bobthetj03

As a fellow Jeep owner, I too became victim to Midland's marketing monster. Having a TJ, room is even tighter than your JKU, and having a radio hanging out in plain sight during top off season made me nervous, so I thought the 275 would be a great replacement for my old CB radio. Being new to the GMRS world, I dove in, got my license, bought the 275, and went to town. It didn't take me long to find the 275's shortcomings, especially since one of our local repeaters used split tones. It wasn't 6 months later that I sold the 275 to a fellow jeeper that just wanted a radio to communicate on jeep runs. I went head first down the rabbit hole, did some research, and ended up with Wouxun's KGXS-20G mobile. 20 watts, so more power than the 275, a very small chassis, so I was able to mount it in front of my console. The mic had controls for the radio, and a speaker in the mic, which proves super handy when traveling with the top down, or a noisy soft top. The dual watch display is super clean and clear, just so many more features to choose from, and room to grow as a GMRS radio nerd to be. And, at $219, while a bit more pricey, if it were to get stolen, I wouldn't cry too much vs. $400-$500 options. I usually just unscrew the mic and toss it in my security drawer under the seat when I'm in a sketchy neighborhood. I liked this radio so much, I bought it's HT brother, the KG935G. It has almost identical features to the mobile, is Part 95e only, no silly computer programming shenanigans to try to make it work as a radio it's not, and the quality so far has met my needs. I now have 3 HT's, 2 different antennas at home and work to use as a base for the HT, and enough coax fittings and coax cable options to choke a horse. I also now host a weekly GMRS net locally to grow community awareness to GMRS, so yeah, I've got the bug pretty bad!

 

Another vote for the KGXS-20G. I've had mine in my Wrangler for a couple years with no issues. I also have had a Btech 25X2. I lasted a year until the finals went out. 
 

The KG935G is a great choice for a GMRS HT. It is a tank! It's not unreasonable to have 2 radios, one for GMRS, and one for Ham, so don't be scirr'd. Get your Ham ticket, then scour the Youtubes for research. Keep in mind, if you want one radio to do both, consider the possible damage that you could do to your radio by transmitting out of band and creating a poor SWR to your radio. You'll end up having to change antennas every time you switch from Ham bands to GMRS. Just get a radio that is type certified and enjoy the hobby. Don't worry, if you get your Ham ticket, you'll never have enough radios, lol! 
 

My latest setup in the Jeep, using an external antenna.

I just got the Wouxun KG-XS20G PLUS. Getting about 26 watts on some channels. 24 on the rest. This is one of the best radios I've ever had. 
 
 

They need to take that menu option out, along with the shift direction. Since your HT is part 95E compliant, the GMRS 5.0000 offset is burned into the radio. You don't need to do anything with that. Those menu options are left overs from the Ham radio side. 

Should be this one:
Authentic Genuine Nagoya NA-771G 15.3-Inch Whip GMRS (462MHz) Antenna SMA-Female for BTECH and BaoFeng Radios https://a.co/d/eWqjTzt

My latest setup in the Jeep, using an external antenna.

I have the N9TAX GMRS/Murs w/16' and BNC connector. Use it on my mobile/Base. I love it. Gets me out to repeaters 30-40 miles distance.
If you need to mount it to a pole, lash it to a 5' driveway marker using zip ties.

I'm not so much a Midland hater per say, but I'd say I was a little disappointed with my MXT-275 as well. I didn't have any real problems with it until I realized it was stuck in narrow band, and that it could not do split tones (I had the pre-c port version). One of our best repeaters in my area used DCS split tones, so that was a bummer. As I became more involved with GMRS, I quickly outgrew the radio and wanted more features, so I sold it to a fellow jeeper that just wanted a radio for simplex coms. 

I have the 935G and use it with a cup holder mount and external antenna in my wife's Honda. It works well. That looks like a good set up you have there.

Bottom line, you need options. Don't limit yourself. 

I have a GM-30 and have no audio issues. Make sure you set it to wide band. 
 

Hi Bob,
I see from another thread that you’re still unable to find someone to chat with on the GMRS bands.  I really like the idea posted above by bobthetj03:
Then, if you hear traffic on the ham bands, you may decide you want to become a ham.  There are lots of ham clubs all over that have study sessions, including one day ham-crams where you study and take the test on the same day, I believe. In my area there’s no formal GMRS activity but the hams get together weekly for three different net check ins, breakfast on Saturday morning, and a monthly meeting.

Bottom line, you need options. Don't limit yourself. 

It's become one of my favorite scanners. The receiver picks up stations quite well. 

Bob, you could also use your HT as a scanner to listen in on any Ham traffic. 
https://repeaterbook.com/repeaters/index.php?state_id=none
Program some local to you 2M/70cm band repeater frequencies into your radio, then scan through them to see if you receive any traffic. That will at least tell you if there is a presence out there. The mag mount antenna is a good idea too. Stick it on a cookie sheet and place it somewhere high for better odds. 
 
 

I have that antenna Bob. It did make a noticeable improvement. I also have a UV9G, along with a few others now. I have also used my mobile antenna on a mag mount and put it on a cookie sheet. Huge improvement! 
One suggestion, if you plan to get more radios in the future, consider putting  BNC adapters on your HT. It makes swapping antennas and attaching coax cables way easier.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00CVQK466?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2_dt_b_product_details
 

Nice your right about the room in any Jeep!

Had reservations about mounting the antenna there, but seems to be working fine. Swapped out the GMRS unit for a dual band. I like the small footprint. Not much room in a TJ. 

For ease of use, mounting options and power/capabilities, you can't beat the KG-1000G which is a 50W SuperHet radio.. If you want something less expensive, the KG-XS20G is a good, small, very capable SOC radio.
For simplicity the Midlands are great - but they're not cheap, they have limited abilities and many/most of the pre 2022 models are narrowband only, which is an issue if you want anyone using a "real" GMRS (wideband) radio to actually be able to hear anything you're saying.

My opinion is based on having/testing/using virtually every mobile GMRS Radio on the market.

I think you can unlock that DB-20G to TX on the 2M and 70cm bands with some shenanigans, so it could double as your GMRS and HAM radio. 
 

I think you can unlock that DB-20G to TX on the 2M and 70cm bands with some shenanigans, so it could double as your GMRS and HAM radio. 
 

@WRPC866I LOVE my mobile DB20-G, and my first handheld was the GM-30 (great starter HT)...Both are on sale on Amazon as a bundle pack!!! 
 
https://www.amazon.com/Radioddity-Handheld-Display-Repeater-Capable/dp/B097TQM886/ref=sr_1_4?crid=PIS3MJ1ACS7W&keywords=db20-g+gmrs+mobile+radio&qid=1643435224&sprefix=db20%2Caps%2C189&sr=8-4

Do you want a radio that has the same features as the Midland HT's you have now? Do you foresee using repeaters to extend your communication range? Do you have any repeaters in your area?