Trail Comms - What and How? Hopefully a sticky!

Thanks!

 

Looks like I found my main issue. Midland’s awful MXTA8 cable wore out in less than 9 months. The outside is brittle and has holes, and had broken completely.

So I wasn’t working with an antenna in a bad location, but rather only a short piece of wire under my truck. No wonder my reception was bad.

 

Wow! Good find, but sucks the coax failed.

 

Coming back to update this.
I changed up my antenna and location, and it’s significantly better. Range and clarity is amazing.

@CaliRaisedLed made the bracket for me.

 

Very Nice! Custom mount, and antenna that isn't getting ripped off!

 

What mount is this?

 

Tech deck extreme from Birddawg Industries.

http://www.birddawgindustries.com/

 

Comm newb here and I have a couple of questions. I am trying to decide on what system to get and would like something that I can "grow" into as they say. I am a buy once type of guy who enjoys doing things myself and learning in the process (to a point).

Disclaimer: I'm sure this will be scattered at best.

Intended use:
1) To start, just truck to truck communication on group trail rides. Walkie talkie style (GMRS??), close range. Need something that will communicate with those that have that style device.
2) As time goes on I would like to get into HAM perhaps, get my license and use it for longer range safety.

I am more in favor of a dedicated built-in set up than a handheld. If I got a handheld would I be able to communicate with a built-in later? I could then have an extra handheld to give out to other members without comms? Or do I just go built-in from the beginning? (Questions I have to answer myself)

Midland Micro 15W? Will this communicate with handheld walkie talkies?

$18 BaoFeng UV-5R VHF/UHF Dual Band Radio 144-148MHz 420-450MHz Transceiver

BaoFeng UV-5R? Cheap intro option? (put in glove box later for secondary vehicles or recovery scenarios?)

Is there one device that does them all? HAM, CB, and Walkie Talkie (GMRS?) Do I have that right?

My apologies if I have butchered the nomenclature and thanks in advance for the help!

 

I have the

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

MXT275 in my truck. It comes with everything you need as a set. I ended up replacing the antenna eventually go get better range and reach.

I also have a couple of the BaoFengs. They’re pretty decent handhelds, especially given how inexpensive they are.

For any of these, you need to get a GMRS license (HAM eventually) do you can use them while studying for HAM.

 

I am feeling the same way at this moment! Right now I am trying to figure out what radio system to invest in. Should is be CB? GMRS? HAM? These seem to be the big three and GMRS can communicate with FRS so that is a plus. The issue I have is depending on what group I am with I may need a different setup.
From what I have found it seems like the community as a whole wants to go to GMRS but CB is still easier and then the HAM's will not only have the HAM but one of the others too.
So WTF should I get? A GMRS and CB?
A GMRS and HAM?
A CB and HAM?
Just CB?
Just GMRS?

 

What do most of the people you travel with use? I would use that and get a ham license. Most of the people I travel with use GMRS or Ham, so I need to get both. (I have GMRS currently)

 

I do solo trips now with my gf. I have looked into several group trips but they say "HAM" required or "GMRS" required or "CB" required or "Amber Rear Light" required. If I do not have those tings and can not afford them at the moment I am not allowed to travel with the group I guess. I guess I am complaining there is no uniformity and I do not $1000 to spend on three setups let alone the space it'll take up in my rig.
It's all good I got my answer. I need to get the HAM license so at least I can call for help if I need it and pick the secondary setup after I find the group.

 

Ignore those then. I bring spare radios for other trucks and so do the people I go with.

Get your Ham, since you travel solo. That way you can reach farther and contact help when way off grid.

 

Good idea thanks for the help!

 

No problem!

 

Found this thread very helpful. Since the group I travel/hunt/fish with has used gmrs handhelds in the past, I went with the

$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

Midland MXT275 mobile. One out of the group has already purchased a chinese made mobile that does HAM and GMRS. At least I should have more range than I had with the handheld.

 

I am looking for mounts for the hood ditch area or even the crack between the hood and fender for my GMRS Radio Antenna.
(Nagoya NL-770G High Gain Mobile GMRS Antenna (UHF Male)

I would prefer one that does not stick up too far and perhaps had a sister mount available for a future CB Antenna position on the opposite side.

I also would prefer to use existing bolts in that area and not have to drill or create any holes, if that is even possible.

Any ideas?

Thanks.

 

very nice! the higher the antenna the better the reception!

 

I really like the Diamond K400 hood mount. It has held up well for about a year now. I am running the Diamond 770 I believe.
If you want to mount both antennas next to each other I would suggest a Rago Fab extension Just know I tried this off the back of my truck, with the extension, and it bounced like a demon outta hell.
If it were me... I would GMRS on one side of the hood and CB off the rear.

 

https://midlandusa.com/products/mxt575-micromobile®two-way-radio

Have y'all seen this 575?
There's also a 500 coming out, but I'm more interested in the 575. Looks like a direct replacement for my 275.