Convince me to get a GMRS radio

[Gobi Wan K]

The GMRS License is good for 10 years and for everyone in your family. You will have to read the rules and decide who is included in your "family". The license is good for 10 years. The license was supposed to be reduced to $35 but the FCC has failed to implement this change and who knows when they will. It is already in the rules but they are waiting on who knows what.

I have the Midland MXT115 mounted overhead and it works great. It is a pretty cheap item as far as Jeep parts go.

Most Jeep events have moved to FRS/GMRS and are not using CB anymore so if you plan to do any events it is the way to go.

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[sass JT]

The other day I was driving over the Rockies mountains on the I-70. As I was passing one of the ski areas, I had my gmrs on scan and heard an amazing conversation between a kid and his dad on the ski slopes.

kid “dad I’m at the top and I need help with my ski’s”
Dad “hey buddy I’m down the hill with your sister right now. Isn’t your mom with you”
Kid “yea she’s here but I want your help”
Dad “ well it’s gonna be a bit till we get back up. You should ask your mom”
Kid “ no!!! I want you to help me. She don’t know how to do it like you do”
Dad “ well buddy if you want to ski your going to ask for help”
Kid “ I am… I’m asking you… you dad!”
Dad “ alright then. Well ask for help from your mom or I’ll be up when I get there okay”
Kid “ okay (sounding upset)”

poor little guy

 

[Beemer533]

so if you take out your glove box, you will see a spot the left of your heater core and higher up that has plenty of room to put the mxt275 brain box. Heck I have both my gmrs and cb brains in there with plenty of room.

Nice. I'm not sure why I didn't go to that side. I'll take another look

 

[Onefin]

I have had a Midland GMRS mounted in the past 3 vehicles I have owned. They are great for road convoys, and for off-road communication. The last time I used a CB was 8 years ago. The GMRS seems to be a much better/easier/more clear way to communcate in a small group on the trail. The gladiator has a MXT-275 that I bought in a kit https://www.cooltechllc.com/2018-je...rs_bundle_options-front_mount_antenna_bracket I am sure that you could source most of the parts and save some money, but this was easy and I didn’t have to buy anything from Amazon.

 

[MrKnowitall]

When we were doing NASA racing, teams were using 440, not GMRS at the track. Consider getting your Amateur radio license. There are some cool, inexpensive dual band rigs that can also run GMRS (license still technically required).

 

[hjdca]

I have both a CB and GMRS installed. There is Nobody on CB any where I go on the west coast. So, I also installed GMRS. I went with the Midland MXT275. It works great and everyone on the trail is either using GMRS or FRS, so, GMRS can talk to both. The base unit is small and easy to stash on the left side of the glove box with zip ties and the included installation bracket. I have both the stubby 3db antenna and the 6db antenna and I use the CooltechLLC mount. I recommend both. The stubby is great for trails with trees and the 6db gives you lots of range. The MXT275 also has two speakers, one in the mic, and one in the base unit, so, you can really crank up the volume on that unit. I also carry two GMRS midland handhelds that we can hand out to anyone in our group. They are cheap and work great. You cannot say that about CB.

Here are some pics.

 

[wchevron]

Was looking at maybe a Jeep Jamboree next summer. They require GMRS. Would a handheld suffice? Don't see myself using it anywhere else.

 

[Josh00333]

Yes def get GMRS. I have a Midland MXT. Like others noted no space is taken up with one. The head fits under the dash in many spots. I have mine left of the glove box as mentioned.

You can get a kit from Cool Tech, or wait for the 50 wat 575 version later in the summer. 50 vs 15 is an argument, but 15 watt is a lot of power for trail use. Line of sight is the real limit to voice coms and range.

Get your license it's $70 lasts 10 years and all you do if fill out papers on .gov and pay for it.

https://www.cooltechllc.com/2018-je...rs_bundle_options-front_mount_antenna_bracket

I then have a nice hand held I cary with me as a 2nd unit a Wuxion 905.

 

[Josh00333]

Midland mic mount and 905 holder set up;

 

[49Gramps]

You can get a pair of Midland X-Talkers (with charger) for about $80. Midland often offers discounts of 10% off. Decent little radios!

 

[hjdca]

Was looking at maybe a Jeep Jamboree next summer. They require GMRS. Would a handheld suffice? Don't see myself using it anywhere else.

yes, handhelds GMRS are enough. We usually have extras for the spotters. For Trails, the 5 watt GMRS like Midland have plenty of power and distance. The main issue is that they run out of battery on a long trail.... So, having a head unit installed is much better -- especially if you are on a long convoy to get to the trail and everyone chats.

 

[Painkillerspe]

For those of you with the mx 275, are you working it to the aux switches?

 

[rharr]

For those of you with the mx 275, are you working it to the aux switches?

i used the constant power wire in the aux bundle. No sense tying up one of the 4 buttons. There is a switched wire, constant wire and 4 button wires. I used the wire bundle behind the glove box.

 

[hjdca]

For those of you with the mx 275, are you working it to the aux switches?

No need to waste an aux switch.... I like it run to 12 volt constant hot - even with the engine off. This will make sure that you do not lose comms when you stop for a break. It is portable anyway, so, you unplug it when it is not in use, so, making it constant 12 volt hot is very convenient.

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