Bronco Nation

Trail Two-Way Radios

James M.
Dec 22, 2023

Iggy Pilot and Cowboy Engineer

Dec 22, 2023

I’ve come to the conclusion that at our age, we need to stop lone wolfing our off-road adventures. We have joined the Az. Bronco club. So I’m looking for recommendations for brands and model #’s of two way radios. I’ve have not kept up with what is available today, or with the new technologies that are out there now.
I would love to hear about your experiences as well with different radios good and bad. Thanks.
LR48, Melissa Clark

Rank 0

Jan 03, 2024

#40
Monitoring/listening on GMRS or ham frequencies doesn't require any license from the FCC...but once you key the "transmit" button, you'd better have a license. The first-level ham license requires passing a test, but GMRS just needs your money.
Chief Ron

Rank V

Jan 04, 2024

#41
I would like to see folks start using ch 19 on GMRS as we did for CB radios.
Polaris425

Harmonious Hound

Jan 04, 2024

#42
felgercarb
Monitoring/listening on GMRS or ham frequencies doesn't require any license from the FCC...but once you key the "transmit" button, you'd better have a license. The first-level ham license requires passing a test, but GMRS just needs your money.

It’s only $35 for a 10-year license. It used to be twice the cost. 🤓
Chris here. I drive a 2-door Velocity Blue 2023 Ford Bronco Badlands with Sasquatch, Lux, a 2.7L V6, and an automatic transmission. It’s fun.
Deano Bronc, Chief Ron

Rank V

Jan 05, 2024

#43
BuckYeah
It’s only $35 for a 10-year license. It used to be twice the cost. 🤓

So it was $35 for 20 years? :o)
Darrel, Stryf

Rank IV

Jan 05, 2024

#44
MIGeezer
So it was $35 for 20 years? :eek:)
Yes and I am sorry but you missed the sale.

It was an introductory offer.
felgercarb, Deano Bronc

Rank V

Jan 05, 2024

#45
Unicorn
Yes and I am sorry but you missed the sale.

It was an introductory offer.

There is no such thing in the government as introductory!
Darrel, felgercarb

Rank IV

Jan 05, 2024

#46
MIGeezer
There is no such thing in the government as introductory!

Yes and Like Buckyeah said.... "It used to be twice the cost". not "half the cost".....
Darrel, felgercarb

No Ragerts

Jan 05, 2024

#47
Unicorn
Yes and Like Buckyeah said.... "It used to be twice the cost". not "half the cost".....

LOL - it’s “not half the cost” - it’s “twice the time”
- 2023 Raptor / Shadow Black / MGV (DOB 8/30/23)
- 2023 Heritage Limited Edition / Robin’s Egg Blue / 4dr / (stolen from my dealer 11/15/23)
Darrel, Deano Bronc

Harmonious Hound

Jan 05, 2024

#48
It used to cost $70 for a license that was valid for ten years. They chopped the price in half. You could say it costs $3.50 a year for ten years, but you've got to pay it upfront. 😜
Chris here. I drive a 2-door Velocity Blue 2023 Ford Bronco Badlands with Sasquatch, Lux, a 2.7L V6, and an automatic transmission. It’s fun.
Darrel, Chief Ron

Rank 0

Jan 05, 2024

#49
20221217_160457.jpg
I got my HAM radio license since it offers a little more than just two way radio. I can send messages to email or SMS to let people know my status or location when no cell service is available. The basic Tech license is super easy to pass. We have 9 year olds passing it. Also you arer allowed more power on the HAM bands.
Darrel, Deano Bronc

Rank IV

Jan 05, 2024

#50
Bschurr
LOL - it’s “not half the cost” - it’s “twice the time”

??????

It used to be $70.00 for a 10 year license......

It is now $35.00 for a 10 year license......

Where are you or Geezer getting this twice the time crap?????? I thought Geezer was joking with his first comment.... With the second I thought he just needed glasses .... Now your comment?????

Is there some kind of inside joke I am not in on? or are you both really not catching this?
Darrel

Harmonious Hound

Jan 05, 2024

#51
It must be an inside joke. I thought my original comment was perfectly clear. It used to cost twice as much as it does now. 🤔
Chris here. I drive a 2-door Velocity Blue 2023 Ford Bronco Badlands with Sasquatch, Lux, a 2.7L V6, and an automatic transmission. It’s fun.
Darrel, Unicorn

Rank IV

Jan 05, 2024

#52
BuckYeah
It must be an inside joke. I thought my original comment was perfectly clear. It used to cost twice as much as it does now. 🤔

It seemed perfectly clear to me....
Darrel, BuckYeah

Rank VI

Jan 05, 2024

#53
TechnicalDisaster
I went with a Midland XT275 kit with a Mountains2Metal under dash bracket, and then installed a marine style CAT6 port to plug in the handheld. Wired everything to AUX6. There are a few videos on YouTube of similar installations.

I did a short video of what it looks like on my Bronco:
Parts:
MidlandUSA GMRS: https://midlandusa.com/collections/micromobile/products/mxt275vp4-micromobile-two-way-radio-bundle-1

Mountains2Metal Bracket: https://mountains2metal.com/under-dash-mount-for-amp-radio-fits-2021-ford-bronco/

Mountains2Metal Mirror Cowl Mount: https://mountains2metal.com/BR6LAPAM/

CAT6 Port:

Cat6 connector link isn’t working for me.
22 | Badlands | Cyber | NonSAS | MIC | 2.7 Auto | Lux | Leather | Tow |
Res: 07/27/2020, Order: 11/04/2021, Sched: 8/8, Re-Sched: 8/15, In-Prod: 8/15, Blend: 8/19, Mods: 8/23, Chip Hold: 9/29, Built: 10/3, Ship: 10/4, Train #: 10/5, Delivered: 10/20.

Colorado bound!

Jan 05, 2024

#54
radar3d
Cat6 connector link isn’t working for me.

How about this:
UMLIFE 2PCS RJ45 Ethernet LAN Cable Connector CAT6 Shielded Industrial Panel Mount Bulkhead Feed Thru Coupler with Waterproof IP67 Dustproof Cap Outdoor Industrial Standard
https://a.co/d/2QtgwY3
BuckYeah, radar3d

Harmonious Hound

Jan 05, 2024

#55
TechnicalDisaster
How about this:
UMLIFE 2PCS RJ45 Ethernet LAN Cable Connector CAT6 Shielded Industrial Panel Mount Bulkhead Feed Thru Coupler with Waterproof IP67 Dustproof Cap Outdoor Industrial Standard
https://a.co/d/2QtgwY3

I had that in my cart for a little while, but opted for this cable extension/coupler for the center console:

Flush Mount Cable For Mic

I saw it used in YouTube videos. Nice and neat. Once the handset is stowed away, there's little evidence of a 2-way radio onboard. It takes a little more work to install it, but once it's done, it's an elegant solution.
Chris here. I drive a 2-door Velocity Blue 2023 Ford Bronco Badlands with Sasquatch, Lux, a 2.7L V6, and an automatic transmission. It’s fun.
Chief Ron, Darrel

Rank IV

Jan 05, 2024

#56
BuckYeah
I had that in my cart for a little while, but opted for this cable extension/coupler for the center console:

Flush Mount Cable For Mic

I saw it used in a YouTube video. Nice and neat. Once the handset is stowed away, there's little evidence of a 2-way radio onboard. It takes a little more work to install it, but once it's done, it's an elegant solution.

Same one I used.... Have not figured out how I am going to mount the Mic during trail ride use.... There have been a lot of options people have posted on here and it is hard to decide.... I do like how this extension turned out. And the square hole is not that bad....Drill and file the corners.... And it does not spin once it is in!
Chief Ron, Darrel

Harmonious Hound

Jan 05, 2024

#57
Unicorn
Same one I used.... Have not figured out how I am going to mount the Mic during trail ride use.... There have been a lot of options people have posted on here and it is hard to decide.... I do like how this extension turned out. And the square hole is not that bad....Drill and file the corners.... And it does not spin once it is in!

I like it too. One more use for the Dremel tool! 😉

The mic mount is the last thing on my to-do list. There are options galore but none that say "That's the one!" For the time being, I'm just going to rest the mic on the center console.
Chris here. I drive a 2-door Velocity Blue 2023 Ford Bronco Badlands with Sasquatch, Lux, a 2.7L V6, and an automatic transmission. It’s fun.
Chief Ron, Unicorn

Colorado bound!

Jan 05, 2024

#58
This is the one that I actually used in my Bronco. It is a little more flush mount and still has the dust cap.

ANMBEST 5PCS Panel Mounting RJ45 CAT6 Connector, Cat5/5e/6 8P8C Ethernet LAN Cable Adapter Zinc Alloy Housing Double Head Coupler Female to Female with Waterproof/Dust Cap
https://a.co/d/dQK1qLs
Unicorn

Harmonious Hound

Jan 05, 2024

#59
TechnicalDisaster
This is the one that I actually used in my Bronco. It is a little more flush mount and still has the dust cap.

ANMBEST 5PCS Panel Mounting RJ45 CAT6 Connector, Cat5/5e/6 8P8C Ethernet LAN Cable Adapter Zinc Alloy Housing Double Head Coupler Female to Female with Waterproof/Dust Cap
https://a.co/d/dQK1qLs

Ooh I like that one. It’s pretty polished looking. Did you add a cable extension to the back of that or were you able to just hook up the mic wire to it? I’d like to avoid having to use an extension cable as it may degrade the connection, produce lapses in connectivity, etc.
Chris here. I drive a 2-door Velocity Blue 2023 Ford Bronco Badlands with Sasquatch, Lux, a 2.7L V6, and an automatic transmission. It’s fun.

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