. I am 90% Ham these days and will use GMRS for the rest. For group trips I might throw my portable CB setup in the back of my FJ but that would really be for others benefit. Folks if you have no radios and need something to start please go with a GMRS to start if you find Ham to expensive (it isn’t) or intimidating (it isn’t). At least you will have a radio with some range and can get some cheap handhelds to use with a spotter.

Which Midland radio catches your fancy? Watched a couple Midland GMRS radio reviews last night and remembered there is a small unoccupied space in the Jeep between my butt and the seat ;)

 

[1Louder]

Which Midland radio catches your fancy? Watched a couple Midland GMRS radio reviews last night and remembered there is a small unoccupied space in the Jeep between my butt and the seat ;)

This is what I purchased but the one with everything built into the mic is probably fine too.

MicroMobile®

Shop the Midland MicroMobile collection that features the most powerful GMRS 2-way radios on the market. These radios are ideal for outdoor communication.

midlandusa.com

Mine will be installed between my seats on the back of the transmission hump in my FJ Cruiser.

 

[Ubiety]

This is what I purchased but the one with everything built into the mic is probably fine too.

MicroMobile®

Shop the Midland MicroMobile collection that features the most powerful GMRS 2-way radios on the market. These radios are ideal for outdoor communication.

midlandusa.com

Mine will be installed between my seats on the back of the transmission hump in my FJ Cruiser.

I thought this one was cute from the reviews last night

MXT275 MicroMobile®Two-Way Radio

The Midland MXT275 MicroMobile two-way radio offers 15 GMRS channels, a powerful USB-C charging port, NOAA weather alerts, & more. Order yours today.

midlandusa.com

 

[Downs]

If you plan on expanding your GMRS use to more than just vehicle to vehicle trail comms (repeaters for exampel) be aware that currently all the MXT radios will NOT do split tones or go wideband. They're all stuck in Narrowband mode.

 

[1Louder]

If you plan on expanding your GMRS use to more than just vehicle to vehicle trail comms (repeaters for exampel) be aware that currently all the MXT radios will NOT do split tones or go wideband. They're all stuck in Narrowband mode.

I don't plan on doing that but what other radios would you suggest?

Thanks

 

[JackA]

I have been getting familiar with the MXT275 I installed in my JK yesterday. It seems to be a very competent radio. We have not "range checked" it yet with Motorola T600s but for sure the communications are clear and carry no static artifacts as the TC button is released. One area that needs some clean up is the way Midland and Motorola chose to number the "unique" codes, these are commonly refereed to as "privacy codes" but they are really "ignore codes" . Anyway there seems to be two types; analog and digital. The first 38 code numbers are the same for both the Motorola and the Midland these are the 38 analog tones. Motorola simply continued numbering the digital codes as; 39, 40, 41 ETC. Midland decided to start the digital codes in their own sequence, hence the first digital code is 1. Every code after 38 must be translated if used on these two radios. If I want to use the first digital code I will set my Motorola T600 to code 39 and my
Midland MXT275 to digital code 1. I really like the Motorola scheme the best because all I would have to remember is that the digital codes start at 39...

 

[JackA]

If you plan on expanding your GMRS use to more than just vehicle to vehicle trail comms (repeaters for exampel) be aware that currently all the MXT radios will NOT do split tones or go wideband. They're all stuck in Narrowband mode.

The little booklet included with the MXT275 talks about repeaters and the channels associated with them. How do split tones and wideband vs narrowband impact use of repeaters? I am not likely to every use a repeater but would be interested in knowing.

 

[Ubiety]

The little booklet included with the MXT275 talks about repeaters and the channels associated with them. How do split tones and wideband vs narrowband impact use of repeaters? I am not likely to every use a repeater but would be interested in knowing.

I am wondering if a vehicle with a higher powered GMRS repeater/radio placed in the middle of the pack could help out those with weaker radios? Dunno, just a thought.

 

[Downs]

I don't plan on doing that but what other radios would you suggest?

Thanks

Motorola or Kenwood surplus commercial radios. You can get them for under 100 dollars and they're built like tanks. Downside is they aren't turnkey. They'll require programming. Many of the sellers on EBAY will program them for you when you order them or you can order up the cables and find the software needed to program them.

The little booklet included with the MXT275 talks about repeaters and the channels associated with them. How do split tones and wideband vs narrowband impact use of repeaters? I am not likely to every use a repeater but would be interested in knowing.

You won't be able to access a split tone repeater without the ability to do split tones. Not a deal if you don't plan on accessing repeaters and not all of them are programed with split tones.

The bandwidth issue may cause some interchangeability issues with other radios or repeater issues. Example if you are talking to me with a midland your radio would be set to narrowband and mine to wideband. Best case you come though somewhat muted to me and I come though extra loud on your end. Worst case I hear a bunch of noise (extra static) coming though with your signal. Not a huge deal again but something to be aware of.

 

[Downs]

I am wondering if a vehicle with a higher powered GMRS repeater/radio placed in the middle of the pack could help out those with weaker radios? Dunno, just a thought.

Not really practicable with the equipment required to setup a repeater. You could get a radios that do crossbanding but that's beyond the scope of GMRS operations.

 

[bendts]

I am not likely to every use a ...

Those famous last words...

 

[bendts]

Nationwide listing of Ham Repeaters -

https://repeaterbook.com/repeaters/index.php?state_id=none

There is also the repeater directory that you can carry with you to see what is available in your travel area:

ARRL :: Operating :: ARRL Repeater Directory 2020 Edition

As well as various "smart" phone apps' that will show the repeaters.

This video may visually help the Cross-band Repeater info -
or

 

[Prerunner1982]

Went ahead and added GMRS to the Jeep as well, what's one more antenna right?

 

[1Louder]

Went ahead and added GMRS to the Jeep as well, what's one more antenna right?

View attachment 143895

Ditto! Small factory antenna for now but might upgrade to the 6db in the future.

 

[Prerunner1982]

Ditto! Small factory antenna for now but might upgrade to the 6db in the future.

I will likely go with this antenna. Based on some of the reviews it seems to have adequate SWR on GMRS frequencies as well.

 

[1Louder]

I will likely go with this antenna. Based on some of the reviews it seems to have adequate SWR on GMRS frequencies as well.
View attachment 143907

I looked at that one but wasn't sure what the best mount would be for it. I will probably use a mag mount. I could use my old CB bracket on the back door of my FJ but that also defeats the purpose of having an antenna as high as possible.

 

[Prerunner1982]

It's a 1/2 wave on UHF so it's not ground dependent and I just put a roof rack on the Jeep with a great place right on the back to mount a simple L bracket.
It will be between my 5/8 wave 2m antenna and my HF antenna so we will see if I get any interference as noted in another GMRS thread recently.

 

[TerryD]

Went ahead and added GMRS to the Jeep as well, what's one more antenna right?

View attachment 143895

Mobile antenna farm!