Off Roading

[WRUU653]

32 minutes ago, nokones said:

I have a feeling that there may be some fake body parts

They’re called aftermarket

[gortex2]

Well I guess when I told wife we need to do multiple repairs on the JK she decided a new one was better...so picking up a 2018 Rubicon later this week. So instead of axles, lockers, its just radios and wrap...My kinda work for winter months ! 

 

[SteveShannon]

On 8/22/2024 at 7:33 PM, marcspaz said:

That sucks to see. Depending on the state, he can be looking at jail time for that stunt.

He received a citation for failing to report an accident.

And his insurance completely paid for my repairs and nearly a month long car rental. 

[marcspaz]

 

Well, i got the green light from the wife to build another rock crawler. This one is going to include some nice VHF/UHF comms, too. Just not sure if I'm going to stick HF in it. I feel like I won't need it, unless I'm wheeling with someone who is still running a CB. Of course, I know a few people with CBs, but no one uses them offroad.

 

I am pretty sure I am going to install the MXT500 due to its IP rating. The Jeep won't have any roof or doors once it's done. Shoot, im not even sure if it will have a windshield when it's done. LoL

 

Anyone aware of a different, affordable and readily available GMRS/UHF mobile radio that I should consider?  IP66 or better and 20+w?

 

This is what I picked up. 1997 Wrangler TJ.

 

 

This is roughly what it will look like when its done. 

 

[nokones]

Marc:

Looks like a fun project. Take a look at Rugged Radios. They have waterproof radios for off-road racing vehicles in both VHF and UHF. They also have Jeep specific kis and accessories along with racing audio accessories. I believe their radio might be 40 watt radios.

Their radios appear to be rugged (no pun intended), but I don't like the fact that their radios programming software application was developed by RT Systems which I find some what weird.

[marcspaz]

Hey Kenny... I appreciate the recommendation, but I will never buy a Rugged Radio.  They have such bad products and reputation for poor quality.  Everyone I ever knew personally who owned one, it was broken in some way shape or form and none of them ever made anything close the the power they claim... like 4 or 5 watts on max instead of 50w, kind of stuff.

 

Also, that they have been cited for unlawfully marketing radios in violation of marketing rules.  I'd rather steer clear.

https://www.fcc.gov/document/eb-issues-citation-rugged-radios-equipment-marketing-violations

[gortex2]

Nice we looked at a nice LJ that was actually automatic, but with my time on the road didn't think I'd have time to get everything done before April so a 3/4 done jeep was what we got. Luckily one we found was a one owner 100% mall crawler (whinch doesnt even have power cables to it). We plan to remove all the mall stuff and put some real stuff on it. Just ordered new BFG MT last night for all the way around. Going to miss the old school MT...

[WRXB215]

8 hours ago, marcspaz said:

This is roughly what it will look like when its done.

Man, that looks like some kind of expensive RC. 

[marcspaz]

1 hour ago, gortex2 said:

Nice we looked at a nice LJ that was actually automatic, but with my time on the road didn't think I'd have time to get everything done before April so a 3/4 done jeep was what we got. Luckily one we found was a one owner 100% mall crawler (whinch doesnt even have power cables to it). We plan to remove all the mall stuff and put some real stuff on it. Just ordered new BFG MT last night for all the way around. Going to miss the old school MT...

 

That sounds great!  I still want to get a trip together for members who are on or willing to commute to the east coast. I feel like Uwharrie is a nice, central/ Mid-Atlantic location. We have to see what we can pull off in 2025.

[marcspaz]

14 minutes ago, WRXB215 said:

Man, that looks like some kind of expensive RC. 

 

Hopefully it will be as much fun, too!

[WRUU653]

1 hour ago, marcspaz said:

Hey Kenny... I appreciate the recommendation, but I will never buy a Rugged Radio.  They have such bad products and reputation for poor quality.  Everyone I ever knew personally who owned one, it was broken in some way shape or form and none of them ever made anything close the the power they claim... like 4 or 5 watts on max instead of 50w, kind of stuff.

 

Also, that they have been cited for unlawfully marketing radios in violation of marketing rules.  I'd rather steer clear.

https://www.fcc.gov/document/eb-issues-citation-rugged-radios-equipment-marketing-violations

Marc, I have not been interested in their radios. However as @nokones mentioned they do have some mounting hardware and accessories you might want to take a look at. I have purchased a few things from them that are well made (no radios though). I do understand your aversion though. 
 

[nokones]

Well, I didn't know about their radios and the situation with the FCC, I've never bought one, but I tried to program one and it was a pain. However, I have bought their mounting components and one of their VHF Phantom antennae that had a VSWR of 12.0:1 on 154 Megs.

I returned the antenna and got a refund.

[WRUU653]

4 minutes ago, nokones said:

that had a VSWR of 12.0:1 on 154 Megs

Ouch.
My purchases have been mounting related. I did get a cable once for a mobile installation and no problems. They’re 10 min. from my house so in a pinch I can run over and get something.

[gortex2]

6 hours ago, marcspaz said:

 

That sounds great!  I still want to get a trip together for members who are on or willing to commute to the east coast. I feel like Uwharrie is a nice, central/ Mid-Atlantic location. We have to see what we can pull off in 2025.

Let us know. I'll be in Uwharrie a few times this coming year. I have the annual pass on our jeeps. Need to get a 2025 one for the new jeep when they come up. For Jeep Jamborees we booked, Tennesee Mtns (Windrock) for spring, Coal Mountain in the summer and Cumberland and Uhwarrie for the fall. Most likely will do Greenbriar as well but thats 3 weekends in a row of trips. We also plan to do the SFWD events in the sping (Coalmont TN) and fall (Windrock). Be a fun summer. 

I know most on this forum despise midland but I just grabbed another 275 for the new jeep. With the "offroad promo code" it was $132. That made more sense than ripping the old one out of the other JK. Plus I'd like to keep the old JK anyway. Only other radio planned will be a FTM400  which I already have in a box. I had picked it up used for the other JK and never got to it. No APX in this JK...at least yet. I normally just grab my APX Next anyway now so no need for a mobile. 

[gortex2]

BTW...The midland 20% off code for off road is  - OFFROAD20