wayoverthere

connector wise: the ad shows it with a standard uhf female (so-239) connector which will be the same as what's on your radio. the matching cable will be uhf male (pl-259) which is fairly common. having an idea of the length needed before you buy is best; it's minor, but every connection loses a little bit of power. (good example with pictures here) one other consideration with mounting outside is lightning protection...some people choose not to. being mostly plastic/fiberglass does reduce the chances of getting hit, but not eliminate; disconnecting when there's lightning around is cheap insurance. here is a bit i was able to gather off of the web, but hopefully those with more knowledge than i will chime in. https://forums.mygmrs.com/topic/1828-antenna-grounding/?hl=lightning http://www.arrl.org/grounding https://forums.mygmrs.com/topic/60-proper-antenna-grounding/ i've avoided the issue with my current setup by parking a smaller antenna in a corner of the attic (midland 5/8 wave, mag mounted to a chunk of sheet metal for ground plane). the tram/browning 5/8 over 5/8 would be more gain, but won't fit the current space it's hiding in. i'm throwing a bit more power at it, but it works well enough to reach a repeater a little over 60 miles away on high power, reasonably clear.

in either case, some height will definitely help. another option to look into are the ed fong antennas...as far as i know, they'll fall between the base ones you linked and the mobile i linked in size, and they're a bit less expensive than all of the above. they may also score a little better on the wife approval scale. i remember there being at least a couple members on the site with experience with them, too. edit: some links. https://forums.mygmrs.com/topic/2076-newb-questions-about-gmrs-roof-antenna/?p=18186 https://forums.mygmrs.com/topic/2070-looking-at-two-antennas/?do=findComment&comment=18141 https://forums.mygmrs.com/topic/2034-rollup-slim-jim-antenna/?hl=fong https://forums.mygmrs.com/topic/1671-what-base-antenna-is-the-best-bang-for-the-money/?do=findComment&comment=17749

Those are definitely bigger and likely better, honestly. The main trade-off is versatility, as they're dedicated base antennas, while what I posted is really a mobile that adapts well to a base use too. If you can go with a dedicated base antenna and don't need the option of using it as a mobile too, I absolutely would. (I've been eyeing that Tram for a bit myself)

My thought would be a 5/8 over 5/8 nmo mobile antenna with a right angle mount....this gives some gain, with the ability to be used for base or mobile, such as this:https://www.theantennafarm.com/catalog/laird-technologies-bb4505cn-5691 For mount/cable, something like this may work, though getting the terminal and mount separately may be better to run better/longer cable, If the premade lengths aren't enough. https://www.amazon.com/Bracket-Fender-PL-259-Connector-RG-58U/dp/B072XB5H4H/ (I searched "nmo mount", and all the options I mention are on the first page of results)

Kidphc's suggestion is a good one, as that will let the tone filter out anything without the selected tone, since I don't believe the gxt have a "skip" option. That said I don't remember it giving any onscreen icon for tones being enabled, so you'll have to remember it's set of you want to use that channel. A scan skip is an option on many other radios, though..I have a couple public safety channels programmed in my 50x1 that are almost nonstop traffic, so I'd never hear anything else if I didn't skip those. The setting can also be changed (on or off) in the menu. I think the wouxun has the skip option as well, but I don't remember if it was in the radio or in the software.

Easily...and while it has its limitations, it's hard to beat for being ready to go out of the box.

I wonder if it's worth reporting to fcc. https://consumercomplaints.fcc.gov/hc/en-us/requests/new?ticket_form_id=38844

Same plugs as mine, and same motivation. I didn't have much luck finding a compatible plug, hence the 12v receptacle route instead.

If his is anything like mine, it came with a 12v plug already attached. However, 12v receptacles are pretty easy to source (the second is what I used, but paired with a powerpole connector for my power supply) https://www.walmart.com/ip/12V-Cigarette-Lighter-Socket-Power-Outlet-Receptacle-for-Car-Boat-Marine-Motorcycle-Scooter-with-Wire-Fuse-DIY-Kit/212423496 https://www.amazon.com/NOCO-GC018-Adapter-Socket-Terminal/dp/B00G8WLW2Y/

Good find on midland's page, that gives a better number on current requirements. The transformer you linked may be sufficient current, but the other problem that can come into play is noise. I have something similar to that transformer that came with a mini cooler, and it definitely adds a "buzz" that isn't there when hooked up in the car The car battery was my first route as well, when the weather was nicer and it was tolerable in the garage. The harness I used to build my 12v receptacle would be perfect to use the 115 direct on a battery, would just need clamps. (It was a noco, via Amazon). That said, good power supplies last, and if you're thinking on more radios/more power in the future, having that headroom is helpful down the road, if finances permit (a "buy once, cry once" kind of thing).

(3 tries to reply, but my phone wasn't having it...on the computer now...) that's learning and growth and the versatility of the lighter plug is the beauty of having a lower power radio. i already had my eye on the btech, so i went for this 30 amp Alinco for some reference on power draw, the btech claims 50 watts output on high, with the meter showing just over 13a during transmit, and maybe 1milliamp receiving. haven't tested the draw on the 115, though i have a wiring setup for the lighter plug. havent checked output power of either to see if the claims are accurate, though.

You can go that route as well. Being 15 watts, the 115 doesn't need a whole lot of amperage to run. (I think 12v outlets are generally 10 or 15a max draw). Grab a decent power supply and figure out a temporary antenna placement and have fun with it. i started on a very similar path, but picked up the btech for "base".

so i was poking at some of these tonight, and stumbled onto the Anytone AT-588, which looks to be the same hardware as the luiton, TYT, and retevis. availability seems sparse, though. https://www.amazon.com/AnyTone-400-490-Mobile-Radio-Scrambler/dp/B01CBA136G

Is this it, under the 2nd item on the last page?https://transition.fcc.gov/oet/ea/presentations/files/nov17/54-Part-95-Misc-Eqpt-Filing-r1-TH.pdf

That was my biggest reasoning for the mag mount, as my truck lives outside. I have a convenient gap in the door seal the wire can tuck behind, and with so much less driving this year, the antenna gets tucked behind the seat on the passenger side. Radio itself is tucked behind the seat in the center, and I just pull it over and plug it into the 12v outlet. No noticeable noise from that source, but it is an always on, vs on with ignition. No real mount either, the slide mount fits really well onto an ice scraper I have jammed between the seats, and holds it at a good angle too. (99% of the time in the truck, I'm solo anyway)

so..my use case: I have 2 repeaters in range on channel 16, with different codes...wanted to program them in separate memory slots. i'm still in that frustration zone, having discovered the gmrs 50x1, as i discovered their implementation of locking it down has it hard coded for transmit on the 1-7, 15-22, and 15r-22r only. everything above that (and 8-14) is receive only, even if it's in band for gmrs.i also have the wouxun; it definitely does transmit on 8-14, though i put the meter on it on those channels. i want to say i saw someone tested it to be ~1/3 watt, which makes sense with removable antennas and the limit being ERP, not output; this way you shuld be safely under no matter your antenna.on the repeater side, the wouxun absolutely CAN add transmittable channels beyond the preloaded 30 for frs/gmrs, as i have it added with my 2 repeaters in separate slots with the appropriate codes. along with that, i added another set of 15r-22r as "new15r" thru "new22r" to have two sets of slots available when travelling without having to reprogram any of my local repeaters (that have their own memory slots).

that's correct; by default, midland applies the same code to both RX and TX. This is why midlands generally aren't compatible with "split tones" (when the RX code is different from the TX code), and only the mxt400 has the ability to be reprogrammed to set the codes separately. This can be a convenience to a new user, and a limitation in some scenarios.

on topic, current setup is an mxt-115 in the truck (small size is super convenient; midland limitations, less so) into a mag mounted 1/4 wave. it definitely doesn't have the reach my 'base' does, but it also has less antenna. I would agree with Hans on this, but as i learn more, i'm less enthusiastic about it than i was (and trying not to be overly negative out of frustration). my base is a BTech gmrs 50x1 with a 3db whip. even with the antenna in the attic mag mounted on sheet metal, it's range outdoes the mxt, both rx and tx. that said, i'm finding it has its own limitations too, primarily in how they locked it down for part 95 certification. while my wouxun HT allows me to have my local repeaters programmed in their own memory slots in addition to the regular repeater channels, the 50x1 has the preprogrammed channels 1-30 (1-22, plus 15r-22r) as transmittable, and everything beyond that is rx-only (even if it's within band for gmrs), so those extra entries i had for the local repeaters...can't transmit . I've also seen a few reports of units burning out, even using the antenna they recommend (nagoya ut72, which i've seen many posts saying tends to be around 1.7-1.9:1 swr; the manual mentions no worse than 1.5), and one poster mentioned warrantying 2, and being denied after that. also, my only contact with BTech support resulted in a response with zero pleasantries, and a tone that seemed more scolding. and pretty much NO help. Likewise, the discovery that there IS software out there that can remedy some of the limitations with the MXT400 helps it narrow the gap that i once saw between the two, and midland seems to be better at the support side of things. it also doesn't get much more plug and play, at least to get started, but you do pay for it.

that's similar to what i alluded to with mine (also the wouxun). normal 1-22 with no codes, likewise for 15r-22r. following that i have my 3 local repeaters, by name and with the appropriate codes, and then the repeater channels again as new15r-new22r, to have a couple open repeater slots on each channel for travels.

Probably the biggest thing I see to clarify is the tones...think of them as a filter. if you have the right tone, the filter opens. So when you transmit on .625/xxx.x tone, SEATAC hears (right tone to pass the filter), and retransmits. However, since Seattle#4 has no filter (no tone), it ALSO hears and retransmits. And individual entries is how I organized mine, I have separate entries for each repeater (central 1, Sierra 2) with the appropriate tones, saved by name. On my ht, I also programmed an extra set repeater channels again for travel usage.

@Berkinet and others posted some information here on that topic: https://forums.mygmrs.com/topic/1837-midland-gmrs-product-updates/page-2?do=findComment&comment=17118

I've mentioned it before, but in some areas, gmrs is a very closed group, utility only mindset, more like "frs-plus", instead of the "ham-lite" hobbyist mindset you might expect looking at the web (and I had hoped for). It's kind of a false image, though, because it's mainly the hobbyists that are the ones likely to be visiting forums like this to expand the interest.

i was wondering that too...i'd been kind of monitoring the post, "best performing" within cost (and maybe size) contraints" would have been my first thought too, but i thought i might be missing something. if height (for performance) is the goal, couldn't that be handled more economically with more mast, rather than trying to get a bigger antenna?

My current programming (primarily for base use) has the normal+repeater channels, plus 2 repeaters on 16 (with 2 different tones), plus 1 on 18, along with the vhf calling frequency (146.520) and the local public safety dispatch (in the 460.xxx range). So it doesn't appear to have the same limitation as the v1. The quad watch is nice as I'll usually have the 3 repeaters and dispatch up, or set it to scan, with dispatch excluded from the scan. I also did similar with the ht, though that one Also has the same 70cm channels, plus another set of the repeater channels, so I can stick another repeater in if I'm out of town but in the same spot for a couple days.

It probably comes down to definition of a "device". You could probably get away with the HR in a holder with a corded mic though. The problem is they aren't even thinking of 2 way radios when they write these laws, just aiming (rather wildly) at talking/texting/internet surfing/etc while driving, and making it as broad as possible to cover future devices.