GMRS Radio Install

I’m looking for an unobtrusive GMRS radio and antenna (micro?), possibly a Midland. I was hoping to find a wireless exterior antenna to connect to a handheld just to increase the range but that may not exist? I’m clueless and open to ideas.

Where did you install your radio and antenna, and how did you run the wire. I don’t want the radio or mike to be obvious. This is my everyday around town vehicle. I just want the GMRS to be above average functional. I’m very new to all of this, a complete beginner, so any and all info is appreciated - also pictures of yours is very helpful. Thanks

 

Lots of posts about installing Ham, GMRS and CB radios in both 4runner sites and jeep sites.
I suggest reading many of them to get ideas.
A removable unit may prove best for a daily driver where you wish to not draw attention.
Magnetic mounts may suit your concealment needs. Antennas and their connecting cables are specific to your radio and desires.
Study power output -watts- gives range/distance specs and real world reviews. The FCC has rules about watts and channels that most manufacturs follow carefully.
You may not need to drill holes in your body/roof to install.

 

I here's my current situation. I haven't completed the video as I'm waiting to test the range exactly on the road I tested the factory antenna (came with the Midland MXT275) compared to this new "ghost" antenna. Sharing pics of the install for now. When I park in dangerous places like in Denver I hide the handheld piece under the seat.

 

Abby, do you have a 5th Gen or 6th Gen? Ah, disregard… appears you have 6th.

Unfortunately I’ve never torn into a 6th, and can’t advise. However, your thought process of going with a Midland might be the right choice. Small, remote, out of sight.

Best of luck with your upfit.

 

A ghost antenna by Midland is a good one. Many ways to mount but center front of the roof is best since it will provide a good ground plane.

Did this for my Midland MXT275. But since it has everything on the Mic itself you can hide the main unit anywhere.



Ghost antenna.


But i also have a handheld for Ham-GMRS so i went with a different type of antenna and mounting location.





No wireless extenders as there needs to be a direct connection and ample antenna.

 

This one is pretty good for pictures and experience. @kmeeg is d'man when it comes down to this stuff. I would listen to him on this one.

https://www.4runners.com/threads/antenna-mounting.37639/#post-571016

 

Ha ha. Thank you ChessGuy.

 

Wow, you guys are great and very smart! I do like the Midland MicroMobile and the small Midland Ghost antenna. If we can get cameras, phones, internet, GPS, and more into my smart phone, why can’t I get a tiny, but powerful GMRS.

My husband wondered about the satellite antenna already on the vehicle. Of course Sirius is a different frequency but I assume Toyota tracks my every movement through that antenna. I get app alerts from Toyota if I leave something on my back seat! Shouldn’t we be able to use that antenna and split the frequency? I know I’m not explaining this very well. I can grasp the concept but the technicalities and tech language are above my pay grade. On the surface it appears very logical. Why use different antennas? It would make a lot more sense to have one and split the signal before it reaches the intended device.

Here is a pretty good video I found


https://youtu.be/4-DPtmUzVwU?si=6RbcicKrWndeI6mU

 

I like it! I need to do more research: the smaller the better. I don’t have a lot of room as it is.

 

I like that a lot. Please post the video when you’re ready.

 

Thank you!

 

Its not really about splitting the frequency its about broadcasting it with enough reach for others to pick up and only the proper tuned antenna will do it.

Antennas are specifically tuned for best results. Now there are some antennas that can be dual frequency like my Commit antenna i have mounted on the back but it only covers 2M and 70cm (70cm is 420-450 for GMRS). As for the antenna for Sirius its tuned for 2.3GHz (2332.5 to 2345 MHz) which is wildly different than 70cm 240-450. Also adding cable length, splits, and even more so the wrong length antenna will kill its capabilities.

Think of it like playing a guitar, one out of tune with the wrong strings vs one in tune with the correct strings. An in tune guitar with the correct strings you can play the notes perfectly and it sounds great, an out of tune guitar sounds terrible and nothing like it should.

You can get small powerful GMRS hand held radios but no matter the power its only as good as the antenna.

 

Great explanation. Thank you. I really like the guitar comparison you made. So… Toyota put all these techie toys in my car, but an option that would give me the ability to communicate without adding a big ole antenna and running wires is non-existent. If I were to choose which options/techie toys I wanted to pay for off the show room floor I would choose that over my on-board air compressor. I can throw an air compressor in back, no wiring required (I actually have one).

 

All manufacturers don't delve into the many ways of communication with radios since in many cases licenses are needed and getting into Ham and GMRS is i big rabbet hole since so much is personal preference. But ultimately cell phones/service is what they rely on and the majority of the population use. Just be thankful you don't only have CB as an option with there huge antennas, unlike GMRS and the super small Midland ghost antenna.

 

I used a CB for many years while driving across country in my car alone. It was the same time period as the annoying commercial “Can you hear me now?” I was grateful to have it. I also had one of the first mobile phones - the suitcase size lol. My cell provider was bought and sold 3 times and that ended when AT& T bought them. I’m spoiled now. But I digress… off-roaders need to communicate. If they aren’t off roaders they probably don’t need an air compressor. Hopefully Federal regs will change as radio technology advances.

 

I know they're popular, but I'm not a fan of the Midland GMRS mobile radio or the "ghost" antenna.

The Midland radio is narrow band (12.5 kHz) only while the standard for GMRS is wide band (25 kHz). Fine if everyone in your group is using Midland radios, but may not be compatible if others are using wide band GMRS and can't (or don't know how to) change from wide to narrow band. Most GMRS repeaters are wide band.

The "ghost" antennas aren't good performers. You can get better performance with a 1/4 NMO mount antenna (about 6" tall) or even better performance with a Larsen or Laird NMO mount gain antenna (about 36" tall).

When installing a radio, draw 12v ( + ) power directly from the battery using the proper wire gauge (10 ga is fine). This will assure the radio is getting full current and will lessen the chance of the radio picking up interference/noise from other electrical circuits in the vehicle.

 

Thank you everyone! The information is invaluable!