Midland MXT575 Install

[47Jeepster]

Moved my GMRS unit from my 2018 JLUR to a 2023 JLUR diesel. Found that the %#$@$ engineers placed a number of the camera wires under the passenger seat.

Fair warning, those wires are fragile and expensive ... I had to replace the backup camera wiring harness when I got heavy handed removing the OEM tire carrier. Hint ... there is a connection just inside the rear gate that makes it easy to remove the tire carrier and move it to a bench.

Instead of forcing the camera wires into a new routing, I simply notched one of the upright legs on the mount. Everything else was a simple transfer.

Here it is installed ... yep, the engineers really stuffed wiring into that area.

Sponsored

 

[MatthewAMEL]

I have a 575 inbound and plan on install in the next couple of weeks. Thanks for the awesome write up and tips.

I'm still stuck on an antenna mounting solution. It's a JLURD. I have the ghost antenna, low profile cable, and the MXTA23 rollbar/mirror bracket. But not sure if that's the way to go. I see Midland never made a JL version of the Wrangler mount. Any suggestions/mounts I should check out?

Anyone using the Rugged Radio mount?

https://www.northridge4x4.com/part/cb-solutions/mt-ant-jeep-ds-rugged-radios-antenna-mount

Cool Tech?
https://www.cooltechllc.com/2018-je....html#/71-mopar_tailgate_reinforcement_kit-no

 

[BrentMG]

I have a 575 inbound and plan on install in the next couple of weeks. Thanks for the awesome write up and tips.

I'm still stuck on an antenna mounting solution. It's a JLURD. I have the ghost antenna, low profile cable, and the MXTA23 rollbar/mirror bracket. But not sure if that's the way to go. I see Midland never made a JL version of the Wrangler mount. Any suggestions/mounts I should check out?

Anyone using the Rugged Radio mount?

https://www.northridge4x4.com/part/cb-solutions/mt-ant-jeep-ds-rugged-radios-antenna-mount

Cool Tech?
https://www.cooltechllc.com/2018-je....html#/71-mopar_tailgate_reinforcement_kit-no

I have the Rugged Radio one for my 275 ghost antenna. What questions do you have? I've only used my radio once a couple weekends ago. Traffic came in pretty clear granted, I was with a small group who were mostly using handhelds and we were never far from each other.

 

[47Jeepster]

Here's the bracket I used on my 2018: https://www.extremeterrain.com/tops...t=XT Exterior - Antenna|Topsy&T5_Var4=JG16196

It was great with the Ghost Antenna and another short antenna that I bought. But, when I changed to the Midland 32" antenna I didn't like the location ... it was waving in the corner of my eye and showed up in all the pictures taken through the windshield. On the 2023, I'm using the TeraFlex antenna mount in the rear off of their tire carrier.

BTW ... Cool Tech has fantastic customer support.

 

[47Jeepster]

I love the 575 radio, but I'm not using it to it's full potential. I bought it with repeater use in mind ... as an additional means of communication when in trouble off-road. Been almost a year and I still haven't used a repeater.

With that in mind, remember that I can transmit at the 50 watt level when on the high setting ... the low setting on the high channels drops it down to 5 watts. BUT, it doesn't take advantage of the 50 watt power when receiving. So, I can transmit further than I can receive. Most of my friends are using a 15 watt unit and there have been times (when we're approaching the trailhead from different directions) when they said they can hear me, but can't transmit enough for me to hear them.

I'm beginning to think that the 275 unit might be the Midland sweet spot if you aren't using repeaters.

 

[47Jeepster]

Found out that more power is not always an advantage on the trail. I've had some problems with background noise. Not bad enough to render the radio useless, but enough that some of my trail mates have commented on it. I also have a friend running a 40watt Midland radio who had some static in his transmissions. If I drop the transmission power down to the low setting (5watts) then the noise disappears.

Was frustrated to find that the MXT575 only has high (50watts) and low (5watts) ... yep, the only radio without a mid-level power setting. The MXT500 has three levels, but not the 575. Contacted Midland and they confirmed that high power settings when in close proximity can cause noise interference. And, they couldn't explain why the 575 only had two settings ... and said they had no plans to add a mid-level setting.

Had I known that info last year, I'm not sure I would have purchased the MXT575 radio ... $400 for a 5 watt radio doesn't seem like a smart investment.

 

[Mark75H]

King of marketing. Their marketing is the best feature of their radios.

 

[47Jeepster]

King of marketing. Their marketing is the best feature of their radios.

Don't get me wrong ... for the non-radio nerd, they have some great radios. Most off-road folks just want to communicate without having to jump through hoops. That's one of their advantages ... my wife can work it with little instruction.

Their service has been great. One of my GXT1000 handhelds died and they sent me a replacement set ... not a single one, but a boxed set. My MXT575 developed intermittent problems so they replaced it, with no hassle. So, I like their product and their service ... I just wish they would reprogram the MXT575 to have a 15watt mid power setting.

PS ... the new digital mic (MXMC01) is worth the money ... if only for the ease of use ... it is clearer than the old mic..

 

[Mark75H]

The 2 power levels are probably a hardware issue. There are other radios as easy to set up. They are GOOD radios. Their marketing is GREAT.

 

[Cal762]

Don't get me wrong ... for the non-radio nerd, they have some great radios. Most off-road folks just want to communicate without having to jump through hoops. That's one of their advantages ... my wife can work it with little instruction.

Their service has been great. One of my GXT1000 handhelds died and they sent me a replacement set ... not a single one, but a boxed set. My MXT575 developed intermittent problems so they replaced it, with no hassle. So, I like their product and their service ... I just wish they would reprogram the MXT575 to have a 15watt mid power setting.

PS ... the new digital mic (MXMC01) is worth the money ... if only for the ease of use ... it is clearer than the old mic..

Is the supplied power cable long enough ti reach the battery from your install location?

 

[47Jeepster]

Is the supplied power cable long enough ti reach the battery from your install location?

Yes ... with a little to spare. You do have to pay attention and use the most direct route though.

 

[Cal762]

Yes ... with a little to spare. You do have to pay attention and use the most direct route though.

Thanks!

Sponsored