Coms Setup & Location

I am about to pull the trigger on installing Coms in my rig. Figured I'd get some opinions from the hive on my proposed setup.

Goals:
- A clean setup, where I can tuck the radio head unit into an out-of-sight location.
- "Proper" antenna, location, and tuned (if I do the 6dB Gain antenna) I do like how clean the BingFu Antenna is in the ditch light location. This is where I need the most input.
* I am aware that this topic could open a can of worms for the HAM nerds. I respect the craft but this unit will be more for trail and highway coms. However, well done and thought out is better with coms IMO. Without overdoing it, whatever that means. Yes, I have my GMRS FCC License.

I found this video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8K2gd-WbyzE and aside from some minor details I like the general setup.

I struggled with making a decision between the Midland GMRS 15w or the 40w. But, decided on the 15w because of the integrated control in the mic.

Dash Mount, I may or may not go this route and just find a clean spot for the magnetic mount on or near the dash. https://expeditionessentials.com/products/toyota-tacoma-3rd-gen-usb-powered-accessory-mount

Radio Unit

$165 Midland – MXT275 MicroMobile® GMRS Radio – 15 watts Two-Way Radio with Integrated Control Microphone – Overland Caravanning Tractors – Detachable External Magnetic Mount Antenna - 8 Repeater Channels

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07FN2FBML?ie=UTF8

Antenna

$30 Bingfu Vehicle Ham Radio Mobile Radio Antenna Dual Band VHF UHF 136-174MHz 400-470MHz Amateur Radio Antenna Car Truck Lip Mount Fixed Bracket NMO Mount Low Profile Antenna with 5m 16.5 feet Cable

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07K7D9WJK?ie=UTF8

Antenna Mount https://www.victory4x4.com/product/VT3CB-BARE.html
I'll need to solder the NMO mount to the end of the bracket.

or 6dB Gain Antenna

$60 Midland – MXTA26 MicroMobile® 6DB Gain Whip Antenna – Quadruple Signal Output – 32” Antenna

https://www.amazon.com/Midland-Ante...640699769&sprefix=midland+6db+,aps,115&sr=8-3

Cat 6 Cable

$9 Monoprice 3FT 24AWG Cat6 550MHz UTP Ethernet Bare Copper Network Cable - Black

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002RB0ZFU?ie=UTF8

Coupler

$10 RJ45 Shielded Industrial Dual Panel Mount Female to Female Coupler Panel Mount Waterproof Connector Combo with Cap Network Connectors Cat5/5e/6 8P8C Connector Waterproof Cover (2 Pack, Black)

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08H8JM451?ie=UTF8

Magnetic Mic Holder

$45 Magnetic Mic

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0153KY2GY?ie=UTF8

What say you?

 

I just picked up the same radio but havent installed yet. From the reviews it's a good but very basic radio that should get you what you want. I have been very pleased with my GMRS handhelds for vehicle to vehicle coms, so I anticipate placing the antenna outside the cab will be even better, especially with your plans to upgrade the antenna that comes in the box. Looks like a nice clean install that should suit your needs nicely.

 

The BTech 50X1

BTECH Mobile GMRS-50X1 50 Watt GMRS Two-Way Radio, GMRS Repeater Capable, with Dual Band Scanning Receiver (136-174.99MHz (VHF) 400-520.99MHz (UHF))

https://www.amazon.com/BTECH-GMRS-50X1-Repeater-136-174-99MHz-400-520-99MHz/dp/B07RDM9LMM?crid=11TKCW21TCW49&keywords=btech+gmrs50x1&qid=1640702658&sprefix=btech+gmrs+50x1%2Caps%2C198&sr=8-3 is getting good reviews. Way more powerful too. I just can't seem to commit to the control unit getting stuffed into the cab of a Taco in a clean way.

I guess I could mount it to the top of the Dash Accessory Mount https://expeditionessentials.com/products/toyota-tacoma-3rd-gen-usb-powered-accessory-mount and stop being a little @#%$! about it.

 

I read good reviews on that baofeng one also, but size is what led me to the midland 275. I already run ham which takes up a fair amount of space on the dash, so I wanted the small form factor and was willing to trade the larger display and menu navigation for space saving design and simple operation. I dont care about hitting GMRS repetaers. I could ig I needed to but have the Ham if I really need to get out. I just want to talk to people with bubble pack GMRS handhelds without having to think about it.

 

That's kind of where I am at too. Taking the next step up adds a fair bit of complexity. I see the appeal as a hobby and in a pinch hitting repeaters could be a lifesaver...but the likelihood of that is near 0 for what I do and where I do it.

 

I got the Midland last week and am installing this week. Using the low-profile 3db antenna mounted to the hood. Like many, I debated between CB/GMRS etc, but decided to go the GMRS route as its easier to deal with and the radio is super low-profile and I intend on using it for trail runs and camping.

For future long distance trips, I may install a low-profile CB if I feel like I need it.

 

@Littles which antenna would you go with?

 

Last week I asked Midland for the best mounting for their ghost 3dB antenna, either on the hood or above a tail light, on my truck with a shell. They said above a tail light.

 

RF wise, the best place is the center of the roof, but I currently have mine mounted to the hood. VSWR was excellent. The pattern is skewed probably though, but the power makes up for it.

 

Should I do the 6dB tuned in the bed next to the cab or the compact antenna in the ditch light location?

 

I really really really like my midland 15w radio. Like you, I chose it because of the ability to easily hide it away for a much cleaner install. I went with the ghost antenna because it's more subtle, I can fit in my garage (roof mounted NMO) and it still has plenty of range for trail comms. I know I'm a second gen but maybe it could provide some inspiration in some way. I would also recommend the external speaker. I could still easily hear and understand others without it, but now I can listen to my music or have the windows down and still hear them.

Whenever I'm not wheeling the mic just lives in my center console. I prefer my dashboard area in general to not have a whole lot of extra shit on it because I like how clean it looks that way and I simply don't need 19484 tablets and mounts everywhere.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CKttdPBAkPB/

 

What is the harness adapter plug in the console? That’s slick!

 

I like your Cat5 location. Better than having it slung near the OEM radio controls.

 

It's just a flush mount ethernet extension. It's the key to being able to remote mount the brains of the radio.

$12 CERRXIAN RJ45 Male to Female LAN Ethernet Network Cat 5e Panel Mount Cable (Black)(1m)

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01MY04R2N?ie=UTF8


For an even cleaner setup, this will do the same thing but fill one of the smaller plug blanks.

$18 beler CB UHF Blank Socket RJ45 Radio Switch Panel Dash Fit for Toyota Hilux Landcruiser

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B094Y2NGF8/?coliid=I1VG7NA9PZ9IRR&colid=2MIR4WEELGX60&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it

 

Thanks, me too. Out of sight and out of mind.

 

Yeah it's gonna be somewhat "directional" due to the uneven ground plane, but unlikely to affect comms in most ppl's use case. Besides, I don't imagine too many guys will want to drill a 3/4" hole in their shiny Tacoma roof anyway lol!

 

Badass! Is that a dual female connector to allow two male ends?

 

I have a trunk lip mount NMO clamped to the side of my hood which provides distance between the antenna and the A-Pillar. Depending on what I’m doing I switch between the two Midland antennas. If you put the antenna in the bed next to the cab, the performance will not be great.

 

Not having one in hand, I can't confirm but that was my assumption. Then you could just use a regular male-male CAT5 cable to run from the radio to the plug.

 

Sounds like the ghost style in the ditch light location is the way to go. On the roof would be best, but I can't bring myself to drill a hole in the roof.