This is the best GMRS range test video I've seen yet. Other videos mismatch equipment, use the wrong antennas, or introduce other variables that confuse things. This was well made and the results were actually informative! Thanks!
It would have been nice to see the placement of the MXTA26, 6db antenna at the base camp, and the same one on the Jeep. I just received the MXT500 and the MXTA26 antenna from Midland! My thoughts,👍👍
Turn off the background music. It is beyond me why RUclips content creators think playing background music over their voice is somehow enhancing their videos, it is not, it is distracting. We came to hear you, not to fight background music which quickly becomes extremely annoying and intrusive. Many folks have hearing difficulties, thus while concentrating on your voice they must also concentrate on tuning out the music; frustrating. Your background music ruins an otherwise exceptionally good presentation.
Great video! Midland should definitely let E3 Overland keep the radios for doing their advertising. I would buy the MXT575 to replace my MXT275, but for me it's not worth 3 times the price (tax + shipping included) to get a few more miles in range. Enjoy!
Don’t get your hopes up… I’ve seen videos of them on a power meter and the best they could get out of it was 38 watts on simplex… repeater was barely getting 35 watts.
Newbie here to GMRS. I recently purchased a 2023 JL Willys and wanted to add GMRS. I went with the Midland MXT575 with included hardware. I upgraded the antenna to the 32'' whip MXTA 26. I bought the bracket that connects it to my cowl on the drivers side. I ran my power straight to the battery. The radio base is mounted on the side of the plastic where the shifters are. I attached the extra coaxial under the drivers side on the metal bracket and zip tied it. I thought everything was fine. Sitting with the engine off everything is quiet (no squelch) receives and sends well and weather channels come in awesome. The issue is when the jeep is running the squelch is always on. Even if I adjust it, its like its receiving I guess you would say. The factory setting for sensitivity is 04 and I have adjusted it and the squelch and nothing changes. Do you have any suggestions sir of things to check? Not a fan of riding around with the squelch blaring.
This would have been more useful to me if both the long & short antennas had been used side by side to compare the performance. it also would have been more useful if longer distances were tested with the better antennas. I'd like to know the maximum possible useful range.
This is great. I have been stationed with and trust Brad. Where can i find the MXT-575? I have been looking everywhere. Your site says sold out other places on internet says its to be released summer of 2022. I like the ease of use and simplicity of your products. I just want one while building my overloading SD Tremor.
I’m a General Ham and I learned long ago to separate the power supplies. For events covering around 50 mile loop you could setup a low power repeater on a knoll at about the 25 mile mark.
One quick question. I just purchased a MXT500 and now have it installed as a base. The question is, when I key the mic, I only have 5 bars lite on the led screen when using high power but when I receive I get receive bars clear across the screen. How many transmit bars do you see on your screen using high power? On low power I see 2 bars and on med power I see 3 bars when keying the mic.
I have a MXT115 hard wired in my auto does the new MXT 500 use all the same connections so I can just unplug everything g from the 115 and then just plug my existing wires and power into the 500 ?
As is so often the case, Midland design engineers did not think these radios through very well before rushing them into production and then to market. Yes, these radios can reach decent distances but there are considerations where the engineers dropped the ball, badly. For one, the lack of a cooling fan allows most of their mobiles to get very hot during extended transmissions or conversations. This can damage or shorten the life of the equipment. Yeah, they have heat sinks but a fan is really needed, especially for any radio putting out over 15 watts. Midland also frequently allows only one PL/DPL scheme or carrier squelch setting per channel. Some of their newer radios allow a very few more such channels but for anyone traveling occasionally over a wide area, say 50-100 miles or more, you really need the means to add the same channel multiple times with different PL/DPL codes. I love the works-on-the-mic design, but improvements would need to be made before I got one.
@@akinsman85 Hi Andrew! Did you read my whole comment, above? I noted a couple of things like lack of a cooling fan and a shortage of additional channels for differing PL/DPL schemes needed for different repeater (or Simplex) operations in different areas. I might add they really drop the ball with regard to ht's given the anemic battery capacity on most ht's and the Base Camp radio of something like 700mAh. That is pitiful. There should at least be batteries available in the 2000mAh or (preferably higher) range for radios that may be used for extended times afield, on the water, or in the woods. There is a need, which nobody currently fills) for a base station GMRS/FRS radio which has loud receiver volume, CTCSS/DCS, and an attached antenna that could be left plugged into house current 24/7 with the option for a continuously charging/trickle charging battery backup that would take over in the event of a power outage and keep you in touch 24 or more hours without AC power. Such a backup battery should be in the 3-4 Ah range or higher. This would allow monitoring for house to house comms for neighborhood watches, constant monitoring in case kids or other family need you, on farms, ranches, etc, without worrying about a ht battery needing to be changed or recharged at regular intervals. I hoped the Midland Base Camp would fill that need but it does not.
This Advertisement is misleading They claim the distance is about 11 to 12 miles so I decided to do some research base station is an area called Bar 10 and Brad is going to a location called Whitmore overlook a distance wise by vehicle is 10.3 miles, but as the bird flies(absolute straight line) it’s only eight
I hate to be “that guy” but that’s not Skeet shooting. Skeet is a specific clay target game. That looked more like a sporting clays station or something. Neat Radio and great video.
Base camp seems to be in a good location, up high , thats a big part of good communications , location and antenna is the main goal , still to me doesnt justify the price
From what I understand, VHF radios are really only used for marine and marine radio bands are illegal for use on land. You could use a mobile HAM radio on VHF frequencies. Problem is the level of complexity of them is magnitudes greater and you have to get a HAM license which requires passing a test. GMRS licenses you just pay $35 and get it online in about 2 days. No test required.
@@AL_1547 i belive murs vhf channels are license free but are limited to 2watts . CB would be A good option also. Its too bad there isn’t A vhf equivalent of Gmrs
YES and no. Cannot defy physics. UHF is better in canyon work. VHF(2meter) is a much longer wavelength than UHF(73cm). With VHF you can defiantly get further than a UHF radio can . Basically, VHF open terrain, UHF urban/foliage environment. as they are going into tight spaces, UHF bounces off of walls and crevices much better than VHF frequency. VHF will out perform on straight distance. MURS frequencies are VHF. GMRS /FRS are UHF. Now regarding distance, 1) antenna and gain is your best friend. Get a quality antenna and one with gain. Do not mess with unity antennas. 2) antenna height is your next best friend. Get an antenna specifically cut for the frequencies your using. dual band antennas are great but not as good as a quality single band antenna. As to HAM, HAM frequencies and GMRS are 2 different spectrum of use just like MURS. Radio types are locked for those blocks. way too much to go into here.
Top bad Brad left E4 Overland. Looking at their website with the list of folks on their site just didn't seem like a "true" grass roots overlanding. Oh well. I still follow Trail Recon. 🤷🏾♂️
Midland radios are great for people who need out of the box communication... I started in GMRS with an mxt400. After using the programming software it became a nice little radio. I've moved on from Midland radios... after learning more about programming software and radios, I've moved to commercial equipment, but again Midland radios are good for what they are.
@@stevenr8353 Kenwood TK 8180H for a mobile and Kenwood TK 3180 for an HT. Kenwood software is easy to navigate, unlike Motorola. And yes I do have a Motorola 1225 UHF repeater.... The Motorola software is very different than Kenwood, and for me it's really too advanced. That being said, I was able to program my repeater and a couple Moto HT 750s and 1250s and they do work really well, but as far as I'm concerned the Kenwood radios and features are perfect for GMRS.
@@stevenr8353 another thing about Midland was I had better after market support from other GMRS users...l was able to get software from the web and a programming cable to customize the radio... something that Midland doesn't want consumers to know about. I think if someone wants a radio to work without any programming, then Midland radios are the way to go. I plan to sell both my mxt400s on eBay pretty soon... they are retired at this point...
Whoever edited the video would be nice to hear the voice thru the radio of the person talking NOT the audio from the camera, it only shows for a few seconds.
Ummm...best STRAIGHT line range is 6+db but in the mountains, heavy forests, etc u need the lower db antennas. NOT surprising you are talking at 8+ miles with 50w x2...
Great review. Motorola sure makes some great mobile radios. I like that Motorola went with the built-in display as well the "headless" model. You power supply is a bit on the light side. I believe this radio is looking for 13.8v for the full output. It does great for bouncing that strong signal. The price of $400 is a bit on the painful side and you have to wire it into your 12v system, so it's not a plug-and-play radio. I don't understand why anyone would stick with CB these days. It was a good option in the 70's. Painful in the 2000's with the bands closing down. Poor range. Poor clarity. Picks up all kinds of noise. Saw a demo of a handheld rated for 5-watts, but only putting out a measured 3.5-watt, hit a repeater 69 miles away (line-of-sight). I have the 15-Watt "headless" (MTX275) which I think is the best replacement for a CB. Unlike these radios that want a connection to the battery, the MTX275 comes with a 12V Cig Power plug. No wiring required. It actually is a plug-and-play radio. Another youTuber demoed the MTX275 from his living room using a brown pan as his ground plane and hit a repeater 69miles away, talked to his buddies that were 10-miles and 13-miles away. It costs $150.
Needs to be at the end of a transmission and every 15 minutes. With the power of video editing you don't see the minute by minute transmission. Not for us to judge at that point don't you think? Fun fact I've never heard a GMRS call sign EVER.
@@twohandsandaradio That was the point of my comment. I don't have a problem with them not using call signs at the end of the transmissions, because the rule is ridiculous, arbitrary, and unenforceable. I was being sarcastic.
Ok, that was impressive. I hope they make a version with a repeater function. That way, the group can use hand radio's and talk back to base camp via the radio in the car or suv. That would be awesome. Also, I hope they can come out with a manpack military imitation version. Why should those Chinese and Taiwan companies be the only ones who do that?
Major problems with this review for one that is a GMRS radio and so that would mean you both have to use your call sign right after about 5 mins or so or after you done a tx. So why none of you do that at all FCC required thing that you have to do than you didn't leave the camera on the person that is Rx the message so we can hear how good it sounds from the distance smh
Height is MIGHT, notice he is on the ridge overlooking the valley a couple Baofeng 5 watt radios will talk 20+ miles. Duh. Notice users are not using call signs as required for GMRS, just like is with HAM operators.
FCC GMRS radio requires users to announce their license call signs at the end of transmissions and throughout the conversation! Mus mean that your crew is not licensed users. Unlicensed users mke it look bad for us rule followers.
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This is the best GMRS range test video I've seen yet. Other videos mismatch equipment, use the wrong antennas, or introduce other variables that confuse things. This was well made and the results were actually informative! Thanks!
Don’t believe it. it’s misleading their true distance is only 8 miles
I'm sold on these 50 watt power houses
I have been waiting for this radio to come out for over a year now. Finally 😘
It would have been nice to see the placement of the MXTA26, 6db antenna at the base camp, and the same one on the Jeep. I just received the MXT500 and the MXTA26 antenna from Midland! My thoughts,👍👍
Turn off the background music. It is beyond me why RUclips content creators think playing background music over their voice is somehow enhancing their videos, it is not, it is distracting. We came to hear you, not to fight background music which quickly becomes extremely annoying and intrusive. Many folks have hearing difficulties, thus while concentrating on your voice they must also concentrate on tuning out the music; frustrating. Your background music ruins an otherwise exceptionally good presentation.
Yes could you imagine attending a college course or a board meeting and there is music playing 😂
Especially in a video reviewing an audio product such as a radio!
Thanks for the Grand Tour, nice footage & views !
Great video! Midland should definitely let E3 Overland keep the radios for doing their advertising. I would buy the MXT575 to replace my MXT275, but for me it's not worth 3 times the price (tax + shipping included) to get a few more miles in range. Enjoy!
Ordered one last week...getting excited for it to show up in another day or two. Awesome video guys! Keep it upright.
Don’t get your hopes up… I’ve seen videos of them on a power meter and the best they could get out of it was 38 watts on simplex… repeater was barely getting 35 watts.
I wonder what the max range is.. if they had kept going would they reach 20 miles?
Newbie here to GMRS. I recently purchased a 2023 JL Willys and wanted to add GMRS. I went with the Midland MXT575 with included hardware. I upgraded the antenna to the 32'' whip MXTA 26. I bought the bracket that connects it to my cowl on the drivers side. I ran my power straight to the battery. The radio base is mounted on the side of the plastic where the shifters are. I attached the extra coaxial under the drivers side on the metal bracket and zip tied it. I thought everything was fine. Sitting with the engine off everything is quiet (no squelch) receives and sends well and weather channels come in awesome. The issue is when the jeep is running the squelch is always on. Even if I adjust it, its like its receiving I guess you would say. The factory setting for sensitivity is 04 and I have adjusted it and the squelch and nothing changes. Do you have any suggestions sir of things to check? Not a fan of riding around with the squelch blaring.
Is the test ... Simplex or with a repeater...? 🤔
This would have been more useful to me if both the long & short antennas had been used side by side to compare the performance. it also would have been more useful if longer distances were tested with the better antennas. I'd like to know the maximum possible useful range.
This is great. I have been stationed with and trust Brad. Where can i find the MXT-575? I have been looking everywhere. Your site says sold out other places on internet says its to be released summer of 2022. I like the ease of use and simplicity of your products. I just want one while building my overloading SD Tremor.
Great and useful video! just a question, what type of antenna did you used?
I’m a General Ham and I learned long ago to separate the power supplies. For events covering around 50 mile loop you could setup a low power repeater on a knoll at about the 25 mile mark.
Shoo you geezer
What trail was this?
Question? Sue both the base and Jeep have 6db antennas?
One quick question. I just purchased a MXT500 and now have it installed as a base. The question is, when I key the mic, I only have 5 bars lite on the led screen when using high power but when I receive I get receive bars clear across the screen. How many transmit bars do you see on your screen using high power? On low power I see 2 bars and on med power I see 3 bars when keying the mic.
Antenna ? WHat did u used on booth radios?
I would like to see someone do this in rolling hills with Dense forests
what antenna u guys use on jeep
What’s clip are you using to hold the mic in the Jeep? Thanks
I have a MXT115 hard wired in my auto does the new MXT 500 use all the same connections so I can just unplug everything g from the 115 and then just plug my existing wires and power into the 500 ?
alot of the radios use the same plug....but the mxt 500 has a different style plug......you would have to splice into the red and back wires
@@vetteguy thank u
3dB antennas are actually better in mountainous areas. 6dB and above are better suited for large flat landscape. Doesn’t hurt to have both.
Link to the power supply you used please ?
They sell those on the Midland website
Was this test done radio to radio or was this done through a repeater?
Shawn m looks to me like radio to radio, no repeater.
No repeater was used.
As is so often the case, Midland design engineers did not think these radios through very well before rushing them into production and then to market. Yes, these radios can reach decent distances but there are considerations where the engineers dropped the ball, badly.
For one, the lack of a cooling fan allows most of their mobiles to get very hot during extended transmissions or conversations. This can damage or shorten the life of the equipment. Yeah, they have heat sinks but a fan is really needed, especially for any radio putting out over 15 watts.
Midland also frequently allows only one PL/DPL scheme or carrier squelch setting per channel. Some of their newer radios allow a very few more such channels but for anyone traveling occasionally over a wide area, say 50-100 miles or more, you really need the means to add the same channel multiple times with different PL/DPL codes.
I love the works-on-the-mic design, but improvements would need to be made before I got one.
What did they drop the ball on?
@@akinsman85
Hi Andrew! Did you read my whole comment, above? I noted a couple of things like lack of a cooling fan and a shortage of additional channels for differing PL/DPL schemes needed for different repeater (or Simplex) operations in different areas.
I might add they really drop the ball with regard to ht's given the anemic battery capacity on most ht's and the Base Camp radio of something like 700mAh. That is pitiful. There should at least be batteries available in the 2000mAh or (preferably higher) range for radios that may be used for extended times afield, on the water, or in the woods.
There is a need, which nobody currently fills) for a base station GMRS/FRS radio which has loud receiver volume, CTCSS/DCS, and an attached antenna that could be left plugged into house current 24/7 with the option for a continuously charging/trickle charging battery backup that would take over in the event of a power outage and keep you in touch 24 or more hours without AC power. Such a backup battery should be in the 3-4 Ah range or higher. This would allow monitoring for house to house comms for neighborhood watches, constant monitoring in case kids or other family need you, on farms, ranches, etc, without worrying about a ht battery needing to be changed or recharged at regular intervals. I hoped the Midland Base Camp would fill that need but it does not.
This Advertisement is misleading They claim the distance is about 11 to 12 miles so I decided to do some research base station is an area called Bar 10 and Brad is going to a location called Whitmore overlook a distance wise by vehicle is 10.3 miles, but as the bird flies(absolute straight line) it’s only eight
I hate to be “that guy” but that’s not Skeet shooting. Skeet is a specific clay target game. That looked more like a sporting clays station or something. Neat Radio and great video.
Base camp seems to be in a good location, up high , thats a big part of good communications , location and antenna is the main goal , still to me doesnt justify the price
In a group it is handy for one to two rigs to have high power 40-50w with power like that you can bounce off a hill or two and still be readable.
wouldn't A VHF radio be better in that kind of open environment ?
From what I understand, VHF radios are really only used for marine and marine radio bands are illegal for use on land. You could use a mobile HAM radio on VHF frequencies. Problem is the level of complexity of them is magnitudes greater and you have to get a HAM license which requires passing a test. GMRS licenses you just pay $35 and get it online in about 2 days. No test required.
@@AL_1547 i belive murs vhf channels are license free but are limited to 2watts . CB would be A good option also. Its too bad there isn’t A vhf equivalent of Gmrs
YES and no. Cannot defy physics. UHF is better in canyon work. VHF(2meter) is a much longer wavelength than UHF(73cm). With VHF you can defiantly get further than a UHF radio can . Basically, VHF open terrain, UHF urban/foliage environment. as they are going into tight spaces, UHF bounces off of walls and crevices much better than VHF frequency. VHF will out perform on straight distance. MURS frequencies are VHF. GMRS /FRS are UHF. Now regarding distance, 1) antenna and gain is your best friend. Get a quality antenna and one with gain. Do not mess with unity antennas. 2) antenna height is your next best friend. Get an antenna specifically cut for the frequencies your using. dual band antennas are great but not as good as a quality single band antenna.
As to HAM, HAM frequencies and GMRS are 2 different spectrum of use just like MURS. Radio types are locked for those blocks. way too much to go into here.
@@AL_1547 VHF is a spectrum not a band Period the VHF frequencies are much better in that type of environment than UHF
You do relize you need a license for them?
They do numbnuts
SAD HAM? Of course they are not going to put their call signs on the vid. Do you think they might have left those out?
Anyone can look up their ID anyway since it is public. So there is no reason for them not to.
You crusty old hams need to die out.
Top bad Brad left E4 Overland. Looking at their website with the list of folks on their site just didn't seem like a "true" grass roots overlanding.
Oh well. I still follow Trail Recon. 🤷🏾♂️
I'm surprised Midland said send the radio's back. Pretty cheap ass on their part.
What does this mean?
Wtf you talking about you crusty old man?
Maybe they don't want these reviewers to get loaners. Maybe they want to give them new radios. Also, learn English grammar.
Looks nice and all, but the funky menu options and general features are lacking compared to their competitor.
Many people want a simple radio, not one with 1,000 features that you have to be a radio hobbyist to understand
Midland radios are great for people who need out of the box communication... I started in GMRS with an mxt400. After using the programming software it became a nice little radio.
I've moved on from Midland radios... after learning more about programming software and radios, I've moved to commercial equipment, but again Midland radios are good for what they are.
What Radios are you using?
@@stevenr8353 Kenwood TK 8180H for a mobile and Kenwood TK 3180 for an HT.
Kenwood software is easy to navigate, unlike Motorola. And yes I do have a Motorola 1225 UHF repeater.... The Motorola software is very different than Kenwood, and for me it's really too advanced. That being said, I was able to program my repeater and a couple Moto HT 750s and 1250s and they do work really well, but as far as I'm concerned the Kenwood radios and features are perfect for GMRS.
@@stevenr8353 another thing about Midland was I had better after market support from other GMRS users...l was able to get software from the web and a programming cable to customize the radio... something that Midland doesn't want consumers to know about. I think if someone wants a radio to work without any programming, then Midland radios are the way to go.
I plan to sell both my mxt400s on eBay pretty soon... they are retired at this point...
WHY DONT YALL ANSWER ANY OF THE MANY SUBSCRIBERS COMMENTS? UNBELIEVABLE
Whoever edited the video would be nice to hear the voice thru the radio of the person talking NOT the audio from the camera, it only shows for a few seconds.
Ummm...best STRAIGHT line range is 6+db but in the mountains, heavy forests, etc u need the lower db antennas. NOT surprising you are talking at 8+ miles with 50w x2...
Great review. Motorola sure makes some great mobile radios. I like that Motorola went with the built-in display as well the "headless" model. You power supply is a bit on the light side. I believe this radio is looking for 13.8v for the full output. It does great for bouncing that strong signal. The price of $400 is a bit on the painful side and you have to wire it into your 12v system, so it's not a plug-and-play radio.
I don't understand why anyone would stick with CB these days. It was a good option in the 70's. Painful in the 2000's with the bands closing down. Poor range. Poor clarity. Picks up all kinds of noise. Saw a demo of a handheld rated for 5-watts, but only putting out a measured 3.5-watt, hit a repeater 69 miles away (line-of-sight).
I have the 15-Watt "headless" (MTX275) which I think is the best replacement for a CB. Unlike these radios that want a connection to the battery, the MTX275 comes with a 12V Cig Power plug. No wiring required. It actually is a plug-and-play radio. Another youTuber demoed the MTX275 from his living room using a brown pan as his ground plane and hit a repeater 69miles away, talked to his buddies that were 10-miles and 13-miles away. It costs $150.
Great video but Jeep guy is cringy AF
Gee, this wasn’t a "paid advertisement". 🙄
No call signs? I thought that was one of the FCC's arbitrary unenforceable regulations?! 😂
Needs to be at the end of a transmission and every 15 minutes. With the power of video editing you don't see the minute by minute transmission. Not for us to judge at that point don't you think? Fun fact I've never heard a GMRS call sign EVER.
@@twohandsandaradio That was the point of my comment. I don't have a problem with them not using call signs at the end of the transmissions, because the rule is ridiculous, arbitrary, and unenforceable. I was being sarcastic.
Ok, that was impressive. I hope they make a version with a repeater function. That way, the group can use hand radio's and talk back to base camp via the radio in the car or suv. That would be awesome. Also, I hope they can come out with a manpack military imitation version. Why should those Chinese and Taiwan companies be the only ones who do that?
Major problems with this review for one that is a GMRS radio and so that would mean you both have to use your call sign right after about 5 mins or so or after you done a tx. So why none of you do that at all FCC required thing that you have to do than you didn't leave the camera on the person that is Rx the message so we can hear how good it sounds from the distance smh
😂 shudafucup.
Height is MIGHT, notice he is on the ridge overlooking the valley a couple Baofeng 5 watt radios will talk 20+ miles.
Duh.
Notice users are not using call signs as required for GMRS, just like is with HAM operators.
@World of Nobody - Thanks, Sad Ham. If this comment were on the @NotaRubicon channel, it would be pinned at the top so everyone could laugh at it. 😂
OK Karen
This video is edited in a way that doesnt actually show the actual transmission. This video is very deceptive.
Do a real test in the city not on top a mountain. This test is a joke
Nobody overlands in the city dummy
Base Camp guy...get the mic out of your mouth.
FCC GMRS radio requires users to announce their license call signs at the end of transmissions and throughout the conversation! Mus mean that your crew is not licensed users. Unlicensed users mke it look bad for us rule followers.
Another Chinese radio. Mad not the best looking radio out there. Make on with a bigger screen that detaches.