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GMRS Installed in 2021 Bronco Base

JKommuter

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This is not meant to be a how to, best approach, or even a good solution. This is just what I did. I’ve been taking info from the forum for over a year, so I try to contribute when I have something others might find interesting.

What I bought and where: (not affiliate links or anything)

I am returning the midland antenna, it is too short out of the box, I did NOT cut it. I am unable to tune below 2.0:1 SWR. Extending it to max gives 2.0, sliding to shortest without cutting gives me a 2.2:1. I ordered a Browning off Amazon just in case it takes weeks to return/replace the midland, it will be here on Tuesday.

I connected directly to the battery for power, I want it to work with ACC off and it doesn’t make sense to waste a switch on a radio. Wiring and antenna cable were ran through the grommet near the accessory wiring on the driver side.

Before I removed the antenna to ship back I tested talking to a pair of 10+ year old FRS walkie talkies I keep in my recovery bag. Radio sounded good during the brief test, from the garage to the kitchen. Once I get a better antenna solution I will report more test results.

OK onto the pics:
Ford Bronco GMRS Installed in 2021 Bronco Base 20210918_152929

Ford Bronco GMRS Installed in 2021 Bronco Base 20210918_152631


Customized radio bracket
Ford Bronco GMRS Installed in 2021 Bronco Base 20210918_122645


Antenna Mount
Ford Bronco GMRS Installed in 2021 Bronco Base 20210918_153308

Ford Bronco GMRS Installed in 2021 Bronco Base 20210918_152723
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Theherofails

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Interesting! This is a problem I’ve been chewing on in my head - where to mount a radio that’s not in my way.

I was debating building something (I’m a woodworker) like the ‘bring your own device rail’ to dash mount a radio, but I really like this implantation as well.
 
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JKommuter

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Interesting! This is a problem I’ve been chewing on in my head - where to mount a radio that’s not in my way.

I was debating building something (I’m a woodworker) like the ‘bring your own device rail’ to dash mount a radio, but I really like this implantation as well.
I was originally planning on putting it on the side of the console, removing the "Accessory ready" panel. I found that it blocked the seat from sliding fully forward. That is a big deal in a 2 door. I spent several hours staring and "engineering" this solution. Its out of the way, I can hear it, and the seat moves fully forward. This would only work with a small radio. A larger 50w might not fit here.
 

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This is not meant to be a how to, best approach, or even a good solution. This is just what I did. I’ve been taking info from the forum for over a year, so I try to contribute when I have something others might find interesting.

What I bought and where: (not affiliate links or anything)

I am returning the midland antenna, it is too short out of the box, I did NOT cut it. I am unable to tune below 2.0:1 SWR. Extending it to max gives 2.0, sliding to shortest without cutting gives me a 2.2:1. I ordered a Browning off Amazon just in case it takes weeks to return/replace the midland, it will be here on Tuesday.

I connected directly to the battery for power, I want it to work with ACC off and it doesn’t make sense to waste a switch on a radio. Wiring and antenna cable were ran through the grommet near the accessory wiring on the driver side.

Before I removed the antenna to ship back I tested talking to a pair of 10+ year old FRS walkie talkies I keep in my recovery bag. Radio sounded good during the brief test, from the garage to the kitchen. Once I get a better antenna solution I will report more test results.

OK onto the pics:

Ford Bronco GMRS Installed in 2021 Bronco Base 20210918_152723


Customized radio bracket
Ford Bronco GMRS Installed in 2021 Bronco Base 20210918_152723

Nice use of that accessory bolt!

Assuming you have friends and family that use GMRS and FRS. Everyone I go out with uses VHF, and VHF at the races. Nice location for a VHF radio also.
 
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JKommuter

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Actually friends and family have FRS, but the people I run trails with still have CB's. I'm pushing them to GMRS. I bought a GMRS handheld I can loan out if needed. I think they will switch over once I do.
 

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This is not meant to be a how to, best approach, or even a good solution. This is just what I did. I’ve been taking info from the forum for over a year, so I try to contribute when I have something others might find interesting.

What I bought and where: (not affiliate links or anything)

I am returning the midland antenna, it is too short out of the box, I did NOT cut it. I am unable to tune below 2.0:1 SWR. Extending it to max gives 2.0, sliding to shortest without cutting gives me a 2.2:1. I ordered a Browning off Amazon just in case it takes weeks to return/replace the midland, it will be here on Tuesday.

I connected directly to the battery for power, I want it to work with ACC off and it doesn’t make sense to waste a switch on a radio. Wiring and antenna cable were ran through the grommet near the accessory wiring on the driver side.

Before I removed the antenna to ship back I tested talking to a pair of 10+ year old FRS walkie talkies I keep in my recovery bag. Radio sounded good during the brief test, from the garage to the kitchen. Once I get a better antenna solution I will report more test results.

OK onto the pics:
Ford Bronco GMRS Installed in 2021 Bronco Base 20210918_152723

Ford Bronco GMRS Installed in 2021 Bronco Base 20210918_152723


Customized radio bracket
Ford Bronco GMRS Installed in 2021 Bronco Base 20210918_152723


Antenna Mount
Ford Bronco GMRS Installed in 2021 Bronco Base 20210918_152723

Ford Bronco GMRS Installed in 2021 Bronco Base 20210918_152723
What’s the range with radio? Thoughts of radio vs Sat phone?
 

hellahella

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I was originally planning on putting it on the side of the console, removing the "Accessory ready" panel. I found that it blocked the seat from sliding fully forward. That is a big deal in a 2 door. I spent several hours staring and "engineering" this solution. Its out of the way, I can hear it, and the seat moves fully forward. This would only work with a small radio. A larger 50w might not fit here.
Looks good! I plan on removing that handle when i get mine too.
 
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JKommuter

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What’s the range with radio? Thoughts of radio vs Sat phone?
This is my first GMSR so all I can do is parrot what I've read and heard on some YouTube videos. I would expect 0ver 10 miles for the radio range. As far as radio vs Sat Phone I see them as complimentary. Sat phone for emergencies or keeping in touch with family while on the trail. Radio for vehicle to vehicle coms on the trail or vehicle to handheld while in camp.
 

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I hope this doesn’t take you into what you don’t what to discuss but what led you to that radio vs the midland with the controls on the handset? And is that the midland antenna in the pics? If yes I has read some great reviews on it so bummed it is not working.
Thank you for your sharing!

I too am new to gmrs as I have cb’s in my eb’s but we typically end up talking on the handheld frs radios.
 
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JKommuter

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I hope this doesn’t take you into what you don’t what to discuss but what led you to that radio vs the midland with the controls on the handset? And is that the midland antenna in the pics? If yes I has read some great reviews on it so bummed it is not working.
Thank you for your sharing!

I too am new to gmrs as I have cb’s in my eb’s but we typically end up talking on the handheld frs radios.
I selected that radio based on good reviews for other models the manufacturer makes. I like the ability to use the mic controls if I want, but I like the controls on the radio too. I read the good reviews on the antenna too. Look it up on Amazon and order the reviews by date. Many others have the same issue as me on that antenna recently. Something is up at the factory. I wanted it to work, black, same height as the windshield, spring base, perfect.
 

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CodaMojo

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This is my first GMSR so all I can do is parrot what I've read and heard on some YouTube videos. I would expect 0ver 10 miles for the radio range. As far as radio vs Sat Phone I see them as complimentary. Sat phone for emergencies or keeping in touch with family while on the trail. Radio for vehicle to vehicle coms on the trail or vehicle to handheld while in camp.
Ahhh lol I don’t know why I only thought of emergencies 🤦‍♂️ i have two handhelds, but I see benefits of wired in for group coms
 
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JKommuter

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Just a quick update. I received the new antenna I ordered.
I was able to tune it to 1.2:1 SWR. In a quick test with the mobile and my Baofeng UV-9G handheld, I was able to talk 2.5 miles across suburbia before my wife decided testing was complete. :) Hopefully I will do some more testing this weekend.
Ford Bronco GMRS Installed in 2021 Bronco Base 20210923_072731
 

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Just a quick update. I received the new antenna I ordered.
I was able to tune it to 1.2:1 SWR. In a quick test with the mobile and my Baofeng UV-9G handheld, I was able to talk 2.5 miles across suburbia before my wife decided testing was complete. :) Hopefully I will do some more testing this weekend.
Ford Bronco GMRS Installed in 2021 Bronco Base 20210923_072731
I'm thinking of doing a simialar setup using a Midland radio. My question is where did you route the antenna wire through the firewall? I'm going to mount in the same location. nice work and thanks.
 
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JKommuter

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I'm thinking of doing a simialar setup using a Midland radio. My question is where did you route the antenna wire through the firewall? I'm going to mount in the same location. nice work and thanks.
There's a rubber grommet on the driver's side near the factory upfitter switch wiring. Can't miss it under the hood on the driver's side.
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