Ham and GMRS in the Gladiator

[djvnet]

Hey there -
I thought I'd share how I installed my FTM500DR amateur radio and Midland MXT-275 in my 2022 Gladiator.
Key parts:

• GMRS: Midland MXT-275 with MXTA26 whip (NMO)
• Amateur: FTM-500DR with Larsen dual band whip (NMO)
• interior: (1) RAM Mounts Tough Track and various RAM parts, (2) A-Pillar Phone Holder Mount Stand (ebay https://www.ebay.com/itm/254993122303 ) where I removed the phone bracket and replaced it with the Midland mic mount.
• Exterior: AUXMART Lower Windshield Light Mounts

Details on GMRS

• The radio is mounted under the dash on the horizontal metal bracket that is a few inches under the firewall hole everyone uses. The radio mounting bracket fits perfectly on the horizontal metal bar and the radio is easily inserted/removed.
• The whip is on the passenger side light mount where one of the light holes was enlarged slightly so it would accept the NMO mount
• I can hit repeaters over 50 miles away

Details on Ham

• The body of the radio is mounted under the drivers seat at the rear end of the seat-adjusting bar
• The Larsen whip is on the driver's side light mount, again I had to slightly increase the size of the existing hole so that the NMO mount would fit
• I love this antenna - low swr on both bands, great range

73 de Dan W4DJV/WRVW549
Photos attached

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[djthumper]

Looks nice! I need to get all of my electrical and radios installed. You have given me a couple of ideas.

 

[Medical_Bartender]

I like the setup. Have you noticed any interference due to having the factory radio antenna that close to the GMRS antenna?

 

[djvnet]

None, but I will say I listen to a lot of Sirius/XM and streaming music so perhaps I've missed it.

 

[sarguy1941]

Nice clean install. I run my all band larsen on the drivers light bracket just like you. Its for my APX radio. All bands work very well for the location. Have my dual band on the back rack.

 

[Mojave Nunzio]

Good looking set up, I'm a little jelly ?

 

[Awhitebuff]

HAM sexy!

 

[MikeSalt]

My 2M / 70cm band And GMRS portables units mount. Works well even in the central mountains of florida (345 foot peak) I think there’s a landfill in pompano beach down south that’s taller.

 

[Sandevino]

Nice setup!

I initially mounted mine on the dash like you did but moved it to the driver knee bolster. The Texas heat introduced overheat and distortion issues that were near impossible to overcome and degraded not only sound quality but range.

The 2M / 70CM 4' diamond antenna is mounted on the hood with a diamond ground-less mount. I've got the mounting screws burrowed into the back side of the hood which creates the ground contact instead of a traditional flat strap. Mounting the antenna here I only needed 5' of antenna cable so attenuation and signal loss is minimized.

 

[djvnet]

Nice clean install. I run my all band larsen on the drivers light bracket just like you. Its for my APX radio. All bands work very well for the location. Have my dual band on the back rack.

Let's see a photo of the rack you're using!

 

[djvnet]

My 2M / 70cm band And GMRS portables units mount. Works well even in the central mountains of florida (345 foot peak) I think there’s a landfill in pompano beach down south that’s taller.

My issue with equipment near the grab handle is that the airbag is there, and nearby equipment may be flying into passengers.

 

[sarguy1941]

Let's see a photo of the rack you're using!

I just use the original Back Rack.

https://www.backrack.com/original-rack

I'll try to snap a picture later today.

 

[djvnet]

I just use the original Back Rack.

https://www.backrack.com/original-rack

I'll try to snap a picture later today.

Which one? I'm not seeing Jeep in the "make" pick list. Can you use it with the Jeep tonneau cover?>

 

[sarguy1941]

I used the Colorado rack with custom mounts. I can dig it up but think they were for a Toyota. My cover works well with them.

 

[The Sigma]

I have the FTM500DR predecessor, the FTM400DR. Kinda wish I didn't see your post, lol, now I'm itching to upgrade. My setup is an NMO on my rack, the base is strapped to the back of the drivers seat, mic and faceplate upfront on a bulletpoint system.

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