I recently picked up a supposedly, and apparently, new Midland MXT400VP3 package with the included bolt on NMO 3db Ghost Antenna mounted via the MXTA23 to the stock roof rack bars of a 1999 Suburban with the antenna just inside of the bars (as opposed to just outside) to allow for a bit more ground plane overlap and located towards the passenger side rear extreme. I also have this powered directly to battery (with inline fuse obviously).
Initially, I returned this unit because the microphone jack would not stay engaged and kept popping out the unit, depending on the physical motion of the cord. I received a refund and then a few weeks later they just send me back the exact same unit for free (Hellifino). I tried to inquire as to why they sent it back and they simply had disappeared off eBay. So I took another stab at the hookup but do not seem to be hearing much activity in general and have yet to be able to get a successful radio check. However, I happened to turn it on one evening (when I first installed it and before I did any programming) when a local net was have a session and it was very clear that there was excellent reception from a wide range of participants. But I did not try to interrupt their meeting. But otherwise, I generally do not hear very much activity during scanning and all attempts for radio check have been unsuccessful.
I do not have any other related radio equipment. Other than lousy TX/RX performance, the basic functions of the radio seem ok as far as I can tell.
So my basic questions are:
a) is my antenna mounting approach legitimate?
b) is there anyone in the Northwest Las Vegas area who might be willing to try a radio check with me?
c) do they make a magnetic mount adapter for which I could remove just the END of the MXTA23 cable and attach it to a magnetic mount but otherwise use the same cable (since it has a detachable fitting which allows me to snake the cable it through a SMALL hole) so that I can keep the current cable
d) other suggestions to resolve the performance issue?
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KamalaSucks
I recently picked up a supposedly, and apparently, new Midland MXT400VP3 package with the included bolt on NMO 3db Ghost Antenna mounted via the MXTA23 to the stock roof rack bars of a 1999 Suburban with the antenna just inside of the bars (as opposed to just outside) to allow for a bit more ground plane overlap and located towards the passenger side rear extreme. I also have this powered directly to battery (with inline fuse obviously).
Initially, I returned this unit because the microphone jack would not stay engaged and kept popping out the unit, depending on the physical motion of the cord. I received a refund and then a few weeks later they just send me back the exact same unit for free (Hellifino). I tried to inquire as to why they sent it back and they simply had disappeared off eBay. So I took another stab at the hookup but do not seem to be hearing much activity in general and have yet to be able to get a successful radio check. However, I happened to turn it on one evening (when I first installed it and before I did any programming) when a local net was have a session and it was very clear that there was excellent reception from a wide range of participants. But I did not try to interrupt their meeting. But otherwise, I generally do not hear very much activity during scanning and all attempts for radio check have been unsuccessful.
I do not have any other related radio equipment. Other than lousy TX/RX performance, the basic functions of the radio seem ok as far as I can tell.
So my basic questions are:
a) is my antenna mounting approach legitimate?
b) is there anyone in the Northwest Las Vegas area who might be willing to try a radio check with me?
c) do they make a magnetic mount adapter for which I could remove just the END of the MXTA23 cable and attach it to a magnetic mount but otherwise use the same cable (since it has a detachable fitting which allows me to snake the cable it through a SMALL hole) so that I can keep the current cable
d) other suggestions to resolve the performance issue?
thks
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