Sshannon

Thank you! 🍻

It’s strictly for people with GMRS licenses.  You could get a GMRS license and then register.  

Here's what would need to happen.
 
It's likely that if one had access to Midland's MXT-575 firmware source code (which is probably a proprietary, copyrighted trade secret), they would probably determine that the "channel" frequency configuration is hard coded into the firmware, while other variables such as PL tones are configurable through the keypad. And the firmware does not provide a protocol for altering configuration by way of programming cable. There is probably a bootstrapping system available for Midland to tie into for firmware updates, but that system would be for the purpose of overwriting the entire firmware.
 
If you look at other embedded systems such as home routers, you'll see that there is an open source software project called OpenWRT that allows enthusiasts with sufficient technical understanding to load OpenWRT firmware onto their router (as long as they own a supported router). This OpenWRT firmware is designed to provide configurability in areas that stock firmwares from manufacturers of routers don't typically provide. OpenWRT sprang into existence for *routers* because routers are a large market, they typically, internally, run a tiny version of Linux, and have a lot of potential for firmware improving their configurability.
 
In this case, what you're desiring would probably require a custom GMRS radio firmware first, that exposed capabilities not built into the stock firmware. Such a firmware could provide programming capabilities via USB cable. The problem is that this doesn't exist. Midland GMRS mobile radios are too small a market to spawn a group of enthusiasts to develop their own firmware, engineered to leverage Midland's boot loader and to fit within the hardware constraints of Midland GMRS radios. In the case of routers, it's a huge market; every home has one or more router. But GMRS, overall, is a smaller niche market, and there are options from other manufacturers that allow for programming without going to all the trouble of creating custom firmware for a Midland radio. So this side-loadable firmware just doesn't exist. Enthusiasts of GMRS don't go to the trouble of building custom firmwares to side-load into their GMRS radios. They buy radios that have the capabilities they need, and get a CHIRP profile added for that radio.
 
The MXT-575 is a very useful radio, easy to use, nice quality, nice design. But for a radio that provides programmability via USB cable, and that provides 999 memory banks, a KG1000G-Plus is $389, and an MXT-575, in good condition, should fetch at least 250 on eBay, freeing up a little cash to use to obtain a model that is better for your needs.
 
(When I say "that doesn't exist", I've looked; I checked Github, where many open source projects store their code, I've searched using search terms that would be common in such projects, I've looked in PyPI, CPAN, Node repositories, Java repositories, C++ repositories... I'm a software developer, and while there are millions of places to look, I've covered the ones that would usually matter.)

Just for the line I emphasized above I think you’d be fun to drink with.  Unfortunately I don’t have the answers you’re seeking, but I like your delivery.

Received and installed my MXTA26's on both Jeeps and hit 40 miles on a radio check through urban terrain via Lakewood repeater. 

Well lets start from the basics. I assume you have the power switch in the on position on the RICK ? The picture shows it in the OFF position. The CDM Radio has 12+ on the 16 pin connector Pin 13 (Switched A+)
Also the RICK has dip switches in the unit for COR/PL Detect pins as well as remote enable. Did you look at the RICK manual ? 
It appears you are trying to use PIN 8 for COR so the RICK must be programmed to use that pin. On the TX raido that should be blank or null as there is no need for COR on the TX radio. On the RX radio Pin  3 should be null also as there is no need for TX on the RX radio. 
The CDM and Rick are pretty basic. RX Radio just needs PL Detect (Pin 8), Discriminator audio (Pin 11) and Ground (Pin 7). If your trying to use remote control then of course those wires are needed also.
TX Radio is similar however the only pins you really need are Mic High (Pin 2), PTT (Pin 3) and Ground (Pin7). To power the RICK you need Pin 13 Switched A+ from one of the radios only. 
You can view the RICK manual here - https://www.repeater-builder.com/motorola/manuals/rick-manual.pdf
The work well when configured properly. I used to maintain 100's of them back in lowband days as they were used for vehicle repeaters from Lowband to UHF. Still have many in service and a few NIB in my shop. They are very basic but work. 

What's funny about this is they advertise "3-mile" range. I assume it's 500mw. But it seems like that was the state of marketing in the 90s before companies started claiming 16 miles, 18 miles, 22 miles, 38 miles, on radios that were inferior in terms of their antenna, and equal or only slightly better in terms of transmit power. Three miles was a real-world "out in the open" estimate, and is a LOT more accurate than blister pack radios nowadays claiming 22 miles of range.

Just for the line I emphasized above I think you’d be fun to drink with.  Unfortunately I don’t have the answers you’re seeking, but I like your delivery.

Your group should invest in radios on a service that allows encryption. 

Hi Mark,
I commend you for wanting to do things right.  Unless you are working as a “representative of a foreign government” I don’t know of any reason you couldn’t obtain a GMRS license.  It’s only $35 and it lasts for 10 years. The tallest hurdle will be navigating the FCC ULC system. Notarubicon has a guide that takes you through that step by step. I believe you need a U.S. address for a GMRS license.  It’s just a mailing address, not a transmitter location. https://www.notarubicon.com/how-to-get-a-gmrs-license-easy-guide-to-gmrs-licensing-on-the-fcc-website/

In general you register for an FRN first.  That definitely allows international addresses and there are 2244 Australians with FRNs already. Registering for an FRN is free.
Then you apply for the GMRS license using the FRN you just got.  It takes a separate step to pay for it.  Please don’t judge all of us in the USA by the FCC licensing system.  It’s terrible and we know it.
Hopefully you’ll also bring a dual band ham radio handheld.  There are a lot more ham radio repeaters across this country and as you probably already know amateur radio operators can operate in the amateur radio service in many countries they are visiting without needing to obtain that country’s ham license.  

Many people do operate without a GMRS license in the USA, but if I were doing that I would not provide an easily identifiable call sign for another service.  Choosing to disregard regulations is a personal choice and a lot of my friends do it, but they don’t complicate their situation by providing a ham call sign that can be traced.
I hope you have a great time in the USA. 
73 de AI7KS

Hi Mark,
I commend you for wanting to do things right.  Unless you are working as a “representative of a foreign government” I don’t know of any reason you couldn’t obtain a GMRS license.  It’s only $35 and it lasts for 10 years. The tallest hurdle will be navigating the FCC ULC system. Notarubicon has a guide that takes you through that step by step. I believe you need a U.S. address for a GMRS license.  It’s just a mailing address, not a transmitter location. https://www.notarubicon.com/how-to-get-a-gmrs-license-easy-guide-to-gmrs-licensing-on-the-fcc-website/

In general you register for an FRN first.  That definitely allows international addresses and there are 2244 Australians with FRNs already. Registering for an FRN is free.
Then you apply for the GMRS license using the FRN you just got.  It takes a separate step to pay for it.  Please don’t judge all of us in the USA by the FCC licensing system.  It’s terrible and we know it.
Hopefully you’ll also bring a dual band ham radio handheld.  There are a lot more ham radio repeaters across this country and as you probably already know amateur radio operators can operate in the amateur radio service in many countries they are visiting without needing to obtain that country’s ham license.  

Many people do operate without a GMRS license in the USA, but if I were doing that I would not provide an easily identifiable call sign for another service.  Choosing to disregard regulations is a personal choice and a lot of my friends do it, but they don’t complicate their situation by providing a ham call sign that can be traced.
I hope you have a great time in the USA. 
73 de AI7KS

Hi Mark,
I commend you for wanting to do things right.  Unless you are working as a “representative of a foreign government” I don’t know of any reason you couldn’t obtain a GMRS license.  It’s only $35 and it lasts for 10 years. The tallest hurdle will be navigating the FCC ULC system. Notarubicon has a guide that takes you through that step by step. I believe you need a U.S. address for a GMRS license.  It’s just a mailing address, not a transmitter location. https://www.notarubicon.com/how-to-get-a-gmrs-license-easy-guide-to-gmrs-licensing-on-the-fcc-website/

In general you register for an FRN first.  That definitely allows international addresses and there are 2244 Australians with FRNs already. Registering for an FRN is free.
Then you apply for the GMRS license using the FRN you just got.  It takes a separate step to pay for it.  Please don’t judge all of us in the USA by the FCC licensing system.  It’s terrible and we know it.
Hopefully you’ll also bring a dual band ham radio handheld.  There are a lot more ham radio repeaters across this country and as you probably already know amateur radio operators can operate in the amateur radio service in many countries they are visiting without needing to obtain that country’s ham license.  

Many people do operate without a GMRS license in the USA, but if I were doing that I would not provide an easily identifiable call sign for another service.  Choosing to disregard regulations is a personal choice and a lot of my friends do it, but they don’t complicate their situation by providing a ham call sign that can be traced.
I hope you have a great time in the USA. 
73 de AI7KS

Hi Mark,
I commend you for wanting to do things right.  Unless you are working as a “representative of a foreign government” I don’t know of any reason you couldn’t obtain a GMRS license.  It’s only $35 and it lasts for 10 years. The tallest hurdle will be navigating the FCC ULC system. Notarubicon has a guide that takes you through that step by step. I believe you need a U.S. address for a GMRS license.  It’s just a mailing address, not a transmitter location. https://www.notarubicon.com/how-to-get-a-gmrs-license-easy-guide-to-gmrs-licensing-on-the-fcc-website/

In general you register for an FRN first.  That definitely allows international addresses and there are 2244 Australians with FRNs already. Registering for an FRN is free.
Then you apply for the GMRS license using the FRN you just got.  It takes a separate step to pay for it.  Please don’t judge all of us in the USA by the FCC licensing system.  It’s terrible and we know it.
Hopefully you’ll also bring a dual band ham radio handheld.  There are a lot more ham radio repeaters across this country and as you probably already know amateur radio operators can operate in the amateur radio service in many countries they are visiting without needing to obtain that country’s ham license.  

Many people do operate without a GMRS license in the USA, but if I were doing that I would not provide an easily identifiable call sign for another service.  Choosing to disregard regulations is a personal choice and a lot of my friends do it, but they don’t complicate their situation by providing a ham call sign that can be traced.
I hope you have a great time in the USA. 
73 de AI7KS

Usually within 24 hours, possibly 48. 
But access to this site doesn’t occur immediately. That might take another week. 

Start by doing lots of reading here on the forum, then listening to see how the folks do it around the area. Lots of nice people, mostly hanging out on channel 18. Tiger/Oly3 is an open repeater and it’s pretty active.

Some info here: https://www.radioofhope.org/oly-comm-volunteers

Some Phantom antennae are no ground plane antennae and some require a ground plane. The non-ground plane antenna is still available and in stock at Talley Communications as Lscott pointed out with a link
I have been using that antenna for the last 20 years on composite bodied vehicles and have had great success with them.
 

It only plays when you are trying to focus on doing some other work. 🤣

Check with frank.scaglione@azgmrs.org and ask him what he did on his Bronco. I believe he has a setup for both GMRS and HAM (2M and 70cm).

Your statement about losing 180  degrees of radiation is incorrect. An omni antenna has a larger lobe facing the ground plane and will still radiate in all directions. The increased radiation is from the opposite side of the radiation pattern.

That's what I normally had always thought. However this antenna was mentioned as no ground plane required. The poster who pointed it out said they had one and it worked fine. I have no experience with this particular one so I can't comment about it one way or the other.
https://www.talleycom.com/product/ANXTRA4500N

With the exception of the trails near the Mexican border between Yuma and Tucson and well south of Interstate 8, most of our trails in Arizona have GMRS repeater coverage with the addition of Mingus Mtn. recently. Towers 575 is essentially restricted these days but Towers 600 fills in in place of Towers 575. We're pretty fortunate and several of the repeaters are linked for wide area coverage.

Your group should invest in radios on a service that allows encryption. 

I suggest you be careful getting answers to deep questions about a firmware update on the gm-15 pro in a thread about the TD-H3.
You are just not going to get the depth of responses from experiences users of the gm-15 pro, because, other than a few, why would they be here?
For example: I do not have a TD-H3 and am only here because reviewing "Unread Content" at this particular moment in time revealed:
 

I will still suggest using a shielded CAT5/6 cable and shielded RJ45 connector for making extension cables for removing the head. The factory extension cable is shielded and uses shielded RJ45 connectors. Shielded cable and connectors will help keep RFI out of the radio.
I have to agree that the overall length is not as critical in this instance. In fact I don't see anyone making a 100 foot, let alone 300 foot, extension cable.