Where did you mount your GMRS Antenna?

[Demon4x4]

Why didn't you just MARS/CAP modify your FT8800R and ditch the GMRS? Or did you not know?

Not that this is the place for this, but:
Because it's a violation of FCC rules. GMRS radios are supposed to be FCC certified specifically for GMRS. Amateur radios are designed for Part 97 services, not Part 95.
MARS modification can also negatively effect transmit power and reduce signal quality.

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[Direvarg]

I’m using a rugged radio mount that I modified to accept the midland stubby antenna, it just needed a step drill bit to widen the hole a little bit. Radio is mounted to a builtright molle panel and this guy on the Colorado bronco group gave me a wonderful idea to epoxy some magnets behind my dash and attach some to the radio mic for a hidden mount.

 

[Species8472]

I did mountains2metal behind glove box/under dash mount and their antenna mount.

 

[Nick72]

As I'm getting things in place to do some offroading with friends this spring, I picked up a Midland MicroMobile GMRS two way radio for my Raptor. I'm all set with where I'm mounting the radio and handset but scratching my head as to the best place to mount the antenna. I've seen some on dashboards inside the vehicle, on top of the roof both front and back as well one I saw hanging upside down off the back bumper. I have the MicroMobile Ghost antenna that looks like a small cone so trying to decide where to mount it. I have enough antenna cable to mount it wherever I want, but not sure.

Where have you mounted yours?

I used the included mag mount and whip antenna that came with the mxt575. Stuck it inside the hard top and got an swr of 1.01. The ghost antenna was 1.65.
The mag mount has to be over the metal where the hard top sits or swr readings will be well over 2.
Hit the repeater from inside the garage 21 miles away over mountains with no issue.

 

[ironmike]

Mine is mounted on the spare tire bracket/holder on the rear tailgate

 

[swamp2]

I really do like the Rugged Radios bracket.

Used, the same, great fit and function.

 

[Rockrivr1]

Mine is mounted on the spare tire bracket/holder on the rear tailgate

I was thinking the same actually. Putting the Ghost on top of the brake lights, but not sure if the electrical will cause interference.

Do you have a pic on how you mounted it?

 

[ironmike]

I was thinking the same actually. Putting the Ghost on top of the brake lights, but not sure if the electrical will cause interference.

Do you have a pic on how you mounted it?

I will take one later today and post it. (I haven’t noticed any interference BTW.)

 

[5GENIDN]

 

[timhood]

As I'm getting things in place to do some offroading with friends this spring, I picked up a Midland MicroMobile GMRS two way radio for my Raptor. I'm all set with where I'm mounting the radio and handset but scratching my head as to the best place to mount the antenna. I've seen some on dashboards inside the vehicle, on top of the roof both front and back as well one I saw hanging upside down off the back bumper. I have the MicroMobile Ghost antenna that looks like a small cone so trying to decide where to mount it. I have enough antenna cable to mount it wherever I want, but not sure.

Where have you mounted yours?

I just use a handheld, but I repurposed a light mount for the mirror to use as a mount for a flag. That would seem to be a good place, as you'll get good height, it's minimally obtrusive, and likely won't be so high that you'll worry about scraping the antenna should you leave it mounted even when not off-road.

 

[EasternSierra]

I remember reading the antenna works better if it’s mounted on/above a metal surface. Something about a ground plane provides better reception of radio waves. Radio science is something I could learn more about.

For best performance the antenna should be mounted on and electrically linked (NMO mount) to the middle of a metal surface at least as large as 1/2 wavelength, to create a ground plane. That means drilling a hole through the metal surface. Some people don't like that, or can't do it if the vehicle is leased.

Anything less will reduce performance. That may not matter with a line of off-roaders going down a trail relatively close together, but it could matter for communication over longer distances. Your choice.

Of course it's not very realistic to stick the antenna in the middle of your hood. If you have a metal roof like the Armadillo top then that would work. That's my plan and it'll be installed soon.

One possibility with a fiberglass top is to install a metal plane under the roof, electrically linked to the antenna. I hear some RV owners do this when they install a WeBoost cell phone booster on their fiberglass roof. Again, this means drilling a hole through the roof.

Before I decided to go with a metal top I was considering getting a roof rack and installing metal screen or wire radials under it and linked to an antenna on the rack. I don't know how well that would work.

Putting an antenna on the roof probably means taking it off to put it in the garage. It will be for me, but then the antennas will only go on just before I drive away on a wheeling trip so no biggie.

You can get an antenna that's advertised as not needing a ground plane, but it won't be quite as good performance-wise. Still, that's probably the best bet for most Bronco owners who want a radio in their rig.

 

[Mean Green]

Light bar and the ghost looks like a winner to me. Where did you run the wires?

 

[5GENIDN]

Light bar and the ghost looks like a winner to me. Where did you run the wires?

I assume you are asking me... I have some pics at home... I will post those tonight.

 

[Mean Green]

I assume you are asking me... I have some pics at home... I will post those tonight.

Yes, sorry… thought I hit quote. It looks like it is high up, but not protruding above the lights. Thanks!

 

[5GENIDN]

Yes, sorry… thought I hit quote. It looks like it is high up, but not protruding above the lights. Thanks!

Yea I just mounted it to the side of the light mount. It sits just slightly higher than the lights..... It gets pretty good reception. I just wanted it up as high as I could get it. Again it is no ham radio, GRMS is only good for line of sight, unless you can hit a repeater, and that is line of sight. But I am running 50 watt with the 575.

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