GMRS antenna mounting

[OutlawBeard]

I mounted my ghost antenna on the hood. Haven't tested the signal strength yet.

I like that setup. did you have to put the hole in your hood or the cowl?

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[unaseer]

I like that setup. did you have to put the hole in your hood or the cowl?

No. The mount hooks onto the hood.

Midland Universal Hood and Trunk... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0842BB2R9?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

 

[Silent Panda]

I emailed the Midland engineers for their mounting recommendations for their MXTA 25 ghost antenna. This was their response:

Compromises are the norm when choosing and mounting an antenna, but I'll just list some general points that improve performance. I doubt that mirror mounting location will give acceptable performance.

1. The best place to mount an antenna is in the center of the highest metal surface on the vehicle, often the roof. If the metal surface is the hood, center mounting is not practical, and one side of the cowl is generally used.
2. All our antennas perform better when mounted on a ground plane, meaning a metal surface beneath the antenna. The larger the surface the better, but a minimum of 1/4 wavelength radius (about 6" radius at 462 MHz) is a general rule.
3. Using a permanent mount will normally give better performance than a magnetic mount.
4. If using a mount like the MXTA24, the antenna will perform better if the saddle washer contacts with metal that is also bonded with the vehicle chassis and transceiver ground.
5. Mounting the antenna next to a vertical metal surface will shield it from radio signals, and block the radiation pattern, from that direction. Plastic, fiberglass and glass surfaces will also block the signal to some extent, they but not as much as metal surfaces.
6. Consideration should always be given to maintaining the minimum separation distance from the antenna to humans, when choosing the mounting location and before transmitting. This distance is listed in the owner's manual RF exposure statement, 2-3 ft for the MXT line.

So I put mine on the hood. I did have to drill a hole but I I had a drill many holes for the fenders and rocker protection so I figured, one more couldn't hurt...

I was gonna put it on/around the sport bar but rule 6 made me rethink that.

 

[sstuner]

@Silent Panda, you are very brave in drilling into that aluminum hood. Kudos. How is the signal?

 

[Silent Panda]

@Silent Panda, you are very brave in drilling into that aluminum hood. Kudos. How is the signal?

Thanks...that was far less invasive than my fender or long arm install tho. Signal is perfect.
I am very happy with the risk of drilling the hood.

 

[sstuner]

Glad it worked out. Still have not decided where my antenna is going. I'm more worried on where to place all the extra antenna excess cable.

 

[Bocephus]

This looks robust, from AAL. I should have it in a day or two. Still need to figure out and purchase an antenna.

 

[sstuner]

The excess antenna wire, where are you stashing it?

 

[Whiskey 13]

I went with the Midland MXT275 and mounted it on the side of my gear shift. I bought the kit from cool tech LLC. Used there mic mount and I prefer the rear mount location for my 6db antenna and also bought the mount from Cool Tech. GMRS License when I got it was only $70 and took very little time to complete the process and it is good for 10 years. The rear mounted antenna has worked very well for me and the only time I have an issue with it is when opening my rear glass. The tail gate has to be opened all the way or the glass will hit the antenna, really no big deal.

 

[Bocephus]

The excess antenna wire, where are you stashing it?

good point, and I’m not sure. I presume coiled antenna for GMRS is detrimental to performance, as is for CB (?). I may try to source a length that is near my need. Some length was provided with my radio, not sure of the length.

 

[DanW]

This looks robust, from AAL. I should have it in a day or two. Still need to figure out and purchase an antenna.

I like that a lot. I'd love to have it but reversed with the antenna closer to the A-pillar. That's only because I've got cowling lights and just don't want them reflecting back on me. But that looks like it would get a pretty decent ground plane with that mount!

 

[Bocephus]

I like that a lot. I'd love to have it but reversed with the antenna closer to the A-pillar. That's only because I've got cowling lights and just don't want them reflecting back on me. But that looks like it would get a pretty decent ground plane with that mount!

Do you know if having a steel hood vs aluminum matters for ground-plane? I have the steel hood, but am still thinking I should select an antenna without the ground plane requirement in view of mounting location.

 

[DanW]

Do you know if having a steel hood vs aluminum matters for ground-plane? I have the steel hood, but am still thinking I should select an antenna without the ground plane requirement in view of mounting location.

I don't know for sure, but I think both metals conduct in a similar manner, but I'm no expert.

But for a mount like that the grounding would occur through the bolts holding it on, and those are steel and I believe they are anchored in steel.

 

[Jeepeto]

Cool Tech HAM/GMRS mount

I like that it blends in with the factory antenna location.

https://www.cooltechllc.com/2018-jeep-wrangler-jl/139-gladiatorwrangler-front-antenna-mount.html

 

[macintux]

This looks robust, from AAL. I should have it in a day or two. Still need to figure out and purchase an antenna.

AAL? My search is failing me.

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