Thank You for Showing the Display Color Choices! - I have been searching for a Stupid Simple radio for the better half to operate (KISS) I love her to death, been married 20 years in May, but she needs simple electronics. - I have a Ford with Green Dash and a 'Yota with Orange Dash. THIS is what I need!
Thank I have it and conecten to repeater but there is one local repeater that I can only listen to The ratio doesn’t want to transmit there I do have a personal repeater that connects very good but it’s just that one and I’ve tried most things but just can’t get it to talk on it
My MXT275 failed after 2 hours (no display or sound) and Midland sent me a new Mic assembly which solved the problem. I'd like to have the MXT575, but I like the portability of the MXT275 to trade between work trucks and our RV where I can listen at night. I bought a ~1/2 UHF antenna for the RV which I am installing on my RV ladder with a PVC extension to give it a few more feet of height. I added a lightning arrester and am using 10 gauge copper wire to ground it to the RV ladder which is also ground to the RV Park's electric pedestal. I will be doing some range testing with our other work trucks. It appears I won't be able to communicate with our camp hosts up the canyon line of sight as the twisting of the canyon destroys the line of sight. There are no local GMRS repeaters in the area, unfortunately. I could not reach a local amateur "ham" repeater from a local camp host site with a portable 5-watt handheld radio (2 meters VHF), but I was able to access it with my 50-watt mobile radio with a near full-quieting signal. The camp host does not have a ham license yet but it will be a lot easier to get all 16 camp hosts licensed on GMRS than on Amateur radio for sure. There are generally no cell signals up into those canyons and a few are using Garmin Spot devices for texting. but for wellness checks and medical emergencies, real-time communication is greatly appreciated. Now to contact the local hams to see if there is enough tower space for a ~1/2 GMRS fiberglass antenna and a 10W Retrievis repeater below if we do not run out of summer first. -Dave (WRTI814, KU9L)
@@prerunner1982 Yeah, it is hard to get Camp Hosts at Cottonwood Lake CG because they are overrun by paddle boarders, fishermen, ATVers, and dispersed campers which keeps you hopping and the need for emergency communications is weekly often times.
Got one. 99% the same as the MXT275 for most folks Reason to buy this one over the MXT275 for twice the price? Quality perhaps but not features. This unit seems more durable and not as fragile; not as plasticky - maybe just a better grade of plastic? The MST275 or MXT575 could have been easily designed and built as a 'microphone only and speaker' unit aka 'Walkie-Talkie' but something more was needed to hit 50watts . Why does Midland need the head unit, perhaps only as a physical place to make all the power, antenna and cord connections that a hand-held device could not achieve. A simple power, antennae and landing block would have sufficed. That is basically what the head unit is This is a radio-on-a-chip devise that you hold in your hand, It is just PERFECT for the 99% of us looking to easily migrate from CB or FRS to GMRS Pay no attention to the ''man behind the curtains". Just 'push here to talk. I have a Phd in Photography and radio technology. My favorite camera is a Phd camera. aka "push here dummy".
I have one on order..but guess what I want to use it as a base and other vehicles…BUT MIDLAND and The Whole PLANET does not have any extra power cords. MIDLAND claims maybe more will come in APRIL of course they have no back order option on their website…oh yeah like ever other person in the whole planet will be doing. So I am forced to order other power cords online and come up with a matching connection to solder onto the non midland cable
I've got a Jeep. If I told you I'm just putting the antenna of the 575 on the hood of my Jeep, do you have any comments on that? Is that too low anyway and I should save the money and go 275? Is the 575 going to fry my brain with the 50W being right in front of me? I don't know. I put my face against the microwave for 10min and that's 1100W and I'm still alive, a bit dizzy but alive... I kid about that but seriously trying to figure out 275 or 575.
The 275 is adequate for trail/convoy comms as is a fender mounted antenna. However everything else being equal more antenna height = more distance. I am not sure if the 575 is worth the extra cost, the Wouxon KG1000 is a more capable radio for about the same price. As far as frying your brain, it's about exposure time....how much are you talking vs how much you are listening. Unless you are doing all the talking for an extended period of time I wouldn't worry about it. Now I would caution against keying the mic if someone is standing next to that fender, not because you may heat up their gray matter but because if they touch the antenna they will get a nice RF burn.
I just bought this and a power supply from Amazon, I am using it in my basement with the 6db antenna near my window, it works I can talk to some people thru a repeater. Weird thing though, I know you did not mention it but I need to activate the monitor button to hear and talk to people, maybe being in my basement I don’t get good reception. I’m not sure yet how to install the antenna outside and get the cable inside. Thanks for the video
Newbie here to GMRS. I recently purchased a 2023 JL Willys and wanted to add GMRS. I went with the Midland MXT575 with included hardware. I upgraded the antenna to the 32'' whip MXTA 26. I bought the bracket that connects it to my cowl on the drivers side. I ran my power straight to the battery. The radio base is mounted on the side of the plastic where the shifters are. I attached the extra coaxial under the drivers side on the metal bracket and zip tied it. I thought everything was fine. Sitting with the engine off everything is quiet (no squelch) receives and sends well and weather channels come in awesome. The issue is when the jeep is running or sitting off with lights etc or anything else on the squelch is always on. Even if I adjust it, its like its receiving I guess you would say. The factory setting for sensitivity is 04 and I have adjusted it and the squelch and nothing changes. Do you have any suggestions sir of things to check? Not a fan of riding around with the squelch blaring. I did set one channel to a privacy code and it does not have the constant squelch.
Just guessing that you have LED headlights? USB ports can also cause issues as well we power plugs for dash cams and such. You might trying putting snap on ferrite beads on your power and coax cables. There may also be rfi blocking devices on the market.
Yes it is the newer JL with LED's. I can sit in the jeep and everything off except the midland and all quiet. I can tap the brake to push start and the squelch comes on. I did some research and if I set a channel with a privacy code all is good on the coded channel. I will try the beads. Thank you for the response. @@prerunner1982
When setting squelch is it like the old CBs and HAMs the lower the number the more you hear (with static of course) and the higher the number stronger signals only?
@@prerunner1982 thought I read that it was the other way but during operation it seemed like it was the way you answered. Thank you for clarifying this for me.
I'm ready to drop kick mine in the can. So you cant even rename a repeater channel to identify it. Btech is more user friendly. I've yet to use it and i hate it already.
Thank You for Showing the Display Color Choices! - I have been searching for a Stupid Simple radio for the better half to operate (KISS) I love her to death, been married 20 years in May, but she needs simple electronics. - I have a Ford with Green Dash and a 'Yota with Orange Dash. THIS is what I need!
This video is awesome. I cant read the small print user guide. Great help
This is how UA-cam video should be. Thank you so much for posting. This helped out a lot.
It sure would be nice if we could make some custom programming changes to the MXT575.
Thank you. I connected my MXT575 GMRS radio in my 2000 Jeep Wrangler last night.
Thanks for this, it was very helpful.
Thank I have it and conecten to repeater but there is one local repeater that I can only listen to
The ratio doesn’t want to transmit there
I do have a personal repeater that connects very good but it’s just that one and I’ve tried most things but just can’t get it to talk on it
Does it have an odd offset? Or split tone?
Is it possible to set this up so that it also functions as the speaker instead of using the speaker built into the radio?
Yes at about @8:45 I go over the speaker setting options.
My MXT275 failed after 2 hours (no display or sound) and Midland sent me a new Mic assembly which solved the problem. I'd like to have the MXT575, but I like the portability of the MXT275 to trade between work trucks and our RV where I can listen at night. I bought a ~1/2 UHF antenna for the RV which I am installing on my RV ladder with a PVC extension to give it a few more feet of height. I added a lightning arrester and am using 10 gauge copper wire to ground it to the RV ladder which is also ground to the RV Park's electric pedestal. I will be doing some range testing with our other work trucks. It appears I won't be able to communicate with our camp hosts up the canyon line of sight as the twisting of the canyon destroys the line of sight. There are no local GMRS repeaters in the area, unfortunately. I could not reach a local amateur "ham" repeater from a local camp host site with a portable 5-watt handheld radio (2 meters VHF), but I was able to access it with my 50-watt mobile radio with a near full-quieting signal. The camp host does not have a ham license yet but it will be a lot easier to get all 16 camp hosts licensed on GMRS than on Amateur radio for sure. There are generally no cell signals up into those canyons and a few are using Garmin Spot devices for texting. but for wellness checks and medical emergencies, real-time communication is greatly appreciated. Now to contact the local hams to see if there is enough tower space for a ~1/2 GMRS fiberglass antenna and a 10W Retrievis repeater below if we do not run out of summer first. -Dave (WRTI814, KU9L)
Glad to hear Midland took care of the issue. This campground you speak of sounds like some place I would like to stay.
@@prerunner1982 Yeah, it is hard to get Camp Hosts at Cottonwood Lake CG because they are overrun by paddle boarders, fishermen, ATVers, and dispersed campers which keeps you hopping and the need for emergency communications is weekly often times.
You saved my eyes from having to read the small print in the user manual .
same here
Thanks it helped me out alot I just installed it today in my explorer.
Thank you !!!
How do I use this to talk to a portable?
They sell them as a bundle...
The portable/handheld would need to use channels 1-7 or 15-22. Shouldn't have any problem talking to each other.
Your awesome man!
I just installed mine today,gonna put one in the house too,and my brother's truck.
Anyhow,thank you!
This was SUPER helpful!! The included literature is really lousy, so this video was a life saver. THANK YOU!
Got one. 99% the same as the MXT275 for most folks Reason to buy this one over the MXT275 for twice the price? Quality perhaps but not features. This unit seems more durable and not as fragile; not as plasticky - maybe just a better grade of plastic? The MST275 or MXT575 could have been easily designed and built as a 'microphone only and speaker' unit aka 'Walkie-Talkie'
but something more was needed to hit 50watts . Why does Midland need the head unit, perhaps only as a physical place to make all the power, antenna and cord connections that a hand-held device could not achieve. A simple power, antennae and landing block would have sufficed. That is basically what the head unit is This is a radio-on-a-chip devise that you hold in your hand, It is just PERFECT for the 99% of us looking to easily migrate from CB or FRS to GMRS Pay no attention to the ''man behind the curtains". Just 'push here to talk. I have a Phd in Photography and radio technology. My favorite camera is a Phd camera. aka "push here dummy".
Thanks for your help, you made my set up a lot easier, your time is appreciated
I have one on order..but guess what I want to use it as a base and other vehicles…BUT MIDLAND and The Whole PLANET does not have any extra power cords. MIDLAND claims maybe more will come in APRIL of course they have no back order option on their website…oh yeah like ever other person in the whole planet will be doing. So I am forced to order other power cords online and come up with a matching connection to solder onto the non midland cable
Amazon: search for eoocvt 9.85ft t-style DC power cable ($10.99)
Hamradio.com or Gigaparts: Powerwerx OEM-FM-CAB ($12.99)
I've got a Jeep. If I told you I'm just putting the antenna of the 575 on the hood of my Jeep, do you have any comments on that? Is that too low anyway and I should save the money and go 275? Is the 575 going to fry my brain with the 50W being right in front of me? I don't know. I put my face against the microwave for 10min and that's 1100W and I'm still alive, a bit dizzy but alive... I kid about that but seriously trying to figure out 275 or 575.
The 275 is adequate for trail/convoy comms as is a fender mounted antenna. However everything else being equal more antenna height = more distance. I am not sure if the 575 is worth the extra cost, the Wouxon KG1000 is a more capable radio for about the same price. As far as frying your brain, it's about exposure time....how much are you talking vs how much you are listening. Unless you are doing all the talking for an extended period of time I wouldn't worry about it. Now I would caution against keying the mic if someone is standing next to that fender, not because you may heat up their gray matter but because if they touch the antenna they will get a nice RF burn.
So you didn't switch between wide and narrow band during your test? BEEPS and roger beep should be OFF (!!!!!) by default. lol
Not on the MXT575, I had it set to Wide when I tested it against the MXT275 which is Narrow.
@@prerunner1982 and the new batches of mxt275 units are wide band.
I just bought this and a power supply from Amazon, I am using it in my basement with the 6db antenna near my window, it works I can talk to some people thru a repeater. Weird thing though, I know you did not mention it but I need to activate the monitor button to hear and talk to people, maybe being in my basement I don’t get good reception. I’m not sure yet how to install the antenna outside and get the cable inside. Thanks for the video
That means your squelch is too high, or people transmitting aren’t breaking your squelch. Antenna/reception problem it sounds like.
Newbie here to GMRS. I recently purchased a 2023 JL Willys and wanted to add GMRS. I went with the Midland MXT575 with included hardware. I upgraded the antenna to the 32'' whip MXTA 26. I bought the bracket that connects it to my cowl on the drivers side. I ran my power straight to the battery. The radio base is mounted on the side of the plastic where the shifters are. I attached the extra coaxial under the drivers side on the metal bracket and zip tied it. I thought everything was fine. Sitting with the engine off everything is quiet (no squelch) receives and sends well and weather channels come in awesome. The issue is when the jeep is running or sitting off with lights etc or anything else on the squelch is always on. Even if I adjust it, its like its receiving I guess you would say. The factory setting for sensitivity is 04 and I have adjusted it and the squelch and nothing changes. Do you have any suggestions sir of things to check? Not a fan of riding around with the squelch blaring. I did set one channel to a privacy code and it does not have the constant squelch.
Just guessing that you have LED headlights? USB ports can also cause issues as well we power plugs for dash cams and such.
You might trying putting snap on ferrite beads on your power and coax cables. There may also be rfi blocking devices on the market.
Yes it is the newer JL with LED's. I can sit in the jeep and everything off except the midland and all quiet. I can tap the brake to push start and the squelch comes on. I did some research and if I set a channel with a privacy code all is good on the coded channel. I will try the beads. Thank you for the response.
@@prerunner1982
Very helpful, thank you.
Nice and helpful guide. It's not 59 it's Sq for squelch.
That makes sense, ham radio brain saw 59 which is the best signal report. 😂
Great video!
T y
The antenna is everything.
is there a way to connect a headset for quiet operation?
I have not looked into it but if the headset had a rj45 connector with the right pin out to match the radio I don't see why it wouldn't work.
Do I really need to carry a portable to communicate on channel 8-14 after spending all this money???
Unfortunately 8-14 are restricted to handhelds only with 0.5 watts.
@@prerunner1982 Thanks!! That's so frustrating. Just spent a stack on a 575 for my Jeep and only half of us could talk. Typical Governmental BS!!!!
When setting squelch is it like the old CBs and HAMs the lower the number the more you hear (with static of course) and the higher the number stronger signals only?
Exactly, 0 is open squelch going up from there decreases the sensitivity. I'm still running it on the factory setting and it works fine.
@@prerunner1982 thought I read that it was the other way but during operation it seemed like it was the way you answered. Thank you for clarifying this for me.
What does Uo mean?
It's actually Vo and is Volume
I'm ready to drop kick mine in the can. So you cant even rename a repeater channel to identify it. Btech is more user friendly. I've yet to use it and i hate it already.
I know someone who has one? I think there over price.
Agreed.