boy7777777777
Member
Where do you buy antenna mounts for UTV's at? Wanting to put a radio for GMRS use in my UTV and can't seem to find any sort of mounts for nmo antennas. What does everybody use?
-
To anyone looking to acquire commercial radio programming software:
Please do not make requests for copies of radio programming software which is sold (or was sold) by the manufacturer for any monetary value. All requests will be deleted and a forum infraction issued. Making a request such as this is attempting to engage in software piracy and this forum cannot be involved or associated with this activity. The same goes for any private transaction via Private Message. Even if you attempt to engage in this activity in PM's we will still enforce the forum rules. Your PM's are not private and the administration has the right to read them if there's a hint to criminal activity.
If you are having trouble legally obtaining software please state so. We do not want any hurt feelings when your vague post is mistaken for a free request. It is YOUR responsibility to properly word your request.
To obtain Motorola software see the Sticky in the Motorola forum.
The various other vendors often permit their dealers to sell the software online (i.e., Kenwood). Please use Google or some other search engine to find a dealer that sells the software. Typically each series or individual radio requires its own software package. Often the Kenwood software is less than $100 so don't be a cheapskate; just purchase it.
For M/A Com/Harris/GE, etc: there are two software packages that program all current and past radios. One package is for conventional programming and the other for trunked programming. The trunked package is in upwards of $2,500. The conventional package is more reasonable though is still several hundred dollars. The benefit is you do not need multiple versions for each radio (unlike Motorola).
This is a large and very visible forum. We cannot jeopardize the ability to provide the RadioReference services by allowing this activity to occur. Please respect this.
Antenna Mount For UTV
- Thread starter boy7777777777
- Start date
- Status
Many of us here have had good results from the Antenna Farm. They offer decent prices and a wide selection.
Depending on your particular install situation, you may have to look around for the specific mounting hardware you want, but buy a quality NMO mount with cable (Larsen, PCTEL, Maxrad). Avoid no-name brands and cheap Chinese brands like Tram and Browning (these used to be to American brands, but are now just name licenses).
You'll also want to have the proper antenna design for your vehicle, as some UTV's don't have adequate ground planes.
Depending on your particular install situation, you may have to look around for the specific mounting hardware you want, but buy a quality NMO mount with cable (Larsen, PCTEL, Maxrad). Avoid no-name brands and cheap Chinese brands like Tram and Browning (these used to be to American brands, but are now just name licenses).
You'll also want to have the proper antenna design for your vehicle, as some UTV's don't have adequate ground planes.
mmckenna
I ♥ Ø
I have a Polaris Ranger and run a VHF mobile radio in it.
I looked at the available options for antenna mounts. Most were overpriced and used low quality Chinese NMO mounts/cable. I chose to build my own.
I used a roll bar light mount and fabricated an NMO mounting bracket out of some 1" wide aluminum bar stock. I used a surface mount NMO mount that I took off a Laird magnet mount.
You can get the UTV antenna mounts from places like Racing Radios, Rugged Radios, etc. Problem is they use the cheap Chinese mounts. That might be fine for some, but it's not my style and I have the stuff to fabricate my own mounts.
Here's a link to them from Rugged Radios. I think they are WAY overpriced...
www.ruggedradios.com
You can get the UTV roll bar light brackets a lot cheaper:
Get a —QUALITY— NMO mount, not the Chinese crap. Stick with Laird, Larsen, etc. Tram, Browning, and any name you cannot pronounce are usually poor quality and have poorly installed connectors.
Avoid the temptation to use the NMO fender mounts. They are thin metal and won't stand up to the beating.
And as @ladn said above, you need to have the right antenna. The roll bar mounts often won't make a good ground connection, and the offset nature of the mount results in a poor ground plane (if it even has one…). I'd recommend going with a 1/2 wave style antenna, they'll tune up without a ground plane. That'll save you headaches.
I'm running a 1/2 wave VHF antenna with a spring base. I think it's a Laird. I've had it on my UTV for about 3,000 miles and it has been through some pretty rough stuff. I've hit tree branches at 40mph and even have a permanent kink at the end of the whip. The coil/mount/spring is still in good shape. One of the areas we ride has some low underpasses under railroad tracks/highways where the UTV barely clears the overhead. I've had the whip bent over a full 90º right at the spring with no issues.
You can try the Cheap Chinese stuff, but the money you'll save at the start will quickly get lost when you need to keep replacing antennas. But then again, if all you do is putt around slowly on nice smooth trails, it might be just fine.
I looked at the available options for antenna mounts. Most were overpriced and used low quality Chinese NMO mounts/cable. I chose to build my own.
I used a roll bar light mount and fabricated an NMO mounting bracket out of some 1" wide aluminum bar stock. I used a surface mount NMO mount that I took off a Laird magnet mount.
You can get the UTV antenna mounts from places like Racing Radios, Rugged Radios, etc. Problem is they use the cheap Chinese mounts. That might be fine for some, but it's not my style and I have the stuff to fabricate my own mounts.
Here's a link to them from Rugged Radios. I think they are WAY overpriced...
Antenna Bar Mount for Horizontal Bar
Easily mount your antenna to the roll cage! This Antenna Bar Mount allows you to mount your antenna to any vehicle with 1", 1.25", 1.5", 1.75", 1.8" or 2" tubing. Works with 3/8-inch NMO style antenna cables only, not NMO-MT-3/4. The billet mount provides easy and adjustable options for...
www.ruggedradios.com
You can get the UTV roll bar light brackets a lot cheaper:
Get a —QUALITY— NMO mount, not the Chinese crap. Stick with Laird, Larsen, etc. Tram, Browning, and any name you cannot pronounce are usually poor quality and have poorly installed connectors.
Avoid the temptation to use the NMO fender mounts. They are thin metal and won't stand up to the beating.
And as @ladn said above, you need to have the right antenna. The roll bar mounts often won't make a good ground connection, and the offset nature of the mount results in a poor ground plane (if it even has one…). I'd recommend going with a 1/2 wave style antenna, they'll tune up without a ground plane. That'll save you headaches.
I'm running a 1/2 wave VHF antenna with a spring base. I think it's a Laird. I've had it on my UTV for about 3,000 miles and it has been through some pretty rough stuff. I've hit tree branches at 40mph and even have a permanent kink at the end of the whip. The coil/mount/spring is still in good shape. One of the areas we ride has some low underpasses under railroad tracks/highways where the UTV barely clears the overhead. I've had the whip bent over a full 90º right at the spring with no issues.
You can try the Cheap Chinese stuff, but the money you'll save at the start will quickly get lost when you need to keep replacing antennas. But then again, if all you do is putt around slowly on nice smooth trails, it might be just fine.
mmckenna
I ♥ Ø
This is the UHF equivalent of the antenna I'm running:
theantennafarm.com
Laird seems to have some issues with their coils cracking, but mine has been just fine.
At work, I spec out all Larsen antennas, and in 30 years, they've never let me down.
I have recently started using EM Wave antennas, and I'm seriously impressed. I have them on both of my personal vehicles and am considering switching to them at work. I'd endorse them if you are looking for a solid antenna:
theantennafarm.com
Pay a few bucks more for the good antennas now. It'll save you money and headaches down the road. Avoid the Chinese crap.
Laird TE Connectivity B4502NS UHF 450-470 MHz NGP 2.4dB 1/2 Wave Mobile Antenna
450-470 MHz Antenna, No ground plane base loaded 1/2 wave antenna with spring. 2.4 dB gain, Maximum Power 200(Watts), Whip Length 15"
theantennafarm.com
At work, I spec out all Larsen antennas, and in 30 years, they've never let me down.
I have recently started using EM Wave antennas, and I'm seriously impressed. I have them on both of my personal vehicles and am considering switching to them at work. I'd endorse them if you are looking for a solid antenna:
EM Wave EMFLX-M10003-GPI - UHF No Ground Plane Antennas
UHF 2dB gain roof mount antenna, e/m-Flex® spring 380-520 MHz (tunable range) No Ground Plane Required.
theantennafarm.com
Pay a few bucks more for the good antennas now. It'll save you money and headaches down the road. Avoid the Chinese crap.
I believe the stuff Rugged Radios sells is Korean, but agree that it is way over-priced.
mmckenna
I ♥ Ø
Yeah, looks like they changed from last time I looked. At one point they were selling what looked like rebadged Tram/Browning.
The current stuff is still overpriced, and you can get quality name brand stuff cheaper. I think their demographics are people that don't know anything about radios and want to buy it all as a package deal.
boy7777777777
Member
Thanks for all the helpful info. I'll definitely stock with a quality antenna. I was hoping to not have to fabricate a mount but looks like that'll be the better bet.
mmckenna
I ♥ Ø
Well, you can do this strap on mount. But it requires using the NMO mounts that use the 3/8" hole. That's not a big deal, they just are not quite as common as those that use 3/4" holes.
Roll Bar Antenna Mount
This Stainless Steel antenna mount makes it easy to install your PCI Race Radio. Great for powder coated chassis, UTV's, sand rails or anywhere you need a quick antenna mount. No welding or drilling required, the only installation tool necessary is a flat head screwdriver. Clamp on design...
www.pciraceradios.com
Or, you can use this one, that is more expensive, but uses the standard 3/4" NMO mounts:
RB3 "360" 2" ANTENNA MOUNT
rb3offroad.com
I'm a bit of a cheap skate, but I like solid gear, so I tend to go with the better antennas/mounts, and then fabricate the stuff I need. Nothing wrong with buying something off the shelf if you don't have the shop equipment or time to fab your own.
mmckenna
I ♥ Ø
I joke that it's my retirement plan. I'm not so sure I should be joking about it.
Let me know when your first east coast tour will be starting so I can get on the schedule.
mmckenna
I ♥ Ø
Let me know when your first east coast tour will be starting so I can get on the schedule.
I might have to do that. My wife is from New Jersey and wants to take me back to show me around. Last time I was in New Jersey I ended up with a really bad haircut and a guy in a funny hat yelled at me for two months straight.
trooper430
Newbie
- Joined
- Apr 9, 2022
- Messages
- 1
He is the on I ordered.
utvcom.com
Waiting to get it and try it on my Kawasaki Mule Pro FXT.
Swivel Antenna Mount - TheCOM
The swivel antenna mount by TheCOM This antenna mount is for NMO connectors. It has a 3/4" NMO connector. TheCOM swivel antenna mount can be rotated to virtually any angle. This mount is a true universal antenna mount that can fit virtually any roll bar or angle. Includes: NMO swivel antenna...
utvcom.com
Waiting to get it and try it on my Kawasaki Mule Pro FXT.
boy7777777777
Member
That's a nice looking mount.
Marchboom
Member
Yep.
There some things that you should just pay more for to get the good stuff. Life is too short to go thru the frustration of a poor antenna. You're only going to get pissed off and buy the more expensive antenna any way. Remember, only rich people can afford to buy cheap stuff.
- Status
