Which 5 watt handheld to use as a mobile with MXT400 GMRS Base?

[Greg43545]

I have already purchased the Midland MXT400 to use as a base and am looking for a 5 watt handheld to use as a mobile in my vehicle to communicate with it.

Whatever Handheld I purchase I would want it to be able to use the CTCSS and DCS codes compatible with it.

Any recommendations on which 5 Watt Handheld would work best with the MXT400 would be greatly appreciated - thanks.

 

[Skypilot007]

I would just get another mobile unit for the mobile. That's where you're going to need the extra power to reach back to the base or repeater. You will quickly discover using portables inside a vehicle does not work very well. Connecting a portable to an external antenna while mobile will be a lot better but still limited power.

 

[mmckenna]

That's good advice. Using a hand held radio inside a vehicle is going to result in poor performance. The vehicle body just looks like a big RF proof cage. While a little bit of signal can get in/out through the windows, it's going to severely impact performance. At minimum you need an external antenna. Doing that with a hand held gets to be a hassle. The speaker volumes are often too low to hear reliably while driving. A dedicated mobile radio with a large speaker and external antenna would be a much better choice.

 

[W4EMS]

I use a Kenwood TK-380 and TK-880 for GMRS. Software is readily available as are the programming cables.

 

[chief21]

I have read that the Midland GMRS radios can only do FM narrow (12.5), while many GMRS stations use normal FM (25), so be aware of this when selecting a companion radio.

 

[captainmax1]

I have 2 of the Midland MXT400 GMRS Radios. You will need a second MXT400 if you want to get any distance. I also have a 5 watt MXT Midland mobile along with several Midland and Uniden handheld GMRS. The handhelds and 5 watt mobile work great with line of site communications but with trees and buildings you will only get 1/3 or less miles at most. You will need 2 MXT400's and the MXTA26 antenna or equivalent on the vehicle to get any distance. The higher your base antenna is a big factor too along with the terrain you will be using your radios around. Many miles with open terrain and not so many with tall buildings and trees.

 

[N4KVE]

With Kenwood TK880’s as cheap as they are, I’d put one in the car. The last 2 I bought were $10 each. They are better than any Midland GMRS radio.