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“GMRS” vs. “UHF” Antennas
- Thread starter KK6HRW
- Start date
- Status
Some GMRS labeled antennas are sold as accys for GMRS radios by companies that only make GMRS radios, so even though the antenna may cover a wider range the mfrs marketing dept chooses to focus on GMRS sales.
You'll find that VHF or UHF antennas with a very wide range are usually 1/4 wave antennas.
Like this: Home :: Antennas :: Mobile Antennas :: 1/4 Wave / Unity Gain :: PCTCN4347 - 430-470 MHZ 1/4 WAVE CHROME NUT ANTENNA
In this case, the antenna can be used for frequencies within the range given. BUT it must be tuned to the proper length for the frequency you want to use. This involves cutting the whip to a length resonant to the desired frequency..
So for ham use at ~440 MHz you'd cut the whip to around 6.38 inches.
For GMRS use, at ~462 MHz, you'd cut the whip to around 6.07 inches
Once cut, the antennas will only work best at the frequency they're cut for.. Quite often the manufacturer will supply a cutting chart showing you how long the antenna has to be at each frequency. But for the best results, an installer will use an SWR bridge to obtain the lowest SWR at the desired frequency .
Like this: Home :: Antennas :: Mobile Antennas :: 1/4 Wave / Unity Gain :: PCTCN4347 - 430-470 MHZ 1/4 WAVE CHROME NUT ANTENNA
In this case, the antenna can be used for frequencies within the range given. BUT it must be tuned to the proper length for the frequency you want to use. This involves cutting the whip to a length resonant to the desired frequency..
So for ham use at ~440 MHz you'd cut the whip to around 6.38 inches.
For GMRS use, at ~462 MHz, you'd cut the whip to around 6.07 inches
Once cut, the antennas will only work best at the frequency they're cut for.. Quite often the manufacturer will supply a cutting chart showing you how long the antenna has to be at each frequency. But for the best results, an installer will use an SWR bridge to obtain the lowest SWR at the desired frequency .
Project25_MASTR
Millennial Graying OBT Guy
Depends on what you are actually looking at.
For example, Midland's MXTA51 is just your typical 460-470 MHz 1/4 wave antenna that you can literally buy from PCTEL, Larsen, Tram, etc for $8 on a $15 magnetic mount base.
Antennas with more gain tend to have narrower usable bandwidths though so there may be some specific tuning but for the most part...just upcharging for the fact it is a GMRS antenna as the physics are the same for the same antenna design. Then you have those highly overpriced "overland" antennas which are made to mimic the Austrailian CB antennas...nothing special there but you are certainly paying for "the look".
For example, Midland's MXTA51 is just your typical 460-470 MHz 1/4 wave antenna that you can literally buy from PCTEL, Larsen, Tram, etc for $8 on a $15 magnetic mount base.
Antennas with more gain tend to have narrower usable bandwidths though so there may be some specific tuning but for the most part...just upcharging for the fact it is a GMRS antenna as the physics are the same for the same antenna design. Then you have those highly overpriced "overland" antennas which are made to mimic the Austrailian CB antennas...nothing special there but you are certainly paying for "the look".
A good quality 1/4 wave with a thick whip will give you a usaeable match on 70cm ham and GMRS. Comtelco, Laird, Larsen, or other quality commercial grade at 1/4 wave will give you about 100mhz of useable performace. Caveat>> Properly mounted over a flat ground plane.
I have a Tram-Browning BR178BS that covers 406-470mhz that I use on my Moto XPR5550E
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