Bronco Nation

Opinions: Will it work?

Bronco Beachin 207
Aug 28, 2026

Rank I

Today at 1:08 pm

I’ve got an inexpensive GMRS handheld… will reception/tx be sufficient from within the bronco with the hard top on, for club rides, or should I look at getting an external antenna?
‘26 Bronco Badlands, 2.3L, 4-door, MIC hardtop, non-SAS, marsh gray. Southern Maine.
G Lusted, Laura
Moderator Staff member

Administrator

Today at 1:17 pm

#1
When I use mine (have had a couple variations) on trails, I don't seem to have too much a problem, but I've struggled more on the highway if several of us are caravanning and we have them on. I am not educated in radios, so I don't know if that's a range thing or what, but I know that I have a harder time getting clear communication and would like better, whether that's through an antenna or better equipment.
2021 Oxford White 2-door non-Sas Mid package 2.7L/10-speed Badlands with MIC top
2021 Carbonized Gray 2-door Sas High package 2.7L/10-speed Badlands with MIC top
Keeping the Jeeps: stock '89 XJ, 3.5" lifted '00 XJ on 31s and '89 MJ
G Lusted, 2025wildturkey

Michael & Marcee

Today at 2:56 pm

#2
Generally yes it will work. A better antenna always helps with how it receives and transmits. Next will be power out(watts). So 50 watts normally is better than 20 but with a good antenna with 20 watts can outperform 50 watts with a crappy antenna. On my 5 watt HT's (walkies) I run 3 different antennas . A stubby for for guiding on the trails, a 7 inch for general work/performance, and a 15 in TD-771 for longer distance/ on the road. Terrain/obstructions also makes a difference. flat is good, higher is better and less trees and buildings are better. As always YMMV.
2024 Azure Grey Non-SAS Mid Package 2.3L 10-Speed Outer banks with MIC
G Lusted, Bronco Beachin 207

Rank 0

Today at 5:48 pm

#3
+1 for better antenna first; there are adapters that can attach a full-size, vehicle-mounted antenna (with its long cable) to your handheld. More power is only for transmission and as @2025wildturkey stated, terrain, interfering structure and foliage make more difference for range of transmission.

Some GMRS channels (8 through 14) are shared with FRS (Family Radio Service) and are limited to 0.5 watts of transmission power, so it's especially important to avoid those in a highway-caravanning situation.
G Lusted, 2025wildturkey

That's a terrible idea, when do we start?

Today at 8:35 pm

#4
I have to agree with the above recommendations. A better antenna is where I would start. Moving to a mobile radio would be my next step after the antenna. If you are pure GMRS (i.e. don't run with a club that uses something else), then there are a number of good options. Also, Midland just released an updated version of their MXT 295 Pro that doesn't have a wire between the radio and the microphone. That makes it easier to mount the body of the radio anywhere you want. That radio is only 15W, but, honestly, for your use case I think that's plenty. It's about $300 and comes with an external antenna (not the greatest one, but better than the antenna on your handheld).
OnX Expert Trail Guide and Tread Lightly Member.
4 Door BadSquatch | Soft-top | Velocity Blue | 2.7 Auto
G Lusted

Rank 0

Today at 9:08 pm

#5
Bronco Beachin 207
I’ve got an inexpensive GMRS handheld… will reception/tx be sufficient from within the bronco with the hard top on, for club rides, or should I look at getting an external antenna?

The hard top won't affect your radio performance with GMRS. It's all about terrain and obstruction. Here in NH, my radios max out at about 1/8 to 1/4 mile with the handheld walkie and the max power mobile.

That's a terrible idea, when do we start?

Today at 9:22 pm

#6
felgercarb
+1 for better antenna first; there are adapters that can attach a full-size, vehicle-mounted antenna (with its long cable) to your handheld. More power is only for transmission and as @2025wildturkey stated, terrain, interfering structure and foliage make more difference for range of transmission.

Some GMRS channels (8 through 14) are shared with FRS (Family Radio Service) and are limited to 0.5 watts of transmission power, so it's especially important to avoid those in a highway-caravanning situation.

BTW, that limitation on channels 8-14 is enforced on newer mobile GMRS radios by simply not allowing them to transmit on those channels. You can listen, but can't talk on 8-14.
OnX Expert Trail Guide and Tread Lightly Member.
4 Door BadSquatch | Soft-top | Velocity Blue | 2.7 Auto
G Lusted

You must log in or register to post here.