Recommended FRS & GMRS radios

[Spieg]

One other thing to consider between those 2 radios you linked Jim is the difference in power. 15watt vs 40watt. People I've talked with recommend the more powerful version for use in the mountains. Better suited to reach out from a canyon.

[Trevor?]

If range is a deciding factor it would be best to avoid one of those stubby antennas sold in the midland kits. A good antenna mounted as high as you can get it would be a better bang for the buck there. The advertised power wont make a radio receive any better, but that 40 watt midland radio being the "flagship" model might have a better receiver in it compared to the smaller units.

Now those stubby antennas seem useful if you have clearance concerns, and probably work just fine on the trail if you're communicating with folks using handhelds. But at these frequencies antennas are already small... it seems like what you're giving up when using a loaded stubby is more than its worth.

Just my opinion, but an end fed half wave is a good compromise for me. It's not as sensitive to ground planes and mounting as a 1/4 wave so its good for the Jeep. No phasing coil on the whip like some of the colinear antennas so less of a concern getting caught or damaged hitting branches. It's pretty short at 13 inches or so. It's still a little challenging to get it up high with a soft top in the way, but it works well attached to the roll cage.

[Tom]

Trevor? previously posted:

[Jim]

I'm not learned in this arena (1/4 wave, phasing coil???) but I clicked buy yesterday with Brian's BF15 discount code. I hope this will perform as desired.

If anyone has comment or concern (incorrect / poor antenna or cable, etc), I'd love to hear it while a return is an option.

A bit pricey so I'm hoping it's a "buy it right, buy it once" event.

MXT400 radio
https://midlandusa.com/collections/o...le-2-way-radio

MXTA26 6db gain 32" antenna
https://midlandusa.com/collections/m...n-whip-antenna

MXTA24 antenna cable
https://midlandusa.com/collections/m...-antenna-cable

MXTA23 antenna mount (I'm looking to mount on the tire carrier - any concerns with that???) (ground plane???)
https://midlandusa.com/collections/m...unting-bracket

21-404C external speaker
https://midlandusa.com/collections/m...oducts/21-404c

[Tom]

Jim previously posted:

[Spieg]

Pretty much the same thing I ordered Jim, minus the external speaker and antenna mount.

[Trevor?]

Tom previously posted:

[Trevor?]

Jim previously posted:

[Trevor?]

Looks like Midland came out with a new GMRS mobile. 50 watts, split-tone capable, can select narrow or wide bandwidth and IP66 rated.

https://midlandusa.com/collections/m...Etwo-way-radio
https://www.buytwowayradios.com/blog...0-is-here.html

[Jim]

So, how likely would I/we have need for the new features? They sound desirable (should I be solo in a remote area looking to use a repeater) but should I consider selling my still in the box 400 and get the 500?

[Spieg]

They had a 50 watt model out a couple of years ago and had to pull it off the market because it had problems. Not sure if the extra 10 watts makes that much difference...

[Trevor?]

Based on a lot of the responses on this forum I would expect that the split-tones and bandwidth features may not be that valuable to most of the folks here. I think most folks here are looking for a easy to use and reliable trail radio. Split-tones and selectable bandwidth would be useful if you want to use the repeater systems around Denver.

I do think the IP66 rating could be important to anyone who values reliability. It may also make some mounting options more appealing for people who run without a top. Hopefully Midland seals up the other models in the lineup in the future.

If it were me I wouldn't switch from the 400 to the 500 over a 10W gain in power. Power doesn't help you receive any better, so unless you're talking to other high-power users at long range then I don't see that coming in handy all that often. Maybe I would switch on account of the IP66 raiting if I was going to mount it in a spot where it could get a little rain on it... but then it would depend what it would ultimately cost me to switch. I do wish my ICOM had an IP raiting.

It's just my opinion but I still think you have a nice radio, Jim. It can be kind of a bummer though whenever you buy something and the new model comes out before you get a chance to use the one you got.

[Jim]

Trevor? previously posted: