H8SPVMT

I would be "careful" of that NMO antenna especially the 6Db gain with the magnetic mount. My experience; it burned the paint on the hood of my Jeep even with the so-calleded isolator (thin rubber cup) installed. Your mileage may vary.

I have found a repeater about 30 miles out that I can reach, and receive a squelch tone from indicating it has received my signal. I was sucessful in getting a signal report as well from another GMRS operator that made my day! None of that would have been possible without the information gained here from people willing to answer questions. Thank you! I now know my equipment works to it's described capabilities. This, "Learning Curve" has taken me to the highs and lows of human abilities when it comes to the operation of privately owned equipment (repeaters) and the endevor to keep it running. I'm guessing us newbies don't know (appriecate) the struggle of what it takes to actually get a repeater up and running for consistant use. Repeater owners are another part of the American fabric that help on their own free will, to make our society a better place when trying to communicate. Again, THANK YOU ALL. P.S. All this didn't sink in many, many years ago as a sailor in the Navy. We once used ham radio stations to talk from Asia to my wife in Hawaii.

I purchased a MXTA26 6Db gain for use on my Jeep with a MXT-400 FRS/GMRS. Initially it burned the paint on my hood in at least two places. I was (am still) using the isolator (rubber cup) that waas provided for the magnetic base. I thought the cup was supplied to prevent scratches to the paint, not burning. The antenna has performed well up close on the highways between autos as well as off-road in caravans. I have managed to talk as far as 34 miles to activate a repeater and talk oneway with a friend. I say, "oneway" as he hear me but could not actuate the repeater to talk back. I manufactured an shelf for the antenna to ride off the side of the hood and not damage the paint.

Well I can give a better understanding on the Midland now. Drove to Kentucky for a JJAMUSA event with a buddy and we had great comms with our radios. My MXT 400 and his GPX 1000 never missed a beep (pun)! He ran one hand held radio all day every day and never got off but one bar/cell of power. Five days of chit-chat and we always had comms. Before I left for the trip I found a repeater between us. I learned how to activate the repeater and while he could hear me, he could not activate it (not close enough). So the morning of our departure I discovered I could get 34 miles on the repeater and he could hear it whith me talking. Effectively reaching 50 miles. Now, we used CB radio's on the off-roading for the primary comms for the 17 Jeeps and it worked well too. But we used the FRS between us.

I found that while I could received the signal from a repeater I was too far for my radios signal to reach the repeater, in the beginning. The repeater ID'ed itself as a GMRS repeater so I knew then I had to try my best, I presumed it may have my transmit signal was stronger on one side of my vehicle than the other. Playing around (driving in somewhat large circles) I began to grt that silence tail and then the beep, from the repeater. Then I knew, I was getting the acknowledgment from the repeater that it heard my transmition. I also positioned myself very near an open area as well. I ID'ed myself and asked for a SIGNAL REPORT. Almost immediately a person responded with what I sounded like coming through the repeater. (Could have been the owner) We chated for a short time and explained my newbie situation and he responded that it was nice to heard from 34 miles away. This whole thing had taken a couple days but I was persistant as I have a friend nearby that repeater location I wanted to talk to eventually. While he could hear me well, I had to coax him closer to the repeater so his radio would make contact with the repeater. Takes some practice and persistance bat first, but it is fun. Best wishes!

I am learning a bunch here with this possible programming stuff. No, im not getting ready to spring for the cable and programs. But there is a confusing discussion going on, on FB about this as well and seems to me I have learned the difference between bandwith and frequency at least watching this conversation! I don't think many understand the concept between narrow and wide band. Thank you all for the education! Happy with my narrow band transmissions for now. Edited to add: In looking up the Part 95 (DATA GMRS) I see we are only allowed 20 kHz bandwith (on specific frequencies) and not 25. Seems I have seen 25 as a popular number here. So I would think IF the program changes the bandwidth to 25 kHz that would place us in jeopardy with the FCC.

I recently talked on a repeater approximately 34 miles from my location in the Jeep with my MTX 400 with a 6db gain antenna. Was sitting still in a very good sized ball park parking lot, at the time. GETTING A SIGNAL REPORT I was told I was clear with static in the background. My reception was very good with light static behigh the other person. This was my first time speaking on the (any) repeater tho I had heard it anounce itself several times thru the week. It was not listed on the MyGMRS site so I think it is a relatively new location along the interstate for now. This was also my first conversation with someone I didn't know and had never been able to get a radio report till then. I had used my mobile for Jeep rides once in the forest with others we knew. I did have to ping the repeater one CTCSS code at a time until I heard the repeater respond.

SWR Stands for "Standing Wave Ratio"

Midland has joined up with Jeep Jamboree USA across the country and FRS/GMR will be the required communication system next year. I think that might be a driving force too, not sure. This was mentioned on the Gateway To The Cumberland's event page on Facebook earlier this year. I jumped onboard to learn the ins & outs ($249.00 for the basic MXT-400 ) before the required changes and had been interested a couple years anyway. Personally, my CB works fine for the communications I need on the road and in the woods. Edited to add price

I manufactured a plate of 3/16" thick steel just to mount the magnetic antenna to as it was burning/bubbling the paint on the hood under the magnet. It is just a bit larger than the magnetic base but not 6"s. Why 6"s if we don't need /require a ground plane? I checked the ground and it is good but, I do like the suggestion of a grounding strap. Eitherway it will happen, thanks! I added the grounding strap/wire as well. It hasn't increased performance but has made me more confident in my equipment.

Well there is a good reason for that low antenna. Keeping it out of the branches while off-road keeps it from getting broken as most are constructed from fiberglass. And as you know, better made antannas aren't cheap. Adding a spring just whips the antenna back into the body or top and either scratching body components or again, breaking the antenna. Many new off-roaders (first time radio owners) see and try to emulate others without understanding why their gear isn't as effective on the roads as in the woods.... It is a trade off they don't understand right away and like you say, might complain about their setup ignorant on why they can't reach longer distances out in the open. My CB antenna is as low as I can get too but I understand the SWR and reduced effectiveness and live with that as it serves the purpose I need it for. It's OK if you snicker at me when you see me driving down the road with my low-riding antenna but; don't try following me where I go, you won't make it. So far my GMRS setup isn't as good as my low riding CB either. In the rain traveling down different roads we got better distance and clearity out of the CB's than we got from GMRS radios. But I am on my own and new to this so I can't snicker at anyone while I am still in the learning phase... Not all that wander are lost!

And now JJAMUSA recently stated the FRS/GMRS radios will used going forward in 2021. That is why I got into this.

I would like to report that Midland did respond to an email and are looking into this issue. Sent them pictures today.

Using the Midland MXT400 I can say that mine does not have "that feature" if, that is what you might want to call it. I recently purchased this radio and am in the process of learning it's operations. Having recently pinged a repeater I do understand the situation and can't understand "why" anyone would want to do that.

Thank you! Don't think I am ready for that move yet but it does have my interest.

For us Newbies I think this is part of our problem, at least for me, as an example: I see a repeater (let's say channel 15) I want to talk on so I first get the necessary permission (if required) following the procedures read in the MYGMRS. Using my MXT400, I scroll thru the Menu and set my REPEATER selection to "ON". Now, scrolling thur the channels I can clearly distinguish between the lower frequencies (by channel numbers) and the added, higher ones that only display the "rP" symbol now on channels 15 -22. Next, I need to select channel "rP-15" and add any CTCSS/DCS frequency to channel rP-15. All well and good now, the transmit (TX) channel is all set on rP-15. I have been wondering lately, do I need to also add that CTCSS/DCS tone to the receiving (RX) channel 15? During my failed attempts to talk with a reapter, I have not added the tone to the lower channel frequency assuming the radio did it automatically. Now the repeater channels appear on the screen with the "rP" (with "+") allowing me to manually select the repeater I want to use and I can now add the necessary tone. I have now added the CTCSS tone to the receiving channel as well. Will that help? In following this thread I believe this may explain the lost mystery to many users. I may have actually been talking to the repeater and getting thur, but not hearing the reapter TONE transmission back to my radio.

As a newbie my Midland MXT400 has gotten me no where. So far I can listen to conversations but have had no communications with anyone. Not even a signal strengh/radio check. Attempted to get onto two different local repeaters and failed that drill as well. One was on a different frequency than listed (found out later) and I failed to place the correct tone squelch on for the other repeater. The magnetic 6db antenna did bubble the paint on my like new hood. So I made a platform for it and got it off the vehicle paint. I am continuing to learn more and more everyday between work and choirs when I can. INTERESTING THAT the repeaters can have the ability to set different tones for incoming and out going transmissions. Being a MXT400 owner I didn't know that. I have done so much more with CB's thru the years that makes this endevor a total wash so far (but I will keep trying...). For nothing else it will be a good educational event in FRS/GMRS. I do still carry a CB 75 WXST. Good for on the trails and hwys when conversing with other Jeepers, or truckers...

Thanks I did find it later. Appricate the reminder, I might forget again where it's at...

Midland code for CTCSS for 141.3 is #22 on their list with the MTX400. I made that mistake already (hehe) BUT I didn't need to program code number as the actual frequency appears on the screen as you roll thurogh them. What I don't get is how to set the CTCSS code for BOTH the RX & XT freq. When I set the repeater selection to "Repeater ON" it automatically applies the code to both RX & TX as far as I can tell. The MXT400 then scrolls thru channels 1 - 7, 15 -22 & then rP channels 15 - 22. So I have to assume (ass/u/me) it applies the correct code 141.3 to TX & RX.

I find that display of many antennas confusing as a newbie. Can't tell which, if any are the puch and what to stay away from. I have one the Midland 6db gain with the open coil in the middle. And personally I am not happy with it as it is burning (bubbling) the paint on my hood. I made a side stand for it and got it off the hood. For now anyway.

Everything I read as a newbie and several folks explained to be was, FRS/GMRS did not require adjustment for SWR and was fine, right out of the box. I guess that isn't true.

Thank you and I have to remember to get the code listed onto the correct channel. I seem to have a problem "paying attention to the details" but practice is paying off. I did print out both for (Channel listing and CTCSS and DCS) quick reference.

How do I go about removing the tone squelch from a channel after I am done and just want to return to (simplex, I think is the correct term) the basic channel? On my MXT400 I have tried returning to frequency CTCSS 67.0 but it doen't clear the channel TS/DCS still appears).

Red Rock was a step above the Hard Rock edition that I have.

Bummer. The magnetic mount has screwed up my Jeep paint on the hood. Looks like burn/blister marks. Update 9/14: Made my own mount that gets the base off the paint altogether. We'll see how that works. Could it be that the antenna is putting out so much signal that it is burning the paint? I wouldn't think that possible. I think it is the rubber compound causing this issue. Any thoughts?