- First Name
- Brian
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- Aug 26, 2021
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- California
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- F250, Escape
- Your Bronco Model
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- #1
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:
Customized radio bracket
Antenna Mount
What I bought and where: (not affiliate links or anything)
- Radio: Wouxun KG-XS20G (https://www.buytwowayradios.com/wouxun-kg-xs20g.html)
- Antenna: Midland MicroMobile MXTA26 NOT RECOMMENDED (https://www.buytwowayradios.com/midland-mxta26.html)
- Antenna Mount: Midland MXTA27 Universal NMO Antenna Lip Mount (https://www.buytwowayradios.com/midland-mxta27.html)
- SWR Meter: SureCom SW33 (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B075H8FDDR/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1)
- SWR Meter Adapters SMA-UHF (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01MQNJVMT/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1)
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:
Customized radio bracket
Antenna Mount
Sponsored
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