GMRS Antenna Install Question

[MauiSteve]

My setup for my Midland GMRS, works well on the trail. I made it out of some aluminum angle.

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[Parker]

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?

A good ground plane is definitely required. Your light bracket idea may work fine if you remove all paint/powder coating at contact points and use a conductive paste. I mounted my antenna as shown and ensured a good frame ground via the mounting bolt. I also grounded the hood via a ground strap. Works great!