GMRS Radio Variables

[ABQJeep1848]

Good morning Team,
Look, up front, of course bigger's better. Looking for a conversation here. When we think about our GMRS radios, you've got the 5 watt hand helds, cheaper mounted 15 watts and the big monster 50 watters.
What say you friends? When out on the trail, I've found the hand helds to be mostly ok. In real practice, out in the hinterlands, on your own or with group, what's the real on the ground difference between the three, 5, 15, 50? Is the investment worth it. What does the wattage increase really get me in a group out wheeling on a saturday?
Thanks much

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[CrazyCooter]

The correct external antenna for the application and proper mounting location is the largest factor in what you are asking. This can be biggest challenge with a Jeep since metal is pretty scarce in the roof area and protection the antenna from damage from brush. I have a couple different antennas I use just depending on what type of terrain I will be running in.

When looking at antennas, the lower gain say 0-3db will work better while in the bottom of a canyon or steep hilly terrain, while 9db gain would work better on flat terrain due to radiation patterns. 3db is effectively doubling you signal. To double your output with 10watts would require a 100watts OR a 3db gain antenna which will also boost your receive, so its a double benefit over just increasing power output.

Example....A 5watt handheld would probably double the range of transmit/receive with just an external antenna equaling the output of a 50W radio. You can't ignore the ease of a truck mounted radio over a portable though......

I usually try to optimize antenna first, then add power after because it's the most efficient, cheapest, effective way to achieve gains.

 

[cranbiz]

Antenna is huge. As said above, the right antenna is a game changer. Placement certainly makes a big difference, especially on a Jeep. I use no ground plane antennas and try to optimize radiation patterns.

As far as power is concerned, IMHO, more available is better. 5 watt radios do work fine for trail coms but a 50W radio will reach further in an emergency. Are there better solutions for emergency coms? Sure there are, Ham radio and sat phones are better but not everyone has them available.

If you can afford it, get a 50W radio. Those have selectable power settings. Use low power for trail coms, bump it up if you need to try to get help. You may never need 50W but if you need it, you have it.

Also don't forget repeaters. Get a list of GMRS repeaters and the PL tones in the area. Most repeaters need the owners permission (in an emergency, you can use it to get help without permission) so get that. You need a license for more than 2W so sent the FCC the $35 fee and get your license, which has no test and is good for 10 years.

 

[ABQJeep1848]

@CrazyCooter, @cranbiz, Thank you both. Follow on for you. Antenna, got it. Any recommendations for just a solid all around? I was hoping to pull a couple of pros like you guys, but I don't know I'll be in a scenario to have multiple choices. My max is a few day overland deliberately away from people...

 

[CrazyCooter]

@CrazyCooter, @cranbiz, Thank you both. Follow on for you. Antenna, got it. Any recommendations for just a solid all around? I was hoping to pull a couple of pros like you guys, but I don't know I'll be in a scenario to have multiple choices. My max is a few day overland deliberately away from people...

I like to use NMO mounted antennas so that they can be quickly swapped out. I can't really recommend a specific GMRS antenna becuse I'm a ham and have much different needs that someone just operating on GMRS.

A quick search for 1/4 wave GMRS antenna comes up with these 2 offerings which would be nearly indestructible and work in conditions like canyons. https://www.scannermaster.com/450_4...utm_source=google&gad_source=1&utm_medium=cse and https://www.digikey.com/en/products/detail/te-connectivity-laird/B4502N/3518995?utm_adgroup=&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=PMax Shopping_Product_Medium ROAS Categories&utm_term=&utm_content=&utm_id=go_cmp-20223376311_adg-_ad-__dev-c_ext-_prd-3518995_sig-Cj0KCQjwmOm3BhC8ARIsAOSbapWQhPnJZm140n_eXjpPyWFaz4ZX9xvUjO_dX85N-tZD5s_M0YrG8SwaArfgEALw_wcB&gad_source=1

You could also search for 1/2 wave GMRS antennas as those many times don't require a ground plane as mentioned above and would work mounted off the side or corner of a vehicle.

 

[ABQJeep1848]

I like to use NMO mounted antennas so that they can be quickly swapped out. I can't really recommend a specific GMRS antenna becuse I'm a ham and have much different needs that someone just operating on GMRS.

A quick search for 1/4 wave GMRS antenna comes up with these 2 offerings which would be nearly indestructible and work in conditions like canyons. https://www.scannermaster.com/450_4...utm_source=google&gad_source=1&utm_medium=cse and https://www.digikey.com/en/products/detail/te-connectivity-laird/B4502N/3518995?utm_adgroup=&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=PMax Shopping_Product_Medium ROAS Categories&utm_term=&utm_content=&utm_id=go_cmp-20223376311_adg-_ad-__dev-c_ext-_prd-3518995_sig-Cj0KCQjwmOm3BhC8ARIsAOSbapWQhPnJZm140n_eXjpPyWFaz4ZX9xvUjO_dX85N-tZD5s_M0YrG8SwaArfgEALw_wcB&gad_source=1

You could also search for 1/2 wave GMRS antennas as those many times don't require a ground plane as mentioned above and would work mounted off the side or corner of a vehicle.

Thanks Tony!

 

[Gvsukids]

Good morning Team,
Look, up front, of course bigger's better. Looking for a conversation here. When we think about our GMRS radios, you've got the 5 watt hand helds, cheaper mounted 15 watts and the big monster 50 watters.
What say you friends? When out on the trail, I've found the hand helds to be mostly ok. In real practice, out in the hinterlands, on your own or with group, what's the real on the ground difference between the three, 5, 15, 50? Is the investment worth it. What does the wattage increase really get me in a group out wheeling on a saturday?
Thanks much

Handhelds are nice for small groups and spotters. Mounted units won't run out of batteries. The smaller mxt115 is small and easily hides.
Also, a whole section for more information...
https://www.jeepgladiatorforum.com/...-uconnect-communications-audio-cameras-cb.27/

 

[Gvsukids]

I like to use NMO mounted antennas so that they can be quickly swapped out. I can't really recommend a specific GMRS antenna becuse I'm a ham and have much different needs that someone just operating on GMRS.

A quick search for 1/4 wave GMRS antenna comes up with these 2 offerings which would be nearly indestructible and work in conditions like canyons. https://www.scannermaster.com/450_4...utm_source=google&gad_source=1&utm_medium=cse and https://www.digikey.com/en/products/detail/te-connectivity-laird/B4502N/3518995?utm_adgroup=&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=PMax Shopping_Product_Medium ROAS Categories&utm_term=&utm_content=&utm_id=go_cmp-20223376311_adg-_ad-__dev-c_ext-_prd-3518995_sig-Cj0KCQjwmOm3BhC8ARIsAOSbapWQhPnJZm140n_eXjpPyWFaz4ZX9xvUjO_dX85N-tZD5s_M0YrG8SwaArfgEALw_wcB&gad_source=1

You could also search for 1/2 wave GMRS antennas as those many times don't require a ground plane as mentioned above and would work mounted off the side or corner of a vehicle.

How about https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00IDTJ2KE?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title

 

[cranbiz]

@CrazyCooter, @cranbiz, Thank you both. Follow on for you. Antenna, got it. Any recommendations for just a solid all around? I was hoping to pull a couple of pros like you guys, but I don't know I'll be in a scenario to have multiple choices. My max is a few day overland deliberately away from people...

I use a dual band Diamond 770 on all my vehicles which is a no ground plane antenna.. I have dual band ham radios so it's ideal.

The 770 is a NMO mount and as is, works well on GMRS. Larsen and Laird also make excellent antennas. The Midland antennas are rebranded and usually work well with their radios.

 

[cranbiz]

How about https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00IDTJ2KE?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title

My experience with the short dual band Tram antenna is is lacks range. It is not a NGP antenna so mounting it right is a necessity.

 

[CrazyCooter]

How about https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00IDTJ2KE?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title

Tram is kind of a cheaper knockoff brand, but would probably work fine. I don't love that twisted coil thing in the middle either because they grab/grip brush. The whip might not be stainless, so it isn't as indestructible.

 

[CrazyCooter]

I use a dual band Diamond 770 on all my vehicles which is a no ground plane antenna.. I have dual band ham radios so it's ideal.

The 770 is a NMO mount and as is, works well on GMRS. Larsen and Laird also make excellent antennas. The Midland antennas are rebranded and usually work well with their radios.

I run a Diamond 770 on the YJ on the RR corner and it works great while allowing to fit in my garage without dropping....Could definitly do without that coil in the middle though.

It's also rigid enough so that the wind coming off my hard top doesn't make it spin like a VHF 5/8 wave did.......Causing a weird distortion in both signals sent and received.

 

[CrazyCooter]

This is my go to on the JT since it has such a wide band and can cover ham, GMRS, MURS, and public safety bands all in one. It's not short or indestructible, but it works. I can swap out to something shorter and indestructible if needed in seconds.

Comet CA-2x4SR

 

[SIO2GA]

Antenna is huge. As said above, the right antenna is a game changer. Placement certainly makes a big difference, especially on a Jeep. I use no ground plane antennas and try to optimize radiation patterns.

As far as power is concerned, IMHO, more available is better. 5 watt radios do work fine for trail coms but a 50W radio will reach further in an emergency. Are there better solutions for emergency coms? Sure there are, Ham radio and sat phones are better but not everyone has them available.

If you can afford it, get a 50W radio. Those have selectable power settings. Use low power for trail coms, bump it up if you need to try to get help. You may never need 50W but if you need it, you have it.

Also don't forget repeaters. Get a list of GMRS repeaters and the PL tones in the area. Most repeaters need the owners permission (in an emergency, you can use it to get help without permission) so get that. You need a license for more than 2W so sent the FCC the $35 fee and get your license, which has no test and is good for 10 years.

I don't have a lot of experience with GMRS radios aside using hand helds a few times. I've decided to get a mobile for my truck and have done a lot of reading about it. I've decided to get the Wouxun (pronounced ocean) Kg 1000 g plus. It's a 50 watt that cost almost exacly the same as the Midlands 50w but has more capability and more physical features. It seems that the vast majority of people on the radio forums recommend that particular one and specifically recommend it over Midland. The KG1000 has way many more settings options (dual frequency) than midland and they are there if I get more advanced and want them. I like that the medium power can be set to 10 or 20 watts and I think the midland has only one "medium" setting that is 15w if I recall. It also has a total of 3 speakers and a fan. It's got a lot of presets to save preferred channels. It also can display two different channels which each has their own speaker and their own volume knob. At first that was puzzling but there's good reasons for that after doing a lot of reading. You can also set it up to display only one channel. I actually went with the midland antenna, the mxta26 which is a colinear 5/8" over 5/8" wave that quadruples the signal (6db gain). I'll probably also carry a 1/4 wave antenna for if I'm in hill country or in the mtns. The NMO connections are really easy to change antennas out. There's lots of benefits to having a mobile/base radio installed in your vehicle and I don't think you'll regret it. I'm buying mine from "Buy two way radios" and they don't seem good at answering questions. mygmrs dot com is another option to buying the Wouxun KG1000 G plus. I hope this input helps.

 

[hjdca]

Note: I was using the Midland MicroMobile® Low Profile Antenna Cable - MXTA24 for my MIdland MXT575 - 50 watt. I was having problems, and I changed out the cable for another MXTA24 RG58U cable. This seemed to fix it maybe a little for a while, but, problems were always persistant. Tuning the antenna was also an issue. I changed to a LMR-240UF ultra flex cable and it was a game changer. This cable is very efficient and has great shielding. My radio operated fantastically, I could easliy tune my antenna with with SMR meter, and I was hitting repeaters that were far, far away. My simplex channels were also working fantastic. I can highly recommend LMR-240UF ultra flex cable. It is only a tad thicker than R58U, but, it is very, very flexible. I had no problem pulling it through were I had the R58U. You can buy it at DX Engineering at any length you want - the shorter the better, and you can buy coax connectors to build your own cable. LMR-240UF was really a game changer for my radio.

Note2: My brother has a Wouxun 50 watt GMRS, and he had the same experience with LMR cable vs R58 on his Van. He went with LMR-400 (Note: this post edited for mistakenly writing LMR-600, thanks to "CrazyCooter") for a fairly easy run and it was also a game changer for his radio. LMR-400 is way, way too thick and too stiff for our Jeeps, and the LMR-240UF is a great compromise and gives great performance.

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