gortex2

Thought I'd share my opinion on the MXT115 for various uses. I started with the MXT115 for my parents. Simple and cheap. Since then I installed one in our Kubota RTV for around the property as well as on my Kubota BX. I have 10+ acres as well as neighbors etc. I run a GR300 with 25 watts out of the duplexer into a DB404 at 30' at home. It works great for a 5 miles area (way more than needed). We are planning a trip to the GC this summer and plan to take the jeep and our new CTC. While setting the trailer up I decided to have GMRS, and WX. Ended up just sticking another MXT115 in the CTC. Small yet perfect for our use. Our CTC runs off a Jackery 300 that gets charged during the day while we drive. Again simple and effective. As with all Midland stuff I threw the supplied antenna in the dumpster and installed a Larsen HF NMO mount in the roof with a 1/4 wave antenna. I can pick up 3 WX channels at home in my driveway on the 1/4 wave so most likely stick with it. I do have a Larsen Triband I plan to bring in case I need better. I run the Tri-Band on the JT for my 8500 anyway. Our main use for the trip will be to talk to wife or myself when using the MSI talk about we carry also. Mostly campground communications when at bath house or shower. Anyway wanted to share. I plan to get a few more when i come home from my trip for our other utility vehicles around the property. Love midland or hate them these are all over in use for stuff like I am using them for.

Wasn't aware it had that certification....I have a box of them someplace from an old public safety system. Only drawback is its in band. If your on GMRS CH20 and use a LP CH1 maybe you wont bother the mobile but most in band stuff causes issues.

Only issue with dual heads normally are cables between. I have done it as some business's and public safety locations but it can be a challenge. Kenwood was not bad on the 890. I ran the cable thru some 1" conduit being you could tape the plug flat to the cable. The new MSI stuff will go in a 1" conduit also. Again limited to control head cable length but a good option sometimes. Personally at home I have remotes in multiple rooms that I can change channels talk and RX. IP has changed the world in that aspect.

Well if using the correct cable it can't be plugged in upside down. Valid point though.

Remotes or dual head setup is what you want. In reality you could just put a speaker in one room. Anyway as said you can't have 2 radios able to TX on one antenna without a control station combiner. You could install 2 really good antenna systems for the cost of one control station combiner and not have the 6-12db or more loss.

Thanks for the update Marc. I want to grab a 575 also to play with but can't justify the cost when my 275 works fine and where I need more power the APX does the trick ! ?

Oh and as reference all my vehicles have APX 8500 mobiles with the GMRS bank in them. I still find it simpler to use the midland....

Ive said it in the past. I run the 275 in both my Jeeps and the 115 in my parents vehicles. Also had a 115 in my Motorhome we just sold. I have yet to find issues with any of the radios. With that said I run good NMO mounts and 1/4 wave antenna's on all of them, except my mothers Renegade. We have a Larsen glass mount on that. They work great on my repeater. 99% of my traffic is simplex when traveling for Jeep events or camping. When at a camp ground I had my repeater in the MH and would use sometimes. Even when traveling up and down the east coast I have yet to find a repeater I could not access that I wanted to. I guess its all on what you expectations are . I find the ease of use and basic controls a plus especially for my parents who are in the 70's. Been doing GMRS for a long time and other than my public safety gear all my GMRS stuff is Midland for the purpose above. Simple. Reasonably priced. If your in an area where you are bouncing all over repeaters and split tones and such I guess they aren't the best option but I find many worry about that when its not really an issue. YMMV

Personally I think the RT97S is ideal for 90% of the folks who want a quick repeater. Location and antenna is everything. If your only using a 4 watt HT to talk to the repeater it will work just as good as a 50 watt repeater. People get hung up on that part alot. IF you have a great site, good antenna system it will work really well. My sites all run Part 90 repeaters (MTR2000, Quantar and MTR3000).

same way...just select ZA

I have a few sets. Got them on sale a few years back for xmas gifts and never opened them. Let us know how you like them.

Your right not all hams do stupid stuff but many do over and over. Its worse now than ever. I had a HAM last week tell me he doesn't need a GMRS license because he just got him ham license. As of late many getting that license dont even know there own rules. The advent of CCR doesn't help. I have been a ham for 25 years as well as a commercial operator and in Public Safety. You have no idea the amount of folks I have met over the years that had no idea about rules or regulations. In the SAR world the biggest issues we have with radios are the hams who mod there radio to use on SAR frequencies. So yes I guess I've not had the please to deal with alot of smart hams over the years.

Rich correct me if I'm wrong but as long as the user logs in and updated the repeater yearly this wont happen correct ?

MY opinion is they should go harder on him. This happens more than folks realize and many walk away with a warning. Other forums have hundreds of pages about hams thinking they can talk on any channel they want if they feel the need. If more folks got fined maybe these yahoos would think before they do stuff like this. If he had info he could have picked up his cell and called the command post.

Used them alot in PS back when our county was multinet. Solid radio, but PC programmer had to match the version. Once that got sorted out it wasn't bad. I still have a couple in a box.

I run a 1/4 wave on my roof. Have for years. Rarely do I have an issue with GMRS both simplex and repeaters. If your use is repeaters thats the best way to go. I spend alot of time in DC, Baltimore and other areas with no issues talking where I need to.

Larsen makes a good glass mount. Glass mounts are great for repeaters but lack in the simplex range. Worth a try I guess. They do require a bit of tuning but have installed many. Next choice is a true NMO in the roof. https://theantennafarm.com/shop-by-categories/shop-all/mobile-antennas/300-512-mhz-uhf/glass-mount-antennas/859-larsen-kg450udpl-detail

Just order a 1/4 wave UHF whip. The lip mount is ok.

If you look at the main paged he has request disabled. Basically that means its not an open repeater.

You can find them on ebay all day long. The MSF PA is solid and works well for your application - "https://www.ebay.com/itm/154268645235?hash=item23eb20b773:g:no4AAOSw00Vf6~Sj"

The MTX115 and MTX275 is ideal for your off road adventures. People get worked around the axles on 50 watts. The mobile is easier to use and drive and talking to the jeep behind you 5 watts is fine.

It would be cheaper to add a PA to the TKR to be honest and clean way to do it. I run 2 of them for SAR work and its solid as a rock. Especially a 50 watt PA. They are out there.

Thats the reason I have the 275 in both my JT and JK. Overlander in the center. CB is the CMX series all in head. Simple and effective.

Who actually listens to FM radio on a CCR anyway ? Is that a thing ?

You best bet is to use the "Contact Us" on the mygmrs.com main site. That will go to Rich. I dont see a location for clubs on the main page but maybe I missed it.