[MicroMobile® MXTA25 3dB Gain Ghost Antenna]

Sorry for my delayed response.

I appreciate the reply OffRoaderX and will definitely be sticking with my 6db Midland antenna.  I also enjoy your videos, keep em coming :)

[MicroMobile® MXTA25 3dB Gain Ghost Antenna]

I'm trying out this antenna on my Jeep and when checking the SWR on it, it's 2.4 to 1 across the GMRS UHF range. Obviously you can't 'trim' this antenna so does anyone have experience with this antenna? Is that a typical SWR for these? I've also tried different antenna cables and the reading stays the same. I'm wondering if I should ask Midland for a replacement.

EDIT: I also have the Midland 6db gain antenna and the SWR is fine on that one. About 1.7 on 462.xxx and 1.4 on 467.xxx

[Radio purchase suggestions - newbie alert :)]

On 5/24/2022 at 3:03 PM, Screech said:

@moonpup are any of those repeaters you plan to use on the same channel with different squelch controls on the repeater input? If so, I would not advise getting the Midlands as you'll have to change those setting when going between those repeaters instead of just changing the channel. Also, if I read another members interactions with Midland concerning the MXT275 wide band update correctly, you can order direct from Midland and request the update be flashed before they ship it so that you don't need to send it back in. You being a Ham operator, if you plan to mount the radio in a visible area I would suggest finding one that you can program with software, assuming you've done this as a HAM with other radios, and setting the repeater names to show when on those. 

I'm not sure the other radio (Wouxun KG-1000G) I'm familiar with is a good recommendation either, it's got a lot of features and power, but if you already have a Ham radio a lot of those features are likely redundant to a degree, maybe redundant RX is a good thing though, I like that I can monitor HAM/Comm/Gov with my KG-1000G on one side and the other be active with GMRS on the other. The price is right up there with the MXT575 radios, likely more once you add the antenna, but the features completely shadow the MIdland MXTxxx radios.

I feel like there is a better radio between the MXT275 and the KG-1000G for you, I'm just not familiar enough with other radios to make suggestions in that area. I'd almost say an HT with a mag mount mobile antenna connected to it while in the car/truck, but then you can put the stock antenna on it and be mobile. And you could be in it for under $100. I have really cheap UV-5G HTs ($60 for a pair) that I program using Chirp, these HTs are based very much on the UV-5R amateur radios.

Hi there,

All good comments above

At this point, I'm really looking for simple and something I can mount hidden and not worry about it being in the open. I ordered the MXT275 and am willing to live with it's limitations. For my needs I really feel 15 watts is more than adequate. As I get more experience with GMRS, I'll probably get something better... but for now the 275 is good for testing the waters.

Thanks everyone!

[Radio purchase suggestions - newbie alert :)]

At this point in time... I really think the MXT275 with the wide band update would be more than adequate for my needs. I think the 575 is cool, and could be a good alternative... but the price and having no fan, depending on the heat sink for the higher power levels turns me off.

[Radio purchase suggestions - newbie alert :)]

Hi all,

I'm new to GMRS, but have been a ham operator for some time. I'm trying to decide between the MXT275 and MXT500/575 (or others) based on my criteria below...

• Primarily only drive within my state and bounce between 3 repeaters and simplex usage
• Don't necessarily need 50 watts and 15 would be more than adequate for my usage
• Would prefer to hide the unit as I drive a Jeep Wrangler, but could be convinced to mount it openly.
• For repeater use, I'd need to send the MXT275 back to Midland for the wide band update
• I find the price of the MXT500/575 obnoxious for the feature set, but meets all my needs for out of the box readiness, but can't hide it and easily make changes/adjustments
• Reasons not to go MXT275
• The MXT575 is also an option but currently sold out.... wait or get 500?

Appreciate any help based on your personal experiences.