Wisconsin Tacomas and bad financial advice

We don't talk about the sheep any more...

 

I converted my handheld to an external antenna. I can hear some people better and some can hear me better.

Metal cages (cab of a truck) aren't good for transmitting, they block a lot of the signal. Same for receiving, but to a lesser extent. Your radio is designed to pick up weaker signals.

 

or any less

 

Well, since everyone has been ripping on my shitty, bottom of the line Midland radios tonight, I just ordered a replacement handheld. Hopefully it will broadcast more betterer than the old P. O. S.
Well, ok, maybe it was only one comment with an extremely mild comment about it not always being heard…

oh, and yes, I still hear plenty of damned sheep talk.

 

Whatcha mean everyone? I use the GXT1000.
Ordered some extra battery packs, though.

 

Up until recently I was using a handheld unit. I have a better radio now thanks to @Supr4Lo , but I'm not sure if I have the antenna mounted in an ideal spot. I might try a different antenna mount sometime this year.

 

I ordered the Wouxun KG-935G Plus.

I got this one since it has a led flashlight. I bet it’s hard to use the built in flashlight on a permanently attached unit!
FWIW, I’ve never tried mounting an antenna, that’s kinky!

 

Up until now I've been using a

$25 Radioddity GM-30 GMRS Radio Handheld 5W Long Range Two Way Radio for Adults, GMRS Repeater Capable, with NOAA Scanning & Receiving, Display SYNC, for Off Road Overlanding Family Use, 1 Pack

Radioddity GM-30 which has worked well enough for a starter handheld. However, when I've been in the rear of a long convoy (which tends to happen often, I was always the kid sitting in back of the class) it definitely doesn't have the power to cut through very well and I start losing people in the front of the pack. I've had a Midland MTX-575 waiting to get installed since last year along with an external antenna that should be a pretty trick setup once I get it worked out. Based on discussing/comparing with others, I do think that an external antenna and enough power is the key. But mostly a good external antenna and good placement.

I haven't gone full HAM nerd yet because oh boy is that a deeper pool than even my inner nerd can handle, but I did also pick up some fancy tools to tune the antenna aspect. Not just a simple SWR meter either, like wacky little digital LCD display tool thingies that I have in a box somewhere and don't even remember what they are. Will definitely share or show-and-tell on the trail at some point unless it all sucks lol.

There's also an older WisCOMMsin thread for radio stuff which is a good resource: https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/wiscommsin.715939/

There's another comms radio thread somewhere around here too which has a lot of good information but I don't have the link saved. Edit - this one, 137 pages now, wowza: https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/clean-vhf-cb-radio-installs.415584/

That's a good choice for a handheld, very good reputation on performance for that model.

 

I had a pleasant chat with my buddy Grok, that was the top of its list. Probably due to the highly useful flashlight!
I almost ordered an aftermarket antenna, but at 15”, it would put a hole in the headliner if I used it in my truck!

 

Elsewhere on this site, earlier this month, there was a thread about a 25% off sale on Toyota parts. I thought: Hey, I should pick up a few things. One thing I figured I'd need soon is wiper blades, so I ordered a pair. I haven't been completely happy with the 2 sets of aftermarket (more expensive) blades I've had over the years...both make a loud slapping noise on the windshield when they come off of the bottom. Annoying as hell.

The order hasn't shipped yet, as the dealer got over 900 orders! Late last week, they said the order should ship sometime later this week.

It rained today. Guess who's driver side wiper blade tore about 1/3 off? Yup. I hope the order arrives before KenTWucky.

That's supposed to be a good radio, is that one Korean? Most are from that other country.

 

Don't knock it 'til you've tried it.

 

Damn, I just assumed they were all made in the evil Xi empire. I’d be thrilled if it’d Korean!
Off to check now.

Crap, made in FChina, probably in the same factory all the rest of the world’s radios are made.

 

Good assumption.

 

Hence me running upgraded battery packs and an antenna recommended by you several years ago

 

I’ve used a 15” in the truck. Just turn it sideways or open the sunroof

A $20 mag mount antenna is more than sufficient.

 

Funny you mentioned it. I like the idea behind something like this but would put more trust in known brands like Rexin, Kenwood, DJI, and Garmin for pretty much the same price range.

Vantrue E360 ACE 5.2K 360° Panoramic WiFi Dash Cam, Handheld Action Camera, STARVIS 2, HDR, IR Night Vision, Front Rear Inside Dashcam, Voice Control, GPS, 24/7 Parking Mode, Support LTE & 512GB Max

$350 Vantrue E360 ACE 5.2K 360° Panoramic WiFi Dash Cam, Handheld Action Camera, STARVIS 2, HDR, IR Night Vision, Front Rear Inside Dashcam, Voice Control, GPS, 24/7 Parking Mode, Support LTE & 512GB Max

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DKNLP38L

 

Curious what you picked up for antenna tuning, still using my 50 year old analog SWR meter and would welcome a change.

 

If it ain't broke....

 

What antenna where you recommended?

 

That's the one I've been using.

Seems the best batteries for that (in my experience) are store bought alkalines.
I can usually get through a 3 day trip on one set. I heard a rumor that i'm not always sending out a strong signal though.

It'll be interesting to see if the new handheld is much different. I like that I can charge it using USB-C since I always have that going on in my truck.

I thought about getting one of the hard mounted base units, but I only use it on our trips, so running the new external antenna and finding a spot for it seemed like more effort than I'd be able to self motivate to do.