GMRS Antenna Install Question

[bsmith]

I will be installing a Midland MXT275 GMRS radio and a Midland Ghost antenna. I intend to mount the antenna on one of my cowl/ditch light brackets. I was going to fabricate a bracket “extension” out of a piece of scrap aluminum plate to mount the antenna outside of the light. It would just be a 6” oval strip bolted between the light and the bracket with the antenna on the other end. I remember reading something about ground planes for antennas and know nothing about this topic. The cowl light bracket is also aluminum but has a steel mounting bolt. Will this work? Should I use steel as the extension?

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[cornercanyon]

All the current Midland antenna offerings require a ground plane to perform as expected. In general the minimum size for a ground plane is considered a ½ wavelength across or about 12” for GMRS frequencies. Steel or aluminum can serve as a ground plane and it doesn’t need to be a continuous plane. Some antennas like the MXTA26 may perform acceptably without a ground plane, while others such as the MXTA25 may perform poorly without some ground plane.

Which antenna did you get?

 

[bsmith]

All the current Midland antenna offerings require a ground plane to perform as expected. In general the minimum size for a ground plane is considered a ½ wavelength across or about 12” for GMRS frequencies. Steel or aluminum can serve as a ground plane and it doesn’t need to be a continuous plane. Some antennas like the MXTA26 may perform acceptably without a ground plane, while others such as the MXTA25 may perform poorly without some ground plane.

Which antenna did you get?

I bought the Midland MXTA25 3.5” Ghost antenna. I haven’t bought the radio yet, just the antenna. I’m doing another install right now and took a bunch of the interior trim panels off. Figured easier to do it this way. I will be getting the Midland MXT275.

Will the ground plane ”continue“ from my DIY bracket through the light mount and bolt and through the body of the Jeep? GMRS aid new to me and I don’t know anything about it. Thanks for the help.

 

[Cycle11111]

I use two antennas for my Wouxun KG-1000. When running normally I use a 6db dual band VHF/UHF antenna as the KG-1000 can receive VHF. I also have a ghost antenna similar to what you have to put on when running on treed trails to avoid the antenna pounding on the A-pillars etc. I mount both of my antennas where the FM/AM antenna normally mounts - I never ever listen to AM/FM and use satellite or my phone to stream. Both antennas perform very well in those locations.

 

[Speed331]

Here's my setup. Ordered this bracket on Amazon and mounted it with a piece of neoprene behind it to prevent scratches. I have the MTX275 with the 6db antenna and easily reach LOS repeaters from out to 50 miles.

It also perfectly matches the am/fm antenna on the other side if your asthetics demand symmetry...

 

[Speed331]

I use two antennas for my Wouxun KG-1000. When running normally I use a 6db dual band VHF/UHF antenna as the KG-1000 can receive VHF. I also have a ghost antenna similar to what you have to put on when running on treed trails to avoid the antenna pounding on the A-pillars etc. I mount both of my antennas where the FM/AM antenna normally mounts - I never ever listen to AM/FM and use satellite or my phone to stream. Both antennas perform very well in those locations.

I do the same thing with the ghost antenna. It gets swapped in if we're going to be running tight canyons/heavy forest trails where I'm only talking to the group on the trail. But otherwise, since I'm in a big desert valley and use repeaters frequently, the 6db is my standard because of it'a great range.

 

[cornercanyon]

I bought the Midland MXTA25 3.5” Ghost antenna. I haven’t bought the radio yet, just the antenna. I’m doing another install right now and took a bunch of the interior trim panels off. Figured easier to do it this way. I will be getting the Midland MXT275.

Will the ground plane ”continue“ from my DIY bracket through the light mount and bolt and through the body of the Jeep? GMRS aid new to me and I don’t know anything about it. Thanks for the help.

In the past I have used both the MXTA 25 ghost and MXTA 26 whip with the MXT275. Both have been rear tire carrier mounted on a small piece of stainless steel. The SWR (Standing Wave Ratio, essentially the resistance to sending your signal) of the whip in that position is far better than the ghost.

I would guess @Speed331 's solution is also more effective for the whip though suitable for the ghost.

On most trail runs even my Yaesu handhelds are effective for communications between us. Either may likely work effectively when the parties are traveling together—

 

[Speed331]

The SWR (Standing Wave Ratio, essentially the resistance to sending your signal) of the whip in that position is far better than the ghost.

I would guess @Speed331 's solution is also more effective for the whip though suitable for the ghost.

I lucked out with the 6db I received, my SWR is 1.3 to 1.6 through the gmrs range, throws a nice clean signal. I tested my repeater connection out at 35 miles while changeing the orientation of the jeep and no one could hear a difference.

I've read reviews where it's been tuned slightly too long/short and getting readings in the mid 2+ out of the box. But that was a few years ago and the recent reviews suggest Midland's gotten better consistancy as of late...

I never tested the ghost's SWR 'cause I figured it is what it is and only needed a few miles of range at most.

 

[bsmith]

I use two antennas for my Wouxun KG-1000. When running normally I use a 6db dual band VHF/UHF antenna as the KG-1000 can receive VHF. I also have a ghost antenna similar to what you have to put on when running on treed trails to avoid the antenna pounding on the A-pillars etc. I mount both of my antennas where the FM/AM antenna normally mounts - I never ever listen to AM/FM and use satellite or my phone to stream. Both antennas perform very well in those locations.

I‘ll probably buy the second antenna for those times I might need it. I like your mounting location too. Never listen to AM/FM either.

 

[bsmith]

Here's my setup. Ordered this bracket on Amazon and mounted it with a piece of neoprene behind it to prevent scratches. I have the MTX275 with the 6db antenna and easily reach LOS repeaters from out to 50 miles.

It also perfectly matches the am/fm antenna on the other side if your asthetics demand symmetry...

That looks good, I may go that route too. I was thinking to minimize the brackets since I already have the light brackets.

 

[Cycle11111]

I do the same thing with the ghost antenna. It gets swapped in if we're going to be running tight canyons/heavy forest trails where I'm only talking to the group on the trail. But otherwise, since I'm in a big desert valley and use repeaters frequently, the 6db is my standard because of it'a great range.

Exactly. The Ghost antenna gives plenty of range for trial runs. Running around to hit repeaters etc the 6db is the jam. I will be mounting a HAM radio as well so need to sort that antenna setup

 

[Speed331]

That looks good, I may go that route too. I was thinking to minimize the brackets since I already have the light brackets.

It's a solid bracket. It's been on for 2 1/2 years now and the finish still looks great.
The bolt that came with it was the wrong thread size however and the existing bolt was too short. Luckily, I have T-handles holding my hard top down and a spare bolt from those worked perfectly.

 

[bsmith]

In the past I have used both the MXTA 25 ghost and MXTA 26 whip with the MXT275. Both have been rear tire carrier mounted on a small piece of stainless steel. The SWR (Standing Wave Ratio, essentially the resistance to sending your signal) of the whip in that position is far better than the ghost.

I would guess @Speed331 's solution is also more effective for the whip though suitable for the ghost.

On most trail runs even my Yaesu handhelds are effective for communications between us. Either may likely work effectively when the parties are traveling together—

I was thinking of the tire carrier mount as well. When I installed the Mopar flat tow wiring harness, I removed most of the trim front to rear, including the subwoofer panel, and it was a PIA. Right now I am installing the Rockslide Engineering steps and have the door trim removed to install the door sensors. If I get motivated, maybe I’ll keep removing the trim so I can run the antenna cable from the tailgate.

 

[cornercanyon]

I was thinking of the tire carrier mount as well. When I installed the Mopar flat tow wiring harness, I removed most of the trim front to rear, including the subwoofer panel, and it was a PIA. Right now I am installing the Rockslide Engineering steps and have the door trim removed to install the door sensors. If I get motivated, maybe I’ll keep removing the trim so I can run the antenna cable from the tailgate.

Once you have done the subwoofer and know what to expect, doing it again is not so bad.

I am no radio expert through I think the front mount is considered a better location. Check out this guy's youtube's: informative and amusing

 

[bsmith]

Once you have done the subwoofer and know what to expect, doing it again is not so bad.

I am no radio expert through I think the front mount is considered a better location. Check out this guy's youtube's: informative and amusing

Thanks for the video link. I learned a lot About GMRS.

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