Recent content by Bill Ruttan

I was only trying to answer the question posed by the ‘Original Poster’,

This seems like “overkill” (and a more complicated power cable installation), given that the OP stated that he did not require high transmitter power.

I have the Midland MXT-275, which appears to be similar to an equivalent GME transceiver. The Midland has a maximum output of 15 watts and can be plugged in to a cigarette lighter/power point. This unit utilizes a remote radio body connected to a speaker/mic which incorporates all the controls.

Older FRS transmitters were restricted to 0.5 watts of output power and could not tune Channels 15-22 (where 50 watts is permitted with GMRS transceivers). The good news is that the current generation of FRS transceivers can transmit at 2 watts over Channels 01-07 AND Channels 15-22, as well as...

A useful thing about FRS and GMRS Radios (both hand-held and mobile) is that they are “interoperable“ on Channels 01-07 (max 5 watts) and Channels 15-22 (high power).

While Channel 3 is common to both new and older FRS Radios, there is a significant transmitter power limitation (2 watts for FRS, 5 watts for GMRS). Had a channel in the 15-22 range been designated, a mobile GMRS radio (typically in a vehicle) would have a stronger signal, as they are allowed up...

Real wood does help to ‘warm up’ the feeling of the interior.

The Midland MXT275 “MicroMobile” GMRS Band Radio can also receive all seven NOAA Weather broadcast frequencies. This radio can silently monitor a broadcast and will only sound its ‘siren’ if a 1050 HZ General (NOT S.A.M.E.) Alert is received.

I like your version of the bag (in sand color) that fits in the front of the stowage compartment for the jack. I certainly hope that it goes into production!

The “sweet spot”, for Garmin, is their MXT275 MicroMobile. Just buy the FCC License ($35 for 10 years), plug the radio into your ‘power point’ (cigarette lighter), place the little magnetic mount antenna on the outside of your vehicle, and you are good to go. Oh, one more thing: the Chinese GMRS...

There is cell service in the vicinity of Furnace Creek in Death Valley.

I believe While not exactly ‘two-way’ communications, Personal Locator Beacons (PLBs) are now available with Return Link Service (RLS). RLS will give the user notification that their PLB emergency signal HAS been received.

OnX Offroad (app) Users: I have discovered (and confirmed with OnX Support) that Trail Numbers (assigned by the Forest Service, BLM) will NOT be visible on the map unless the Activities Filter for “Difficulty” is set to “All” or “Not Rated”.

How do I access the tickets I purchased online for Overland Expo SoCal?

I would be very surprised if Apple decides to charge for “SOS” (not ordinary message) service. This is somewhat akin to 9-1-1 calls that can be made, free of charge, by any phone through any carrier (by Federal mandate I believe).