Midland GMRS Install Questions

[F4Flyer]

I used to have a CB in my JKUR and want to install a small GMRS in the JLUR. I have seen the different areas people mount the radio but in the JLUR, I had a really nice overhead mount for the little Uniden. The cable went along the edge and tucked in till it routed towards the back and went into the back of the license plate through the taillight opening or whatever it was. The antenna mounted into the license plate holder. That way, the cable was not constantly being bent when opening the. tailgate.

Anyway, what is the cleanest way in the JLUR? I have a hardtop and it never comes off, in case that makes a difference. The antennas also look smaller/thinner for the GMRS radios so that's nice. Unfortunately, I know very little about the installs and what mounts are available for the JLs. I'm interested in the radio mount, antenna mount and cable routing. I was going to get the smallest Midland possible, so it is less intrusive in the cabin. Thanks!

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[Mark75H]

Antenna choice largely depends on your radio useage. Will you use the GMRS mostly for club rides or strictly on pavement?

 

[rsmith56]

Check out. Rugged Radio website…..

 

[F4Flyer]

I'll use it mainly when going on off-road trips. I don't drive the Jeep as a daily, 90% of the time. It is usually 2-4 of us who need to communicates offroad.

 

[jadmt]

this is what we run little midland mxt105's and they reach out several miles. I only leave the radio in when going offroad with my buddies.

 

[F4Flyer]

Whoa! So your antenna does not need to be on the outside?

 

[johnparjr]

Whoa! So your antenna does not need to be on the outside?

Nope I did mine like that for years and then I went to a glass mounted Antenna

 

[jadmt]

Whoa! So your antenna does not need to be on the outside?

my buddies have the same set up and we can talk to each other in our driveways and we are all miles apart. on the trail we have never had an issue.

 

[jadmt]

the CMM radio mount is super convenient too.

 

[johnparjr]

I just threw mine under the passenger front seat and then ran the cable from there under the carpet and Dash since the controls are on the mic no reason to see the base on the Midland – MXT275

 

[F4Flyer]

this is what we run little midland mxt105's and they reach out several miles. I only leave the radio in when going offroad with my buddies.

Which antenna is that? To start, it would be easy to mount it that way.

 

[Nokones]

Which antenna is that? To start, it would be easy to mount it that way.

That antenna is the Micromobile antenna MXTA13 that comes with the radio kits.

 

[mjbenedict]

Antenna choice depends on where you drive. You don’t want too high a gain antenna unless you are always on largely flat terrain. Mountainous terrain, stick with 3dB or lower gain. The little antenna that comes with the radio (~2dB) works best on a metal surface (ground plane). I have a ~2ft bull bar antenna (3dB) on my tailgate just behind the right of the spare tire. It does not require a ground plane for best signal. If you get a high powered radio, try to avoid placing the antenna close to your head as I noticed on the above interior install of the little one that comes with the radio. A good ground plane for that antenna is metal about 12” diameter, like a metal roof or hood.

 

[shooting4625]

I used to have a CB in my JKUR and want to install a small GMRS in the JLUR. I have seen the different areas people mount the radio but in the JLUR, I had a really nice overhead mount for the little Uniden. The cable went along the edge and tucked in till it routed towards the back and went into the back of the license plate through the taillight opening or whatever it was. The antenna mounted into the license plate holder. That way, the cable was not constantly being bent when opening the. tailgate.

Anyway, what is the cleanest way in the JLUR? I have a hardtop and it never comes off, in case that makes a difference. The antennas also look smaller/thinner for the GMRS radios so that's nice. Unfortunately, I know very little about the installs and what mounts are available for the JLs. I'm interested in the radio mount, antenna mount and cable routing. I was going to get the smallest Midland possible, so it is less intrusive in the cabin. Thanks!

I used to have a CB in my JKUR and want to install a small GMRS in the JLUR. I have seen the different areas people mount the radio but in the JLUR, I had a really nice overhead mount for the little Uniden. The cable went along the edge and tucked in till it routed towards the back and went into the back of the license plate through the taillight opening or whatever it was. The antenna mounted into the license plate holder. That way, the cable was not constantly being bent when opening the. tailgate.

Anyway, what is the cleanest way in the JLUR? I have a hardtop and it never comes off, in case that makes a difference. The antennas also look smaller/thinner for the GMRS radios so that's nice. Unfortunately, I know very little about the installs and what mounts are available for the JLs. I'm interested in the radio mount, antenna mount and cable routing. I was going to get the smallest Midland possible, so it is less intrusive in the cabin. Thanks!

I would suggest the Midland 275 or 575, both of these units fit behind the panel under the steering column, you would just need an extension to your microphone.
there ghost antenna fits nicely on multiple different hood mounts and you can run the coax and power cable through the firewall plug under the master cylinder
Bullet point mounting make a good mount for the grab handle
I have also got 35 miles with the e midland ghost antenna and the 50 watt radio and 15 miles with the 15 watt 275 radio

 

[F4Flyer]

That is a great setup! I am looking at the Midland 275 to start. It is pretty compact and the controls are visible on the mic though the Rugged Radios, while being bigger, seems solid. Thanks for the antenna tips.

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