So I am kinda combining a few different threads here to collect information specific to my interest.
I am debating adding a mobile unit to my truck, but I have so many questions before I commit!
1. What is a good unit if I am to install one? Midland MXT115 or MXT400?
Well, they are kind of low tier radios. They are a good option for those that are migrating from using the consumer GMRS radios. The MXT115 is 15 watts and the MXT400 is 40 watts. If you are talking to other mobile users, or are intending to use repeaters, the 40 watt radio might be nice. If you are only talking to other handheld radios, then the 15 watt is sufficient. No need to have a huge imbalance between a 2 watt hand held and a 40 watt mobile.
On the other hand, if you are really serious about GMRS, then consider a commercial UHF mobile radio with Part 95 certification. The Kenwood TK-8180 in the 450-520MHz band split is a good option. Drawback is that you'll need to buy programming software and cable. It's not difficult to program, but takes some time to learn. Benefit is that it lets you set up the radio the way you want, name channels, etc. When I was active in GMRS, I used Icom mobiles and was very happy with them.
2. What is a good antenna?
Good question!
Permanent mount NMO is the way to do it. I know that some don't want to drill holes in the roof of their truck, but it really does make a difference. For UHF, you do want the antenna up high and in the clear. That means top of the truck. Make sure you have at least a 12" diameter ground plane under the antenna for best performance.
I ran my radios like that. Center of the truck roof. I experimented with 1/4 wave and 5/8'ths wave antennas, and never saw any difference in performance. The 1/4 wave is less expensive and gives a nice radiation pattern that's good in the mountains. It'll be about 6 inches tall and will blend in very well.
5/8'ths wave will be around 16 inches tall, so it'll stand out a bit more. It'll show some more gain, but I never noticed any difference in performance.
The low profile 'salt shaker' size antennas can work OK on UHF, but not better than the others, and they'll be more expensive.
If it was me, Larsen NMOQ cut for around 465MHz would be a good choice.
I've been trying out some EM Wave antennas recently, and I really like those.
3. Can I use a drive through car wash like Delta Sonic with the antenna on my truck or do I have to remove it everytime?
It's always a risk. I've been through car washes with the 1/4 wave antennas on the top and they've survived just fine. I prefer to take them off, although none of my current trucks will ever see a car wash like that. It's always a good idea to remove the antenna and put a rain cap on top when using a car wash.
4. What is the usability of GMRS in a vehicle? By this I mean compared to CB? Is there a designated channel people use on the road like truckers used to use with CB?
It's entirely going to depend on the local usage. In my experience, GMRS has never been used as a random contact CB like service. Most users are utilizing it just within the family or small group and don't always want to talk to strangers. Often they'll have CTCSS or DCS squelch set and wouldn't hear a random call anyway.
You may find that things are different in your area.
462.675 with a 141.3Hz CTCSS simplex or 462/467.675 with a 141.3Hz CTCSS repeater is often considered the "travelers assistance" channel and where there are active REACT groups using GMRS and GMRS repeaters, they'll often have a repeater on 462/467.675 141.3Hz set up.
But in my experience, there's little traffic and I rarely got an answer on those repeaters. Your exact local environment will dictate your own experience.
5. What kind of setups do people have (specifically in a Silverado if possible)? Any photos of your radio or antenna installs? Wire management?
I always did permanent mount antennas, installed radios and power directly off the vehicle battery. That'll give you the best performance out of your system.
I've done a few installs on Chevy pickups, probably going back into the 1995 models, all the way up to the 2020's. I did a post a year or so ago when I installed a dual band amateur radio in my brother in laws 2020 Silverado. Do a search on it and it should show up. I included a lot of photos and measurements on antenna install, connecting to the battery, etc.
It's not hard to do permanent installs on the large American made trucks.
All the wiring can be hidden and the only parts visible would be the radio, microphone and antenna. I've done some installs where the radio is inside the center console, so the antenna was the only visible component.
I apologize for all the questions. I have handhelds currently and I am kinda enjoying using them, but I find reception poor sometimes with the handhelds especially in my truck, so having one in there seems like common sense, but at the same time I worry about a mobile unit being installed and then getting a new truck or it being permanently installed and only useable in the truck... I am also considering just an antenna to connect to my handheld while in the truck, but I am a wire freak and cannot stand exposed wiring, so that seems like a much less likely scenario. We do camp often with our travel trailer and I hunt, so having a radio in my truck may not be the worst idea. I just want to do my research, make sure it is a smart investment and usable before I do anything.
Nah, it's cool. I love permanent installs and am happy to share my knowledge with others.
Hand held radios inside a vehicle are going to suffer greatly due to the metal and tinted glass around you. Going from a hand held inside the truck to a permanent antenna on the roof and a good radio is going to be a night and day difference for you. You'll wish you'd done it a long time ago.
If you are careful with the installs, it's not hard to remove the radio from the truck and leave little trace behind.
For the antenna mount on top, just get a cellular type antenna and put it up there when you sell the truck. Tell the new owner that you get better cell phone performance with it. Or, just cap it off. I've privately sold and traded in numerous vehicles with antenna mounts on top and never once had it impact resale value.
As for holes inside, you can go to the hardware store and buy plastic hole plugs. Just pop those in the mounting holes and be done with it.
Connecting an antenna to a portable can work. My brother did that for years. It benefits from the external antenna. Where he ran into issues was that the audio quality from a small speaker became an issue. Keeping the battery charged was a challenge. More often than not, the speaker mic would fall down between the seat and get keyed up, tying up the frequency. After a while, he got tired of it and did a mobile install.
Hiding wiring isn't an issue. None of the installs I do have any visible wiring, anywhere. It takes some extra work, but it's not that hard. Just think everything through. Don't try to rush the installation. A good install can take a full day or more to do well. On my personal and work vehicles, the only things that show are the radio control head, microphone and the antenna.
The only place that any wiring is visible is the power run to the battery. And then I put the wiring in black split loom tubing so it blends in with all the other underhood wiring.
As for if this is the right setup,
If you have someone specific you want to talk to, then GMRS is a good choice. If you are looking for random on the road contacts, then CB or ham may be a better choice.
Also, be sure to check with your local Fish and Game regarding radio use while hunting, some have rules that prohibit that.
