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@Sbsyncro:I was reading another forum and I read someone saying they bought this Larsen Puck Antenna. Maybe this might work for you, but you would have to drill. Anyone out their using a puck style like this?

@widnerkj: Your install pics are great! Wow, you took the plunge and installed on the roof. I have an old Subaru, I was thinking of doing this, but I gave it a second thought. However, now that I see you did so successfully...I still wont install on the antenna on the roof, however, I am now considering installing solar kit with a 50 Watt 12 Volt Monocrystalline Solar Panel, charger controller and a Lithium Iron Phosphate Battery 12 Volt 50 Ah. This can power my onboard refrigerator in my Subaru Forester and provide emergency power to my MXT400 MICROMOBILE®TWO-WAY RADIO in the event that my primary vehicle battery were to go down. I can then, in theory also power jump my main battery with this setup.

@SkylinesSuck: This I can help with. I have much experience with UPS systems. The simplest answer is: If you are in need of a turnkey solution for constant power during blackouts, then yes a UPS is simple, elegant and "compact". You just need to determine how long you want to run the devices you have plugged in to the UPS. I found a UPS runtime calculator by doing a Google search: https://www.powerinspired.com/ups-runtime-calculator/

This is too funny. I just had a situation this past weekend where the sound was bothering a passenger in the vehicle. The beep is 'piercing" to them. I asked the person in our convoy to turn the beep off and they did so kindly. It can get a bit annoying.

@Sbsyncro: I have no other comparisons for antennas as I only have two, and both are Midlands. I have the MICROMOBILE® MXTA25 3DB GAIN GHOST ANTENNA and MICROMOBILE® MXTA26 6DB GAIN WHIP ANTENNA. On one vehicle, I have the same radio you are running MXT400 MICROMOBILE®TWO-WAY RADIO. I have tried both antennas and mounting them to the MICROMOBILE® MXTA27 UNIVERSAL LIP MOUNT. With that said, do you think the "puck" type antenna, i.e. the 3b gain work for your applications and still provide enough boost given that you are pumping out 40 w? I have tried it with that combination in heavily wooded areas with great success. Of course, terrain is subjective.

@DonErle: I am glad that your question was answered. Wow, I am learning so much everyday day. I would like to chime in with a question if I may? Since we now learned that the answers to @DonErlequestion : I then have a follow up question. Are not all radios programmed with "standard" channels? I see some people refer to channels as frequencies, while others refer to them as channels? Are having "simpler" channels a way to make "newbies" more comfortable with using the GMRS radios? I was looking at this handy dandy FRS/GMRS Radio Quick Reference Card (click). It seems to show a channel and a frequency. Was it someones attempt to make it easier? Thanks everyone.

Are travel tones different from that of split tones?

Great installation pictures @wrjc901

I know, by reading, that there has been many people giving input. I just thought I would chime in by saying that if it was me, I would try installing a plug and play system like that of the Retevis RT97 and a Goal Zero battery with solar panel that can be put up anywhere. I would just in case it in a waterproof case and there you have it. It wont cover hundreds of miles, but I had a piece of land that is not that large, that is the way that I would go. I know it would not apply to all users.

Great installation pictures @wqxq281. I have seen those Ram mounts used in many ways. What I would like so search for is some kind of hands free operation for my Midland MXT400. Any ideas for me to PTT handsfree?

Thank you @WRHS218. Is that to say that there is more than one CHIRP software, or it is just one that serves the need for most/all radios?

@brasda91, I have this mount being used on both my 2010 Subaru and my 2016 Impala. On the Subaru, I have it mounted on the right side hood. On the Impala, I have it mounted to the right side trunk. On both applications, it has held up really great. While on the road, there is not jiggling of any kind. When I installed, I did make an effort to pierce the paint. It is torqued, but not a ridiculous amount. Just enough to break through, but not enough to stab the metal. The edges of the trunk and hood have extra soldering when being manufactured, that is why I felt comfortable using this mount.

That would be a great service. For example, I know that Crutchfield (audio store) sells customized wiring for car stereos you purchase from them. It helps the DIY'ers out their. Similarly, something like for GMRS radio would be awesome. There would be a price to pay, but perhaps it would be worth it for some people. *Wishes Can Come True

@H8SPVMTI have the Midland MXT400 and I have been using it for close to a year now. I have not experienced any issues with it as of yet. However, I am wondering, have you reached out to Midland for support?

@mrgmrsI thought of the same things as you. As the pandemic was starting, I got my prepper mode on. I decided to get my license in order to have it in case the system slowed down and processing of the license would take longer. I deliberated with the pricing point and I said to myself, "Just go for it." I think it is a small price to pay and have the peace of mind that I am utilizing the GMR frequencies legally and can then in turn learn from people here on MYGMRS and hopefully pass on knowledge as time goes by. Welcome!

There is much to be discussed on this topic. Its good that the dialogue starts so that one day , we can agree on GMRS road channel best practice.

For the newbies, such as me. I have to ask... What is CHIRP? I am lost on this one.

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I've done some searching. I come up withing nothing official.

Such is the case Admiral. I did in fact miss it. Thank you for the clarification.

@ WRHS965: Thank you for the insights into this. You wrote: "Some commercial radio services may require the radio to send out a certain code" Is that to say that GMRS can be used for commercial purposes? As I understand, GMRS is for personal use only. Were you referring to this PTT-ID being a feature that can be integrated into business licences that are not GMRS?

@SkylinesSuck: Just wondering, did you ever figure out to you embed an image?

Keep us posted on the installation WRMV722

Thank you so much WRHS965. I have downloaded the iOS app. I will work on learning it.