Show off your HAM or GMRS setup

[MilesTeg]

I'm looking for idea on set for a HAM (or more likely, GMRS) setup on my Bronco. I'd love to see what all the people here have done for head radios, mics and antennas. I used to have a ham setup in my old 86 Cherokee, but sadly I let my license lapse. Also, I'd bet there are a lot more options for GMRS setups.

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[Go_UL_Cards]

Search for "GMRS" and you'll find multiple threads on what people have done.

 

[Bellime]

I have GMRS and CB. All hidden with mic controls. The mic connections are in the upper console and a magnet not clipped.

 

[MilesTeg]

I have GMRS and CB. All hidden with mic controls. The mic connections are in the upper console and a magnet not clipped.

Nice, that looks really good mounted up there. Also great to be out of the way of the radio and hvac and passsenger space.

 

[n0xlf]

Anytone 578 with the BT-01 bluetooth mic, Diamond dual band antenna, and this mount (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BVDH4CR2)

 

[Diller]

Here is my setup. FTM-500DR and using a Bullet Point mount.

 

[CrystalRedTintCoat]

I bought and installed the G1 from Rugged Radios and the TrailRax Trail Sight accessory mount for the antenna.

https://trailrax.com/collections/tr...ducts/ford-bronco-trail-sight-accessory-mount

 

[FloridaGuy]

The midland head unit is behind the dash out of sight!

 

[Gonzo]

Midland under-dash setup for the win. Cannot beat it. Drill a hole for your mic wherever you want and boom! See below thread for details on parts.

https://www.bronco6g.com/forum/thre...metal-bracket-and-67-designs-mic-mount.70922/

 

[CrystalRedTintCoat]

Midland MXTA26 6DB antenna
Midland – MXTA26 MicroMobile® 6DB... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B084BPXNC5?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

Rugged G1 waterproof radio with Bronco install kit (comes with A pillar mount and 14” 4.5dBi antenna)
https://www.ruggedradios.com/products/rugged-g1-waterproof-gmrs-mobile-radio

TrailRax Trail Site Accessory Mount
https://trailrax.com/products/ford-bronco-trail-sight-accessory-mount

RT Systems Programming Software and Programming USB cable
https://www.rtsystemsinc.com/G1_c_2440.html

 

[JoHo]

Hi

I have a dual band Ham radio with APRS modem and entirely separate GMRS radio plus a Meshtastic node all installed in my Bronco so the only exposed items are the mics, controls, and speakers.

Most of the install starts around this post and runs to the current end of my build log.
I am mostly done with the hardware install and I have been testing stuff out and resolving minor setup issues. I was planning to design a nice shroud for the dash top but will probably just make a slightly more robust temporary bracket to get me through the season since spring is already here and have other projects to get back to.

https://www.bronco6g.com/forum/thre...ite-2024-2dr-badlands-7mt.101020/post-2478090

if you just want a radio to talk within your group with no intention of getting a ham license and making a separate hobby out of just radio, I recommend the MXT275 or similar GMRS radio and mount it above the glovebox on the M2M mount. You can put one of the little antennas wherever and be fine for small group comms. If you install a taller antenna, I recommend putting it out front where you can see it so it doesn't get obliviously broken by driving under a low clearance.

 

[CrystalRedTintCoat]

Hi

I have a dual band Ham radio with APRS modem and entirely separate GMRS radio plus a Meshtastic node all installed in my Bronco so the only exposed items are the mics, controls, and speakers.

Most of the install starts around this post and runs to the current end of my build log.
I am mostly done with the hardware install and I have been testing stuff out and resolving minor setup issues. I was planning to design a nice shroud for the dash top but will probably just make a slightly more robust temporary bracket to get me through the season since spring is already here and have other projects to get back to.

https://www.bronco6g.com/forum/thre...ite-2024-2dr-badlands-7mt.101020/post-2478090

if you just want a radio to talk within your group with no intention of getting a ham license and making a separate hobby out of just radio, I recommend the MXT275 or similar GMRS radio and mount it above the glovebox on the M2M mount. You can put one of the little antennas wherever and be fine for small group comms. If you install a taller antenna, I recommend putting it out front where you can see it so it doesn't get obliviously broken by driving under a low clearance.

JoHo … I know you’re a HAM but heard something interesting a couple weeks ago that kinda, well, seems like it makes sense. …

HAM is for people looking for a hobby and people looking for people to talk to..
GMRS is for people with a hobby, looking to talk to people involved in their hobby (Eg: 4x4, skiing, mt. biking, etc)

With my LIMITED GMRS experience, it strikes me that many HAM folks are on the repeater channels and Nets trying to create weekly scheduled chats. And, as I “monitor’ these local repeater channels often daily week-to-week, I find there’s not much out there, really. Some, but not a great Deal. There’s a LOT of CERT chatter.

 

[JoHo]

JoHo … I know you’re a HAM but heard something interesting a couple weeks ago that kinda, well, seems like it makes sense. …

HAM is for people looking for a hobby and people looking for people to talk to..
GMRS is for people with a hobby, looking to talk to people involved in their hobby (Eg: 4x4, skiing, mt. biking, etc)

With my LIMITED GMRS experience, it strikes me that many HAM folks are on the repeater channels and Nets trying to create weekly scheduled chats. And, as I “monitor’ these local repeater channels often daily week-to-week, I find there’s not much out there, really. Some, but not a great Deal. There’s a LOT of CERT chatter.

/WRCP312 …. Clear

There sure is a ham operators out there on the radio to talk about radios with more radio people and it basically is intended to be used for experimental radio. If you just want basic comms, then a ham radio license and equipment is probably not the most efficient option, especially with what GMRS can do these days. weirdly, it seems that there is a corner of GMRS that is turning into radio geeks on the radio for the sake of radio. Ham radio does offer far broader options to configure and customize the implementation of radio that is not available to GMRS. Example : I can navigate on trail with Backcountry navigator on my infotainment panel with live indicators of other ham radio APRS beacon locations. I can temporarily configure my mobile radio to work as a makeshift repeater to be used with handheld radios for the immediate area. I can send directed texts through packet radio, also from my infotainment panel if I want. I don't want to just be a radio hobbyist but I do use the license to make my comms setup just the way I want it for other activities I do.

 

[Tonka Bronka]

https://youtu.be/OEOlCOqY_iA

 

[UncleBrad]

Here is my DV8 overhead molle installion, all radioed up. Not shown is the fused PowerPole block and USB hub. Radios themselves are mounted above the panel, and the FTM-500 head is mounted below it, using a simple metal bracket available from DX Engineering. The GRMS radio is a Retevis, and the UI is built into the mic itself. Because I have the manual transmission, and the rubber grommet in the firewall (used by the automatics) does not exist, I routed the 12VDC line through a small opening found between the front right fender and passenger door jamb. I encased the coax from the antennas and routed it over the rollbar, affixing it with hook & loop fasteners (which I believe will release if the airbag is deployed, but the back seat is deleted anyway). This way there is no popping panels or drilling or interference with the rear access - and they deposit neatly into the molle overhead panel.

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