*In this video we talk about needing an NMO adapter and a separate cable. Instead, we recommend the Midland Low Profile Antenna Cable, which does not require an NMO adapter. www.blueridgeoverlandgear.com/products/midland-mxta24-low-profile-gmrs-antenna-cable?_pos=1&_sid=778e3ff03&_ss=r

It so nice to watch a video that fully explains a given topic without all the superfluous KZfaq hand-waving and useless filler. Well done, sir.

Hey Dean, I've been searching the web for about a month learning how to install a mobile ham radio. You've got quite a lot of information in this video, and it was a great reference. No one else has got something quite as comprehensive out there! Can't wait to tackle this project. Thank you for explaining so much!

Much appreciated Dean. I am reasonably savvy, but I really like having resources like this to reference and direct folks to. The easel diagrams and specificity in components were particularly useful. Thanks for the simple and straightforward presentation.

This is phenomenal information given in an excellent presentation. This is helping me a great deal. Thank you very much.

Excellent video, jam-packed with really useful information! Thank you so much for making this and taking the time to do it right!

Thanks for posting this, this answered a bunch of questions and cleared up a lot for me.

Love this segment, they have been great.

Outstanding Explanation!

Amazingly thorough and detailed through out! You did everything but install my radio. I forwarded this video to several friends and hit the subscribe button!!!!

the best tips with short and short enough explanation. thank you a lot

Didn't think I needed to watch this but I am glad that I did. Great video!

This is awesome. Thanks for explaining everything!

I see that radio bag!! Great info, Dean. Thanks!

Super helpful and great quality video! Thank you!!

Great information and very well presented. Thanks so much! "Spaghettification" I like that!

Great Job Dean! Super informative!

Outstanding explanation, thank you for sharing. For me the GMRS radio would be wiring simple direct wire to the battery. For years my CB radio power is managed form its own on/off switch. To date never forgot to turn it off, knock on wood.

Thanks for making this video very detail and informative......

Awesome video. Thx

Different antennas for different jobs. The longer higher gain antennas tend to "pinch" the singnal and shoot more of it towards the horizon. That can help with range in many cases but in instances of where you are in varied terrain line hilly or mountainous terrain it can be a hinderance. The lower gain 3db antennas tend to make more of a doughnut shaped radiation pattern when viewed from above. A big oval bubble when viewed from the side. This tends to work better in rougher terrain with more varied elevation.

Great video, Dean! If I might, I'll add a tiny detail, just because it bit me. If installing under the "ignition hot" scenario, be sure to ground the chassis of the relay. Most of the current orientally supplied solid state relays are very unhappy unless their chassis is grounded.

GREAT Job Dean! THANK YOU!!!

Excellent vid bro Thanks!

Very well explained, Thanks

Wow that was awesome!

Great vid - thanks!

Great channel, great info! You Sir got yourself a new subscriber! PS. I wouldn't use the cigarette charger, it can burn your cables.

Good info Dean. Like others...I noticed that bag for the handhelds...nice.

Great video. Good job.

Excellent video!

Hi Dean, thanks for clearing up our options. Have a 2017Grand Cherokee and want to I stall the 3db ghost antenna with lip mount. Unable to locate the firewall for this vehicle anywhere! Was going to buy the 400 model install antenna as mentioned and direct connect the radio power to the main battery (not the start stop one) under the passenger seat. So I have two concerts: firewall location to get the antenna cable through to the radio and best location to run power wires from battery to radio on this vehicle. Thanks Dean!

Wow, great video. Very well explained. Thank you. Keep them coming!

Awesome video

Great video

Thanks for sharing..

Great video thanks only thing a fair amount of vehicles do have constant hot 12 power to acc and cigarette lighter plugs Ford for instance most all of 12 volt and cigarette plugs are hot always. So a better source for a hot ignition source is more likely to be found under the column . You will have to check for 12 volts on your cig plug with key off. Just a FYI

good job dean

nice mobile station...👍

I have 4 radios. I mounted my Unidien CMX760 (CB) behind the glove box. It has all controls on the mic. I mounted two Kenwood HAM radios, (V71, and 710) on the rear drivers side Molle panel between it and the window. And the control faces, on one of those dash mount rails. I also use a Wouxan KG-1000G+ dual channel GMRS radio that I also mounted the main unit with the two Kenwood units on the rear drivers side Molle panel between the window and panel. The control unit is mounted above the sun visor to the plastic up there. All wires are hidden. Antennas? I used two mounts that go under my A puller lights, one on the drivers, one on the passenger. GMRS on the left, ham radios uhf/vhf on the left. Providing more then 19” needed between the two. In the rear behind the spare tire, I used two antenna mounts. Made a mirror image of the one on the right. The right has the CB antenna, the one on the left the other ham radio antenna. Giving the needed full band sepperation fandom the front and rear ham antennas for both UhF and VHF. Even though the CH antenna is less the. 18” from the UhF/VHF antenna, it won’t cause issues because it’s on the 10m band. I now have APRS, and access to three ham 2m/70cm bands, the CB band, and can monitor two GMRS channels all at the same time. As well as every radio has access to the weather band, as well as all have weather alert capabilities.

Super helpful

You’re great 👍

This was a fantastic video I was looking Between a 15 W and a 45 W radio what do you think would be better because I'm completely new to this

Excellent video! You clearly explained how to incorporate switch wiring, thank you. Question, is it harmful to the radio to leave it "on" at all times but control power with the killswitch? Also will an LED in the switch cause interface or am I understanding correctly that the relay circuit is isolated enough to not be an issue?

Great video. I'm going to have to watch the earlier ones to decide on what radio I want. Two questions; the pouch for your hand held radios. Where did you purchase that. Second, I have a SPOD on my Jeep TJ and I think I'll hard wire directly into that. Do you think there will be any power issues? Oops, I should have watched the entire video before posting because you answered the SPOD question.

I've mounted the antenna on my tire rack with the mount itself pretty isolated. Wondering if running a wire to ground is an option

great info about to pull the trigger on this radio would you say the overall performance for this unit would be better if hardwired? than just the plug and go thanks

Best video on this topic I’ve found! I’m going to replace CB radio with mxt575 in Jeep tj. Will the existing Firestick CB antenna &/or coax work with GMRS radio?

Two questions Dean. 1st is I have the Midland 6db Gain antenna + Midland 6 meter Antenna Cable with NMO included to be attached to the driver side custom bracket. Would there be interference if it was on the right side and near the standard AM/FM antenna (thus having both antennas within 5 inches of each other? 2nd the Midland MXT275 would be powered by cutting off the DC plug end and directing power from one of the 4 open Aux switches in my 2021 Rubicon unlimited. OK? Better options?

i Guys, can you do a segment on Ford Aluminum trucks to get the best performance out of the radios/antennas? I have a 2017 F250 Crew Cab with power moon roof. Thanks.

I am new to wiring. I recently installed a S Pod style switch pod/relay. The relay box has multiple relays built in and each relay has a 30A fuse. Do I need to swap out the 30A fuse for a smaller amp if this radio does not need 30A to run off of? also could I keep the built in fuse in the wiring and still wire it up to my switch pod which also has a built in fuse?

Thanks for the great video! I just installed the MXT275 Midland GMRS radio. It sounds clean and transmits around 5 miles. I'm wondering if I need to ground the antenna. My tire carrier bracket is completely powder coated and so the antenna is not grounded. Do I need to scrap off the powder coat at both ends to ensure the antenna is grounded? And will this give me greater range? I am using the Midland Low Profile Antenna Cable.

Just ordered a new F-350 with the upfitter switches. Any input on if these will be noise free for wiring a radio to?

I just bought a MXT575 and I was wondering if I can connect the wires into my 8 Gang Auxbeam switch panel? Instead of wiring it directly to the battery.

I’ve noticed a lot of guys in your area sporting front runner racks. Just curious if you sell and install them as well as I plan on making a trip up to your shop very soon

What is the bag you used for the handheld radio ?

What do you use to actually connect the power and ground wires to the battery?

do you svc. / repair auto C>B> Radios in 4x4 trucks?

So as an FNG, the simplest way to hook up the radio is go direct and remember to hit power off . Please confirm

Could you put one of these in a building as long as the antenna is out side

Do you guys have a magazine that shows a different types of radios antennas and all the stuff that you guys sell I would be interested in receiving a magazine that has all that stuff in it I'm located in Glen Elder Kansas

What is the bag you have your handheld radios in? around 1:20 mark?

Are the GMRS radios as sensitive to ground planes like CB radios? Such as on the roof of a Jeep where the antenna is mounted to the fiberglass top. You have electrical ground but very poor ground plane.

Which battery I have one in back and in engine What does the one in back do

what unit would you recommend for at home?

can you splice the red black wire and join wires to circinate ligher plugin dont want hook it battery this is radio thinking AnyTone AT-778UV Transceiver Mobile Radio Dual Band 25W VHF/UHF VOX Vehicle Car Radio w/Cable

Do you need to ground the magnetic mount? If so how?

Dean, i REALLY NEED YOUR HELP !. whats that cool knife your wearing. And whete do i get one ??? Peace Amigo.

On battery drain the MXT-400 has a auto power off function.

What bag are your GXT radios in?

How are you having induction interference? Cars ar DC systems (Direct Current) which is non inductive. AC is inductive.

I am new to this . i am 72 just got a boefang HP f8 and my FCC lic .i hear people take on it and a group that meets every Monday night .but I can seem to be herd . the leader says he just got a repeater or relay .he also said he wants people to join him . I have herd there is a new tower going up around 8 miles from me . how could I get so others could hear me . I am a disabled veteran too and would like to start a group near me as we can't met up at the va for now .any advise please thank you much 🗽🇺🇸👍✌

Fun fact: “spaghettification” is a real (and my favorite) science term. Astrophysicists use it to describe what happens to a human if one were to fall into a black hole.

How about put a extra battery in trunk where spare tire used to be since new cars don’t have spare. Then have the batter to alternator to charge battery . Or solar as well

Cant believe the wattage radios you are legally able to run, here in Australia , we have similar to GMRS our radios are 80 channel 477 mhz uhf, maximum power 5 watts only , unlucky us !

Great info, loved the presentation, moved along nicely, BUT! At the end, a magnet? Try, Ferrite or Suppressor, it's not a magnet.

ferrite is not a magnet

Please always use suppressed relays nonsuppressed relays play havoc on the computers and J1939 or other communications backbone in modern day vehicles.

Honey...whats for dinner? Spaghettafacation!!!

Wow, unnecessarily complicated wiring scenarios. I just ran a dedicated circuit on an existing ACC relay from my fuse box. You can get a tap that allows you to put a fuse - like body with a power (hot) wire into the fuse blade contacts and then has a regular fuse that sits inside of it. Plug tap in fuse box --> Connect radio to hot wire that provides --> Ground radio anywhere you can get a good ground --> Done, fused clean power without fighting with firewall grommets and radio now only comes on when the accessories or ignition switch is on. "Spaghettification" is a word used in physics for the tidal effects on a body nearing a black hole, it's not a term used for wire webs generated by electrical spiders installing electronic gear. You should have taken ten seconds to show how a ferrite choke is used on a power wire. Alternator noise is a very, very common problem but easily solved.

who's raking leaves??

When will USB rather than the cigarette lighter be available?

You don't need to grind paint off for a good ground with UHF.

But can i get the lj 🤣

You never, never, ever connect your radio negative direct to the battery. Doing so bypasses part of the current for the (BMS) battery monitor system of your vehicle. It will provide false information to your vehicles computer. Your negative lead should be a solid connection to the frame of the vehicle. If you don't see the fallacy in the advice to wire your radio direct to the battery, where is your stereo radio that the vehicle manufacturer installed wired to?

This shit is so over complicated it’s ridiculous. Not this video but radios in general