marcspaz

Moving it inside the roll bars will not help. Especially if the top of the metal enclosure is lower than the top of the tub. Can you share a picture of how it's mounted now? It may just need a simple adjustment instead of a complete relocation. As you pointed out, the current location with the MXTA26 may be the optimal combination. When my top was down, I have put a mag mount on the metal brace above the speaker bar. That has worked very well for UHF, prior to my permanent mounts.

What year and model Jeep do you have? The 2018+ Wrangler and all current generation Gladiator have plastic corner caps between the hood and A pillar. You should have no less than 7 inches of metal in every direction. While there is metal under the plastic, it's recessed too far to help. So, you may just need to slide the mount closer to the front. Also, not all antennas are created equal. One of the best antennas I have used to date, is the MXTA26. I have had even better performance out of my Diamond NR-7900... though that is a very large/heavy antenna and may not be a good choice for a front/hood/lip mount.

It's dang near the same radio from a software and performance perspective. Just a different form factor. If you like the 500 performance, you should enjoy the 575.

I got to do a range test today and I am very impressed. In an area I typically get about 5 miles of simplex range with a 50w VHF or UHF radio (Ham and GMRS) I was able to have a conversation at 14 miles apart, while moving. One of my friends who also has a good AM/FM CB and a good antenna setup were able to run a test while driving in Norther Virginia. I have to say, 14 miles for both AM and FM is fantastic around hear. The furthest I have ever talked on a CB on the local level was 26 miles, using a 104" (1/4 wave) steel whip antenna and 12.5w peak. This 14 mile contact was using 3.5w and a 86" Diamond HF10CL antenna, which isn't as good of a performer as a 1/4 wave would be... but it's pretty darn good. Much better than if I tried a 3 foot or 4 foot Firestik, I'm sure. This radio seems like a win for a compact FM CB.

I have run a bunch of different radios over the last 3 to 5 years. I feel like any of the Wouxun or Midland radios would be a good choice. Got to say, though, I am currently using a Land Mobile Radio Service radio and there is nothing on the market that has matched it in performance or durability. The only downside is the price tag.

If a student fails, it's the student. If the class fails, it's the teacher.

We don't have to imagine. That is literally what GMRS is.

I put this radio on a watt meter and dummy load today. I was surprised to see it actually has 3.5w of output. Most CB radios I have tested over the years have been 2.5w or less.

No worries. It was 100% worth pointing out. I think it's odd that it can be done so easily, but I have never heard of anyone making such a poor choice. Anecdotal, I know.

Well, after 3 years without a CB radio, I bought a new unit. It's a Cobra 75 All Road. I haven't been following CB, but i do know the FCC rule changes about a year ago now allow FM use. I have been curious about it, especially knowing how well FM works on 29 MHz. I had a customer tell me they were interested in this radio, asked if I had an opinion about it and asked if I would install it for them. So, I bought one to check it out. I have to say, it's a little weird running a "stock" CB... but so far, I like it. It's just AM/FM with weather channels, but the transceiver is remote and the controls are in the mic (a familiar setup). BUT, the mic and all the controls are done wirelessly. The mic plugs into any USB port you have, or comes with a power outlet adapter. The mic works over Bluetooth so well, that I had the transceiver in my Jeep, but tested the mic range in my son's Jeep. It works about 30 feet away, which was awesome. I haven't chatted with anyone yet, but I was listening to AM Skip from all over the country. The receiver sensitivity seems real good so far. I am going to ask a friend of mine with an FM CB to help me do some range testing. I'll follow up soon and share the results.

So does just about every unlocked VHF radio made for the US market in the last 30 years. Many without even being unlocked.

Yep, we're doing a GMRS 101 class. I'll share the link after the class.

I very much appreciate all the feedback! It helps, for sure.

LOL I will make sure its covered in the first 3 minutes... but no one tells it like you do. Cameo? Thanks, Steve. Much appreciated!

Hey folks, I've been invited to teach a GMRS 101 class to people who have no knowledge of radio services or how any of this stuff works. I want to keep this brief, 30 minutes or less, and as useful as possible. I plan on helping attendees with getting an FRN and applying for their license and explaining common features and functions. For our new operators (and our seasoned members, too), what would you want to see in a class? What would help you when starting your journey? Any feedback would be appreciated. I will share the recording once we're done.

I'm of 2 mindsets... either you have to stay off the internet (you, generally.. not you specifically) or you need to stir the pot and embrace the suck. Very little of my job is RF related; mostly computers. I haven't been on an IT forum or group in more than a decade. I gave up after someone with no standing in the industry was trying to tell me how wrong I was after answering a question and telling someone how to correctly configure a product I designed, built and took to market. It was like a high school freshman with a 3.0 GPA telling Jeff Snover he was using PowerShell wrong.

With used equipment and a high spot to place it, it can be done for under $1,000. I have even seen some legacy repeaters donated to people who have a good place to put them. Elevation is key and there are a bunch of people here who have had incredible success putting up repeaters. I'm sure if you get serious about it, several people can help guide you.

I suppose someone who wants to do this can do what an overwhelming number of people have... buy a quality radio that does everything and keep your mouth shut about it. If you don't tell anyone, no one will know. Don't cause interference, don't be an ass, and don't go on frequencies you shouldn't be on, and you're going to be fine... not that I am making any promises or condoning violating the rules.

I'm officially jealous.

@WRXD372 you may like a book titled "Three Felonies a Day" by Harvey Silvergate.

Just my (conspiracy theorists) opinion, it's the same answer for radio, firearms, and everything else the government touches... it's not about safety or the people; it's about control.

Welcome! As far as pointers go, I have a couple that may help. 1.) GMRS is a "bring your own contacts" type of environment. If you call out and don't hear much (or nothing) don't let it discouraged you. 2.) GMRS is in the UHF radio segment and is an RF line of sight service. So, when it comes to range, height is might. 3.) In radio, all the magic is in the antenna. Don't get to hung up on power output. That said, more power isn’t a bad thing. As far as setups/radios go, what is it you want to accomplish? Where and what you're doing, combined with your desire for simplicity or Bells and Whistles will determine what you need.

Same here. Never know.

They are completely different antennas that serve different purposes, and both require a good ground-plan. The Tram is a no-gain antenna, with a great pattern for hilly and mountainous areas, while the Midland is a high gain antenna, designed for use in areas that are relatively flat. Regardless of what antenna you use, you have to be sure the element is clear of obstruction so it can work the best.

I have my opinion... I have had many MXT400 radios. At least 5. They are great radios, but there are 2 generations and Gen 1 was less than stellar for the price. Gen 1 is where a lot of the bad press came from, too. Midland was selling the Gen 1 bundle for ~$460 or ~$480 and the antenna it came with was terrible, the cheap plastic and loop hanger on the microphone, and the narrow-band performance made the radio grossly overpriced. Then, many people used the Gen 1 in narrow-band on wide-band repeaters, which made it difficult to hear. The early Gen 2 radios were released with a tone scan function and wide-band already enabled, but after a few months, they started releasing Gen 2 with tone scan enabled, but defaulting to narrow-band, again. As an FYI, the tone scan only works when the radio is in the Tone Squelch (TSQ) mode. If it is in Tone (T) mode, it won't scan.