@WhiteBronze392 Build

I cant say for sure but I am pretty familiar with GMRS have never seen SMS or GPS work in conjunction with GMRS.
Check out higher end lines from companies like Hytera and Garmin.

I used to have a Rino 530hcx (Garmin) and while it was limited and cumbersome, while in map view, you had a “note” icon that had a bunch of canned messages. The 600 and 700 series let you type directly.

It was pretty cool so long as you were communication with another Garmin. Never did figure out how to send something to a different brand.
 
So if I install the Midland GMRS will I be able to use it to communicate with a group using the hand held FRS? Or would I need both?
 
Check out higher end lines from companies like Hytera and Garmin.

I used to have a Rino 530hcx (Garmin) and while it was limited and cumbersome, while in map view, you had a “note” icon that had a bunch of canned messages. The 600 and 700 series let you type directly.

It was pretty cool so long as you were communication with another Garmin. Never did figure out how to send something to a different brand.
Are you talking about the Garmin InReach? They do have GPS and are able to send messages but they are not GMRS radios and are not designed for ordinary trail discussions. Meant for emergency use.
 
So if I install the Midland GMRS will I be able to use it to communicate with a group using the hand held FRS? Or would I need both?
To my knowledge all GMRS radios work on the FRS bands. You might have to turn off the handheld's proprietary "security" or "privacy" filtering.

I bought the Midland MXT575 to hide behind the glove box, or maybe under the passenger seat... IT does both all of the low power FRS and the high power GMRS channels. The 50w of power gives me the option to transmit far across a valley or even hit a repeater if I need to.
 
So if I install the Midland GMRS will I be able to use it to communicate with a group using the hand held FRS? Or would I need both?
The vehicle mounted Midland GMRS radio will be able to communicate with FRS Chanels 1-7 but 8-14 are designated for handheld use only. GMRS 15-22 is where you get the most power available. You really want to be off the FRS channels and on the GMRS channels as they can be used at higher transmit powers either handheld or mobile (vehicle mounted). I routinely use the handheld I linked above with the Midland MXT 275.

I know it sounds complicated and it took me a while to get comfortable with the restrictions on the channel ranges.

Next we can talk about privacy modes using CTCSS or DCS.
 
To my knowledge all GMRS radios work on the FRS bands. You might have to turn off the handheld's proprietary "security" or "privacy" filtering.

I bought the Midland MXT575 to hide behind the glove box, or maybe under the passenger seat... IT does both all of the low power FRS and the high power GMRS channels. The 50w of power gives me the option to transmit far across a valley or even hit a repeater if I need to.
My Midland MXT 275 will not allow selection of channels 8-14, they are reserved for hand held use only.
 
 
I misspoke slightly about handheld radios. Channels 8-14 are reserved for only fixed antenna radios (cheaper hand held).


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Thank you all for your feedback and great insight. I just didn’t want to install a “fancy” system and not be able to communicate with a group using normal handhelds lol. From what I gather my original plan for a Midland GMRS for trail communications and the Garmin in reach for an emergency situation should cover most if not all communication needs.
 
Thank you all for your feedback and great insight. I just didn’t want to install a “fancy” system and not be able to communicate with a group using normal handhelds lol. From what I gather my original plan for a Midland GMRS for trail communications and the Garmin in reach for an emergency situation should cover most if not all communication needs.
The InReach is a good tool and I would have one if I got very very far away from assistance but in FL that doesn't really happen. GMRS is fantastic to communicate with the group.
 
The InReach is a good tool and I would have one if I got very very far away from assistance but in FL that doesn't really happen. GMRS is fantastic to communicate with the group.
The garmin was on the maybe list for me too until I realized on my first outing into Francis Marion which the entry is about 15 minutes from my house there was zero cell reception. I want to be able to take my son exploring and be able to call someone should anything happen
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I installed the Rusty’s track bar brace tonight. Thanks for the recommendation! Install turned into much more of a PITA than expected due to a little metal tab not shown in the instructions or any pic I found online except yours. It doesn’t appear to do anything (hope I’m right lol) but blocks the brace from going up as far as needed. I looked at your pic and couldn’t tell if you notched the brace or the tab but I chose to use a cutoff wheel to notch the tab. I didn’t get a chance to test it yet but will tomorrow when I get home. I was also planning to install the metal cloak rear sway bar spacers but ran out of time.

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I installed the Rusty’s track bar brace tonight. Thanks for the recommendation! Install turned into much more of a PITA than expected due to a little metal tab not shown in the instructions or any pic I found online except yours. It doesn’t appear to do anything (hope I’m right lol) but blocks the brace from going up as far as needed. I looked at your pic and couldn’t tell if you notched the brace or the tab but I chose to use a cutoff wheel to notch the tab. I didn’t get a chance to test it yet but will tomorrow when I get home. I was also planning to install the metal cloak rear sway bar spacers but ran out of time.

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I got Rusty's trackbar brace today and started looking at the place where it goes. Two of the steering box bolts are almost out of sight and behind the spring and it looks like the bolts are fairly long and might hit the spring before all the way out. Any feed back?
 
I got Rusty's trackbar brace today and started looking at the place where it goes. Two of the steering box bolts are almost out of sight and behind the spring and it looks like the bolts are fairly long and might hit the spring before all the way out. Any feed back?
Nope no worries they clear the spring fine. No need to remove it
 
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Looks great! And as long as they help with getting in/out, that's even better.

Side note - I really need to get the half doors on... 🤣
Thank you very much! I am happy with them. The grip tape helps a lot.

For sure I love the half doors!
 
After doing something to my Jeep and posting what seemed like every day I feel like I have not updated in forever lol. Have had family in town and busy around the house getting ready for the holiday. I’ve got parts piling up! Going to tackle the Innovative AT ARB and MXT 275 VP4 Saturday and maybe the MORE skid. I saw something on another forum that I didn’t know. Apparently there is a switched and constant hot wire with the AUX wires in the passenger footwell? I am planning on hooking the ARB switch to the constant and MXT to the switched if they are there.
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My buddy with the Sting 392 that ordered at the same time and wife are coming in from Atlanta for the holiday on Monday. We are going to install his ACE engineering rock rails if they are delivered in time and try to go trail exploring in Francis Marion. He is also interested in buying my Innov8 simulated bead locks and 37” TG and if so I’m going to order Innov8 true bead locks and 38 RG or TG 😳 but the wheels are 6-8 weak lead time 😭.
I also had a great conversation with a guy named Chad Wheeler today with Wheeler Industries and ordered these a pillar light mounts for the 392/Mojave. Took some research but finally found them. Since I combined the XL80 and squadrons too much weight creating vibration on the BD mounts and these are exactly what I’ve been looking for. Pic is from Quadratec and they don’t carry them or know what they are and he had no idea about it lol

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