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Antenna mount for Maverick X3, @mmckenna

policypeddler

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Oct 29, 2019
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Phelps,NY
I don't do e-mail. Feel free to share your questions here so others can benefit from the information.
I am going to do this as a list. i basically have zero knowledge of what i am doing, other than what i am told.
i have a 2022 can am maverick x3 with aluminum roof and steel roof rack
Rugged radio dual band uhf/vhf radio, digital and analoge
I have a rugged radio magnetic mount. I need a new antena for it.
I am looking for recommendation. I am not going to address the previous antenna.
when i get a new antenna, will i need to trim it?
where should i place the new antenna. previously i have it on the passenger side mount that is built on the roll bar. I rode with a group loop of usa in a sxs summer 2022 Phoenix to New York. I had a hard time transmitting and receiving. I think it was a combination of the antenna and the metal roof rack.
Now i am thinking i will place the antenna on the roof rack although the rim will still come up the antenna a ways or i can raise it more.
I am concerned about foilage hitting the antenna so i was wondering about a spring loaded one.
 

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mmckenna

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Joined
Jul 27, 2005
Messages
25,041
Location
United States
I am going to do this as a list. i basically have zero knowledge of what i am doing, other than what i am told.
i have a 2022 can am maverick x3 with aluminum roof and steel roof rack
Rugged radio dual band uhf/vhf radio, digital and analoge
I have a rugged radio magnetic mount. I need a new antena for it.
I am looking for recommendation. I am not going to address the previous antenna.
when i get a new antenna, will i need to trim it?

Likely. Depends on what frequencies you are using.

Rugged Radios likes to 'preload' their radios with a bunch of stuff that users are not often licensed for. Rugged Radios will ignore the FCC licensing thing in the interest of selling more radios.

Without knowing exactly which frequencies you are going to use, any suggestions about antennas would be a guess, but I'll do what I can.

where should i place the new antenna. previously i have it on the passenger side mount that is built on the roll bar. I rode with a group loop of usa in a sxs summer 2022 Phoenix to New York. I had a hard time transmitting and receiving. I think it was a combination of the antenna and the metal roof rack.

The antenna will work better with it mounted in the center of the metal roof. The antenna wants to see a ground plane underneath it for it work efficiently.
Drilling a 3/4" hole dead center of the roof would be your best option/no compromise installation.

Now i am thinking i will place the antenna on the roof rack although the rim will still come up the antenna a ways or i can raise it more.

That can work, but not as well as center of the roof. It'll be a compromise.

I am concerned about foilage hitting the antenna so i was wondering about a spring loaded one.

Spring base antennas is a good idea. I use one on my Ranger.



Roof thickness needs to be considered. Not all NMO mounts will fit through a thick metal roof.
If the roof is less than about 3/16" thick, this mount:
That will have a UHF connector on the end of the cable to match your radio.

If the roof is between 1/8" and 1/2", this mount:


For the antenna, this would cover the likely VHF and UHF frequencies that rugged radios tends to put in the radios.

or

This antenna might work a bit better, but it does not include a spring.

You can add a spring, but you will need to shorten the antenna by the amount specified in the cut chart included with the antenna:
 

mmckenna

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Joined
Jul 27, 2005
Messages
25,041
Location
United States
it took me some time to find the frequency list. I have attached it.

View attachment 153705

OK, that helps.

You can't use those "FRS primary - 500 mW max" channels with that radio, even if RuggedRadios/RacingRadios tells you that.

But, for those GMRS channels, all you need is a UHF capable antenna.

If it was me, I'd use one of these:
 
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