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[Biff Happy]

COMING NEXT WEEK

Midland's MXT500 - More Range, Power, and Clarity Than Ever Before The highest powered radio allowed by law comes packed with superior features like quick USB-C charging, split tone and repeater capabilities, and IP66 waterproof/dustproof. This 50-watt radio brings you unbeatable range sure to take your communication to unprecedented levels.

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[FitfulGoat]

400$ and releasing on the 11th.

 

[Ted Striker]

The Jeep Show Podcast has one of these that they got sent to test. I believe they'll have a podcast soon with a review of it.

 

[dcmdon]

How long realistically will that thing get you? If both radios are 50 watts?

Are we talking 30 miles?

 

[LostWoods]

How long realistically will that thing get you? If both radios are 50 watts?

Are we talking 30 miles?

On GMRS with that antenna? Absolutely not. You might be able to stretch that out if you can get a clear line of sight with their 6dB antenna and proper mounting on a metal roof or something but I'd expect range to be around 8-10 miles in ideal conditions.

 

[dcmdon]

On GMRS with that antenna? Absolutely not. You might be able to stretch that out if you can get a clear line of sight with their 6dB antenna and proper mounting on a metal roof or something but I'd expect range to be around 8-10 miles in ideal conditions.

I know nothing about this. I was just asking.

My guess was based on the fact that I can get about 1.5 miles at a ski area (not urban) out of a set of decent but not expensive GMRS handhelds.

 

[johnparjr]

They also have a new slightly better MXT275

 

[LostWoods]

I know nothing about this. I was just asking.

My guess was based on the fact that I can get about 1.5 miles at a ski area (not urban) out of a set of decent but not expensive GMRS handhelds.

Sorry if that sounded aggressive but yeah scaling isn't linear so going from 5W to 50W isn't a 10x increase in distance. You get roughly 3dB gain each time you double power so 5W > 10W > 20W > 40W would be approximately a 9dB gain and roughly 10dB getting up to 50W.

All else equal you'll see a fair bit of extra range going from a 5W handheld or a 15W base unit but the reality is a good 5W handheld with a good antenna on a good mount will likely compete if not beat that 50W unit in raw range with that dinky little antenna. Where the little antenna excels is in heavy woods, hilly terrain, and urban environments which I think is the target market of this unit.

IMO the MXT275 is still the unit to beat. You can hide the body away and all the controls are on the mic so it's a super easy unit to use and 15W has never let me down in trail rides. I keep the 6dB antenna handy for when we're out in the desert and use their fat little black antenna when we're in the mountains and the wider signal angle is more usable.

 

[sarguy1941]

The nice thing is they are finally sending a real antenna. NMO !/4 wave is what all the radios should have shipped with in the past.

 

[Shawnu22]

Speaking of antennas , I'm curious if I could install an antenna mount with cable, then screw on a "stubby" antenna for my daily commutes, then on the weekends replace with a 6dB antenna?

 

[hjdca]

They also have a new slightly better MXT275

Yes, they have the new MXT575, which is an upgraded MXT275 with 50 watts. Seems like a great upgrade for a hideaway unit... However, the hideaway base unit is a lot bigger than the MXT275 and includes a heat sink. I do not think it will fit to the left of the glove box where I put the MXT275 base unit... Not sure about other locations that people have used for the MXT275. I would appreciate comments on people that have the MXT275 and where they put their base unit that has plenty of space for the new MXT575.

 

[johnparjr]

Yes, they have the new MXT575, which is an upgraded MXT275 with 50 watts. Seems like a great upgrade for a hideaway unit... However, the hideaway base unit is a lot bigger than the MXT275 and includes a heat sink. I do not think it will fit to the left of the glove box where I put the MXT275 base unit... Not sure about other locations that people have used for the MXT275. I would appreciate comments on people that have the MXT275 and where they put their base unit that has plenty of space for the new MXT575.

Not what I was referring to they updated the 275 model with USB C and split tone where the previous 275 did not have those

 

[sarguy1941]

Speaking of antennas , I'm curious if I could install an antenna mount with cable, then screw on a "stubby" antenna for my daily commutes, then on the weekends replace with a 6dB antenna?

Yes. The NMO mount allows that. To be honest if you run the 1/4 wave 99% of the time it will be fine.

 

[Beemer533]

If you are an E3 Overland member you can buy the MTX500 right now for 10% off.

Also Notarubicon did a review on it a couple of days ago:

I personally prefer the MTX 275 style where the controls are all in the mic and the radio can be hidden away.

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