Installed the Midland MXT500 GMRS radio and their Ghost 3db antenna

[doc-ketamine]

Finally got time to install the Midland MXT500 GMRS radio and their MXTA25 Ghost 3db antenna. Prior to this I was using handhelds (Baofeng UV-5R then the 8W version of that, the 9S). The handhelds are fantastic and I plan to use the 9S out of the truck, loan to friends etc. But I was getting some bad static with the handhelds unless I held them out the window, no matter if anyone was translating or even in the vicinity of me. I figure the cab, or the Hotheads Soundassassin foil, or the Armorlite, etc all combined to make some sort of signal block - as the interference always went away when I held the handheld out the window.

Anyway, the real reason I installed a mounted unit was because it’s cool and I like installing tech.

So I mounted it to the console in the passenger well, and used the Magnetic Mic mount attached to my 67designs / Vector Off-Road E-dock setup. Very happy with how everything came out.

I connected power to AUX3 as the leads were right there, and I had read that the power should route separate from the antenna cable. The antenna cable ran up the door frame and out the A-pillar, under the hood. Used the Midland MXTA27 universal lip mount.

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[Jabtano]

Oh I like that set up. I'm thinking of getting the Anvil bar

 

[rharr]

how does the ghost work, mine (275 setup) does not do very good, when reaching out the my UV-5R a few miles from home. I can hear the 5R but the 5R can't hear the 275 w/ ghost. I haven't tried switch antennas yet to see if it helps .

 

[doc-ketamine]

how does the ghost work, mine (275 setup) does not do very good, when reaching out the my UV-5R a few miles from home. I can hear the 5R but the 5R can't hear the 275 w/ ghost. I haven't tried switch antennas yet to see if it helps .

I haven’t done any real testing yet, will need to wait until I can get a buddy to visit. There are some stellar reviews and some other reviews saying the stubby antennae are crap. I figure it was worth the money to try it out for myself, can always swap for the 6db whip.

 

[Sportsbiz]

Where did you run your ground wire? I’d like to mount my Midland MXT275 similarly.

 

[doc-ketamine]

I took off the trim panel on the passenger foot area in the cockpit - there are two good ground points there. It’s best to take off the trim and take off the connector for the door sensors but I’d managed to do it with lots of swearing and skinned knuckles in the past. This time I took off the trim and had a lot less swearing.

 

[gouacats]

how does the ghost work, mine (275 setup) does not do very good, when reaching out the my UV-5R a few miles from home. I can hear the 5R but the 5R can't hear the 275 w/ ghost. I haven't tried switch antennas yet to see if it helps .

Mine is the same...doesn't work very well with my 275. I basically use it when I'm not on the trail because I like the look better. When I'm actually planning on using it, I'll put on one of their 6DB antennas. It works much better.

 

[rharr]

Mine is the same...doesn't work very well with my 275. I basically use it when I'm not on the trail because I like the look better. When I'm actually planning on using it, I'll put on one of their 6DB antennas. It works much better.

You a Tucson guy? U of A?

 

[gouacats]

You a Tucson guy? U of A?

Yep! Bear Down!

 

[rharr]

i might have to hit you up to test and tune GMRS radios. I am the white JT with the white cap on the back floating around central tucson

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