*In this video we talk about needing an NMO adapter and a separate cable. Instead, we recommend the Midland Low Profile Antenna Cable, which does not require an NMO adapter. www.blueridgeoverlandgear.com/products/midland-mxta24-low-profile-gmrs-antenna-cable?_pos=1&_sid=778e3ff03&_ss=r
Different antennas for different jobs. The longer higher gain antennas tend to "pinch" the singnal and shoot more of it towards the horizon. That can help with range in many cases but in instances of where you are in varied terrain line hilly or mountainous terrain it can be a hinderance. The lower gain 3db antennas tend to make more of a doughnut shaped radiation pattern when viewed from above. A big oval bubble when viewed from the side. This tends to work better in rougher terrain with more varied elevation.
Hey Dean, I've been searching the web for about a month learning how to install a mobile ham radio. You've got quite a lot of information in this video, and it was a great reference. No one else has got something quite as comprehensive out there! Can't wait to tackle this project. Thank you for explaining so much!
Glad it helped. We struggled with how to do the FAQ and the install tips in one video, so that's why we split it. Hopefully the FAQ video this week will round out any lingering questions.
Outstanding explanation, thank you for sharing. For me the GMRS radio would be wiring simple direct wire to the battery. For years my CB radio power is managed form its own on/off switch. To date never forgot to turn it off, knock on wood.
I have 4 radios. I mounted my Unidien CMX760 (CB) behind the glove box. It has all controls on the mic. I mounted two Kenwood HAM radios, (V71, and 710) on the rear drivers side Molle panel between it and the window. And the control faces, on one of those dash mount rails. I also use a Wouxan KG-1000G+ dual channel GMRS radio that I also mounted the main unit with the two Kenwood units on the rear drivers side Molle panel between the window and panel. The control unit is mounted above the sun visor to the plastic up there. All wires are hidden. Antennas? I used two mounts that go under my A puller lights, one on the drivers, one on the passenger. GMRS on the left, ham radios uhf/vhf on the left. Providing more then 19” needed between the two. In the rear behind the spare tire, I used two antenna mounts. Made a mirror image of the one on the right. The right has the CB antenna, the one on the left the other ham radio antenna. Giving the needed full band sepperation fandom the front and rear ham antennas for both UhF and VHF. Even though the CH antenna is less the. 18” from the UhF/VHF antenna, it won’t cause issues because it’s on the 10m band. I now have APRS, and access to three ham 2m/70cm bands, the CB band, and can monitor two GMRS channels all at the same time. As well as every radio has access to the weather band, as well as all have weather alert capabilities.
Much appreciated Dean. I am reasonably savvy, but I really like having resources like this to reference and direct folks to. The easel diagrams and specificity in components were particularly useful. Thanks for the simple and straightforward presentation.
Great video, Dean! If I might, I'll add a tiny detail, just because it bit me. If installing under the "ignition hot" scenario, be sure to ground the chassis of the relay. Most of the current orientally supplied solid state relays are very unhappy unless their chassis is grounded.
Great video thanks only thing a fair amount of vehicles do have constant hot 12 power to acc and cigarette lighter plugs Ford for instance most all of 12 volt and cigarette plugs are hot always. So a better source for a hot ignition source is more likely to be found under the column . You will have to check for 12 volts on your cig plug with key off. Just a FYI
Hi Dean, thanks for clearing up our options. Have a 2017Grand Cherokee and want to I stall the 3db ghost antenna with lip mount. Unable to locate the firewall for this vehicle anywhere! Was going to buy the 400 model install antenna as mentioned and direct connect the radio power to the main battery (not the start stop one) under the passenger seat. So I have two concerts: firewall location to get the antenna cable through to the radio and best location to run power wires from battery to radio on this vehicle. Thanks Dean!
There should be a rubber gromet in the firewall behind the glovebox you can access for fishing the power cable through. You'll want to run the antenna wire through the opposite side (to prevent interference).
Amazingly thorough and detailed through out! You did everything but install my radio. I forwarded this video to several friends and hit the subscribe button!!!!
Best video on this topic I’ve found! I’m going to replace CB radio with mxt575 in Jeep tj. Will the existing Firestick CB antenna &/or coax work with GMRS radio?
We're not radio experts. But typically, CB antennas do not work with GMRS. Dean was our resident radio guy and he has moved on to other ventures. you can ask him on instagram @eastcoastoverlandadventures.
I just bought a MXT575 and I was wondering if I can connect the wires into my 8 Gang Auxbeam switch panel? Instead of wiring it directly to the battery.
Thanks for the great video! I just installed the MXT275 Midland GMRS radio. It sounds clean and transmits around 5 miles. I'm wondering if I need to ground the antenna. My tire carrier bracket is completely powder coated and so the antenna is not grounded. Do I need to scrap off the powder coat at both ends to ensure the antenna is grounded? And will this give me greater range? I am using the Midland Low Profile Antenna Cable.
Yes, you will want to ground your antenna through the powdercoat. Either grind off the powdercoat under the antenna mount and/or get one of those finned washers that will dig into the metal. That should do the trick and give you a little more range.
@@BlueRidgeOverlandGear Thanks for the reply! My low profile Midland coax cable has teeth that dig into the metal. But I doubt it can dig through this powder coat because it’s really thick! In any event the other side that bolts to the tire carrier isn’t grounded.
Depends on what you want to do. If you just want to talk to a small group in a convoy, then the 15w is fine. If you want to talk to a larger group or have max range then the 40w is the way to go. I've been okay in most groups with a 5w handheld, so the 15w is plenty. That said, I also trail guide and end up at the front of a large group so I will run the 40w mobile one I get it installed.
Excellent video! You clearly explained how to incorporate switch wiring, thank you. Question, is it harmful to the radio to leave it "on" at all times but control power with the killswitch? Also will an LED in the switch cause interface or am I understanding correctly that the relay circuit is isolated enough to not be an issue?
Glad you enjoyed it! An LED will cause interference on 2m and sadly not any real way to prevent it. It's a frequency issue. So I'd try to stay away from LED switches or at least not mount your radio near them.
Yes, you'll want to make sure the antenna has a good ground. So you may want to run a ground wire from the swingout to a chassis bolt between the bumper and the frame. You'll also want to make sure the antenna has a solid ground connection to the swingout (ie - no paint between antenna and bracket or between the antenna bracket and the swing out).
I am new to wiring. I recently installed a S Pod style switch pod/relay. The relay box has multiple relays built in and each relay has a 30A fuse. Do I need to swap out the 30A fuse for a smaller amp if this radio does not need 30A to run off of? also could I keep the built in fuse in the wiring and still wire it up to my switch pod which also has a built in fuse?
You don't need to since the radio should have a fuse itself too. That 30a fuse in the sPod is more to protect the unit itself. However, swapping it down for a smaller one won't hurt.
great info about to pull the trigger on this radio would you say the overall performance for this unit would be better if hardwired? than just the plug and go thanks
Yes you could. Most people don't bother mounting a GMRS radio inside a house, but it would be pretty much the same install as a VHF HAM antenna just with a GMRS radio.
Do you guys have a magazine that shows a different types of radios antennas and all the stuff that you guys sell I would be interested in receiving a magazine that has all that stuff in it I'm located in Glen Elder Kansas
We don't have a catalog, but you can find most of our radio based products at this link www.blueridgeoverlandgear.com/pages/search-results-page?q=midland
Two questions Dean. 1st is I have the Midland 6db Gain antenna + Midland 6 meter Antenna Cable with NMO included to be attached to the driver side custom bracket. Would there be interference if it was on the right side and near the standard AM/FM antenna (thus having both antennas within 5 inches of each other? 2nd the Midland MXT275 would be powered by cutting off the DC plug end and directing power from one of the 4 open Aux switches in my 2021 Rubicon unlimited. OK? Better options?
Antennas usually only interfere with each other during transmission on/around/near the same frequencies. So you're standard radio's AM/FM antenna shouldn't interfere with the GMRS radio. You might hear some interference when you transmit on the GMRS radio, but since the frequency is so different than your cars AM/FM radio it's unlikely you will even notice. You'll be better off wiring the GMRS radio directly do the battery. Those aux switches may cause some interference given how they are wired in the vehicle. That said, it can't hurt to try. However direct power is always cleaner and will give you better performance.
Great video. I'm going to have to watch the earlier ones to decide on what radio I want. Two questions; the pouch for your hand held radios. Where did you purchase that. Second, I have a SPOD on my Jeep TJ and I think I'll hard wire directly into that. Do you think there will be any power issues? Oops, I should have watched the entire video before posting because you answered the SPOD question.
The radio bag is actually a modified version of our Cooking Kit bag. Just cut out the center seams on the utensil pockets. And no, you won't have any issues running POWER to the radio from the sPod but I highly recommend running a dedicated ground to the chassis and not use the ground from the sPod (if that makes sense). If you need any help selecting a radio just let us know.
i Guys, can you do a segment on Ford Aluminum trucks to get the best performance out of the radios/antennas? I have a 2017 F250 Crew Cab with power moon roof. Thanks.
I’ve noticed a lot of guys in your area sporting front runner racks. Just curious if you sell and install them as well as I plan on making a trip up to your shop very soon
There are a few terminal options for direct connection. Best thing to look at is car stereo installation hardware or marine grade battery terminals which is what I use right now.
Battery type depends on application and needs. I run AGM in my trailer. Some people will do something like the Dometic PLB40, others a stand-alone lithium battery. Just depends on what you need it to do.
Fun fact: “spaghettification” is a real (and my favorite) science term. Astrophysicists use it to describe what happens to a human if one were to fall into a black hole.
can you splice the red black wire and join wires to circinate ligher plugin dont want hook it battery this is radio thinking AnyTone AT-778UV Transceiver Mobile Radio Dual Band 25W VHF/UHF VOX Vehicle Car Radio w/Cable
Are the GMRS radios as sensitive to ground planes like CB radios? Such as on the roof of a Jeep where the antenna is mounted to the fiberglass top. You have electrical ground but very poor ground plane.
CB's operate on a much lower frequency and are AM so they are super sensitive to a ground plane. GMRS radios are on a higher frequency and are FM so they require a much smaller ground plane and a much smaller antenna. You should be okay mounting a GMRS antenna on the fiberglass roof of a Jeep.
How about put a extra battery in trunk where spare tire used to be since new cars don’t have spare. Then have the batter to alternator to charge battery . Or solar as well
If you're running an aux battery ideally you want a DC-DC charger/maintainer/conditioner between it and the alternator. Solar is also a good option and a lot of the DC-DC chargers will also do solar (RedArc, Renogy, etc).
Magnetic mounts will be internally grounded through the antenna cable which works, but is not ideal. So you will get some functionality out of it, but not peak performance. It will be enough to talk to the people around you, just not maximum range.
@@BlueRidgeOverlandGear Awesome to hear! Maybe I should hold off until it is available. I don't want to potentially ruin a perfectly good new bag if I don't have too!
Yeah, the one issue with the kitchen bag is that once you cut the seams out one of the pockets is a little bigger than the other. If we do a production radio bag - key word if - then we would most likely make both main pockets big enough for the larger GRMS radios. Right now the one pocket is big enough for the 1000 series GRMS radios, but the other one is only big enough for the smaller FRS handhelds. My Boefang 5's barely fit.
I am new to this . i am 72 just got a boefang HP f8 and my FCC lic .i hear people take on it and a group that meets every Monday night .but I can seem to be herd . the leader says he just got a repeater or relay .he also said he wants people to join him . I have herd there is a new tower going up around 8 miles from me . how could I get so others could hear me . I am a disabled veteran too and would like to start a group near me as we can't met up at the va for now .any advise please thank you much 🗽🇺🇸👍✌
It could be a lack of wattage - IE your radio just isn't powerful enough to reach the repeater. Either that or you're trying to broadcast on the repeater's broadcast frequency or the repeater has a privacy tone attached to it. See if you can reach out to the club directly and see if they can help you out.
@@BlueRidgeOverlandGear thank you so much . I did get a e mail address . they did reply back .they have another tower going up. 30 miles north of me . I can join for 10.00 a month and use both tower repeaters .now just not sure what I need to do to hook up on it . i am joining it now .thanks again ✌👍
"A ferrite is a ceramic material made by mixing and firing large proportions of iron(III) oxide (Fe2O3, rust) blended with small proportions of one or more additional metallic elements, such as barium, manganese, nickel, and zinc. They are electrically nonconductive, meaning that they are insulators, and ferrimagnetic, meaning they can easily be magnetized or attracted to a magnet." ~ So yeah, half true. Not all ferrites are magnets, but but they can be magnetic.
@@BlueRidgeOverlandGear You are partially right. It is a noise reduction (interference) non-magnetic device that induces a high impedance (resistance) that blocks the interference! Different mixes for different uses. They also come in a doughnut shape and in different sizes/mixes for different uses. Visit Amidon or Palomar Engineers on the web for more information. Palomar also has an interference reduction guide that you can download in PDF format.
Cant believe the wattage radios you are legally able to run, here in Australia , we have similar to GMRS our radios are 80 channel 477 mhz uhf, maximum power 5 watts only , unlucky us !
@@BlueRidgeOverlandGear our mobile or base station radios are 5 watt only and our handhelds are , anything from 0.5 watt 1 watt , 2 watt , up too 5 watt maximum , , that’s it ,
@@BlueRidgeOverlandGear really , I cut off the cigarette plug in and spliced in an USB with my current radio and it worked. I just don’t want to have to do it with a new radio.
Please always use suppressed relays nonsuppressed relays play havoc on the computers and J1939 or other communications backbone in modern day vehicles.
Wow, unnecessarily complicated wiring scenarios. I just ran a dedicated circuit on an existing ACC relay from my fuse box. You can get a tap that allows you to put a fuse - like body with a power (hot) wire into the fuse blade contacts and then has a regular fuse that sits inside of it. Plug tap in fuse box --> Connect radio to hot wire that provides --> Ground radio anywhere you can get a good ground --> Done, fused clean power without fighting with firewall grommets and radio now only comes on when the accessories or ignition switch is on. "Spaghettification" is a word used in physics for the tidal effects on a body nearing a black hole, it's not a term used for wire webs generated by electrical spiders installing electronic gear. You should have taken ten seconds to show how a ferrite choke is used on a power wire. Alternator noise is a very, very common problem but easily solved.
We wanted to show multiple options when it comes to wiring and what some of the pros and cons are of different types of circuits and source wires. Feel free to create your own install tips video and send us a link. I'd be interested to watch it.
You never, never, ever connect your radio negative direct to the battery. Doing so bypasses part of the current for the (BMS) battery monitor system of your vehicle. It will provide false information to your vehicles computer. Your negative lead should be a solid connection to the frame of the vehicle. If you don't see the fallacy in the advice to wire your radio direct to the battery, where is your stereo radio that the vehicle manufacturer installed wired to?
I have found grounding to the frame or body of the vehicle is rarely a quality ground for something as sensitive as a two-way radio. A battery-direct ground cuts out a lot of the static and noise you get from a chassis/body ground especially if there are things like interior lights and HVAC components grounded near by.
*In this video we talk about needing an NMO adapter and a separate cable. Instead, we recommend the Midland Low Profile Antenna Cable, which does not require an NMO adapter. www.blueridgeoverlandgear.com/products/midland-mxta24-low-profile-gmrs-antenna-cable?_pos=1&_sid=778e3ff03&_ss=r
It so nice to watch a video that fully explains a given topic without all the superfluous UA-cam hand-waving and useless filler. Well done, sir.
Glad it was helpful!
Great video. I actually learned a lot about how to wire up radio gear in my ride and do it the right way so I don't get a whiney radio. Good job.
Glad it helped!
Excellent video, jam-packed with really useful information! Thank you so much for making this and taking the time to do it right!
Glad it was helpful!
the best tips with short and short enough explanation. thank you a lot
Thanks we really appreciate it!
Different antennas for different jobs. The longer higher gain antennas tend to "pinch" the singnal and shoot more of it towards the horizon. That can help with range in many cases but in instances of where you are in varied terrain line hilly or mountainous terrain it can be a hinderance.
The lower gain 3db antennas tend to make more of a doughnut shaped radiation pattern when viewed from above. A big oval bubble when viewed from the side. This tends to work better in rougher terrain with more varied elevation.
Good to know!
Hey Dean, I've been searching the web for about a month learning how to install a mobile ham radio. You've got quite a lot of information in this video, and it was a great reference. No one else has got something quite as comprehensive out there! Can't wait to tackle this project. Thank you for explaining so much!
Glad it helped. We struggled with how to do the FAQ and the install tips in one video, so that's why we split it. Hopefully the FAQ video this week will round out any lingering questions.
Outstanding explanation, thank you for sharing. For me the GMRS radio would be wiring simple direct wire to the battery. For years my CB radio power is managed form its own on/off switch. To date never forgot to turn it off, knock on wood.
Great tip! Thank you.
I have 4 radios. I mounted my Unidien CMX760 (CB) behind the glove box. It has all controls on the mic.
I mounted two Kenwood HAM radios, (V71, and 710) on the rear drivers side Molle panel between it and the window. And the control faces, on one of those dash mount rails. I also use a Wouxan KG-1000G+ dual channel GMRS radio that I also mounted the main unit with the two Kenwood units on the rear drivers side Molle panel between the window and panel. The control unit is mounted above the sun visor to the plastic up there. All wires are hidden.
Antennas? I used two mounts that go under my A puller lights, one on the drivers, one on the passenger. GMRS on the left, ham radios uhf/vhf on the left. Providing more then 19” needed between the two.
In the rear behind the spare tire, I used two antenna mounts. Made a mirror image of the one on the right. The right has the CB antenna, the one on the left the other ham radio antenna. Giving the needed full band sepperation fandom the front and rear ham antennas for both UhF and VHF. Even though the CH antenna is less the. 18” from the UhF/VHF antenna, it won’t cause issues because it’s on the 10m band.
I now have APRS, and access to three ham 2m/70cm bands, the CB band, and can monitor two GMRS channels all at the same time. As well as every radio has access to the weather band, as well as all have weather alert capabilities.
It sounds like you're ready for anything.
@@BlueRidgeOverlandGear LOL, I do have a spot satellite emergency locater as well. Now just need a cell phone booster and I’m good! Lol
Much appreciated Dean. I am reasonably savvy, but I really like having resources like this to reference and direct folks to. The easel diagrams and specificity in components were particularly useful. Thanks for the simple and straightforward presentation.
Glad you found it helpful!
This is phenomenal information given in an excellent presentation. This is helping me a great deal. Thank you very much.
Great video, Dean! If I might, I'll add a tiny detail, just because it bit me. If installing under the "ignition hot" scenario, be sure to ground the chassis of the relay. Most of the current orientally supplied solid state relays are very unhappy unless their chassis is grounded.
Yes. Good grounding is important!
Great video thanks only thing a fair amount of vehicles do have constant hot 12 power to acc and cigarette lighter plugs Ford for instance most all of 12 volt and cigarette plugs are hot always. So a better source for a hot ignition source is more likely to be found under the column . You will have to check for 12 volts on your cig plug with key off. Just a FYI
Yes, and in some vehicles (like Chryslers) there is a two-position fuse you so you can swap between ignition hot or battery hot.
Didn't think I needed to watch this but I am glad that I did. Great video!
Glad you found it helpful.
Hi Dean, thanks for clearing up our options. Have a 2017Grand Cherokee and want to I stall the 3db ghost antenna with lip mount. Unable to locate the firewall for this vehicle anywhere! Was going to buy the 400 model install antenna as mentioned and direct connect the radio power to the main battery (not the start stop one) under the passenger seat. So I have two concerts: firewall location to get the antenna cable through to the radio and best location to run power wires from battery to radio on this vehicle.
Thanks Dean!
There should be a rubber gromet in the firewall behind the glovebox you can access for fishing the power cable through. You'll want to run the antenna wire through the opposite side (to prevent interference).
Thanks for posting this, this answered a bunch of questions and cleared up a lot for me.
Glad you found it informative.
Amazingly thorough and detailed through out! You did everything but install my radio. I forwarded this video to several friends and hit the subscribe button!!!!
Glad it helped!
I see that radio bag!! Great info, Dean. Thanks!
It's a modified Cooking Kit bag. Just cut the seems out of the pockets for the utensils.
Love this segment, they have been great.
Thank you!
Thanks for making this video very detail and informative......
Glad it was helpful!
Good info Dean. Like others...I noticed that bag for the handhelds...nice.
Yeah. It's a kitchen bag with the pouches cut out of it. Might do a production version, who knows.
Best video on this topic I’ve found! I’m going to replace CB radio with mxt575 in Jeep tj. Will the existing Firestick CB antenna &/or coax work with GMRS radio?
We're not radio experts. But typically, CB antennas do not work with GMRS.
Dean was our resident radio guy and he has moved on to other ventures. you can ask him on instagram @eastcoastoverlandadventures.
This is awesome. Thanks for explaining everything!
Glad you enjoyed it!
I just bought a MXT575 and I was wondering if I can connect the wires into my 8 Gang Auxbeam switch panel? Instead of wiring it directly to the battery.
Sorry, but that's outside of our realm of expertise.
Great information and very well presented. Thanks so much! "Spaghettification" I like that!
Glad you liked it!
Great channel, great info!
You Sir got yourself a new subscriber!
PS. I wouldn't use the cigarette charger, it can burn your cables.
Great Job Dean! Super informative!
Thanks! 👍
Very well explained, Thanks
Glad it was helpful!
Excellent video!
Thank you very much!
Super helpful and great quality video! Thank you!!
Glad you enjoyed it!
Just ordered a new F-350 with the upfitter switches. Any input on if these will be noise free for wiring a radio to?
They may cause some noise, so run a ferrite choke to start with. If you still get noise you'll need to go straight to the battery.
Thanks for the great video! I just installed the MXT275 Midland GMRS radio. It sounds clean and transmits around 5 miles. I'm wondering if I need to ground the antenna. My tire carrier bracket is completely powder coated and so the antenna is not grounded. Do I need to scrap off the powder coat at both ends to ensure the antenna is grounded? And will this give me greater range? I am using the Midland Low Profile Antenna Cable.
Yes, you will want to ground your antenna through the powdercoat. Either grind off the powdercoat under the antenna mount and/or get one of those finned washers that will dig into the metal. That should do the trick and give you a little more range.
@@BlueRidgeOverlandGear Thanks for the reply! My low profile Midland coax cable has teeth that dig into the metal. But I doubt it can dig through this powder coat because it’s really thick! In any event the other side that bolts to the tire carrier isn’t grounded.
So as an FNG, the simplest way to hook up the radio is go direct and remember to hit power off . Please confirm
Yes. Keep it simple.
This was a fantastic video I was looking Between a 15 W and a 45 W radio what do you think would be better because I'm completely new to this
Depends on what you want to do. If you just want to talk to a small group in a convoy, then the 15w is fine. If you want to talk to a larger group or have max range then the 40w is the way to go. I've been okay in most groups with a 5w handheld, so the 15w is plenty. That said, I also trail guide and end up at the front of a large group so I will run the 40w mobile one I get it installed.
nice mobile station...👍
Thanks!
Excellent video! You clearly explained how to incorporate switch wiring, thank you.
Question, is it harmful to the radio to leave it "on" at all times but control power with the killswitch?
Also will an LED in the switch cause interface or am I understanding correctly that the relay circuit is isolated enough to not be an issue?
Glad you enjoyed it! An LED will cause interference on 2m and sadly not any real way to prevent it. It's a frequency issue. So I'd try to stay away from LED switches or at least not mount your radio near them.
I've mounted the antenna on my tire rack with the mount itself pretty isolated. Wondering if running a wire to ground is an option
Yes, you'll want to make sure the antenna has a good ground. So you may want to run a ground wire from the swingout to a chassis bolt between the bumper and the frame. You'll also want to make sure the antenna has a solid ground connection to the swingout (ie - no paint between antenna and bracket or between the antenna bracket and the swing out).
Excellent vid bro
Thanks!
Glad you liked it!
I am new to wiring. I recently installed a S Pod style switch pod/relay. The relay box has multiple relays built in and each relay has a 30A fuse. Do I need to swap out the 30A fuse for a smaller amp if this radio does not need 30A to run off of? also could I keep the built in fuse in the wiring and still wire it up to my switch pod which also has a built in fuse?
You don't need to since the radio should have a fuse itself too. That 30a fuse in the sPod is more to protect the unit itself. However, swapping it down for a smaller one won't hurt.
GREAT Job Dean! THANK YOU!!!
Glad you liked it!
great info about to pull the trigger on this radio would you say the overall performance for this unit would be better if hardwired? than just the plug and go thanks
Yes. Hardwired with a good ground will be better than just plugged into the cigarette outlet.
Could you put one of these in a building as long as the antenna is out side
Yes you could. Most people don't bother mounting a GMRS radio inside a house, but it would be pretty much the same install as a VHF HAM antenna just with a GMRS radio.
Do you guys have a magazine that shows a different types of radios antennas and all the stuff that you guys sell I would be interested in receiving a magazine that has all that stuff in it I'm located in Glen Elder Kansas
We don't have a catalog, but you can find most of our radio based products at this link www.blueridgeoverlandgear.com/pages/search-results-page?q=midland
do you svc. / repair auto C>B> Radios in 4x4 trucks?
We do not. Sorry.
Two questions Dean.
1st is I have the Midland 6db Gain antenna + Midland 6 meter Antenna Cable with NMO included to be attached to the driver side custom bracket. Would there be interference if it was on the right side and near the standard AM/FM antenna (thus having both antennas within 5 inches of each other?
2nd the Midland MXT275 would be powered by cutting off the DC plug end and directing power from one of the 4 open Aux switches in my 2021 Rubicon unlimited. OK? Better options?
Antennas usually only interfere with each other during transmission on/around/near the same frequencies. So you're standard radio's AM/FM antenna shouldn't interfere with the GMRS radio. You might hear some interference when you transmit on the GMRS radio, but since the frequency is so different than your cars AM/FM radio it's unlikely you will even notice.
You'll be better off wiring the GMRS radio directly do the battery. Those aux switches may cause some interference given how they are wired in the vehicle. That said, it can't hurt to try. However direct power is always cleaner and will give you better performance.
Great video. I'm going to have to watch the earlier ones to decide on what radio I want. Two questions; the pouch for your hand held radios. Where did you purchase that. Second, I have a SPOD on my Jeep TJ and I think I'll hard wire directly into that. Do you think there will be any power issues? Oops, I should have watched the entire video before posting because you answered the SPOD question.
The radio bag is actually a modified version of our Cooking Kit bag. Just cut out the center seams on the utensil pockets. And no, you won't have any issues running POWER to the radio from the sPod but I highly recommend running a dedicated ground to the chassis and not use the ground from the sPod (if that makes sense).
If you need any help selecting a radio just let us know.
Dean, i REALLY NEED YOUR HELP !. whats that cool knife your wearing. And whete do i get one ??? Peace Amigo.
That's an LT Wright GNS. We've love their blades, and they're a great crew!
Awesome video
Thanks!
How are you having induction interference? Cars ar DC systems (Direct Current) which is non inductive. AC is inductive.
Wow, great video. Very well explained. Thank you. Keep them coming!
What is the bag you have your handheld radios in? around 1:20 mark?
That's actually our Cooking Kit bag. It's the same size as the Gadget Bag, but with fixed sleeves on one interior panel.
Thanks for sharing..
Thanks for watching!
i Guys, can you do a segment on Ford Aluminum trucks to get the best performance out of the radios/antennas? I have a 2017 F250 Crew Cab with power moon roof. Thanks.
Great video
Thanks!
I’ve noticed a lot of guys in your area sporting front runner racks. Just curious if you sell and install them as well as I plan on making a trip up to your shop very soon
We are not a dealer for them nor are we an installer.
Great video. Good job.
Thank you. Glad you enjoyed it.
Outstanding Explanation!
Great vid - thanks!
Glad you liked it!
On battery drain the MXT-400 has a auto power off function.
Good to know.
good job dean
Thanks.
What is the bag you used for the handheld radio ?
It's a modified Cooking Kit bag. Just cut the seems out of the pockets for the utensils.
What do you use to actually connect the power and ground wires to the battery?
There are a few terminal options for direct connection. Best thing to look at is car stereo installation hardware or marine grade battery terminals which is what I use right now.
Which battery I have one in back and in engine
What does the one in back do
Battery type depends on application and needs. I run AGM in my trailer. Some people will do something like the Dometic PLB40, others a stand-alone lithium battery. Just depends on what you need it to do.
Fun fact: “spaghettification” is a real (and my favorite) science term. Astrophysicists use it to describe what happens to a human if one were to fall into a black hole.
Yes. It's also impossible in standard scrable because it's impossible to make in one play or out of an existing word.
@@BlueRidgeOverlandGear Oh nifty. That too, is indeed a fun fact. 🍻
Wow that was awesome!
Glad you liked it!
Super helpful
Glad you enjoyed it. If you have any questions don't hesitate to ask.
@@BlueRidgeOverlandGear what is the highest power GMRS radio that midland has. I just got my GMRS license and want to set up a base camp in my rv
Currently a 40watt radio. The max allowed by the FCC is 50watts and supposedly Midland is developing a 50watt mobile radio.
@@BlueRidgeOverlandGear thanks this helps a lot
can you splice the red black wire and join wires to circinate ligher plugin dont want hook it battery this is radio thinking AnyTone AT-778UV Transceiver Mobile Radio Dual Band 25W VHF/UHF VOX Vehicle Car Radio w/Cable
Are the GMRS radios as sensitive to ground planes like CB radios? Such as on the roof of a Jeep where the antenna is mounted to the fiberglass top. You have electrical ground but very poor ground plane.
CB's operate on a much lower frequency and are AM so they are super sensitive to a ground plane. GMRS radios are on a higher frequency and are FM so they require a much smaller ground plane and a much smaller antenna. You should be okay mounting a GMRS antenna on the fiberglass roof of a Jeep.
How about put a extra battery in trunk where spare tire used to be since new cars don’t have spare. Then have the batter to alternator to charge battery .
Or solar as well
If you're running an aux battery ideally you want a DC-DC charger/maintainer/conditioner between it and the alternator. Solar is also a good option and a lot of the DC-DC chargers will also do solar (RedArc, Renogy, etc).
what unit would you recommend for at home?
Not really sure. Kind outside of our expertise. My experience is only with mobile and handheld radios.
Great info, loved the presentation, moved along nicely, BUT! At the end, a magnet? Try, Ferrite or Suppressor, it's not a magnet.
Good to know.
Do you need to ground the magnetic mount? If so how?
Magnetic mounts will be internally grounded through the antenna cable which works, but is not ideal. So you will get some functionality out of it, but not peak performance. It will be enough to talk to the people around you, just not maximum range.
What bag are your GXT radios in?
It's a modified Cooking Kit bag. Just cut the seems out of the pockets for the utensils.
@@BlueRidgeOverlandGear Thanks! You should offer that bag without the seems for this purpose ;-)
Ordering a bag now! :-)
It's in the works. Just have to get caught up past orders before we offer something new.
@@BlueRidgeOverlandGear Awesome to hear! Maybe I should hold off until it is available. I don't want to potentially ruin a perfectly good new bag if I don't have too!
Yeah, the one issue with the kitchen bag is that once you cut the seams out one of the pockets is a little bigger than the other. If we do a production radio bag - key word if - then we would most likely make both main pockets big enough for the larger GRMS radios. Right now the one pocket is big enough for the 1000 series GRMS radios, but the other one is only big enough for the smaller FRS handhelds. My Boefang 5's barely fit.
I am new to this . i am 72 just got a boefang HP f8 and my FCC lic .i hear people take on it and a group that meets every Monday night .but I can seem to be herd . the leader says he just got a repeater or relay .he also said he wants people to join him . I have herd there is a new tower going up around 8 miles from me . how could I get so others could hear me . I am a disabled veteran too and would like to start a group near me as we can't met up at the va for now .any advise please thank you much 🗽🇺🇸👍✌
It could be a lack of wattage - IE your radio just isn't powerful enough to reach the repeater. Either that or you're trying to broadcast on the repeater's broadcast frequency or the repeater has a privacy tone attached to it. See if you can reach out to the club directly and see if they can help you out.
@@BlueRidgeOverlandGear thank you so much . I did get a e mail address . they did reply back .they have another tower going up. 30 miles north of me . I can join for 10.00 a month and use both tower repeaters .now just not sure what I need to do to hook up on it . i am joining it now .thanks again ✌👍
Awesome video. Thx
ferrite is not a magnet
"A ferrite is a ceramic material made by mixing and firing large proportions of iron(III) oxide (Fe2O3, rust) blended with small proportions of one or more additional metallic elements, such as barium, manganese, nickel, and zinc. They are electrically nonconductive, meaning that they are insulators, and ferrimagnetic, meaning they can easily be magnetized or attracted to a magnet." ~ So yeah, half true. Not all ferrites are magnets, but but they can be magnetic.
@@BlueRidgeOverlandGear You are partially right. It is a noise reduction (interference) non-magnetic device that induces a high impedance (resistance) that blocks the interference! Different mixes for different uses. They also come in a doughnut shape and in different sizes/mixes for different uses. Visit Amidon or Palomar Engineers on the web for more information. Palomar also has an interference reduction guide that you can download in PDF format.
You’re great 👍
Thanks!
Cant believe the wattage radios you are legally able to run, here in Australia , we have similar to GMRS our radios are 80 channel 477 mhz uhf, maximum power 5 watts only , unlucky us !
Is that 5w for handheld and mobile? Our handheld GMRS radios are limited to 5 watts.
@@BlueRidgeOverlandGear our mobile or base station radios are 5 watt only and our handhelds are , anything from 0.5 watt
1 watt , 2 watt , up too 5 watt maximum , , that’s it ,
When will USB rather than the cigarette lighter be available?
USB does not provide enough power to run a mobile radio.
@@BlueRidgeOverlandGear really , I cut off the cigarette plug in and spliced in an USB with my current radio and it worked. I just don’t want to have to do it with a new radio.
Please always use suppressed relays nonsuppressed relays play havoc on the computers and J1939 or other communications backbone in modern day vehicles.
Good to know.
Wow, unnecessarily complicated wiring scenarios. I just ran a dedicated circuit on an existing ACC relay from my fuse box. You can get a tap that allows you to put a fuse - like body with a power (hot) wire into the fuse blade contacts and then has a regular fuse that sits inside of it. Plug tap in fuse box --> Connect radio to hot wire that provides --> Ground radio anywhere you can get a good ground --> Done, fused clean power without fighting with firewall grommets and radio now only comes on when the accessories or ignition switch is on.
"Spaghettification" is a word used in physics for the tidal effects on a body nearing a black hole, it's not a term used for wire webs generated by electrical spiders installing electronic gear.
You should have taken ten seconds to show how a ferrite choke is used on a power wire. Alternator noise is a very, very common problem but easily solved.
We wanted to show multiple options when it comes to wiring and what some of the pros and cons are of different types of circuits and source wires. Feel free to create your own install tips video and send us a link. I'd be interested to watch it.
You don't need to grind paint off for a good ground with UHF.
Experience begs to differ. I've found anything you can do to create a better ground is a good idea.
Honey...whats for dinner?
Spaghettafacation!!!
who's raking leaves??
That would be Cicada Brood IX. They're a bit noisy this year. Hoping to have a new indoor studio soon.
But can i get the lj 🤣
You'll have to check with Dean on that one.
You never, never, ever connect your radio negative direct to the battery. Doing so bypasses part of the current for the (BMS) battery monitor system of your vehicle. It will provide false information to your vehicles computer. Your negative lead should be a solid connection to the frame of the vehicle. If you don't see the fallacy in the advice to wire your radio direct to the battery, where is your stereo radio that the vehicle manufacturer installed wired to?
I have found grounding to the frame or body of the vehicle is rarely a quality ground for something as sensitive as a two-way radio. A battery-direct ground cuts out a lot of the static and noise you get from a chassis/body ground especially if there are things like interior lights and HVAC components grounded near by.
This shit is so over complicated it’s ridiculous. Not this video but radios in general
Yeah, with a little time and patience it makes more sense. Taken me a while to make heads and tails of it all.