Midland MXT275 GMRS Radio - clean install DIY on 2025 4 door Rubicon

[salt_crawler]

Quick write up on the MXT275 GMRS install.

I ordered the entire kit from cool tech but got some of the other items from Amazon.

Whip and bracket install is pretty straight forward.

I had to find a different location for the unit to be installed. I found that most people were placing it either under or behind the glove box. This was not an option on my 2025. My second spot was going to be under the steering wheel but once again, I did not have the space like others had.

I ended up tucking it way up in the foot well on the driver side which provided me with a nice flat spot. I utilized 10lbs Velcro. Speaker facing out. I passed the wiring through the firewall through plastic gromit that others have used on the driver side.

I tucked on my wiring behind the plastic which provided plenty of space.

A quick run to the part store to get some extra 16g wire to extend the power to the battery.

Utilized some wire loom for a cleaner install.

Purchased an extension off Amazon for the mic and ran that to the passenger side.

Purchased this double female connection off Amazon along with the cubby. Quick work with a dremel made a large enough hole.

Finished off with the bulletpoint mounting system.

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[Flip]

That's the cleanest install I've seen. What a great idea to utilize that aftermarket storage tray. Well done

 

[wibornz]

Very clean. I put my antenna on the rear tire carrier. I could not stand the stock radio antenna on the Jeep the constant movement drew my attention to it all the time.

 

[salt_crawler]

That's the cleanest install I've seen. What a great idea to utilize that aftermarket storage tray. Well done

Thanks. I saw another member utilizing these trays off Amazon. They fit perfect!

 

[salt_crawler]

Very clean. I put my antenna on the rear tire carrier. I could not stand the stock radio antenna on the Jeep the constant movement drew my attention to it all the time.

I still might switch to a rear mount. Originally, I wanted a rear mount but cool tech stopped making the JL one. If I keep the front mount I’ll change it out for a ghost antenna.

 

[Nokones]

Great installation.

Hopefully you checked your VSWRs especially with lower powered radios such as the MXT275. Any reflected RF power back into the radio from antenna will significantly reduced the performance.

In addition, the grounding of electronic devices on later model vehicles is very important to both the electronic device (your radio) and the entire CAN-Buss system of the vehicle's on-board electronic components. If the grounding is not correct the on-board electronic components can be severely affected and contribute to damage to various electrical and power system components. The later model vehicles rely on sensitive components to properly operate.

Radio manufactures usually require that you connect the radio power grounding lead to a vehicle chassis grounding point, not directly to the battery to avoid electrical noises from the vehicle bring introduce into the radio. Also, the vehicle manufacturers also recommend that non-factory electronic devices be grounded to one of the several factory grounding points provided in several locations to prevent electrical noises being introduced into the vehicle CAN-Buss network.

I also mounted a VHF antenna in the same spot using a Rugged Radio Antenna Mount just like you did for your GMRS MXTA26 antenna. I found that there was no chassis grounding continuity at that location.

You should check to see if that is the case with your mount by disconnecting the antenna coax from back of the radio and connect a test light to battery power and touch the probe to see if the mount and antenna NMO Base is grounded by continuity with the chassis.

If you do not have any chassis grounding continuity, you more likely will introduce harmful RF interference into the vehicle's CAN-Buss network and that will affect various on-board components by activating and/or deactivating their respective functions.

You will need to provide a means of chassis grounding continuity at that location, like I did on my 23 Wrangler Rubi 2 Dr.

 

[wreck99]

Nice install. I mounted my antenna to the rear tire carrier so its out of the way. I am considering switching to the stubby because ive found others on the trail can penatrate the forest better than I when transmitting. My antenna seems to be better in the open but we are using the radio more in the woods.

 

[Nokones]

I still might switch to a rear mount. Originally, I wanted a rear mount but cool tech stopped making the JL one. If I keep the front mount I’ll change it out for a ghost antenna.

The Midland Phantom MXTA25 antenna will perform very well on GMRS freqs.

My main GMRS antenna is a Larsen Glass-Mount antenna mounted on my rear window. I also have Businees Radio freqs programmed in my radios so I have to use a tuned Professional Grade antenna for those channels and the GMRS channels.

I also have a radio dedicated for some Business Radio DMR channels so I use a Lip-Antenna Mount on the edge of my Hood with a Professional Grade Phantom antenna.

The performance of both antennae are better than expected. I am able to hit repeaters 80+ miles with the Glass-Mount and 60+ miles with the Phantom antenna.

The VSWR on 462 MHz with the Glass-Mount is 1.25:1 and 1.6:1 on 467 MHz. On the Phantom antenna I am getting 1.3:1 on 464 MHz and about 1.7:1 on 469 MHz.

 

[Nokones]

This is my CB Radio antenna installation using a Firestik quick disconnect. I am getting less then 1.1:1 on CB Ch. 20 with the Firestik II 5 Ft. Tuneable Tip. Yes, I have chassis grounding continuity at the mount.

 

[salt_crawler]

Great installation.

Hopefully you checked your VSWRs especially with lower powered radios such as the MXT275. Any reflected RF power back into the radio from antenna will significantly reduced the performance.

In addition, the grounding of electronic devices on later model vehicles is very important to both the electronic device (your radio) and the entire CAN-Buss system of the vehicle's on-board electronic components. If the grounding is not correct the on-board electronic components can be severely affected and contribute to damage to various electrical and power system components. The later model vehicles rely on sensitive components to properly operate.

Radio manufactures usually require that you connect the radio power grounding lead to a vehicle chassis grounding point, not directly to the battery to avoid electrical noises from the vehicle bring introduce into the radio. Also, the vehicle manufacturers also recommend that non-factory electronic devices be grounded to one of the several factory grounding points provided in several locations to prevent electrical noises being introduced into the vehicle CAN-Buss network.

I also mounted a VHF antenna in the same spot using a Rugged Radio Antenna Mount just like you did for your GMRS MXTA26 antenna. I found that there was no chassis grounding continuity at that location.

You should check to see if that is the case with your mount by disconnecting the antenna coax from back of the radio and connect a test light to battery power and touch the probe to see if the mount and antenna NMO Base is grounded by continuity with the chassis.

If you do not have any chassis grounding continuity, you more likely will introduce harmful RF interference into the vehicle's CAN-Buss network and that will affect various on-board components by activating and/or deactivating their respective functions.

You will need to provide a means of chassis grounding continuity at that location, like I did on my 23 Wrangler Rubi 2 Dr.

So you’re saying I should move my ground? According to midland either option is okay. I can’t imagine that single small negative damaging the Cambus. Can anyone else chime in?

 

[AZJLguy]

Nice install! I have a 2025 and installed my mxt275 in the glovebox and wired it into aux switch 4.

 

[salt_crawler]

Nice install! I have a 2025 and installed my mxt275 in the glovebox and wired it into aux switch 4.

That’s an awesome setup! Inside the glovebox was my last resort option.

 

[Pismo61]

This is my CB Radio antenna installation using a Firestik quick disconnect. I am getting less then 1.1:1 on CB Ch. 20 with the Firestik II 5 Ft. Tuneable Tip. Yes, I have chassis grounding continuity at the mount.

Is your ground attached inside the tailgate to the Teraflex mount?

 

[Nokones]

So you’re saying I should move my ground? According to midland either option is okay. I can’t imagine that single small negative damaging the Cambus. Can anyone else chime in?

Yes, it is the best way to prevent any potential electrical system issues. That is the correct way for grounding non-factory electrical devices to modern computer-laden vehicles. Any other method of grounding is a high risk move in getting electrical related issues.

You ran your flex-molding right by a factory chassis ground mounting point at the passenger inside front fender right where the external Aux circuit harness is terminated. It is not the way to ground noisy electrical devices on today's computer-laden vehicles and a two-way radio is a noisy electrical device.

If you have an issue that is electrical related and your dealer sees that non-factory electrical ground wire connected in that fashion, they may take issue with it and they may probably stop what they are doing until YOU properly ground your device, unless you are willing to pay them for their time.

When any educated Technician begins any diagnostic/trouble-shooting with electrical related issues, they always start at the power source point (battery) and that will be the grounding points first. There should not be any non-factory cables or wirings at the battery ground post.

For an expert take on this matter, you should pose that question to your Factory Service/Repair Dealer and not to the self-appointed non-educated electrical and automotive engineers on this Forum that think they have a clue as a subject matter expert, especially if it may have an affect on a outcome of your warranty claim.

It is really your call.

I do commend you for not tapping the radio positive power lead into an existing on-board vehicle electrical circuit.

 

[Nokones]

Is your ground attached inside the tailgate to the Teraflex mount?

Yes and to the chassis from underneath

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