MXt275 or MXt575

[Delivers1234]

I have a 2025 Honda Trailsport. is the mxt575 overkill? I like the head with the buttons due to not drilling on the roof. i can place it in the rear, though I am not sure if I need a new power line from the battery. Not sure if the 575 can handle the rear 12-volt cigarette lighter.

any options.

 

[mmckenna]

I have a 2025 Honda Trailsport. is the mxt575 overkill? I like the head with the buttons due to not drilling on the roof.

Not sure I follow you here.

The hand held control head makes installation easier in many newer cars. One of the drawbacks, however, is that the handset has a small speaker in it, so it can be difficult to hear, and audio quality may suffer at higher levels. Adding an external speaker helps a bunch.

By "not drilling the roof" are you referring to the antenna mount, or figuring out where to mount the radio in the vehicle?

i can place it in the rear, though I am not sure if I need a new power line from the battery. Not sure if the 575 can handle the rear 12-volt cigarette lighter.

any options.

575 is a 50 watt radio and you'd want a power feed capable of at least 15 amps. From what I can find, the 12 volt outlet in that vehicle is rated at 15 amps maximum.
But keep in mind that power wiring is bundled in with all the other vehicle wiring harnesses and it becomes a common source for noise infiltration to the radio.

I've always found it better to run a dedicated power feed for my radios. It really prevents a lot of headaches.

 

[Delivers1234]

Yes. I would use the magnet mount and not a drilled nmo.

So I guess it’s better to mount the body in the front under driver side then wire antenna to rear. If I have the 575 I would still need to go through the fire wall.

So the 575 is stronger. Is it over kill for recreational use?

 

[mmckenna]

Yes. I would use the magnet mount and not a drilled nmo.

OK, got it.

Question becomes how you get coax in the vehicle. If you are routing through the door, then ideally you want to use a door that rarely gets opened/closed to reduce damage to the coax.

So I guess it’s better to mount the body in the front under driver side then wire antenna to rear. If I have the 575 I would still need to go through the fire wall.

Seems like the handset to RF deck cable is pretty short. You'd need an extension if you mount it in the rear. Mounting under one of the front seats would save you a few bucks on RJ-45 cable and make your power run a bit easier.

So the 575 is stronger. Is it over kill for recreational use?

RF power isn't a 1:1 ratio to range.
There's a big price jump between the two models, and in reality it won't make a huge difference in range. As you know, the antenna would make more difference.
If it was me, and budget was tight, I'd get the lower power radio and put more money into the antenna.

Around our area most of the repeaters are up high in the mountains, so try to reach out long range isn't necessary. Simplex distances are usually limited more by terrain than power. But you know best what you need.

 

[03msc]

I understand the apprehension of drilling in the roof, but it really is a cleaner and more efficient way of installing an antenna...especially if this is a permanent install or will be used often. No ugly cables to see, etc. A 1/4 wave UHF antenna for GMRS is very short; it would hardly be noticeable. Better performance, cleaner look, all those good things. Doesn't devalue the vehicle, either.

 

[mmckenna]

Doesn't devalue the vehicle, either.

His previous vehicle had at least 2 permanent NMO mounts on it, so I suspect this is the new car reluctance.

 

[03msc]

His previous vehicle had at least 2 permanent NMO mounts on it, so I suspect this is the new car reluctance.

OK. Well, you know that’s not the typical situation here. haha

 

[mmckenna]

OK. Well, you know that’s not the typical situation here. haha

We'll wear @Delivers1234 down slowly until he gives in and does a permanent install.

 

[nokones]

Not sure I follow you here.

The hand held control head makes installation easier in many newer cars. One of the drawbacks, however, is that the handset has a small speaker in it, so it can be difficult to hear, and audio quality may suffer at higher levels. Adding an external speaker helps a bunch.

By "not drilling the roof" are you referring to the antenna mount, or figuring out where to mount the radio in the vehicle?



575 is a 50 watt radio and you'd want a power feed capable of at least 15 amps. From what I can find, the 12 volt outlet in that vehicle is rated at 15 amps maximum.
But keep in mind that power wiring is bundled in with all the other vehicle wiring harnesses and it becomes a common source for noise infiltration to the radio.

I've always found it better to run a dedicated power feed for my radios. It really prevents a lot of headaches.

To the OP, please note that he referred to "the power lead to the battery". That means the "Red +" lead only to the battery. The "Black - Ground Lead" should be grounded to a "factory chassis grounding point" to prevent any vehicle electrical components causing noise being introduced into the radio.

Most accessory power outlets are only 10 watts and some may be 15 watts. You should refer to the factory owners manual. The MXT575 will pull anywhere from 6.5 watts to 8.5 watts when transmitting. As stated above, you should connect to at least a 15 watt circuit, but the battery would be best and do not splice into any existing fused circuit.

 

[mmckenna]

Most accessory power outlets are only 10 watts and some may be 15 watts. You should refer to the factory owners manual. The MXT575 will pull anywhere from 6.5 watts to 8.5 watts when transmitting. As stated above, you should connect to at least a 15 watt circuit, but the battery would be best and do not splice into any existing fused circuit.

Amps, not watts.

I looked up his vehicle, 15 amp accessory sockets, not that I'd use them for radios.

 

[nokones]

So the 575 is stronger. Is it over kill for recreational use?

No it is not overkill. 50 watts is not a lot of power or will get you substantially more farz than the MXT275.

 

[jeepsandradios]

Define what you plan to use the radio for. I run the 275 in all my jeeps and work truck. Never had a need for the extra power and I use on repeaters and simplex. If there are good local repeaters there is no need for 50 watts.

 

[Delivers1234]

Hi sorry. I now have a Honda trailsport ‘25. Wife wants no drilling.

It also has a sun roof. I am using the mag mount (ebay) with a laird antenna 1/4 wave.

Thank you for the advice.

 

[mmckenna]

Hi sorry. I now have a Honda trailsport ‘25. Wife wants no drilling.

Got it.

Clean power and a good antenna are your primary concerns. I'd mount the radio up front, clean + power off the battery, pick up - off a local ground point. 1/4 wave will work fine in this area.

 

[KF0NYL]

I will second what @mmckenna said.

You definitely want to run the radio's power lead straight to the battery and the radio's ground to a good chassis ground. Connecting any two way radio to the vehicle wiring harness inside can and will cause RF interference issues with the radio and/or vehicle.

A 50 watt radio will help get the signal through obstacles such as heavy foliage but it won't get you any more range with all things being equal concerning the antenna and coax cables. At least that has been my experience with both mobile and base setups.

Heavy foliage and UHF (70cm and GMRS) do not play well together. My local club has a 2m, 70cm, and GMRS repeater on a 1000 foot tall tower. The 2m and 70cm antennas are at 900 feet while the GMRS antennas are at 400-450 feet. I have the same exact dead spots with the 70cm and GMRS repeaters. Some of the dead spots are where there are a lot of tall pine and cedar trees close to the road.

 

[K6GBW]

The difference between a 25 watt VHF radio and a 50 watt is marginal at best. You're antenna is much more important. In a max range simplex situation using the same antenna the difference between the two power levels would be less than a mile. Honestly, I run my mobiles defaulted to low power (about 12 watts), 99 percent of the time and it's all I need.

 

[K9KLC]

VHF radio

UH UHF maybe? I'm sure that's a typo.