MXT275 Troubleshooting/Help (Solved)

[Lgkaos]

Hello fellow Jeep-folk,

I recently purchased (direct from Midland):
- MXT275 GMRS radio
- MXTA26 antenna
- MXT24 low-profile antenna cable

I carefully installed everything and long-story-short...I can receive very clear transmissions from long-distances and nearby, but I can't transmit. I also have a small FRS handheld and I used it to troubleshoot the MXT275. I installed fresh batteries and no matter how close/far I get from the Jeep...none of the transmissions reached the handheld.

I tried the following:
- Ensured both units on all channels were not using any PL/tones
- Disconnected the power, used a small brass-brush to scrub off more paint from the grounding source for negative wire.
- Ensured all connections were secure/tight (antenna, power, ground, etc)

I can hear conversations happening on many channels (to include repeaters) but every time I try a radio-check, nothing. I even turned on the 'roger-beep' function and pressed the transmit button to see if it went through on the handheld. I also tried using the "call" function and that didn't go out either on any of the channels either.

Any and all help is greatly appreciated, thanks!

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[Abramovich]

Hello fellow Jeep-folk,

I recently purchased (direct from Midland):
- MXT275 GMRS radio
- MXTA26 antenna
- MXT24 low-profile antenna cable

I carefully installed everything and long-story-short...I can receive very clear transmissions from long-distances and nearby, but I can't transmit. I also have a small FRS handheld and I used it to troubleshoot the MXT275. I installed fresh batteries and no matter how close/far I get from the Jeep...none of the transmissions reached the handheld.

I tried the following:
- Ensured both units on all channels were not using any PL/tones
- Disconnected the power, used a small brass-brush to scrub off more paint from the grounding source for negative wire.
- Ensured all connections were secure/tight (antenna, power, ground, etc)

I can hear conversations happening on many channels (to include repeaters) but every time I try a radio-check, nothing. I even turned on the 'roger-beep' function and pressed the transmit button to see if it went through on the handheld. I also tried using the "call" function and that didn't go out either on any of the channels either.

Any and all help is greatly appreciated, thanks!

What is your SWR meter reading?

 

[Lgkaos]

What is your SWR meter reading?

Yes.

About that...there is a guy here in Vegas known as the local radio/SWR/tuning guru but I haven't taken my setup to him yet. I figured that even w/a crappy SWR reading or whatnot that the radio would still be able to transmit something to a handheld radio <15 ft away. In my case there's nothing...the handheld doesn't even register that there's a transmission at all on the channel.

I figured that once I verified the equipment worked/was installed correctly...then I would take the rig to him for SWR tuning shenanigans, etc.

 

[GtX]

Are you sure the GMRS and FRS are compatible?

 

[Lgkaos]

Are you sure the GMRS and FRS are compatible?

Yes. I'm not using any PL/tones or anything...just the bare channels and I confirmed the frequency is the same on the handset as well as the vehicle unit via the manuals.

Receiving transmissions in the Jeep is great, I'm picking up repeaters all around Vegas, loud and clear. But when I try to do a radio check (on any channel) no one can hear me.

I even ruled-out the MXTA26 antenna by disconnecting it from the back of the unit, and connecting the original magnetic antenna and placing it on the hood; that had no luck as well.

 

[prerunner1982]

I would contact Midland and see if they will swap you radios, it sounds like that one was DOA.

 

[Lgkaos]

Problem solved; met w/a local fellow Jeeper that had a brand-new (in the box) Midland MXT275. After he soft-installed his radio to his Jeep, we were able to communicate fine using my radio. It appears that the culprit was the handheld unit.

Thanks for all of the help.

 

[somedude922]

Problem solved; met w/a local fellow Jeeper that had a brand-new (in the box) Midland MXT275. After he soft-installed his radio to his Jeep, we were able to communicate fine using my radio. It appears that the culprit was the handheld unit.

Thanks for all of the help.

I have the same problem. I picked up $10 cobra frs handheld and i can hear someone talking using it, but They cannot hear me. Guess I need to find someone with a legit radio.

 

[prerunner1982]

I have the same problem. I picked up $10 cobra frs handheld and i can hear someone talking using it, but They cannot hear me. Guess I need to find someone with a legit radio.

They could be using a PL tone and if don't also use the same tone, they won't hear you.

 

[coolking]

Problem solved; met w/a local fellow Jeeper that had a brand-new (in the box) Midland MXT275. After he soft-installed his radio to his Jeep, we were able to communicate fine using my radio. It appears that the culprit was the handheld unit.

Thanks for all of the help.

Can you please elaborate the resolution? what does it mean by "After he soft-installed his radio to his Jeep,". Sorry I am new to GMRS setups. I have the same problem. I can hear everyone but not able to transmit.

Thanks

 

[Lgkaos]

Can you please elaborate the resolution? what does it mean by "After he soft-installed his radio to his Jeep,". Sorry I am new to GMRS setups. I have the same problem. I can hear everyone but not able to transmit.

Thanks

Sorry, "soft-install" is basically when you don't do a permanent "hard-install". I'm not even sure that it's a real nomenclature. Basically the guy helping me troubleshoot plugged his brand new Midland into the cigarette lighter and had everything sitting on his seat as we tested it w/mine.

I have since replaced it w/a Yaesu FTM-400XDR ham radio and did the MARS mod that allows it to transmit on FRS/GMRS freqs. I gave the Midland to my Toyota buddy and we installed it in his Taco and it still works w/o issues.

I believe the reason I was having trouble w/the Midland to receive radio-checks on repeaters was because I was using the simplex channel w/the proper PL tone for the repeater. You have to enable "Repeater" in the menu options and then use the repeater version of the channel (i.e. 18-RP) to speak on 462.625 w/the proper repeater offset.

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