looking for a good gmrs antenna for a new ford f 250 aluminum body truck i"m gonna fender mount it so l'm looking for a decent no ground plane nmo mount antenna.
gmrs antenna
- Thread starter bigbear09
- Start date
Inventor I
- 3,886
- First Name
- Dave
- Last Name
- Zimmer
- Member #
-
30139
- Service Branch
- USN (ret)
I'm subscribed. I want one of those fat ones they use in Australia and mount on the front bumper. Even if it's fake...ahahahhahahahhaha. Just kidding, call off the dogs, simma down now. LOL
Zim
They do make those. $125 I think
Zim
They do make those. $125 I think
Influencer III
- 4,312
- First Name
- Rex
- Last Name
- Drake
- Member #
-
19540
- Ham/GMRS Callsign
- KI5GH
- Service Branch
- Air Force
The fender will make a fine ground plane. A decent uhf ham antenna will likely work. If you pay more than $40, it’s too much.
I use this one mostly.
I use this one mostly.
Trail Blazer III
- 4,847
- First Name
- Dave
- Last Name
- Ballard
- Member #
-
20527
- Ham/GMRS Callsign
- N7XQP
- Service Branch
- Fire/EMS/SAR
I always use NMO style antenna mounts on my rigs, that way I can swap out different antennas or radios on the same mount and coax. Have several of the Comet CP-5NMO hood edge mounts (check to makes sure it works with your hood edge profile) and love that they are adjustable in all directions for a vertical antenna. Also the quickly fold to avoid damage on heavy brushed trails. Also it has uses a short section of ultra thin coax to transition thru the hood gap. Have had good SWR readings using them with with Browning and Laird antennas.
Member III
As TahoePPV said the fender mount works fine. Use whatever antenna you want, I also use the same antenna he mentioned.
The higher the antenna the better it will work, don't be scared....drill through the roof.
The higher the antenna the better it will work, don't be scared....drill through the roof.
Off-Road Ranger I
- 4,418
- First Name
- Shahn
- Last Name
- Brown
- Member #
-
29302
- Ham/GMRS Callsign
- GMRS - WRQD549
"don't be scared....drill through the roof. "
[/QUOTE]
This comment gives me anxiety! hahahaha
"[/QUOTE]
This comment gives me anxiety! hahahaha
This comment gives me anxiety! hahahaha"don't be scared....drill through the roof.
[/QUOTE]
Haha. Agreed! The difference in performance is significant versus fender mounting and such.
But not everyone has it in them to put a hole in a roof... and I get it. The good news is, lots of different mounting solutions provide sufficient performance for most users. Those that need more... get that drill out!
Inventor I
- 3,886
- First Name
- Dave
- Last Name
- Zimmer
- Member #
-
30139
- Service Branch
- USN (ret)
So that stubby one they sent with my radio in not any good? I have no idea and have never found anyone that can explain this whole system in english. LOL Most of the time I'm left with algebra calculations, a ruler and dictionary. LMAO
Zim
Stubby antennas are a compromise. That's not to say they aren't good, only that they have limitations.
I use a stubby antenna when there are height restrictions. Keep in mind, though, that range is limited. I also always carry a full size antenna in the car in case I need more range.
Inventor I
- 3,886
- First Name
- Dave
- Last Name
- Zimmer
- Member #
-
30139
- Service Branch
- USN (ret)
I forgot to tell Rex I do have the antenna he posted above. I'm mounting my radios now (they were in my Tacoma before) and I just don't want to be changing the cables around out in the field.
thanks for the info. I appreciate it. And thanks to Rex too.
Zim
Run two cables and use an antenna switch. There will be some loss, but unless you need every bit of performance out of your radio, the loss will be insignificant.
Influencer III
- 4,312
- First Name
- Rex
- Last Name
- Drake
- Member #
-
19540
- Ham/GMRS Callsign
- KI5GH
- Service Branch
- Air Force
I sometimes use a stubby one on the roof. On the fender a little taller is better. You need to get the signal over the roof. The stubby on the fender will be somewhat shielded by the roof pillars.
Influencer III
- 4,312
- First Name
- Rex
- Last Name
- Drake
- Member #
-
19540
- Ham/GMRS Callsign
- KI5GH
- Service Branch
- Air Force
This comment gives me anxiety! hahahaha"don't be scared....drill through the roof.
[/QUOTE]
I only have three on thecopcar. Theothertwin has 4.
The stubby is set for uhf in this shot. The Tram is on dual band. I prefer the taller antenna for gain, but the stubby comes in to its own if I’m going into low garages.
Trail Blazer III
- 4,847
- First Name
- Dave
- Last Name
- Ballard
- Member #
-
20527
- Ham/GMRS Callsign
- N7XQP
- Service Branch
- Fire/EMS/SAR
This comment gives me anxiety! hahahaha"don't be scared....drill through the roof.
[/QUOTE]
Never had a problem with punching holes in the roof, just got to remember the big part of the hole saw hides the scratches from the drill bit.... Roof top is the best option, however after just getting a wrangler the plastic top does not do much for a ground plane, now have to get creative to mount 4 antenna in addition to the factory radio without using the roof.
Advocate III
- 5,584
- First Name
- Michael
- Last Name
- Rose
- Member #
-
20990
- Ham/GMRS Callsign
- W7FSB
- Service Branch
- US ARMY Retired
Never had a problem with punching holes in the roof, just got to remember the big part of the hole saw hides the scratches from the drill bit.... Roof top is the best option, however after just getting a wrangler the plastic top does not do much for a ground plane, now have to get creative to mount 4 antenna in addition to the factory radio without using the roof.
[/QUOTE]
Coat the underside of the top with an aluminum plate… or window screen mesh… that’s what we are doing for our ARES portable repeaters .
