GMRS

[djthumper]

The unofficial emergency channel is 20 nationwide. It could be different in your area.

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[JTPatriot]

I have a Midland MXT275 mounted and 2 handhelds. This way I always have a radio with me, and
when my boys go out with me I give them my handhelds and just use the lower channels and we can all communicate.

 

[Einsteiger]

I've had a Midland MXT275 for some time, but I've held off doing a permanent install in the Subaru in case I find a year end deal on a Gladiator. Fingers crossed! I like the 275, but I wish I'd bought a 50w radio instead of 15.

 

[DanW]

I've had a Midland MXT275 for some time, but I've held off doing a permanent install in the Subaru in case I find a year end deal on a Gladiator. Fingers crossed! I like the 275, but I wish I'd bought a 50w radio instead of 15.

I have both and cannot tell the difference in range. The 50w requires heavier wire and power connection, too.

What I have found makes the biggest difference is a good antenna (Midland) and mount it as high as you can.

 

[Einsteiger]

I have both and cannot tell the difference in range. The 50w requires heavier wire and power connection, too.

What I have found makes the biggest difference is a good antenna (Midland) and mount it as high as you can.

Totally agree. I have both the little stubby antenna and the longer one with much higher gain. No comparison. I had to get a comet mount for the roof rail on the Subaru so I can tilt it down to get into the garage.

 

[bd100]

Some advocate for channel 16 (4x4) for offroad emergencies. In reality I just leave it on scan because there is no standard and someone in trouble probably won't think about moving to this or that channel. If someone is calling several times chances are good I'll hear them on scan.

 

[bd100]

Another thing about 15W vs 50W is the radiation you absorb from your own transmission, especially if the antenna is fairly close. This probably only matters if you are holding long conversations day after day, though.

A little quarter wave may work better in mountains because the other party may be higher or lower than you, and the quarter wave sends the signal all over. Plus the antenna is only 6 inches or so. The high gain antennas flatten the signal sideways, which may be too high or too low if the other person is at a different height, but it's great in the open plains.

One cool thing in mountains is the signal can bounce off mountain sides. In once case I had it go along a canyon, bounce off a mountain at the end, then go down the next canyon over to the camp.

The Midland mobile units with the controls in the hand set are great for Jeeps, but I wish they also had a model with presets for repeaters, still with controls in the handset.

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