GMRS mobile vehicle-based units? What are my better options?

[Sid Post]

From the Mountain West, East, and OAS (Jay, OK) shows, I am looking to add a good mobile GMRS radio to my 70cm/2m Ham unit for friends who are not HAMs.

I like the layout and basic features of the GME brand GMRS radios, but I don't know a lot about other brands beyond junk adverts and show booths with various GMRS radios bragging about power, mainly with some questionable weather ratings, along with larger sizes and harder vehicle placements.

While 5W of power isn't much, with a good antenna, I don't think 25W or 50W would be super beneficial to me in most use cases as I only have 2.5W hand helds to loan out. Being more Line-of-Sight and broadcast power not being linear in terms of range, it also limits the value of high broadcast powers and the extra heat and physical size of the units under consideration when comparing the GME units to others.
So, what do the more experienced have to say about modern vehicle-based GMRS radio options? I am looking for an easy install, with reasonable power draw, reasonable heat generation, and a remote mount of the base unit with mic control of everything. Cellphone app integration is something I don't see myself using, but I am open to other views and reasons why I might want to link the radio to my cellphone.

The GME thread in this forum suggests that the overall feature integration and layout are good, with a buggy app that will obviously get better over time. What this lacks, though, is a good overview comparing it to other mobile GMRS options that compete against it in similar price ranges. Australian outback testing and use suggest it is likely one of the better options today.

TIA,
Sid

 

[Bill Ruttan]

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.

 

[mep1811]

Midland MXT575 50 watts of power . You can hide the radio body and just have the microphone to control everything.

MXT575 MicroMobile® Two-Way Radio | Midland Radio

Get the MXT575 MicroMobile® Two-Way Radio at Midland Radio. This radio comes with a fully-integrated control microphone for vehicles with limited space.

midlandusa.com

 

[Bill Ruttan]

Midland MXT575 50 watts of power . You can hide the radio body and just have the microphone to control everything.

MXT575 MicroMobile® Two-Way Radio | Midland Radio

Get the MXT575 MicroMobile® Two-Way Radio at Midland Radio. This radio comes with a fully-integrated control microphone for vehicles with limited space.

midlandusa.com

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

 

[craig333]

For a group setting I'd agree. 5 watts should do just fine. Solo and really need to reach out? I'd want every watt I can get.

 

[Umbrarian]

The 15 watt Midland that can plug into cig socket seems to meet your needs.

 

[mep1811]

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

Then get the 15 watt system.

 

[Bill Ruttan]

Then get the 15 watt system.

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

 

[Datsun Man2]

I had Midland and in general they were ok. You had the range, but not the sound quality. With GME you don't necessarily have the range, but you have the sound quality. It's also made in Australia instead of China like others. If you are simply going on group rides with others that are running GMRS, then I would go with GME. If the group is using a different band(CB, HAM, Ect....) then make sure to have what they got.

 

[kb1ejh]

From the Mountain West, East, and OAS (Jay, OK) shows, I am looking to add a good mobile GMRS radio to my 70cm/2m Ham unit for friends who are not HAMs.

I like the layout and basic features of the GME brand GMRS radios, but I don't know a lot about other brands beyond junk adverts and show booths with various GMRS radios bragging about power, mainly with some questionable weather ratings, along with larger sizes and harder vehicle placements.

While 5W of power isn't much, with a good antenna, I don't think 25W or 50W would be super beneficial to me in most use cases as I only have 2.5W hand helds to loan out. Being more Line-of-Sight and broadcast power not being linear in terms of range, it also limits the value of high broadcast powers and the extra heat and physical size of the units under consideration when comparing the GME units to others.
So, what do the more experienced have to say about modern vehicle-based GMRS radio options? I am looking for an easy install, with reasonable power draw, reasonable heat generation, and a remote mount of the base unit with mic control of everything. Cellphone app integration is something I don't see myself using, but I am open to other views and reasons why I might want to link the radio to my cellphone.

The GME thread in this forum suggests that the overall feature integration and layout are good, with a buggy app that will obviously get better over time. What this lacks, though, is a good overview comparing it to other mobile GMRS options that compete against it in similar price ranges. Australian outback testing and use suggest it is likely one of the better options today.

TIA,
Sid

The GME are the best choice out there currently. The ones with 15W or 50W of power don't have the best audio quality or features for what you are paying for. 15W or 50W won't help you hear your friends with a handheld radio any better. 5W and a good antenna is more than fine for a trail ride. If you need to talk over a mountain, you'll probably just have to resort to NVIS...

 

[1stDeuce]

If I follow your original post correctly, you already have a 2m/70cm dual band? If so, why not just add the GMRS channels to it? Even if "locked out", most ham radios can be opened up to use those frequencies. Having a 2nd radio dedicated to GMRS when your current one should be able to function on those frequencies seems un-necessary.

I know, technically not "legal", but realistically, so long as you use it following the GMRS power ratings, I suspect the chances of getting busted using a Ham on GMRS frequencies is zero. Honestly, if common sense was still common, GMRS could allow HAM licened operators to use a HAM radio, as long as they follow the freq/power allowances. There is not difference otherwise, and we already have to respect lots of other rules.

I have had 2m and CB in my rigs for decades but just bought two AT-778UV radios to update both. I will probably take out the CB's, as I really never use them, it's not really a popular form of comms anymore anymore. The AT-778 can be bought pre-programmed with just GMRS channels, but i bought the standard version and then programmed all the GMRS channels in, set to appropriate power levels for each channel. Added in my 2m repeater frequencies, common simplex, plus some local 440mhz repeaters.

Only downside is that programming tones is not as easy as selecting a number, but you can still do it easily if you print out a tone chart for the common GMRS mfg's. (Rugged has a nice chart on their website with tones, channels, power allowance, etc...) Tones are not necessarily common anyway, so even with a GMRS radio, your tone may not match other GMRS radios...

As for power, I can hit the "local to my house" 440 repeater from my handheld Baufeng from inside my camper, on low power (2 watts) sitting 100 miles away out in the desert, and it's clear as a bell. For use out here in the open, I don't see the need to ever use more than about 5 watts where allowed on GMRS frequencies... Perhaps more power might help simplex in a forested area, but I suspect the right antenna might make as much or more difference than power...

Just my $0.02

 

[Datsun Man2]

If I follow your original post correctly, you already have a 2m/70cm dual band? If so, why not just add the GMRS channels to it? Even if "locked out", most ham radios can be opened up to use those frequencies. Having a 2nd radio dedicated to GMRS when your current one should be able to function on those frequencies seems un-necessary.

I know, technically not "legal", but realistically, so long as you use it following the GMRS power ratings, I suspect the chances of getting busted using a Ham on GMRS frequencies is zero. Honestly, if common sense was still common, GMRS could allow HAM licened operators to use a HAM radio, as long as they follow the freq/power allowances. There is not difference otherwise, and we already have to respect lots of other rules.

I have had 2m and CB in my rigs for decades but just bought two AT-778UV radios to update both. I will probably take out the CB's, as I really never use them, it's not really a popular form of comms anymore anymore. The AT-778 can be bought pre-programmed with just GMRS channels, but i bought the standard version and then programmed all the GMRS channels in, set to appropriate power levels for each channel. Added in my 2m repeater frequencies, common simplex, plus some local 440mhz repeaters.

Only downside is that programming tones is not as easy as selecting a number, but you can still do it easily if you print out a tone chart for the common GMRS mfg's. (Rugged has a nice chart on their website with tones, channels, power allowance, etc...) Tones are not necessarily common anyway, so even with a GMRS radio, your tone may not match other GMRS radios...

As for power, I can hit the "local to my house" 440 repeater from my handheld Baufeng from inside my camper, on low power (2 watts) sitting 100 miles away out in the desert, and it's clear as a bell. For use out here in the open, I don't see the need to ever use more than about 5 watts where allowed on GMRS frequencies... Perhaps more power might help simplex in a forested area, but I suspect the right antenna might make as much or more difference than power...

Just my $0.02

For legal reasons is why we don't want to do that. Just because you believe you won't get busted doesn't mean you won't. When you get busted it will be a hefty fine that you don't want to pay with the possibility of jail time. That is why we keep it legal

 

[1stDeuce]

You are technically correct, and I stated that true legality would be a concern.

I submit that we do all manner of other things that are against local or federal regulations without much thought, such as exceeding the speed limit by any amount, or replacing the EPA approved gas tank in our vehicle with a larger one. (Yup, I saw your thread, which I am following with interest, as I'm looking to do the same...)

I can find no evidence that the FCC has ANY agents out looking for people using the "wrong radio" on GMRS when it makes absolutely no difference to the broadcast signal, and the only way to prosecute would be to have absolute proof that they actually broadcast on the wrong radio.

The internet suggests they have only charged one person with using a non-type rated radio, and that was a secondary charge added to several charges for more severe abuses of GMRS operating regulations. Specifically, jamming a local GMRS repeater for "fun". When the FCC was finally pressured by many reports into going after him, it turned out he was doing it using a non type rated radio, so they tossed that charge in too.

If the FCC really had it together, I believe they would make a rule allowing HAM licensed individuals to broadcast on GMRS frequencies under their GMRS license on a non-type rated HAM radio, since there are lots of similar HAM freq/power regulations that we obviously follow already. I've written the FCC to suggest exactly that so this "legal radio" discussion could end for HAM operators at least, but I received no response, at all. Not even a note saying "we have more important things to go after..."

I am only suggesting that there is another option, and that I believe it is a reasonable alternative to having two radios, given the impracticality and lack of enforcement, as well as the lack of actual harm to anyone, at all, in practical application. I view it the same as putting a larger fuel tank in your truck than it was originally equipped with, which violates EPA regulations if you exceed the size that the evaporative emissions system was "rated" for...

 

[Sid Post]

RF broadcasts have a lot more visibility than a gas tank buried in the frame of a vehicle.

 

[Datsun Man2]

RF broadcasts have a lot more visibility than a gas tank buried in the frame of a vehicle.

Every country has its restrictions on RF Broadcasts and they are all different. Say you are here in the US and you have a GMRS Radio equipped to your vehicle. Now you want to take that same vehicle and travel up to Canada for fun(there is quite a bit I want to see). Well unfortunately GMRS is not allowed in Canada in a Mobile Platform unfortunately.

As for the Tank there are a lot of regulations for the construction that mated along with destruction testing. This is more relates to DOT Type standards with safety. The Tank I have is from Australia and meets ADR Compliance which is Australia's DOT. As for the EPA side, it still hold the fuel and the Emissions Equipment is still connected and active as intended.

Between the two for comparison I would say that any country would be more concerned about the RF Broadcasts over a bigger fuel tank on a vehicle.