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Used Cooltech CB bracket to mount GMRS external antenna

Punkindave

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CB kinda sucks where I run so I've switched to GMRS radios. The bracket worked perfectly with the Midland NMO base. Kept the CB wire and the CB installed. Can swap in 5mins.

Jeep Wrangler JL Used Cooltech CB bracket to mount GMRS external antenna 20200621_111449


Jeep Wrangler JL Used Cooltech CB bracket to mount GMRS external antenna 20200621_111428


Jeep Wrangler JL Used Cooltech CB bracket to mount GMRS external antenna 20200621_111446
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Jmonroe

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You ordered the standard antenna and cable from Midland? No need for a 3/4" hole in the bracket?
 
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Punkindave

Punkindave

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You ordered the standard antenna and cable from Midland? No need for a 3/4" hole in the bracket?
Actually the Midland is a native 3/8" hole with a plastic ring to adapt it to 3/4" (I think)
I re-used the plastic adapter from the CoolTech that dropped the 1/2" bracket hole down to the required 3/8" for the MXTA24. NOTE: That large threaded base piece is threaded onto the center connector (3/8") you can see the white plastic ring in the picture above,

Nice thing is that I am leaving the CB installed, just removing the handset and I can swap back and forth it needed.

UPDATE: Just checked the CoolTech site and they have a NMO bracket kit with the 3/4" hole for GMRS and HAM..

Jeep Wrangler JL Used Cooltech CB bracket to mount GMRS external antenna 1592842611680
 

Jmonroe

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UPDATE: Just checked the CoolTech site and they have a NMO bracket kit with the 3/4" hole for GMRS and HAM..

Jeep Wrangler JL Used Cooltech CB bracket to mount GMRS external antenna 1592842611680
Yup, but I already have the CB version.
 

nostatic

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Yup, but I already have the CB version.
the CB version with work with some NMO bases, not with others. The Midland actually is a 3/8” center conductor with a wider base that locks it in place on a 3/4” hole mount. Hustler makes both 3/8” and 3/4” NMO mounts.

some 3/4” NMO mounts won’t work with the thicker CoolTechLLC and Topsy mounts as the vertical spacing is too narrow. The 3/8” will work with most anything. I have two 3/4” mounts that will be up for sale on qrz as they wouldn’t fit.

one potential issue with running NMO on the CB mount is you might not get water sealing with the base of the antenna if it overhangs the mount. I believe CoolTechLLC made the base of the NMO mount bigger so it would cover the base of the antenna.
 

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millerjl

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CB kinda sucks where I run so I've switched to GMRS radios. The bracket worked perfectly with the Midland NMO base. Kept the CB wire and the CB installed. Can swap in 5mins.

Jeep Wrangler JL Used Cooltech CB bracket to mount GMRS external antenna 1592842611680


Jeep Wrangler JL Used Cooltech CB bracket to mount GMRS external antenna 1592842611680


Jeep Wrangler JL Used Cooltech CB bracket to mount GMRS external antenna 1592842611680
How is your GMRS range mounting on the back and are you using the 6db midland antenna or something else?
 

Hayseed_JLUR

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I miscommunicated. I meant just the cable and using an NMO mount and the correct antenna. I do not want to wire a new cable in place and just repurpose this one.
 

prerunner1982

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You can get a CB antenna with the NMO base, Larsen NMO27/Browning BR-140-b/PCTEL Maxrad MBL2700.
You could also get an antenna switch that would allow you to select between the GMRS or the CB without disconnecting anything except the antenna to swap it out.
 

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Bryce

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I know this is a year + 1day old, but wanted to thank @Punkindave for posting this. While it wouldbt break the bank to replace with a new bracket, any little bit to save/reuse is good. I'm installing a Midland MXT275 and already had a CB Antenna on the Cooltech mount.
 

Bryce

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Worked great. Tucked the rMXT275 adio behind the glove box powed off the AUX wires. Mic on the Cooltech mic bracket. Swapped out the CB antenna cable for the Midland cable and mounted to the Cooltech antenna mount. Finally, screwed down the MXTA26 antenna.

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