High Watt mobile designed so the main unit can be hidden

[Tiercel]

I would like to see a dozen or so mobile setups because my Avalon has no obvious place to mount a full mobile mount that I can envision.  I was very close to buying what I thought was the perfect setup: a Midland MXT575 50-watt mobile with all the controls on the mic.  Then I realized it could only monitor 1 station at a time and could not scan programmable receive-only frequencies.  I don't need fancy, but it was a little too basic.  I might still be forced to go that route.

I have seen a couple of others that look like the face is detachable, and the main unit can be mounted out of the way.  I think that would be workable even if, at worst, I used a cupholder mount.  I think I can find room for a detachable face plate.

Does anyone have suggestions on 40 or 50-watt mobile units with all controls on the mic or with a detachable face.  

Do you have recommendations or ideas on how you found room to mount a mobile in today's cars? 

I think my Tacoma might have room for a standard mobile in a front open-cubby of the console.   

I would like to be able to remove my mobile fairly easy to use as a base at times.

 

[WRYZ926]

Buy Two Way Radios has refurbished Wouxun KG 100G (Not plus model) in stock on their eBay store for $270

https://www.ebay.com/itm/394948647580

[Tiercel]

21 minutes ago, OffRoaderX said:

All the people that pre-ordered got theirs shipped and now everyone that didnt pre-order gets to wait again... Pre order one (when the website allows) if you ever want to touch one.  

Thanks! I saw on your video review that the only way to get one was by pre-order, so I did that on 10/31.  They ran the charge on my credit card and sent me an email confirmation. I'm not sure if I was too late for the 11/3 shipment or if that is running late.  Hopefully, I will be "in the mix" whenever they ship.   I am just whining like a little baby waiting for Christmas.

Currently, I have to be satisfied playing with (2) UV-9gs with inoperable channel 15 and (2) UV-5Rs that I decided against returning (in spite of the disparaging remarks).  The ability to unlock them makes them worth the few dollars they cost just for temporary loaners and emergencies.

[jas]

2 hours ago, OffRoaderX said:

All the people that pre-ordered got theirs shipped and now everyone that didnt pre-order gets to wait again... Pre order one (when the website allows) if you ever want to touch one.  

Just ordered mine right now through Midland's Amazon store.  In the last 2-days it went from delivery in 3-6 days to Nov 9 - Nov 13. Midlands running dry on these...

[jas]

On 10/30/2023 at 10:23 PM, Tiercel said:

I would like to see a dozen or so mobile setups because my Avalon has no obvious place to mount a full mobile mount that I can envision.  I was very close to buying what I thought was the perfect setup: a Midland MXT575 50-watt mobile with all the controls on the mic.  Then I realized it could only monitor 1 station at a time and could not scan programmable receive-only frequencies.  I don't need fancy, but it was a little too basic.  I might still be forced to go that route.

I have seen a couple of others that look like the face is detachable, and the main unit can be mounted out of the way.  I think that would be workable even if, at worst, I used a cupholder mount.  I think I can find room for a detachable face plate.

Does anyone have suggestions on 40 or 50-watt mobile units with all controls on the mic or with a detachable face.  

Do you have recommendations or ideas on how you found room to mount a mobile in today's cars? 

I think my Tacoma might have room for a standard mobile in a front open-cubby of the console.   

I would like to be able to remove my mobile fairly easy to use as a base at times.

 

I hear you.  I'm just simpler than you when driving.  I have adapted though. I have a cheat sheet to get what I need done. Stopping first of course.

Just ordered my MXT575 because it seems that Midland is running dry on these.

As for mounting mine will go under the seat. Beings that I will not drill my vehicle nor put stick things on leather I found this in Amazon.  It's a cup holder that goes in the cup holder, with an arm to hang the mic/head on it. No idea how good it is but I'm getting one.. If it's crap or not, I'll let everyone know.

Here's a screen clip and the link at Amazon:

Amazon link

[WRYZ926]

2 hours ago, OffRoaderX said:

All the people that pre-ordered got theirs shipped and now everyone that didnt pre-order gets to wait again... Pre order one (when the website allows) if you ever want to touch one.  

I pre ordered mine yesterday so we'll see when I get it.

[jas]

On 11/3/2023 at 4:53 PM, jas said:

Just ordered mine right now through Midland's Amazon store.  In the last 2-days it went from delivery in 3-6 days to Nov 9 - Nov 13. Midlands running dry on these...

Well, just got an alert from UPS. They picked up the MXT575 I ordered last Friday and it should be here this Thursday .

 

[jas]

On 11/6/2023 at 10:52 AM, jas said:

Well, just got an alert from UPS. They picked up the MXT575 I ordered last Friday and it should be here this Thursday .

 

Update: I Swapped my MXT275 out with the MXT575 today. Left the magnetic mount and the ghost antenna from the 275 on the roof of the vehicle so as to compare apples to apples.

This new radio is a game changer. Whoever said that watts don't matter is full of it. This thing cuts through suburbs and 11-story buildings like they are not there. All from 12-feet above sea level.

My first two PTTs resulted in two crystal clear conversations on two different repeaters.  One 17 miles the other 24 miles. The 17 mile connection was through a repeater  across Tampa Bay - Cortez625, FL. It's a more challenging one because it's not on a really tall building like the ones in Tampa. The owner estimate here on My GMRS is 15 miles but I'm not anywhere  near being inside the green circle estimate on this website - North end of TIerra Verde, FL

That's excellent in my book for us FL flatland dwellers. The 275 could not do it, would not even get connect squelch. For some reason, the reception is much clearer with the new 575 as well which has nothing to do with watts.

And, I didn't hook up the 575 to the battery as recommended by Midland. I cut the radio's power cable a foot or so from the battery terminals and spliced in a high end cigarette lighter plug that came with 14 AGW wire and a 20amp fuse.  Measured the voltage both at the battery and at the radio cable connector are both exactly 12.8 volts with the vehicle not running.  When the vehicle is running it goes over 13 volts on both.

I am a very happy camper!

[WRQC527]

15 minutes ago, jas said:

Whoever said that watts don't matter is full of it.

Did someone say that? 

[jas]

Not on this website that I know of. Some people on YouTube have said it's all line of sight, etc. 

[Sshannon]

28 minutes ago, jas said:

Whoever said that watts don't matter is full of it. This thing cuts through suburbs and 11-story buildings like they are not there. All from 12-feet above sea level.

Of course power makes a difference, otherwise we could all have FRS radios. But many people get worked up about a watt or two when a good antennas makes much more difference.

[OffRoaderX]

Just now, Sshannon said:

Of course power makes a difference, otherwise we could all have FRS radios. But many people get worked up about a watt or two when a good antennas makes much more difference.

 ^ that..
And, for clarification, UHF (GMRS) is line of site. If you cant see it, then you are bouncing your signal to it - and more power helps to do that.

[jas]

47 minutes ago, OffRoaderX said:

 ^ that..
And, for clarification, UHF (GMRS) is line of site. If you cant see it, then you are bouncing your signal to it - and more power helps to do that.

Never thought of it as bouncing. Interesting. Sounds right though, especially for us lowlander Floridians! In my case on an island 11-feet above sea level, which when it comes to RF everything around me seems to be an obstacle.

In my particular case, the difference between transmitting (and for some weird reason receiving) on a 15 watt MXT275 and a 50 watt MXT575 is nothing short of spectacular, and both tested with the same antenna on my vehicle. I said game changer for the MXT575 on my post and I REALLY mean that, nothing short of that..

Oh, and I enjoy your channel (subscribed).

[WRWE456]

Now imagine switching to a taller high gain antenna. That will really let that 50 watts sing.

[WRYZ926]

Yes a good antenna with higher gain will make quite a bit of difference. I am limited to a maximum of 16" for antennas for daily use so that I can still get my Ford Escape into the garage without damaging the antennas or tearing up the garage door insulation. But I will get longer antennas too.

[WRYZ926]

57 minutes ago, jas said:

Never thought of it as bouncing. Interesting. Sounds right though,

That is known as picket fencing in the HAM (amateur) radio world. And yes just moving a little bit in a different direction can help get around obstacles.

[BoxCar]

Higher power means better coverage in the same area as the increased power penetrates obstacles better, but the area served remains the same.

[tcp2525]

14 hours ago, OffRoaderX said:

 ^ that..
And, for clarification, UHF (GMRS) is line of site. If you cant see it, then you are bouncing your signal to it - and more power helps to do that.

Ah, if only the FCC would allow us GMRS'ers to use a kilowatt we'd all be happy. This 50w limit is surely cramping my style!

[jas]

13 hours ago, WRYZ926 said:

That is known as picket fencing in the HAM (amateur) radio world. And yes just moving a little bit in a different direction can help get around obstacles.

Thanks! Didn't know what that was so I looked it up. That doesn't sound right though.  The reason is that I was mobile and traversed around an 18-mile round trip, going closer and further away from the repeater. Both the RX and TX never wavered, which doesn't sound like picket fencing. If I understand the concept the signals would vary and they never did.

[WRYZ926]

@jas you still could have been bouncing signals off of things without realizing it.

[jas]

22 hours ago, OffRoaderX said:

 ^ that..
And, for clarification, UHF (GMRS) is line of site. If you cant see it, then you are bouncing your signal to it - and more power helps to do that.

 

22 hours ago, jas said:

Never thought of it as bouncing. Interesting. Sounds right though, especially for us lowlander Floridians! In my case on an island 11-feet above sea level, which when it comes to RF everything around me seems to be an obstacle.

In my particular case, the difference between transmitting (and for some weird reason receiving) on a 15 watt MXT275 and a 50 watt MXT575 is nothing short of spectacular, and both tested with the same antenna on my vehicle. I said game changer for the MXT575 on my post and I REALLY mean that, nothing short of that..

Oh, and I enjoy your channel (subscribed).

OK, couldn't get this bouncing thing out of my head so I started researching it.  I'm an analyst (business) by profession - first four letters - anal .

There I sat all evening thinking and came out with four clues - which now leads me to believe that my new radio enthusiasm yesterday needs to be tempered somewhat until I run more tests:

I think the stellar results might have been the result of UHF Tropospheric Ducting.

First Clue: On my original post on this new radio I said "For some reason, the reception is much clearer with the new 575 as well which has nothing to do with watts." Only two reasons - better radio circuitry OR, some bounce.

Second clue: I usually sit by the pool listening to my UV-5R equipped with a Nagoya NA-F30G 30-Inch Tactical Foldable Whip  before dinner with my favorite beverage. Listening only because I can't raise anyone with 5 watts from my screened in pool. In the last week I've been picking up sporadic but clear conversations from a repeater on 462.675 MHz - early evenings. There are none of those within 30 miles of me.

So, I went looking and the only one it could be is in Sebring, FL - owner's estimated range 65 miles! My distance to it - 77 miles! and very L&C.

Third Clue: I found a website that forecasts Tropospheric Ducting. Forecast for my location for yesterday was moderate to strong. Link and picture below.

Fourth clue: In reading all about UHF Tropospheric Ducting I found relevant conversations on this forum and also ran in to an article saying that the Gulf of Mexico is famous for this phenomena and the atmospheric conditions this past week have been excellent for it - moist warm air temperatures with significantly cooler water (temperature inversions).

Links: https://dxinfocentre.com/tropo.html , Wikipedia (see UHF propagation records at the end!): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tropospheric_propagation

Forecast image for my location yesterday:

[WRYZ926]

Tropospheric ducting definitely effects how far radio waves travel.  I was picking up a GMRS repeater this morning that is 33 miles from me but that I normally can't reach due to terrain. I was getting a very weak but clear signal this morning.

[back4more70]

1 hour ago, jas said:

Thanks! Didn't know what that was so I looked it up. That doesn't sound right though.  The reason is that I was mobile and traversed around an 18-mile round trip, going closer and further away from the repeater. Both the RX and TX never wavered, which doesn't sound like picket fencing. If I understand the concept the signals would vary and they never did.

Picket fencing is when signals are fluttering in and out.

[jas]

On 11/11/2023 at 10:36 AM, jas said:

 

OK, couldn't get this bouncing thing out of my head so I started researching it.  I'm an analyst (business) by profession - first four letters - anal .

There I sat all evening thinking and came out with four clues - which now leads me to believe that my new radio enthusiasm yesterday needs to be tempered somewhat until I run more tests:

I think the stellar results might have been the result of UHF Tropospheric Ducting.

First Clue: On my original post on this new radio I said "For some reason, the reception is much clearer with the new 575 as well which has nothing to do with watts." Only two reasons - better radio circuitry OR, some bounce.

Second clue: I usually sit by the pool listening to my UV-5R equipped with a Nagoya NA-F30G 30-Inch Tactical Foldable Whip  before dinner with my favorite beverage. Listening only because I can't raise anyone with 5 watts from my screened in pool. In the last week I've been picking up sporadic but clear conversations from a repeater on 462.675 MHz - early evenings. There are none of those within 30 miles of me.

So, I went looking and the only one it could be is in Sebring, FL - owner's estimated range 65 miles! My distance to it - 77 miles! and very L&C.

Third Clue: I found a website that forecasts Tropospheric Ducting. Forecast for my location for yesterday was moderate to strong. Link and picture below.

Fourth clue: In reading all about UHF Tropospheric Ducting I found relevant conversations on this forum and also ran in to an article saying that the Gulf of Mexico is famous for this phenomena and the atmospheric conditions this past week have been excellent for it - moist warm air temperatures with significantly cooler water (temperature inversions).

Links: https://dxinfocentre.com/tropo.html , Wikipedia (see UHF propagation records at the end!): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tropospheric_propagation

Forecast image for my location yesterday:

Update:

Well, I hate saying this but reception went back to normal today - no different from the MXT275 with the same antenna. The other day above was too good to be true reception wise on a regular basis... But, it didn't affect TX at all. I could hit the repeaters really well from 26 miles. I'll post the ducting forecast for today below for comparison.

I also tested the SWR with my Surecom meter today on the new MXT575 radio, using two of my antennas: The daily use Midland MXTA25 3DB Ghost and the Midland MXT26 6DB whip which I use when traveling. I drove down to our local beach park out in Tampa Bay so I could get a wide open space. Drove down with the whip installed and back with the ghost. Very little difference in reception. Actually the ghost wins because it cuts all the unintelligible scratchy stuff out.

The Results:

MXT26: 1.02 SWR all regular channels - 1.15 on repeater channels

MXT25: 1.08-1.09 SWR all regular channels  - 1.51 on repeater channels

Here's the tropo ducting forecast - Purple is marginal - almost nil: