GMRS/comms help!

[Tpom]

Looking for some experts to help assure I'm setting/building out up my GMRS radio correctly.

I currently have a Wouxun KG-1000G Plus and a Melowave Shadow Antenna.

I'm currently planning on installing the radio unit in my overhead molle rack. Creating a custom plate to mount the head portion of the unit separate from main unit but will both be overhead near each other. My use case does not require the most range possible (or I would run a longer antenna). Just want overall good range that will be mainly for veh-veh comms on trail or to a handheld if spotting etc.

My main questions are regarding the additional items I need to buy to make this work and any additional suggestions (for things like interference, safe placement etc).

1. My plan is to mount the antenna on the hood. Preferably the passenger side. Using either the Topsy mount or Diamond mount (K412 or K400 series?). Any recommendations between these two? or a different option? I have a Gobi rack, so the cowl mounts wont work for me (athough I probably could install to outside of the rack).

2. In conjunction with the above question, I have read that a 50W radio can be...dangerous... I know the KG-1000 is not transmitting at that wattage all the time. Would it be better/safer to create some sort of mount on the top side of my Gobi rack instead? My only concern then would be with interference as I have a roof top tent installed as well.

3. For wiring to the antenna. I know the antenna is a NMO connection. Any recommendations on a good quality Coax NMO mount cable brand? Depending on the mount option I noted above, I know I may need a 'thick' mount. Is there a goal for length of cable (im assuming as short as possible)?

4. Powering the radio. In an ideal world I would love to have the ability to cut all power (on/off) to the radio either by a separate switch or via my S-Pod. Is this an option or would it guarantee issues like interference? I cant seem to find a straight answer on this one. The radio came with 16g (2.5mm) wiring that appears to be pre-fused.

Really appreciate the help, I feel pretty lost with this stuff. Feel free to ask any questions and Ill try my best to answer.

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[rk911]

2. In conjunction with the above question, I have read that a 50W radio can be...dangerous...

In what way? My mobile ham rig as well as the UHF rig in the hamshack are both set to txmt @50-watts on UHF and hsve been for years. As long as the proper sized wiring is used (that which is supplied with the radio will suffice) and connected and fused (both pos and neg) at the battery you should be fine.

 

[Tpom]

In what way? My mobile ham rig as well as the UHF rig in the hamshack are both set to txmt @50-watts on UHF and hsve been for years. As long as the proper sized wiring is used (that which is supplied with the radio will suffice) and connected and fused (both pos and neg) at the battery you should be fine.

That's what I figured. I think people were talking more about the antenna portion. Even the radio manual talks about keeping distance from people.

Like I said, pretty novice on this stuff. Just want to learn.

 

[fourfa]

I wouldn’t stick the end of the antenna in my mouth while transmitting 50W. Apart from that, I wouldn’t worry. 50W of microwave is a lot, but 50W of UHF isn’t really

 

[Mark75H]

50W is 50W, but likelihood of getting all of it in you in UHF is nearly impossible

 

[NJRadioGuy]

I asked both Comet and Diamond at the recent ham radio show in Dayton which mounts to use, and they were both very clear in stating that the K400/K412-style are specifically not recommended for use on the Wrangler since the weight of the antenna can, over time, deform the hood. You can use them and they'll work, but that might be an issue in the long run. They recommended using fender mounts, which is what I plan to do for both my GMRS antenna and my 2m/440 ham antenna in the next few weeks.

For vehicle-to-vehicle comms the "ghost" antennas are just great. You can still get a mile or two out of them, maybe more on flat terrain. Performance is not significantly degraded over a dedicated GMRS whip. I have the Midland variant and use it on all my trail rides and everybody in my group is always full quieting, even on rides with 20 vehicles. Don't hesitate to consider one.

GMRS, unlike amateur radio, isn't typically used over long distances most of the time. Although there are a smattering of GMRS repeaters in certain areas they are the exception and not the rule. It's great for spotting on obstacles, at camp between family members on HTs, or in vehicle convoys and on trail rides. However it is practically useless on the highway to chat with folks to while away the hours on blacktop. Ham radio is a much better option for that, especially if you're in cell range and have a digital mode capable radio and hotspot.

At UHF (GMRS is in the UHF land mobile band), you want to use high quality feedline, no longer than you absolute need it to be. Diamond is my preferred vendor for mobile antennas, and they make a very high quality NMO mount with RG-213 feedline that can be used with any style of physical mounting point. I would not hesitate to use this, and it's what comes included with the K-400 and K-412 style mounts.
https://www.dxengineering.com/parts/dmn-c213snmo

Run your fused power cables directly to the battery, not to the S-pod . Interference isn't as big a deal on UHF-FM as it is on AM Citizens Band radios, but it's still possible to get things like alternator whine, or risk there being a narrower conductor somewhere you hadn't planned on, etc. Just use the power switch on the radio and go directly to the battery and you'll be golden. I also think 16 AWG might be a tad thin, depending on the length of the run. I prefer to run 10 or 12 AWG for 50W installations myself. Also, ensure your fuses are RIGHT AT THE BATTERY!

 

[Mark75H]

With the lengths used in vehicles and the potential of 65cm, I wouldn't be too concerned about using highest quality coax. At home, with 30 feet to the base of an antenna pole 30 feet tall trying to reach a repeater 40 miles away with 60 feet of crap coax, that better coax makes a difference. 10ft from the dash to the fender for spotting and close vehicle to vehicle where GMRS/65cm excels, medium grades of coax will be as effective as the best stuff.

 

[TEAMSLO]

No expert on radios here but, I have 2 midlands. Jeep has the mxt500 while the bronco has the mxt 575.

575 hooked to factory aux switch with no issues
500 hooked to switch pros with no issues.

Only issue I got was on the jeep, was getting static on/off blips and realized it was only while the off road lights were on. I separated the wiring a bit and added those ferrite beads? Again, not a wiring expert and not sure if one or the other made the difference but never had that static again.

 

[Tpom]

Very helpful information, thank you to everyone who commented. I'll work on ordering the last items needed for the install. Definitely going to go fender mount as well for the antenna. I also had some apprehension of the hood lip mount options.

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