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Another HAM vs GMRS question

1Louder

1Louder

Rank VI
Launch Member

Member II

Chris Ludwig said:
CB is obsolete; don't waste a dime on it. Transmitting on those frequencies with 5watts AM is next to pointless. The FCC should have shut it down and switched truckers over to UHF years ago, more like what they use in Australia.

For solo vehicle travel in the mountain west, I'd say carry either 409MHz beacon and a HAM radio OR a 2-way satellite messenger of your choice. If in a convoy, someone in the convoy should be thus equipped, but use GMRS for truck-to-truck comms.
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Well put. I finally yanked out my CB. A Midland GMRS is going in. I am 90% Ham these days and will use GMRS for the rest. For group trips I might throw my portable CB setup in the back of my FJ but that would really be for others benefit. Folks if you have no radios and need something to start please go with a GMRS to start if you find Ham to expensive (it isn’t) or intimidating (it isn’t). At least you will have a radio with some range and can get some cheap handhelds to use with a spotter.
 
Ubiety

Ubiety

Rank VI
Member

Explorer I

1Louder said:
I like APRS but it is old as mentioned. It is a convenience item (is someone nearby? Maybe I can reach them) and novelty more than anything else.
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Totally agree with that; have been taking a new look at APRS for helping with "convoy management". Am really intrigued with the ability to see the location of vehicles/etc. in your group near real-time. Also think transmitting objects to the group has potential - intended camp spot occupied? Send plan-b camping spot object to the group.
 
Ubiety

Ubiety

Rank VI
Member

Explorer I

1Louder said:
Well put. I finally yanked out my CB. A Midland GMRS is going in. I am 90% Ham these days and will use GMRS for the rest. For group trips I might throw my portable CB setup in the back of my FJ but that would really be for others benefit. Folks if you have no radios and need something to start please go with a GMRS to start if you find Ham to expensive (it isn’t) or intimidating (it isn’t). At least you will have a radio with some range and can get some cheap handhelds to use with a spotter.
Click to expand...
Which Midland radio catches your fancy? Watched a couple Midland GMRS radio reviews last night and remembered there is a small unoccupied space in the Jeep between my butt and the seat ;)
 
1Louder

1Louder

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Member II

Greg Eigsti said:
Which Midland radio catches your fancy? Watched a couple Midland GMRS radio reviews last night and remembered there is a small unoccupied space in the Jeep between my butt and the seat ;)
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This is what I purchased but the one with everything built into the mic is probably fine too.

Midland MicroMobile Two-Way Radios | Midland Radio

Shop the Midland MicroMobile collection that features the most powerful GMRS 2-way radios on the market. These radios are ideal for outdoor communication.
midlandusa.com midlandusa.com

Mine will be installed between my seats on the back of the transmission hump in my FJ Cruiser.
 
Ubiety

Ubiety

Rank VI
Member

Explorer I

1Louder said:
This is what I purchased but the one with everything built into the mic is probably fine too.

Midland MicroMobile Two-Way Radios | Midland Radio

Shop the Midland MicroMobile collection that features the most powerful GMRS 2-way radios on the market. These radios are ideal for outdoor communication.
midlandusa.com midlandusa.com

Mine will be installed between my seats on the back of the transmission hump in my FJ Cruiser.
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I thought this one was cute from the reviews last night

Midland MXT275 MicroMobile GMRS Two-Way Radio | Midland Radio

The Midland MXT275 MicroMobile two-way radio offers 15 GMRS channels, a powerful USB-C charging port, NOAA weather alerts, & more. Order yours today.
midlandusa.com midlandusa.com
 
Downs

Downs

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Member III

If you plan on expanding your GMRS use to more than just vehicle to vehicle trail comms (repeaters for exampel) be aware that currently all the MXT radios will NOT do split tones or go wideband. They're all stuck in Narrowband mode.
 
1Louder

1Louder

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Member II

Downs said:
If you plan on expanding your GMRS use to more than just vehicle to vehicle trail comms (repeaters for exampel) be aware that currently all the MXT radios will NOT do split tones or go wideband. They're all stuck in Narrowband mode.
Click to expand...
I don't plan on doing that but what other radios would you suggest?

Thanks
 
JackA

JackA

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Contributor II

I have been getting familiar with the MXT275 I installed in my JK yesterday. It seems to be a very competent radio. We have not "range checked" it yet with Motorola T600s but for sure the communications are clear and carry no static artifacts as the TC button is released. One area that needs some clean up is the way Midland and Motorola chose to number the "unique" codes, these are commonly refereed to as "privacy codes" but they are really "ignore codes" . Anyway there seems to be two types; analog and digital. The first 38 code numbers are the same for both the Motorola and the Midland these are the 38 analog tones. Motorola simply continued numbering the digital codes as; 39, 40, 41 ETC. Midland decided to start the digital codes in their own sequence, hence the first digital code is 1. Every code after 38 must be translated if used on these two radios. If I want to use the first digital code I will set my Motorola T600 to code 39 and my
Midland MXT275 to digital code 1. I really like the Motorola scheme the best because all I would have to remember is that the digital codes start at 39...
 
JackA

JackA

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Launch Member

Contributor II

Downs said:
If you plan on expanding your GMRS use to more than just vehicle to vehicle trail comms (repeaters for exampel) be aware that currently all the MXT radios will NOT do split tones or go wideband. They're all stuck in Narrowband mode.
Click to expand...
The little booklet included with the MXT275 talks about repeaters and the channels associated with them. How do split tones and wideband vs narrowband impact use of repeaters? I am not likely to every use a repeater but would be interested in knowing.
 
Ubiety

Ubiety

Rank VI
Member

Explorer I

JackA said:
The little booklet included with the MXT275 talks about repeaters and the channels associated with them. How do split tones and wideband vs narrowband impact use of repeaters? I am not likely to every use a repeater but would be interested in knowing.
Click to expand...
I am wondering if a vehicle with a higher powered GMRS repeater/radio placed in the middle of the pack could help out those with weaker radios? Dunno, just a thought.
 
Downs

Downs

Rank V
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Member III

1Louder said:
I don't plan on doing that but what other radios would you suggest?

Thanks
Click to expand...
Motorola or Kenwood surplus commercial radios. You can get them for under 100 dollars and they're built like tanks. Downside is they aren't turnkey. They'll require programming. Many of the sellers on EBAY will program them for you when you order them or you can order up the cables and find the software needed to program them.

The little booklet included with the MXT275 talks about repeaters and the channels associated with them. How do split tones and wideband vs narrowband impact use of repeaters? I am not likely to every use a repeater but would be interested in knowing.
Click to expand...
You won't be able to access a split tone repeater without the ability to do split tones. Not a deal if you don't plan on accessing repeaters and not all of them are programed with split tones.

The bandwidth issue may cause some interchangeability issues with other radios or repeater issues. Example if you are talking to me with a midland your radio would be set to narrowband and mine to wideband. Best case you come though somewhat muted to me and I come though extra loud on your end. Worst case I hear a bunch of noise (extra static) coming though with your signal. Not a huge deal again but something to be aware of.
 
Downs

Downs

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Member III

Greg Eigsti said:
I am wondering if a vehicle with a higher powered GMRS repeater/radio placed in the middle of the pack could help out those with weaker radios? Dunno, just a thought.
Click to expand...
Not really practicable with the equipment required to setup a repeater. You could get a radios that do crossbanding but that's beyond the scope of GMRS operations.
 
Prerunner1982

Prerunner1982

Local Expert, Oklahoma USA
Launch Member
Member

Member III

It's a 1/2 wave on UHF so it's not ground dependent and I just put a roof rack on the Jeep with a great place right on the back to mount a simple L bracket.
It will be between my 5/8 wave 2m antenna and my HF antenna so we will see if I get any interference as noted in another GMRS thread recently.
 
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