prerunner1982
07-08-2016, 09:22 AM
If you and your offroad buddies/group have been using the "bubble pack" FRS/GMRS handheld radios (http://i5.walmartimages.com/asr/b46da0e5-0b5a-4a53-ac35-4970ec3e45d8_1.397aa170917b2f6dd5560e38b72357c4.jp eg?odnHeight=450&odnWidth=450&odnBg=FFFFFF) during your off road excursions but you are tired of the radio bouncing around the cab only to end up in the floor board or under the front seat here is a mobile GMRS radio that might suit your needs.
The Midland MTX100 Micromobile: https://midlandusa.com/micromobile-2-way-radio/#features
https://midlandusa.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/MXT100-with-antenna-and-mic.jpg
$129.00 on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Midland-MXT100-MicroMobile-2-Way-Radio/dp/B00Z7XNWAK/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1467991315&sr=8-1&keywords=midland+micromobile
First thing is it is very small, only 4" wide by 3.5" deep so it can be mounted virtually anywhere. The radio does only puts out 5 watts, but then again a CB only does 4 or so. Though it only does 5 watts it does come with an external antenna which will help it's range considerably over the handheld GMRS radios. Upgrading the antenna to an aftermarket UHF antenna would also do well to increase the range. Range greatly depends on terrain and surroundings.
If you are a CB user and contemplating different communications this might be a viable alternative.
Compared to the compromised CB setups that a lot (most?) off roaders use effective range of this radio will likely be as good or better. A properly setup CB would have better long range communications than the GMRS radio, but unfortunately you are only as good as the person you are trying to talk to and if their CB set up is subpar your well set up radio doesn't mean much.
The biggest issue with CBs and 4x4s is the antenna and it's mounting location. Most users want a small antenna and mount it with insufficient ground plane. A mobile antenna for GMRS can be 6" (https://www.amazon.com/Antenna-410-490Mhz-Motorola-Kenwood-Blackbox/dp/B00L9D2N6Q/ref=sr_1_8?ie=UTF8&qid=1467990510&sr=8-8&keywords=uhf+antenna) upto about 3' and requires much less ground plane than a CB antenna allowing it to be mounted in places and perform well where a CB antenna would not. A 6" antenna would not only be less susceptible to trail damage but would be less noticeable to the general public.
GMRS is also FM which equates to better audio quality over AM CB.
Though GMRS does allow repeaters, this radio does not have the split capabilities to utilize them, unfortunately.
NOTE: A FCC license is required for GMRS use, though with the above mentioned "bubble pack" FRS/GMRS radios being so widely available I wouldn't be surprised if there were more unlicensed users than licensed. There was talk of making GMRS license by rule (as is FRS, MURS, and CB radio) unfortunately it hasn't gone far in getting approved. The current GMRS license is $65 for 5 years and covers your whole immediate family.
The Midland MTX100 Micromobile: https://midlandusa.com/micromobile-2-way-radio/#features
https://midlandusa.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/MXT100-with-antenna-and-mic.jpg
$129.00 on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Midland-MXT100-MicroMobile-2-Way-Radio/dp/B00Z7XNWAK/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1467991315&sr=8-1&keywords=midland+micromobile
First thing is it is very small, only 4" wide by 3.5" deep so it can be mounted virtually anywhere. The radio does only puts out 5 watts, but then again a CB only does 4 or so. Though it only does 5 watts it does come with an external antenna which will help it's range considerably over the handheld GMRS radios. Upgrading the antenna to an aftermarket UHF antenna would also do well to increase the range. Range greatly depends on terrain and surroundings.
If you are a CB user and contemplating different communications this might be a viable alternative.
Compared to the compromised CB setups that a lot (most?) off roaders use effective range of this radio will likely be as good or better. A properly setup CB would have better long range communications than the GMRS radio, but unfortunately you are only as good as the person you are trying to talk to and if their CB set up is subpar your well set up radio doesn't mean much.
The biggest issue with CBs and 4x4s is the antenna and it's mounting location. Most users want a small antenna and mount it with insufficient ground plane. A mobile antenna for GMRS can be 6" (https://www.amazon.com/Antenna-410-490Mhz-Motorola-Kenwood-Blackbox/dp/B00L9D2N6Q/ref=sr_1_8?ie=UTF8&qid=1467990510&sr=8-8&keywords=uhf+antenna) upto about 3' and requires much less ground plane than a CB antenna allowing it to be mounted in places and perform well where a CB antenna would not. A 6" antenna would not only be less susceptible to trail damage but would be less noticeable to the general public.
GMRS is also FM which equates to better audio quality over AM CB.
Though GMRS does allow repeaters, this radio does not have the split capabilities to utilize them, unfortunately.
NOTE: A FCC license is required for GMRS use, though with the above mentioned "bubble pack" FRS/GMRS radios being so widely available I wouldn't be surprised if there were more unlicensed users than licensed. There was talk of making GMRS license by rule (as is FRS, MURS, and CB radio) unfortunately it hasn't gone far in getting approved. The current GMRS license is $65 for 5 years and covers your whole immediate family.