WRWS738

Looking at the maps on myGMRS, there seems to be at least one repeater that could cover Lineville and Ashland. I suggest you contact the repeater owner and get permission. Usually if there’s a repeater, there are other users in the area that may be willing to reach out to you. Good luck. My personal experience was finding repeaters in the area, accessing the repeater, giving my call sign and monitoring. I took a few days but once I made one contact others soon followed.

I have had good luck here in Alabama with a Nagoya NA 771 on my BF F8HP. I also took it to Florida with me last week and hit Orlando 700 and also Grand Island 650 from just east of Eustis. (in open areas)

I understand the lack of space. It is true for most cars today. For my mobile I opted for the Midland MXT575 and placed it under the passenger seat. I did have to use a microphone extension form Midland, but the unit itself is out of view.

I used a Comet RS 720 NMO Medium duty lip mount for my Equinox antenna. I use it as a hood mount on the drivers side. Works well for me

I liked the site's capability of listing license holders by state, but it would be nice to be able to sort within a state by county or town. I was scanning the Florida database the other day and after some quick math realized there are over 12,000 licensees there. As I am planning to move back to Florida it would be nice to see who is in my area. Thanks for the consideration. Don WRWS738.

I considered a Midland Ghost antenna for my hood mount. Seems less conspicuous but wasn't sure how it would function. Thoughts? Also a question as to where you installed your MXT575. I'm thinking an out of sight location ? Thanks for any comments/suggestions..

I am just assembling my equipment for my mobile installation in my 2018 Chevy Equinox. Hopefully I will get it installed next week. Here is what I am using. I caught a 20% off coupon for a Midland MTX500 radio and a Midland MXTA26 6dB Gain antenna. I plan a hood mount using a Comet RS-720-NMO Medium Duty Antenna Lip Mount. The issue to be worked out is how/where the radio gets installed as I a looking for a more out of sight location rather than a console or under dash install. Suggestions for installation are welcome.

It has been about two months since I first started using this antenna from my second story balcony, so I wanted to offer an update. It isn't exposed to the interior areas of the complex and mostly unnoticeable to anyone walking on the sidewalks past the balcony, so I am not having to put it up or take it down overnight. I am pleased that I am able to reach two repeaters, one to the southeast and one to the southwest of my north facing balcony. Each repeater is about 12.5 miles away. One repeater has about a 20 mile radius and the other is nearly 50 miles due to its height. In addition to this several of the repeater owners have linked their systems together, allowing me access to most of northern Alabama and a bit of south central Tennessee. Not bad for an apartment antenna.

Thanks for the input. I am looking for a stealth mounting capability so smaller may be better. Mounting in a 2018 Equinox.

I have had my Midland MXT 500 for about a month now and am 95% happy with it. I wish it had space for more repeated sites. I use the 500 in the Hardened Power Recon G5 as a base station. I am wanting to install a radio to my Equinox and wondered if the 575 would fill the bill. I am looking for a discrete mounting of the radio. Can anyone share their experience in the Midland MXT 575? Likes, Dislikes, difficulty programing, etc. Thanks in advance. Don WRWS738

Thanks for your thoughts. I wound up getting a vertical outdoor base antenna from DPD Productions to try. It is about 26" and I attached it to a fiberglass pole used for painting that extends to about 8'. So the top of the antennae will be about 10' I will temporarily attach it to the balcony railing and see how that works. I plan to use that when I camp or have other outdoor activities requiring a base camp and my hand held bao feng radios. It will be easy enough to attach and remove from the railing to not call any attention to the management. I should have it on the air this week. Anxious to see how that goes. Don

I got my GMRS License a few months ago, purchased couple of BaoFeng radios and finally decided to get a Midland MXT500 to use as a base station. Currently I am using the antenna that came with the radio, but know in need to improve on that. Living in an apartment I am restricted from installing any permanent type of antenna, but am looking for ideas for a discreet antenna system that can easily be put up and taken down with little fuss on my second floor balcony railing. Any ideas and suggestions are appreciated. WRWS738 -Don