Trail Radios - what are you using?

CB or GMRS?

  • CB

    Votes: 2 10.5%

  • GMRS

    Votes: 12 63.2%

  • Other

    Votes: 5 26.3%
  • Total voters
    19
CLRracer said:
But which one? Looks like they have half a dozen or so between mounted and handhelds.

Duane
Click to expand...
We're running a few of them. To Casey's point, most of us are running the 15-watt base units (MXT115 or MXT275). I personally run the 275 and a few of us are thinking about bumping up to the 40-watt unit.

I actually bought two of the upgraded antennas (the stubby 3dB and the mack-daddy 6dB). I put the 3dB on the hood of my 4runner as it's the best option for me, and I'm running the 6dB on the two rig with a hood mount (driver's side...opposite of my AM/FM radio antenna). If I had a good place on my 4runner to mount the 6dB antenna I would absolutely be running that one as we all think it receives / transmits further (as it should). I switch my radio back and forth b/t the tow rig and 4runner as it takes no more than 5 minutes (and I'm cheap). Separate antenna, separate power cord and it's just straight plug-and-play. It's easy bc there's no tuning of the antenna each time I switch over.

I actually just bought a set of the GXT1030VP4 handheld units too. Albeit these don't put out as much power and the base units, they're great for a few other applications / scenarios. (1) In the event you're spotting somebody coming up through something you can easily talk to them as they'll be able to hear you better over banging the limiter (or not...but they can still hear better). (2) In the event somebody doesn't have the GMRS setup, I can give them one of these and they're up & running as opposed to if you're running CBs...that person is SOL. (3) We found this super helpful last time at the Ranch as they were having a closed course race and we were stuck in "Cripple Creek" and the only way out was to get up and through the race course. We were able to stagger folks along the course to let the rest of our group know when there was a break in the action allowing us to move our rigs from "station to station" along the course and safely get out. There would've been no doing this w/ a CB setup.
 
CLRracer said:
But which one? Looks like they have half a dozen or so between mounted and handhelds.

Duane
Click to expand...

What Rod said. I’m running the MXT115 and very happy with it.

The Handhelds will receive good but can’t put out as good. But don’t take that wrong, it’s far superior to any handheld CB I’ve ever used.
Example, me and @Joe J. go out by ourselves late at night while the crew sits around the fire (bad idea, but we just cruised the main trail) @BigClay says he will turn his handheld on and keep it close while they’re around the fire.
At some point, it feels like me and Joe have been gone a while and we should check in. I grab my radio (MXT115) and check in telling them we are fine, just cruising around. Clay said something back, but I couldn’t make it out, so I said “I can’t understand what you’re saying, but we are ok” mind you me and joe were about at the furthest point you could be from them, and probably down the mountain 100-125’ lower in elevation, thru the woods.

I get back later and Clay tells me he could hear me crystal clear. So, the handhelds are awesome, and they pickup great but don’t have the same output as a base unit, which I feel is to be expected.
 
We have the Midland MXT115 controls are on the base, mounted to the top of the dash in the center on the XJ, (volume up all the way) no doors and at times have a hard time hearing anything when the motor is under load or banging off the rev limiter. We need to get an external speaker mounted I've heard it helps a ton. For tow vehicle, we have a small magnetic antenna that I just throw on the roof and plug power in the cigarette lighter, done, easy switch, no problems switching at all. Range was over 5 miles when we stopped for fuel and others carried on to a stop 10 miles away. Been pretty happy with it, though I think we are getting some ignition noise but it is a 100 times better than the CB we never got to work well.
 
rcalexander105 said:
We're running a few of them. To Casey's point, most of us are running the 15-watt base units (MXT115 or MXT275). I personally run the 275 and a few of us are thinking about bumping up to the 40-watt unit.

I actually bought two of the upgraded antennas (the stubby 3dB and the mack-daddy 6dB). I put the 3dB on the hood of my 4runner as it's the best option for me, and I'm running the 6dB on the two rig with a hood mount (driver's side...opposite of my AM/FM radio antenna). If I had a good place on my 4runner to mount the 6dB antenna I would absolutely be running that one as we all think it receives / transmits further (as it should). I switch my radio back and forth b/t the tow rig and 4runner as it takes no more than 5 minutes (and I'm cheap). Separate antenna, separate power cord and it's just straight plug-and-play. It's easy bc there's no tuning of the antenna each time I switch over.

I actually just bought a set of the GXT1030VP4 handheld units too. Albeit these don't put out as much power and the base units, they're great for a few other applications / scenarios. (1) In the event you're spotting somebody coming up through something you can easily talk to them as they'll be able to hear you better over banging the limiter (or not...but they can still hear better). (2) In the event somebody doesn't have the GMRS setup, I can give them one of these and they're up & running as opposed to if you're running CBs...that person is SOL. (3) We found this super helpful last time at the Ranch as they were having a closed course race and we were stuck in "Cripple Creek" and the only way out was to get up and through the race course. We were able to stagger folks along the course to let the rest of our group know when there was a break in the action allowing us to move our rigs from "station to station" along the course and safely get out. There would've been no doing this w/ a CB setup.
Click to expand...
Pics of antennas for reference...

upload_2020-10-23_10-8-32.png


upload_2020-10-23_10-8-48.png


Little hard to see but best I have right now. It's a bit blurry but you can see the "stubby" 3dB in the middle of the hood of the 4runner.
 
I got the MXT 275 thinking the controls on the mic would be handy. I also got the hard mount whip antenna for the Jeepster and I use the magnetic one that came with it in my pickup while we are traveling. I did mount an external speaker in the Jeepster also because I couldn't hear anything over @No fries son hitting his rev limiter all the time! :D
And don't even consider mounting the mic on anything else but this Magnetic Mic - The Ultimate Magnetic Police Radio Mic Clip Can't seem to get this link to load...
 
@No fries I run an external speaker in the Jeep, makes a massive difference. In the truck I have it mounted up high above my rear view and hear it fine.


@R Q thanks for the magnetic mic link, that’s awesome.
 
No fries said:
We have the Midland MXT115 controls are on the base, mounted to the top of the dash in the center on the XJ, (volume up all the way) no doors and at times have a hard time hearing anything when the motor is under load or banging off the rev limiter. We need to get an external speaker mounted I've heard it helps a ton. For tow vehicle, we have a small magnetic antenna that I just throw on the roof and plug power in the cigarette lighter, done, easy switch, no problems switching at all. Range was over 5 miles when we stopped for fuel and others carried on to a stop 10 miles away. Been pretty happy with it, though I think we are getting some ignition noise but it is a 100 times better than the CB we never got to work well.
Click to expand...
Same. I got an external speaker for the Jeep and it’s much better.
 
R Q said:
I got the MXT 275 thinking the controls on the mic would be handy. I also got the hard mount whip antenna for the Jeepster and I use the magnetic one that came with it in my pickup while we are traveling. I did mount an external speaker in the Jeepster also because I couldn't hear anything over @No fries son hitting his rev limiter all the time! :D
And don't even consider mounting the mic on anything else but this Magnetic Mic - The Ultimate Magnetic Police Radio Mic Clip Can't seem to get this link to load...
Click to expand...

Does that magnetic mic clip hold when wheeling hard and bouncing all over the place?
 
Crunchy said:
Does that magnetic mic clip hold when wheeling hard and bouncing all over the place?
Click to expand...
Knowing how @R Q wheels...yes!

He ain't skeert to give 'er a beat down when warranted!
 
Thanks for the info. I was looking at a set of handhelds for me and dad to use in the tow rigs then just grab for the trail rigs, plus they would be handy for the wife and I at the new property. Might look into the stronger mounted units though.

Duane
 
CLRracer said:
Thanks for the info. I was looking at a set of handhelds for me and dad to use in the tow rigs then just grab for the trail rigs, plus they would be handy for the wife and I at the new property. Might look into the stronger mounted units though.

Duane
Click to expand...

If you go with handhelds for the rigs, get the car charger as the batteries don’t seem to last long.

A lot of the times, Midland is offering a bundle where you get one base unit and 2 handhelds.

I recommend hardwiring the base unit over using the cig lighter. Much less Interference. Mine is wired straight to the battery.
 
R Q said:
Absolutely! I've had my Midland bounce out of it's mount a few times but my mic is always where its supposed to be!
Click to expand...
:eek:

@Crunchy, does that answer your question :lol:
 
This is a lot of great info here! I love the flexibility of a handheld using a mic and ext antenna. However, I also like the idea of the more powerful base unit.... I think I’m leaning towards this unit at the moment as a starting point. Powerful, has accessories available and catches decent reviews. Any opinions on this unit?

BAOFENG 2 Way Radios Baofeng UV-82 8w High Power
 
Jeffncs said:
Any opinions on this unit?

BAOFENG 2 Way Radios Baofeng UV-82 8w High Power
Click to expand...

I have had 2 of these units for a few years. I freekin love these things!

All the guys I used to ride with had went to bubble pack radios. My problem was I couldn't hear from them well. I asked the radio guy at work and he told me to look at the Baofeng radios. I picked the UV-82 because it had a 1 watt speaker (btw, mine is just the regular UV-82, not the HP).

When they first arrived I went for a ride with one and gave my son the other. I got a little over six miles away before we could no longer communicate. That was not line of sight either. He was in out house which is in a significant hole.

I have since put a stubby nagoya antenna on one and it made a pretty big difference. The factory antennas kinda suck.

The battery life is great. When they were new they would last 4 days of wheeling being turned on for near 12 hours a day on a single charge. One will still do that, but the other's battery is dying. I thought about trying one of the car charger batteries for it.

Overall its hard to beat for the money. One thing to remember is these come with no programming. You have to have someone program them or do it yourself. The software and cable to do so is cheap and available anywhere. Just be sure to get a Baofeng brand cable, I have had issues with drivers with the cheap ones.
 
NCJeeplover said:
I have had 2 of these units for a few years. I freekin love these things!

All the guys I used to ride with had went to bubble pack radios. My problem was I couldn't hear from them well. I asked the radio guy at work and he told me to look at the Baofeng radios. I picked the UV-82 because it had a 1 watt speaker (btw, mine is just the regular UV-82, not the HP).

When they first arrived I went for a ride with one and gave my son the other. I got a little over six miles away before we could no longer communicate. That was not line of sight either. He was in out house which is in a significant hole.

I have since put a stubby nagoya antenna on one and it made a pretty big difference. The factory antennas kinda suck.

The battery life is great. When they were new they would last 4 days of wheeling being turned on for near 12 hours a day on a single charge. One will still do that, but the other's battery is dying. I thought about trying one of the car charger batteries for it.

Overall its hard to beat for the money. One thing to remember is these come with no programming. You have to have someone program them or do it yourself. The software and cable to do so is cheap and available anywhere. Just be sure to get a Baofeng brand cable, I have had issues with drivers with the cheap ones.
Click to expand...

Sounds pretty awesome. I will say one thing that makes the GMRS better IMO is the fact that there’s no programming. Pic a channel, very similar to a CB and rock out.
 
R Q said:
Absolutely! I've had my Midland bounce out of it's mount a few times but my mic is always where its supposed to be!
Click to expand...
Nice. I’ll be getting that. And mounting it right by my noggin on the cage. Maybe.
 
NCJeeplover said:
I have had 2 of these units for a few years. I freekin love these things!
Click to expand...
I bought this one a couple years ago with a handheld mic and upgraded antenna. If you or anyone else wants another I'll let it go for $30 plus shipping. It's never been used other than me trying to figure out (unnsuccesfully :D) how to use it.
full
 
R Q said:
I bought this one a couple years ago with a handheld mic and upgraded antenna. If you or anyone else wants another I'll let it go for $30 plus shipping. It's never been used other than me trying to figure out (unnsuccesfully :D) how to use it.
full
Click to expand...


Sending you a message. I’m interested!
 
Do the GMRS base units have a PA capability? What external speakers will they take? I have the truck wired for CB but have reinstalled it. Our trail group is looking at getting the Beofang, but this is the first I have heard of the GMRS
 
Pennsylvaniaboy said:
Do the GMRS base units have a PA capability?
Click to expand...
Not the ones we have. Typically we don't need a PA. We simply yell out the window at our spotters and call them a Twatwaffle...seems to work OK
 
Back
Top