Super Clean GMRS Radio Install!

[Tech Tim]

Very nice!

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[PNWChris]

So just my take on this But actually, I'm hoping to have an Aux switch that has power at all times. Maybe there's a setting in the radio I don't know of, but whenever I turn off my ignition the radio turns off. So when I start my rig back up, I have to reach down and power back up the radio. (Not to mention The obvious that you can't use your radio unless your Ign is on).

So you flip a switch to send power to the radio when you start your off road day, and flip it off when the day is done. No unnecessary wear and tear on your radio for your daily drives, And it stays on the entire time you're off-roading regardless if the ignition is on or not.

I recall reading somewhere that there might be a way to swap over a couple of the low power switches to always on vs ignition only. Can’t remember where I read that or if it’s actually true, but if anyone else had some additional info on that it would be great.

I had plans to install some low power area lighting on an aux switch once I get my bronco, but if they only work with the ignition that would ruin that use case.

 

[NVCowboy]

I’m uneducated with regards to the power draw of a midland radio, but a Motorola radio will kill the battery of an Explorer if it is not connected through an ignition fuse.

 

[Bird Dog Off Road]

I set out to install a GMRS radio in the Bronco, but pretty early into shopping for options realized that there really isn't an ideal place to put the head unit without being inconveniently located or intrusive.

Enter the Midland MXT275.

After reading some threads on here from people who had done an install, I knew exactly what I wanted to do. I installed the radio under my center console and installed a remote Cat5e jack into the front storage tray of the center console. Mounting the radio could not have been easier. I bored out the center mounting hole on the Midland bracket and used the existing fastener Ford uses for the transmission cable pass-through to mount the radio body.

Wiring it was a breeze. I powered it using the Brown/White Aux switch wire behind the glove box, which conveniently comes completely off with no tools. I then ran the antenna cable under the driver's side dash and through an extra grommet in the firewall. I then routed the cable up through the cowl and to the Driver's side pillar, where I installed a JCR ditch light bracket and Midland antenna.

It really felt as though they designed this truck to have this exact radio installed. If people show interest in this install I'd be happy to provide all of the links to what I bought. But for now, here are the install pics:

Looks Good!!! It's fun to see everyone getting creative with these installs. I did mine about a month ago and no regrets.

 

[Bo-Ronco]

Looks Good!!! It's fun to see everyone getting creative with these installs. I did mine about a month ago and no regrets.

Is that your install video?? If so, that's awesome! I found that video on YouTube and that gave me the idea to mount this the way I did. Appreciate the video!

 

[vzqhsg]

OK a few more questions id I can.
1. I assume this unit could be mounted under the dash or seats?
2. What type of antenna is needed? What brands are better than others?
3. Where is best place to purchase?
4. Does this use the same antenna coax cable as the CB's do?
5. Have many truck drives, etc switched to this over CB?

I will do some more homework, but hoping folks would have real life info.

Thanks,
Dave

 

[Bo-Ronco]

OK a few more questions id I can.
1. I assume this unit could be mounted under the dash or seats?
2. What type of antenna is needed? What brands are better than others?
3. Where is best place to purchase?
4. Does this use the same antenna coax cable as the CB's do?
5. Have many truck drives, etc switched to this over CB?

1. The unit itself is about the size of two large smartphones stacked together. It can fit nearly anywhere.
2. I put a link to my antenna and everything else I bought earlier in this thread. But there are other options. Midland also makes the Ghost antenna that is very inconspicuous but has its limitations I've heard.
3. I bought everything directly from the manufacturers with the exception of the Cat5e Extension.
4. I'm not 100% sure but I imagine it is the same.
5. I'm really not sure, but heard a good bit of road chatter on Channel 20 today.

 

[da_jokker]

My particular model reverts back to the previous state it was in before the power was cut. So if the Aux switch is left on and the radio was on when I turned the vehicle off, when I restart it it comes right back on.

My main reason for not leaving the radio on a constant power source is the fear that I will be somewhere remote and forget to turn it off for the evening and wake up to a depleted or dead battery. If I want to use a radio while the vehicle is off I have handhelds.

With all that said, I would definitely appreciate the ability to have an Aux switch that always has power. There are certainly times that I might want to run something off the truck battery without having to power every accessory on the vehicle.

I'll have to dig deeper into my settings and see if I have an option for this as well. Sure would help the hassle

 

[vzqhsg]

1. The unit itself is about the size of two large smartphones stacked together. It can fit nearly anywhere.
2. I put a link to my antenna and everything else I bought earlier in this thread. But there are other options. Midland also makes the Ghost antenna that is very inconspicuous but has its limitations I've heard.
3. I bought everything directly from the manufacturers with the exception of the Cat5e Extension.
4. I'm not 100% sure but I imagine it is the same.
5. I'm really not sure, but heard a good bit of road chatter on Channel 20 today.

Thanks for info. I saw there was a 40 vs. 15 watt radio advertised. Has anyone purchased the 40s? Is the speaker in the easy to hear, good quailty? I ask because there is a Cobra CB that has the speaker in the mic and it is very hard to hear, bad quality. Going to look into this rig.

 

[Baja71]

Most ham radios these days have a feature called APO. It’s a fancy way of saying Auto Power Off. You can set a time limit if the radio isn’t active and it will self power off. Might be an option with the Midlands as they seem to be feature rich? Dunno.

 

[Blaylock1988]

Nice install. I have the same radio and mounted mine above the glove box. Plenty of room there and easy to run antenna and power wires over the footwell (behind radio) to the grommet on the driver’s side. I chose that location because it’s easier than removing the center console. I mounted my mic jack on the trim piece above the USB plugs on the center console so it is completely hidden. Again, easier to work with that piece vs. removing center console. Check out Trail Recon’s install video as well…

I'm going to move mine where you put yours. I was bummed there was no space behind the glove box, and didn't even consider ABOVE the glove box!

 

[Blaylock1988]

So just my take on this But actually, I'm hoping to have an Aux switch that has power at all times. Maybe there's a setting in the radio I don't know of, but whenever I turn off my ignition the radio turns off. So when I start my rig back up, I have to reach down and power back up the radio. (Not to mention The obvious that you can't use your radio unless your Ign is on).

So you flip a switch to send power to the radio when you start your off road day, and flip it off when the day is done. No unnecessary wear and tear on your radio for your daily drives, And it stays on the entire time you're off-roading regardless if the ignition is on or not.

My MTX275 instantly powers up when I switch my aux switch on, I don't have to press the power button on the handset every time. I don't think I changed any settings to make it do that. I would also like to see if its possible to swap an aux switch to constant power instead of ignition though so the radio can stay on.

 

[Bo-Ronco]

it's probable this one: https://magneticmic.com/

That has to be the nicest website I have ever seen for a single product. Much less a single product that retails for under $50.

 

[da_jokker]

My MTX275 instantly powers up when I switch my aux switch on, I don't have to press the power button on the handset every time. I don't think I changed any settings to make it do that. I would also like to see if its possible to swap an aux switch to constant power instead of ignition though so the radio can stay on.

Really? Mine does not. I'm using the cigarette light adapter (So it's not plugged in when I'm not off-roading). But when I do plug it in, whenever I shut off my ignition, the radio shuts off and it will not come back on until I press the power button on the mic.

I even glanced at the owner's manual after reading this post yesterday it couldn't find any thing about a power setting.

Maybe I'll have to dig further. I figured it was just the MTX275... But sounds like it's not.


Edit: okay so first I verified that it does power off with the key and does NOT power back on automatically. Then I scoured the owners manual, looked up every menu setting, googled the heck out of it, and from what I can tell there is no setting. There's even a guy that was asking about using a capacitor to try to keep the radio on just a little while in between ignitions.

Are you sure you have an MTX 275?

 

[Blaylock1988]

Really? Mine does not. I'm using the cigarette light adapter (So it's not plugged in when I'm not off-roading). But when I do plug it in, whenever I shut off my ignition, the radio shuts off and it will not come back on until I press the power button on the mic.

I even glanced at the owner's manual after reading this post yesterday it couldn't find any thing about a power setting.

Maybe I'll have to dig further. I figured it was just the MTX275... But sounds like it's not.


Edit: okay so first I verified that it does power off with the key and does NOT power back on automatically. Then I scoured the owners manual, looked up every menu setting, googled the heck out of it, and from what I can tell there is no setting. There's even a guy that was asking about using a capacitor to try to keep the radio on just a little while in between ignitions.

Are you sure you have an MTX 275?

Yeah this is how it's currently set up.



Maybe it's an issue specific to the 12v adapter. Mine is hard wired to the upfitter switch.

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