GMRS antenna mounting

[steelponycowboy]

Again, NOT thw best place to mount the ghost or any bottom firing antenna. Big loss of range where ever signal has to pass thru Jeep. These as most radios are line of sight, anything that blocks that sight hinders top range and performance. Consider carefully . Look at my prior posts for suggested JK and JL set ups for Max performance. Use Code: JEEPEX15 for a 15%.disxount on Modlands website.​

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[MntGoat]

How much antennae sticking up above the roof is optimal. (Using the example you gave and I ordered)

I can't use that stock spare mount on Amazon, non stock tire carrier. (I Can scale it to see those stock dimensions, BUT if I can improve I will, is a spring mount usable/acceptable)

Plan was to make a bracket and attach it.

I would think more is better vs breaking it.

More questions to get more info out here

 

[steelponycowboy]

As long as the bottom of the antenna has a clear 360 view. Best to place mount outside rood rack but if you are concerned about it taking hits inside But NO obstructions. Roof.rack mounting is best for ghost and 6db gain whip.

Enjoy!

 

[MntGoat]

 

[Sparty]

Here's an update on my semi-permanent solution. It's not ideal, but it works for what I need it to and goes along with my criteria.

* Midland MXT275 w/Ghost antenna
* GMRS will only be used on trail rides (or if I get bored)
* I have a manual, and didn't feel like working with the firewall
- I had no interest in having the antenna sticking out from , or on top of the hood/cowl
* Radio mounted in glove box and antenna routed to the back


So the original mount I fabbed up wasn't "thick" enough for the antenna/cable to properly and tightly mount. So I used a quick angle brace, drilled a larger hole and painted it black in order to fit the actual mount that came with the unit. This is why I'm calling it "semi-permanent", as I'll probably update it to a little more aesthetically pleasing in the future. Right now, I needed something functional for an upcoming trip.


The reason I'm posting this is to share my feedback to you on the reception as it's nowhere close to an optimal setup. I tested this with our base station at home (large antenna) and small handheld as well.

Antenna mounted to rear roll bar - no hardtop

* Ghost antenna for transmission/reception to base station is ~ 2 miles, with a large amount of foliage in the path
* Ghost antenna for transmission/reception to the hand held unit is ~ 1 mile




Again, absolutely not what it should be, but it's going to work for my needs for now.

BTW - clear transmissions. No humming, buzzing, or static

 

[Terrymo]

There’s the best way and then there are suitable ways that will work for the majority of people off-roading with a group. I will pick and choose what I geek out and obsess over. Imperfect ghost antenna placement isn’t one of them. The fender mount from AAL gives us better reception and transmission than most people we have wheeled with. Just my very unprofessional and uninformed decision.

 

[steelponycowboy]

Here's an update on my semi-permanent solution. It's not ideal, but it works for what I need it to and goes along with my criteria.

* Midland MXT275 w/Ghost antenna
* GMRS will only be used on trail rides (or if I get bored)
* I have a manual, and didn't feel like working with the firewall
- I had no interest in having the antenna sticking out from , or on top of the hood/cowl
* Radio mounted in glove box and antenna routed to the back


So the original mount I fabbed up wasn't "thick" enough for the antenna/cable to properly and tightly mount. So I used a quick angle brace, drilled a larger hole and painted it black in order to fit the actual mount that came with the unit. This is why I'm calling it "semi-permanent", as I'll probably update it to a little more aesthetically pleasing in the future. Right now, I needed something functional for an upcoming trip.


The reason I'm posting this is for feedback on the reception as it's nowhere close to an optimal setup. I tested this with out base station at home (large antenna) and small handheld as well.

Antenna mounted to rear roll bar - no hardtop

* Ghost antenna for transmission/reception to base station is ~ 2 miles, with a large amount of foliage in the path
* Ghost antenna for transmission/reception to the hand held unit is ~ 1 mile




Again, absolutely not what it should be, but it's going to work for my needs for now.

BTW - clear transmissions. No humming, buzzing, or static

My club experiences 8 to 20 miles with a properly set up Midland Grand Vista whip on spare tire carrier mount with MXT275. Antenna is always the critical part of the system. Your temp system looks good and I appreciate the pics and write up. But as you say, RX & TX are diminished due to where it's mounted as signal is blocked pretty much by metal in roll cage and Jeep. Good for temp and I'd like to see your final solution. The MXT275 can be mounted behind the panel under the steering wheel or just places under passenger seat freeing up space on glove box. Plenty of YouTube videos on this. Peace and good luck!

 

[MntGoat]

Got radio, ant. And will work on mount this weekend i hope.

Does the metal threaded adapter/mount of the ant. Need to be grounded to the mount or isolated with a plastic sleeve like old metal cb ant?
Centered side to side or offset to 1 side because of tire obstruction?

ETA...okay so looks like antennae will either need to be mounted beside the tire or on camera side of tire. I am redoing tire mount it sticks out to far, so I will tuck it in closer, to tgate

@steelponycowboy

 

[mjbenedict]

Had the midland “ghost” antenna mounted on bracket off rear tailgate hinge by tire and transmission/reception was horrible. After looking into how these antennas need to be mounted I discovered they need a good 12” ground plane of metal at their base. That ruled out mounting by the hood like some have posted here. I opted to buy the bull bar antenna which they state doesn’t need a ground plane and mounted at same bracket by spare tire on upper tailgate hinge. It works great and is not in the way of anything. Went with 3dB for PA mountains.

 

[steelponycowboy]

Very good choice for antenna. I also use the 3db Canyon Edge Midland Bull Bar on the roof rack of one of my Gladiators. The Midlans 6.6db bull bar on the rear of my topper sticking up 12" above the highest point of my other Gladiator. In the hills and woods I see very little difference between the two but the Canyon Edge has a lighter spring and thinner shaft making it easier when taking a hit from a branch or McDonalds drive thru warning signs.

 

[Nokones]

So none of the ways are better, all really poor places to mount a 1.5db gain antenna. I would buy a 6db gain Midland whip and if you can't mount it high, get a cowl mount on Amazon and mount it there. You'll also need 6meter NMO coax and run thru the firewall grommet. don't mount stubby there as transmit range will suck. whip will take a beating there

That mount is a Rugged Radios mount. You can either route the cable through the grommet in the firewall or it can be tucked in and through the door jam without it being pinched.

But in all cases, you need to ensure that the mount has continuity to chassis ground and where the NMO mount makes contact with the bracket you may need to wire brush the mount to bare metal to make contact. If you don't the VSWRs will reflect the poor grounding.

For trail Comm, the Midland MXTA 25 and 26 antennae will work the best for GMRS freqs, but not for Ham and Business Radio freqs. just as the HAM crap antennae are poor performing antennae and not tuned for GMRS.

 

[steelponycowboy]

Of you are only looking for short range trail comms, the cheapy mag antenna that comes with MXT275 will work just as well stuck to hardtop. BUT of you want true performance that you paid for then the ONLY choices are the Midland Bull Bars or the 7.5db Midland Grand Vista. The under $70 Ghost and 6db whip while being pre-tuned for GMRS can't compare to the Midland Premium antennas.

 

[MntGoat]

Got radio, ant. And will work on mount this weekend i hope.

Does the metal threaded adapter/mount of the ant. Need to be grounded to the mount or isolated with a plastic sleeve like old metal cb ant?
Centered side to side or offset to 1 side because of tire obstruction?

ETA...okay so looks like antennae will either need to be mounted beside the tire or on camera side of tire. I am redoing tire mount it sticks out to far, so I will tuck it in closer, to tailgate

 

[steelponycowboy]

Midland 6m cable has plastic grommet that must be used. Also pay attention to thickness of mount. The 6m cable was designed primarily for their thicker clamp mount that was designed for roof racks. Thinner mounts may cause issues especially with the spacing and plastic grommet

 

[Mark75H]

if you want true performance that you paid for then the ONLY choices are the Midland Bull Bars or the 7.5db Midland Grand Vista. The under $70 Ghost and 6db whip while being pre-tuned for GMRS can't compare to the Midland Premium antennas.

So, my Diamond CR320 was a waste of money?

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