GMRS Antenna Mount Info Needed

[raptome]

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.

thank you for the picture. I believe it's coming with the Ghost antenna but I wont know until it arrives this week. I wasn't terribly concerned about the antenna in the carwash, I was more concerned about the cable getting snatched up but a few good ideas on this site have me feeling better about that. thanks again

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[Colo_Ranger]

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.

This is best for use but then I couldn’t fit in my garage…

that being said, I ran the MXT275 for a long time and had no issues picking up chatter from ~20 miles away in the city (what passes for city in Colorado). The MXT275 is 25 watt, so getting that distance on transmit was not happening.

now I’m running an Icom 2830a that has 50 watts and my transmit distance is significantly higher.

my point being, transmit power plays a bigger role on vehicle based systems, in my experience.

also, the Icom can be MARS modded which allows for GMRS and HAM in a single unit.

 

[Frenchy]

This is best for use but then I couldn’t fit in my garage…

that being said, I ran the MXT275 for a long time and had no issues picking up chatter from ~20 miles away in the city (what passes for city in Colorado). The MXT275 is 25 watt, so getting that distance on transmit was not happening.

now I’m running an Icom 2830a that has 50 watts and my transmit distance is significantly higher.

my point being, transmit power plays a bigger role on vehicle based systems, in my experience.

also, the Icom can be MARS modded which allows for GMRS and HAM in a single unit.

Correction, the MXT275 is 15 Watts.

 

[raptome]

This is best for use but then I couldn’t fit in my garage…

that being said, I ran the MXT275 for a long time and had no issues picking up chatter from ~20 miles away in the city (what passes for city in Colorado). The MXT275 is 25 watt, so getting that distance on transmit was not happening.

now I’m running an Icom 2830a that has 50 watts and my transmit distance is significantly higher.

my point being, transmit power plays a bigger role on vehicle based systems, in my experience.

also, the Icom can be MARS modded which allows for GMRS and HAM in a single unit.

I went with the MXT575 and just confirmed that it is coming with the Ghost antenna, but im super happy you mentioned the Icom. my goal is to get HAM certified and run that as well. thank you!!!!

 

[Colo_Ranger]

I went with the MXT575 and just confirmed that it is coming with the Ghost antenna, but im super happy you mentioned the Icom. my goal is to get HAM certified and run that as well. thank you!!!!

Absolutely! The 575 wasn’t out when I bought the 275. The 575 is 50w so it’ll be good.
I love having the HAM. I wish more would get their ticket and use ham. The number of channels is wicked higher and you’re a lot less likely to have someone else on your channel. “Your” being loosely used as no one owns the channel.
Here in Colorado, every GMRS channel has a repeater that broadcasts their call sign in Morse code. Happens every 10 minutes or so. It’s really annoying to have it always beeping at you.

 

[raptome]

Absolutely! The 575 wasn’t out when I bought the 275. The 575 is 50w so it’ll be good.
I love having the HAM. I wish more would get their ticket and use ham. The number of channels is wicked higher and you’re a lot less likely to have someone else on your channel. “Your” being loosely used as no one owns the channel.
Here in Colorado, every GMRS channel has a repeater that broadcasts their call sign in Morse code. Happens every 10 minutes or so. It’s really annoying to have it always beeping at you.

I have so much to learn but once I feel more comfortable with the GMRS I will likely add the HAM since it opens up so many channels. thanks for all the info

 

[Colo_Ranger]

I have so much to learn but once I feel more comfortable with the GMRS I will likely add the HAM since it opens up so many channels. thanks for all the info

I highly recommend QRZ.com for practice tests. They give you the answer, if you get it wrong, in real time. So you don't have to wait until the end of the test to review. For me, that helped me associate the correct answer with the questions and learn.

 

[Jon_H]

I have a GMRS antenna on one ditch light bracket and a whip attachments on the other. I don't recall which brand but the brackets have holes for two lights so in addition to the antenna and whip, I could mount one small light on each bracket later. They do not make any noise at speed and are super simple to install. I can get more pictures and find the brand if that would assist anyone.

 

[TxOTRRanger]

I have a GMRS antenna on one ditch light bracket and a whip attachments on the other. I don't recall which brand but the brackets have holes for two lights so in addition to the antenna and whip, I could mount one small light on each bracket later. They do not make any noise at speed and are super simple to install. I can get more pictures and find the brand if that would assist anyone.

That's a nice setup Jon. I like your truck.

 

[raptome]

I highly recommend QRZ.com for practice tests. They give you the answer, if you get it wrong, in real time. So you don't have to wait until the end of the test to review. For me, that helped me associate the correct answer with the questions and learn.

thank you

 

[raptome]

I have a GMRS antenna on one ditch light bracket and a whip attachments on the other. I don't recall which brand but the brackets have holes for two lights so in addition to the antenna and whip, I could mount one small light on each bracket later. They do not make any noise at speed and are super simple to install. I can get more pictures and find the brand if that would assist anyone.

nice truck and nice setup with the ditch light mount. if you could find the brand that would be great. I have been looking at some online.

 

[Colo_Ranger]

I have Cali Raised ditch light brackets, they're really well made.

 

[raptome]

I have Cali Raised ditch light brackets, they're really well made.

I’m looking at those right now, thanks

 

[Jon_H]

nice truck and nice setup with the ditch light mount. if you could find the brand that would be great. I have been looking at some online.

Ok I found the brand. They did not come with the hole for the GMRS antenna but the flat spot was big enough to drill the holes and still have the antenna fit flat. There is still room for KC Flex Era 3 lights or other of similar size. The brand is Front Runner, the SKU is VACC040, there are avaialble from a number of on-line stores.

 

[raptome]

Ok I found the brand. They did not come with the hole for the GMRS antenna but the flat spot was big enough to drill the holes and still have the antenna fit flat. There is still room for KC Flex Era 3 lights or other of similar size. The brand is Front Runner, the SKU is VACC040, there are avaialble from a number of on-line stores.

Thank you so much this is great. My radio just arrived yesterday so I’m going to have to order this week. I’m probably gonna hit you up for how you did the routing next. Thanks again.

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