Off-Road Ranger I
4284
I used to use the 12v socket and now it is on dedicated power. I think I have a 10amp going to it. I used whatever the one in the socket is holding.
Pathfinder III
13310
Sound logic. I have MOLLE racks in the back of my rig as well as some 12v outlets I ran back there years ago and haven't used. The outlets are each rated/fused/wired for 10amps, so I'll remove one of them and repurpose the wiring for the radio. My plan was to install the radio back there and then run CAT6 cable up to a panel-mount RJ45 jack in the center console.
I'm on the 12v for now, but will ultimately power it directly.
Expedition Master III
Just received a E-mail from Midland. It seems they have released some new GMRS accessories on their web-page. One of the things is a new 6dB antenna that has a 'spring' whip now for better durability. I just bought their now older style in early December.
The cost went up from $34.99 to $39.99. They also have released a power control, a new style lip mount, along with mounting brackets for JEEP, and TOYOTA-4 Runners and Tacoma's.
Enthusiast III
Member III
I think using one of their RTT mounting feet as an antenna mount would look pretty good. Comet has an roof rack mount as well that may work. Comet RS-660U Mobile Antenna Adjustable Roof Rack Mounts RS-660U
Enthusiast III
Explorer I
3030
I wanted to direct connect mine to the battery but quickly found the supplied power cord was about 3 feet too short. Ran out of time or would have used a buttsplice to get it done.
Member III
Run both, you will be on your way to #radionerd status.
Explorer I
3030
Advocate III
20990
I have an old Cobra 21 Classic collecting dust that we could throw in your rig for #superradionerd status... might even have an old firestick as well :)
Explorer I
3030
This is what I love about this place, Everyone is always willing to help.
Member I
Interesting test between FRS, GRMS, HAM, and CB via Youtube: using multiple checkpoints. I can't see going to the Ham radio because I'm NOT interested in getting my HAM license. I need something where I have a small real-estate base system in the Jeep, and two mobiles for sons that hike. I need to be able to communicate two them at certain checkpoints. The GRMS radios have some .5 watt channels (not good), some 5 watt channels (decent) and some 50 watt channels with repeaters (good). Also, one paid license lasts 10 years and its good for everyone in my family.MXT275 MicroMobile® Two-Way Radio | Midland USA
What a cool form factor, I've been considering adding a dedicated GMRS radio to my truck but hate to dedicate the dash space for mounting the transceiver body in a visible/convenient location for something that will rarely get used over the ham, definitely picking one of these up when they release. I'll mount the transceiver against the back cab wall behind the rear seats and extend the mic/controls with CAT5 cable.
Advocate III
20990
Just out of curiosity, how many GMRS repeaters do you have around you. I ask, because right here where I am we have 1 public one and several private ones. So if I am up in my favorite deer hunting spot I can’t contact my partner on the other side of the hunting unit because the repeater is about 30 miles from either one of us, and we are separated by 2 mountains and 50 miles.
Member III
20468
That test while interesting is deeply flawed. Mainly in the fact they are comparing a bunch of handhelds with a hardmounted CB with external vehicle mounted antennas. The antenna is the heart of any radio install.
Advocate III
20990
A Ham license while only covering one person is $10-15 and also lasts 10 years... getting every one in my family licensed for ham would cost me the same amount as a GRMS radio. I have been looking into both forms of comms, and decided to go with Ham over GRMS for 2 reasons, 1 world wide comms, 2 that’s what Overlander southern here in the west default to for the most part due to the large coverage area. I still run an old school Cobra 25 Classic for monitoring Loggers in the areas I frequent, and will eventually be getting GMRS for rig to rig coms in the groups that might be using them. Another factor to consider... how many people in you area are running GMRS compared to Ham? I ask because last month if you asked me how many people run GMRS and how many people run HAM in my little valley, my answer would have been about 4 people on GMRS and maybe 20 mobile ham rigs. I found out when looking for a place to take my ham test and willing to drive 200 miles to take my exam that there are over 200 mobile Ham operators in my valley alone and most have tested here in my home town. And I was closer to actual GMRS numbers as there are 10 people that are actually using GMRS and not running FRS.
Explorer I
3030
I just passed the Tech and General. I studied for 7 days about 3 hrs a day for the Tech. I am pretty sure I was ready on day 5. The General, I studied about 3 more days. It's not that hard.
Advocate III
20990
I just took my Tech and passed, I got an extra 3 days on Mike for studying, but I couldn’t wrap my head around the General so I missed it by 1. I think I even spent less than 3 hours a day, more like 30 minutes a day. Had I put in more hours on my General, I probably would have passed it as well.
Advocate III
20990
If the group you are running with uses GRMS, then that’s the system of choice for you. I was asking @THEBUCK because a lot of guys think GRMS would be the way to go when in some areas it’s not what you thought it would be.
