Anyone with a TJM13 and a GMRS radio antenna - how'd you mount it?

[CharlieS]

Quick verification: the NMO adapter (SO-239 to NMO adapter/fitting) mounts comfortably through the hole in the bumper antenna tab.

 

[nakman]

Ok I skipped by that link before, thank you. And yes those other switch openings are keyed but it's possible to whittle away the key portions with a dremel or utility knife, to make it more universal. Once you pop out the bezel and get it alone on the bench it's a little easier to manipulate... and if you mess it up, a new one is like $35 Instrument Panel & Glove Compartment - 2018 Toyota Land Cruiser - https://www.toyotapartsdeal.com/parts-list/2018-toyota-land_cruiser/body/instrument_panel_glove_compartment.html

 

[STLandcruiser]

Did you hard wire into a fuse box or straight off the battery?

I’m Considering using an add-a-fuse and pulling power from the cigarette lighter fuse on the drivers side for power. Thoughts?

 

[daneo]

Did you hard wire into a fuse box or straight off the battery?

I’m Considering using an add-a-fuse and pulling power from the cigarette lighter fuse on the drivers side for power. Thoughts?

Some thoughts specific to the MXT275:
I had a MXT105 that would retain its power state after the unit was power cycled. IE if the radio was on when you turned the truck off, then you turned the ignition back on, the radio would turn on by itself. The MXT275 (can’t speak for other models) does not have the same behavior. Once you remove power from the MXT275, you always have to manually turn the radio back on.

Not a huge deal, but if you’re in a situation where you’re turning the ignition on/off often, say, where there are many sites to see close together, you have to 1) remember to turn the unit on and 2) physically turn the unit on.

Once I got a second battery, I hardwired the MXT275 to the aux battery so I don’t have to remember to turn it on/off so much. If I forget, and leave the radio on for a long time and it kills the battery, I’m not stuck.

Alternatively, you could hardwire to the starter battery if you don’t have an aux battery, but risk killing your starter battery. Not my cup of tea personally.

I’d recommend a MXT105 to folks without a second battery and who don’t have a specific need for the hand piece controls because of the power-on behavior. You might be able to call Midland and see if they’re aware of what models will turn on automatically when power is re-applied.

Running the MXT275 off cig power with an add-a-fuse works, but comes with those usability caveats.

Hope that helps!

 

[CharlieS]

Did you hard wire into a fuse box or straight off the battery?

I’m Considering using an add-a-fuse and pulling power from the cigarette lighter fuse on the drivers side for power. Thoughts?

I wired mine through my switchpros which gets power from my auxiliary battery. This particular switch is always on (not ignition switched).

I ran my prior Midland powered by an always on fuse in the drivers side fuse panel (windshield wipers maybe? - most in that fuse box are ignition switched), with an add a fuse and it worked fine.

 

[nakman]

I always wire radios directly to the second battery also. Same reasons that @daneo mentions above... no worries about killing the starting battery, it doesn't power cycle the radio every time the truck starts/stops. Also if there is a situation where coms become somewhat urgent, I want any/all part of is the ignition on, where are the keys, etc. removed from that equation. Similar argument to not burying a first aid kit or fire extinguisher inside a drawer.

 

[STLandcruiser]

Incredibly helpful helpful guys, thank you

 

[daneo]

Just got an email that Midland is issuing a new hand piece that enables the MXT275 & MXT575 to do auto-power-on!

Also introduces Active Noise Cancellation and menu icons. The menus on the MXT were pretty user un-friendly. Here's hoping they've made strides forward on the weak points of this radio!

Midland Introduces New ANC Mic for MXT275 and MXT575

Midland Radio is introducing a new Automatic Noise Cancelling Microphone for the MXT275 and MXT575. Learn how to bring clear and crisp communication.

midlandusa.com

 

[daneo]

Anybody have a preferred in-dash RJ45 connector vendor? @CharlieS wasn’t a fan of the eBay one, so im curious if other vendors have better offerings.

 

[daneo]

Got the Air on Board rj45 connector. Seems like a good enough piece. Didn’t break apart or threaten to crumble. Connections solid so far.

New MXT275 hand piece is great. So happy for text in the menu. No more trying to remember what “rb” stands for etc. volume knob feels nice. I think it’s funny they emulate a seven segment display.

Still missing custom background color, or at least a good amber. No backlight brightness control. The manual has directions to switch between wide and narrow band operation, but this option isn’t present in the radio (no big deal). The manual omits directions to switch between hand piece speaker, base unit speaker or both. (Press the lock button.) despite text on the menus and a dot matrix display, the speaker select still uses a cryptic letter/number code to indicate selection. Come on Midland, use your words…

Confirmed not to work on the older MXT275 with USB-A. None of those hand pieces are interchangeable.

Still a great, compact mobile radio. I hope they put together a bundle with the new hand piece soon.