GMRS Antenna Mount Info Needed

[raptome]

I recently purchased a GMRS radio and was wondering if anyone has mounted their antenna on either the driver or passenger side where you would normally mount ditch lights. I dont have ditch lights and dont plan on installing them at this time so just looking for a simple mount for my antenna if anyone can recommend one. I am not interested in the ones that stick out from underneath the hood that stick out on the side, I would like one that sits near the corner of the window and hood if that makes sense. thanks

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[Frenchy]

I don't know what antenna you have, but it's going to be best to have it as high as possible. How high exactly? Roof level would be preferred. Here is the antenna on my Frontier. It's mounted on the roof rack at the back and it is able to fold down. I get excellent reception and can throw pretty well with it.

 

[canyonslicker]

Go to the Ham Radio Outlet or DXengineering website.

 

[canyonslicker]

How about this

 

[ControlNode]

I just use a GMRS antenna with a magnet mount close to the middle of the roof, good ground plane there. Base ANO-052, Antenna ANO-050G.

 

[airline tech]

Image search will provide you with the varied options -that others are using

 

[raptome]

I don't know what antenna you have, but it's going to be best to have it as high as possible. How high exactly? Roof level would be preferred. Here is the antenna on my Frontier. It's mounted on the roof rack at the back and it is able to fold down. I get excellent reception and can throw pretty well with it.

nice setup there, I do have a roof rack was trying to around running the wire on the outside of the truck since im a weekly visitor at the car wash. appreciate the reply.

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[raptome]

Go to the Ham Radio Outlet or DXengineering website.

thank you, ill check them out

 

[raptome]

Image search will provide you with the varied options -that others are using

Ill do that, thanks

 

[Colo_Ranger]

https://www.dxengineering.com/parts/cma-cp-5nmo

I have this one. It mounts to the hood and allows for angling. Just make sure the antenna you have uses a NMO mount.

 

[ScarzRanger21(2.0)]

I just use a basic magnetic roof mount for my antenna and run the cable through the door jam. Before it became my dedicated truck radio, I used to move it around between vehicles so I wanted an easy solution where I didn’t have to unscrew it every time.

Something to consider with hood mounted antennas is that you might get less reliable results if you’re blocking it with the cab. I kept mine mounted high on the roof so I’d get the best line of sight possible and not block it with anything. That tip came from my buddy who was a radio operator in the army. I figured he knows what he’s talking about so I listened.

 

[raptome]

I just use a GMRS antenna with a magnet mount close to the middle of the roof, good ground plane there. Base ANO-052, Antenna ANO-050G.

thank you

 

[raptome]

https://www.dxengineering.com/parts/cma-cp-5nmo

I have this one. It mounts to the hood and allows for angling. Just make sure the antenna you have uses a NMO mount.

it does, thank you

 

[raptome]

I just use a basic magnetic roof mount for my antenna and run the cable through the door jam. Before it became my dedicated truck radio, I used to move it around between vehicles so I wanted an easy solution where I didn’t have to unscrew it every time.

Something to consider with hood mounted antennas is that you might get less reliable results if you’re blocking it with the cab. I kept mine mounted high on the roof so I’d get the best line of sight possible and not block it with anything. That tip came from my buddy who was a radio operator in the army. I figured he knows what he’s talking about so I listened.

im sure he does and your right it may be blocked by the cab. all good ideas and options for me to think about, thank you

 

[DrPerez007]

Personally (& professionally), I recommend roof-mount antennas whenever possible. For GMRS (which is a UHF radio), the available antennas run the gamut from about 1-1/4 inch high (Larsen LP450) all the way up to several feet. In this picture, in addition to the factory radio antenna, you will see three (3) drilled NMO (3/4”) antennas with the driver side rear antenna being for the UHF/GMRS radio (this “can” antenna is about 3-3/8 inches high & stays on even in the car wash, as do all of the antennas you see on the roof). This can antenna is also available in a ‘No Ground Plane’ model, which I might suggest for any model antenna if you are going to mount it where discussed on the far side/edge of the hood/cowl. As a sidebar, drilling on the roof will generally give you the requisite ground plane you need/want, will give you the best signal (hence the best distance), and will be practically invisible when plugged with a $5 black cap when you go to sell.

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