Recommendations for GMRS base antenna

[drbeede]

Can anyone recommend a good base antenna for use on GMRS? Maybe even the specs for building a good one if it does't cost a fortune LOL.

 

[chief21]

GMRS operates at 462 MHz, the commercial area of the UHF band. Most any commercial UHF base antenna will work. If you're looking for an antenna for your home base, they're cheap enough ( 462 MHz Land Mobile (GMRS) J-Pole Antenna | KB9VBR J-Pole Antennas ) or you could build one without too much trouble. If, on the other hand, you're looking for a high-gain repeater antenna, check with local commercial radio shops for a used professional model (folded dipole, stationmaster, etc.).

 

[drbeede]

GMRS operates at 462 MHz, the commercial area of the UHF band. Most any commercial UHF base antenna will work. If you're looking for an antenna for your home base, they're cheap enough ( 462 MHz Land Mobile (GMRS) J-Pole Antenna | KB9VBR J-Pole Antennas ) or you could build one without too much trouble. If, on the other hand, you're looking for a high-gain repeater antenna, check with local commercial radio shops for a used professional model (folded dipole, stationmaster, etc.).

Thanks for the help I don't plan on setting up a repeater at this time just a normal base antenna that I can use on the GMRS frequencies, I did have a look earlier at the link you provided for the J-Pole, very nice and affordable I'll probably go that route when I setup my base station.

 

[mmckenna]

J-Poles are a good, easy to build option.
Another basic antenna design is the ground plane quarter wave. You can easily build one using a chassis mount antenna connector and some 14 gauge solid copper wire. With some soldering skills, these are pretty fool proof antennas.

 

[bob550]

Can anyone recommend a good base antenna for use on GMRS? Maybe even the specs for building a good one if it does't cost a fortune LOL.

Are you intending to transmit or just receive?

 

[drbeede]

Are you intending to transmit or just receive?

both TX/RX.

 

[drbeede]

J-Poles are a good, easy to build option.
Another basic antenna design is the ground plane quarter wave. You can easily build one using a chassis mount antenna connector and some 14 gauge solid copper wire. With some soldering skills, these are pretty fool proof antennas.

do you know any links to that ground plane design? I would like to take a look.

 

[SpugEddy]

I upgraded to a Comet CA-712EFC almost a year ago.
Noticed an amazing difference in both Tx and Rx. SWR is
extremely low. They run right around $150

 

[sparklehorse]

Comet GP-6NC. It's 10 feet tall but offers 9 dBi gain at UHF. Transmit from 460-470 MHz with SWR of 1.5:1 or less. Similar size and cost to the Comet CA-712EFC but it is dual band.

VHF/UHF Dual-Band | Comet Antenna

https://www.theantennafarm.com/catalog/comet-gp-6nc-1086

.

 

[SpugEddy]

I forgot about this one. Wish I had known about this antenna before I got my CA-712EFC.