A BIG DEAL for On-Farm Radios - Midland's MXR10 GMRS Repeater

Midland USA has just announced the launch of their new MXR10 GMRS Repeater, and Riley got an early review copy to test out. This will be a game changer for larger farm operations in need of an easy solution to extend range of two-way radio communications.
Learn more about the Midland MXR10: midlandusa.com/products/midla...
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[@W9BTM-WQNX906]

Hey guys WQNX906 here, get that antenna up on a silo or on a tower site and you'll be even more amazed. I have two repeater systems and both of my systems are about 85-90 percent full coverage throughout the county. Also not sure what gain you have on that antenna but the higher DB gain the better. Have fun with it guys.

[@garyzimmerman8679]

Several suggestions. 1. Find the highest point on your land to place the repeater 2. Consider building a small tower at the highest point on your land. You can get nice height for as little as $500. 3. This repeater doesn’t use much standby, so a 100-200 watt solar panel, and 2-3 100ah 12 v batteries should power the repeater for a week, with bad weather. And more Solar and batteries will allow you to go longer. 4. You can get an antenna amp. That can boost the signal up to the Max allowed at 50 watts. That can help with distance and poking through some things. Toptek makes a nice little amps for about $250. Of course if your using solar, you will have to probably double the panels and double the batteries.

[@AgriStudios]

Good suggestions! We’ve been looking into solar since there is no power available at our highest spots.

[@matthewtaylor3301]

You're not going to be able to use an inline amp with the duplexer. Will not work. The 6-7 watts it outputs is plenty. Height is might with VHF / UHF frequencies.

[@ellefields8878]

Looking to install a repeater in my RV to extend the range of my radios, this video really convinced me this is the right way to go.

[@outdoorztime2923]

Great job with the range testing, men. Love it! I used to be a HAM Operator, but my wife never got into it. This two-way radio system will be great for home, camp, etc. Thanks!

[@drwheycooler8423]

Better antennas on your vehicles and put the antenna on a silo or as you said, a grain leg. Also get your GMRS lic. It's cheap. It's easy...and most importantly...the number of hall monitors commenting on here about it all but guarantees at least one of them is going to report you to the FCC.

[@sunroofracing]

Nice demonstration Riley! I don't think I'd have a need for a repeater, but I was impressed. First thing I noticed was the small unit size and the rugged build of the unit. Looks like it is meant to be used in harsh environments. The drone footage was awesome. Loved the view of the river, the General's donuts, and of course the beauty of the land. Thanks for the video!

[@AgriStudios]

Thanks! It's a much more versatile setup than I was originally expecting.

[@bulldogbrower6732]

Height is might with any repeater. The best thing that you can do is get that antenna as high as possible. I see a lot of flat land there. Are any of those buildings at a high altitude ?

[@AgriStudios]

The best options for us will require an off-grid power supply, such as solar. We'd likely get 40+ mile range out of it though, which could be handy for some cases.

[@dannydivine7699]

You should probably look at something like an old portable light plant with the generator replace with a solar power system, and remove the lights and mount your repeater antenna on the mast for more altitude for self powered mobile repeater setup

[@Jacob-mm8xq]

If you purchased a larger tower or something like that it would help a lot however I am shocked at how well this worked. If we did not have a commercial radios system I would defiantly go buy this

[@wyattswayoflife]

Hey Riley how many watts is that repeater? And how May miles where you able to talk to each other apart?

[@acidreign8551]

I am sure its the rt97 repeater which is stated as ten watts, but the duplexer is junk and you only see about 6 watts out at best.

[@halledwardb]

Pop a surecom or another power meter on it and we will know. I bet its 50% loss.

[@danielpoole1494]

@@acidreign8551 5 watts if you are lucky

[@johnhays8708]

You mentioned programming software? Where did you find it?

[@AgriStudios]

The product store page should have a link to it.

[@wushock92]

Interesting. Looks like the Retevis portable repeater. A bit of a switch for a major player to copy a minor player. Good video WRDN460

[@AgriStudios]

Others pointed this out and looks to me like they both use the same case. Not sure about internal components though.

[@garyzimmerman8679]

@@AgriStudios I have opened both units, same. A few minor updates and changes, but that could just be normal revisions considering the Retevis unit I have is older.

[@RINNTY]

I was wondering if there is a delay setting for the repeater. After transmission

[@drwheycooler8423]

Squelch tail.

[@metalworksmachineshop]

what radios do you use in your rigs? next time test hand held GMRS along with your rig radios. Id like to know how well 5 watt hand held does

[@archuka1]

If i might suggest something here -- the microphones they make now days are very good and if folks sound really bad on the radio then back off the mic about 4 to 5 inches rather than one inch -- just something Amateur Radio folks have found out -- and antennas like what is on the rover will increase your range along with elevation -- so the higher the repeater antenna is the more range you will have -- just say'n from experience

[@johnkeo358]

if you're in a rural area like a farm and in a field, it might be better to get a LMR license to operate on the VHF band unless your farm entails working in a lot of metal buildings UHF band would probably be better. I believe the LMR license costs 400 dollars for a ten year license on a single frequency. a cheaper solution would to get MURS radios which are license free and use the VHF band at 2 watts of power and limited to portable radios I believe. In short, UHF is better for urban and cities because of the better penetration while VHF is better for rural and forest environments for clearing longer distances without much obstacles for the most part.

[@mediocreman2]

But lower wattage maximums.

[@safetyandrescuewithlegoand7880]

Would this repeater work with the GXT 1000 walkie talkies?

[@AgriStudios]

Unfortunately no, but the MXT 115 mobiles do... I'm guessing Midland will eventually come out with repeater capable handhelds though. Handhelds would get the biggest range benefits from this repeater.

[@krispy1k]

That was my exact question as well. I have asked this question on Midlands website so go there and keep an eye out for their response.

[@krispy1k]

@@AgriStudios I wanted to give this a thumbs down but only because I didn't like the answer. Lol

[@tonymckeage1028]

Great Video Thanks for sharing

[@bapstalbert439]

from schwitzerland jolie vidéo trés bonnes explications

[@texasoutlawrunning]

best gmrs video on KZbin, thank you

[@Beard1787]

Wish someone would make one like this that is 50w. Would love to put one up here in my area and have it run off batt. With Solar. There is only one gmrs repeater in my area and is Pvt owned, its been down for years now. Most the city sits in a valley, Highest ground elevation in my area is about 1550 ft ASL. With our lowest spot at about 1200ft ASL. Pretty sure with a 50W repeater and good placement it would cover the whole County. WRJN246

[@AgriStudios]

Someone mentioned an antenna amplifier that might bring this one up to 50w, but not sure of the details on that. Keeping this one at 10w allows for easier and cheaper options with solar/12v.

[@dannydivine7699]

Antenna height will do you more good than pure power, unless you are trying to punch through thick foliage

[@CzechSixTv]

Absolutely no need for 50w unless you are in a dense urban area with lots of RF noise. I can talk through my community repeater here in N. central PA from 20 miles out using a 4w Kenwood handheld. It's all about height and the repeater is located 300+ ft above average terrain. The only reason the repeater is set to transmit at 25w is because that is as low as it will go. The power is further reduced to about 16w due to the duplexer though most of that is gained back with the antenna.

[@ralphjohnson8775]

How many Watts is that repeater ?

[@phillyboi84]

They are 10 high and 5 low. With the duplexer it cuts it by half.

[@davep6977]

@@phillyboi84 Line loss is much more criticle for feed line than electric cord. I'd find the tallest structure and a 20' piece of pipe and mount the repeater on top of that structure (silo, bldg, what ever) in a weathproof box if needed. Don't coil up un-used coax. Get a piece that's just long enough. Then run an extension card to the repeater. Also if an extension cord gets damaged it's a lot cheaper than coax getting damaged

[@davep6977]

also, GMRS is wide band (+- 5kc)wide is better audiio and if you talk to someone on "narrow" band they'l sound like they're wispering (1/2 volume)

[@BartlettTFD]

The 10 watts high and 5 watts low will be a dealbreaker for most people☹️

[@mclargs]

As others have mentioned, GMRS radios require a license and a call sign. The cost is really low, 35$/10 years. Then you have to ID with your call sign per, "§ 95.119 Station identification. (a) Except as provided in paragraph (e), every GMRS station must transmit a station identification: (1) Following the transmission of communications or a series of communications; and (2) Every 15 minutes during a long transmission. (b) The station identification is the call sign assigned to the GMRS station or system. (c) A unit number may be included after the call sign in the identification. (d) The station identification must be transmitted in: (1) Voice in the English language; or (2) International Morse code telegraphy. (e) A station need not identify its transmissions if it automatically retransmits communications from another station which are properly identified.

[@AgriStudios]

Yes, this is correct.

[@garyzimmerman8679]

Looks very very similar to the Retevis repeaters, I bet their made for midland. You can get a Retevis for about $60 less too.

[@goodoz9942]

Is that a Retevis RT97?

[@acidreign8551]

Yup.

[@RKingis]

Looks like the RT97S, with sound card interface.

[@jmmorgenstern7005]

Just want to mention something you should set up not one repeater but two or three repeaters in different locations on the farm that's how you get the ultimate best reception not one repeater but two or three in different sections of the the farm that is how you'll get the best reception and you build Special buildings that strictly for the repeater special buildings that strictly for the repeater you go check which sections of your farm is optimal for such a building you build with call the repeater building and basically it operates strictly as a repeater building you get the proper C of O you got the proper everything and you just build it like that that is how you'll get the best best best reception for all of your radios regardless as long as they work with the repeater if your work phenomenal

[@drwheycooler8423]

No. This will not work with this setup.

[@KARO69GRP]

Dude, your "farm" is bigger than my entire country in the Caribbean! ...like, what the hell. I could use that repeater and talk to someone else in another country!

[@SocialistDistancing]

Mount it on a tower and you'll get even better range.

[@Knarf14]

Call signs ?

[@krispy1k]

Don't need them on GMRS. Only Ham.

[@Knarf14]

@@krispy1k no sir , gmrs need a license also but not for FRS

[@krispy1k]

@frankp1047 You asked about call signs not license. Yes to license and I just saw a video that a guy said you do have to give your call sign for gmrs every 15 mins. I'm a ham operator as well which is every 10 mins but when I added the gmrs license nowhere did it say having to give call sign which I still believe you don't because my gmrs license covers my household, not just me.

[@Knarf14]

@@krispy1k yes but you still have to ID , just like a repeater has to ID , im just saying dont get mad, im just giving out some info

[@krispy1k]

@frankp1047 Not mad at all. Thing I hate most about talking via text is not being able to include voice inflection that conveys just having a normal conversation. 🙂

[@bapstalbert439]

on attends sugarbeet mafia !!

[@pedromateo7970]

I like snow yeah easter but you're smart you're talking sorry

[@Pops_607]

No gmrs lic? Just asking….

[@V.S2310]

To the Gulag...I say...

[@danielpoole1494]

I threw one of these away complete junk .... Built my own for about $650

[@414RadioTech]

Highly illegal as hell since you don't have a valid gmrs call sign‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️

[@drwheycooler8423]

Hall monitors are funny.