Overland Radio recommendations

[swgamerx]

Any recommendations for a ham or cb radio that can be mounted in the R1T? I'm also open to a handheld unit that can be stored away.

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[Rally1]

GMRS has become the most common radio for most overlanding groups (not all).

https://midlandusa.com/collections/bundles has options, I have one in my garage I need to install.

So far I have done fine with handhelds in a group, but the base station units have higher power, better antenna options, and thus greater range. I use these in the Rivian because they match the launch green… https://www.amazon.com/BAOFENG-Rechargeable-Earpiece-Repeater-Channels/dp/B09BMWNLBG/

 

[Thedude]

what are you wanting to do with the radio? The recommendations vary wildly between something to talk to the guy ahead of you on a group ride or something to talk to someone 100 miles away.

 

[WattTruckMatt]

Midland MXT575 w/ the upgraded mic. 50 watts. It's a beast with all the controls in the mic. Big fan.

 

[swgamerx]

Midland MXT575 w/ the upgraded mic. 50 watts. It's a beast with all the controls in the mic. Big fan.

I havn't tested it but is the roof made of steel so a magnetic antenna can attach to it? I know some of the body panels are aluminium and some are steel.

 

[WattTruckMatt]

I havn't tested it but is the roof made of steel so a magnetic antenna can attach to it? I know some of the body panels are aluminium and some are steel.

I can test it tomorrow but I'm about to move my antenna to my new Xtrusion Overland bed rack. I've had it on a suction mount attached to the rear window.

 

[zefram47]

Just got my R1T, but I've been considering trying a glass-mount antenna. Though if I could figure out a mounting location, someone did discover that there's a rubber grommet that goes from the cab into the tonneau garage and from there into the bed. I'm 100% on having amateur radio in the rig while on-trail. While GMRS may be more common between rigs, amateur radio is far more likely to find someone to call for help between common trail frequencies, individual repeaters, and networked (often statewide) repeater networks. In lieu of that, seriously consider a Garmin inReach device for emergency comms. If the shit really hits the fan, iPhone 14 now has satellite comms built in, but only for reaching first responders. inReach allows you to message anyone if it's a more minor issue. CB has fallen out of favor with GMRS/FRS mostly replacing it. I still have a handheld Midland 75-822 that I'll probably carry. In the meantime, I'll probably carry a handheld amateur radio until I figure out a way to mount my mobile unit.

 

[TexasCrane]

Just got my R1T, but I've been considering trying a glass-mount antenna. Though if I could figure out a mounting location, someone did discover that there's a rubber grommet that goes from the cab into the tonneau garage and from there into the bed. I'm 100% on having amateur radio in the rig while on-trail. While GMRS may be more common between rigs, amateur radio is far more likely to find someone to call for help between common trail frequencies, individual repeaters, and networked (often statewide) repeater networks. In lieu of that, seriously consider a Garmin inReach device for emergency comms. If the shit really hits the fan, iPhone 14 now has satellite comms built in, but only for reaching first responders. inReach allows you to message anyone if it's a more minor issue. CB has fallen out of favor with GMRS/FRS mostly replacing it. I still have a handheld Midland 75-822 that I'll probably carry. In the meantime, I'll probably carry a handheld amateur radio until I figure out a way to mount my mobile unit.

I’ve carried an inreach for ant least an decade and, imo, it’s the best option. GMRS is great for chatting on the trail with other members of your group. The inreach ensures that you can get help virtually anywhere and maintain comms with family/friends back home.

Ham radio isn’t worth the hassle, imo, unless you’re already into it. Repeater networks are usually sending/receiving on an offset and require a code tone to access. It’s a pain in the ass to program into most radios, especially on the fly, and typically requires setting it all up ahead of time at home. I’ve been a ham for years (amateur extra) and I’ve just never found mobile 2m/440 to be all that interesting or useful.

 

[zefram47]

Ham radio isn’t worth the hassle, imo, unless you’re already into it. Repeater networks are usually sending/receiving on an offset and require a code tone to access. It’s a pain in the ass to program into most radios, especially on the fly, and typically requires setting it all up ahead of time at home. I’ve been a ham for years (amateur extra) and I’ve just never found mobile 2m/440 to be all that interesting or useful.

Extra class here as well, licensed since 2008. Sure there's overhead, but it's definitely useful. At least here in Colorado it's pretty easy to key up and be talking to a person fairly quickly. I started into ham radio when living in Oklahoma for storm spotting/chasing. I keep a repeater book in the rig in case I need one that I don't already have programmed. Compared with DMR, analog 2m/440 is way easier. That all said, the easy button is definitely inReach.

 

[taylor_jacob]

Did anyone here end up installing a mobile unit in the truck? Trying to figure out the best place to get power and mount

 

[WattTruckMatt]

Did anyone here end up installing a mobile unit in the truck? Trying to figure out the best place to get power and mount

I mounted the Midland MXT575 in the cubby under the passenger seat. I didn't want to drill any holes so early in the life of the truck. Ran the antenna to my bed rack through a tiny hole at bottom of rear window. Ran power to the 12V in the gear tunnel. Ran a coax cable to the front seat where I can plug mic in when I need the radio.

 

[taylor_jacob]

Awesome. Thanks for the quick reply. Did you just put a 12v socket on or tap the existing wires? I was thinking about mounting mine (same unit as you) near the 12v under the front vents and just getting power from that. And I'm guessing you had to cut and re-splice the coax for the antenna to fit it through that hole? (I see now the end of the connector is removable)

 

[WattTruckMatt]

Awesome. Thanks for the quick reply. Did you just put a 12v socket on or tap the existing wires? I was thinking about mounting mine (same unit as you) near the 12v under the front vents and just getting power from that. And I'm guessing you had to cut and re-splice the coax for the antenna to fit it through that hole? (I see now the end of the connector is removable)

In order to not tap into or cut anything (probably will one day... it was just a new truck), I currently just plug in the 12V end into the gear tunnel when I need the radio for a trip. I will probably do a more permanent connection at some point.

For the antenna, I actually cut the antenna cable and used a solder connector.
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[HoveyJr]

I mounted the Midland MXT575 in the cubby under the passenger seat. I didn't want to drill any holes so early in the life of the truck. Ran the antenna to my bed rack through a tiny hole at bottom of rear window. Ran power to the 12V in the gear tunnel. Ran a coax cable to the front seat where I can plug mic in when I need the radio.

@WattTruckMatt Any chance you have a video or closer pics on how/where you got that cable through the hole under the rear window. Attempting this same install.

 

[WattTruckMatt]

@WattTruckMatt Any chance you have a video or closer pics on how/where you got that cable through the hole under the rear window. Attempting this same install.

I’m out of the country for a month so no way to get additional pics right now. I just cut the connector off the cable and resoldered a connector afterwards. I removed the two upper bolts from rear seats. Just enough to move them out of the way a little bit. I removed the upper grommet behind rear seats towards the side. Either side works. You then just fish the cable through and pull it out from the inside. I poked a hole through grommet for the cable and reused it.

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