Antenna Recommendations for a Jeep

[SublimeHiPpOs]

Now I'm thinking about going with a NGP antenna, just to open up more location options to experiment with.

For the antenna I'm thinking either this one:

BB4505CNS 32 inch Black Base Coil Antenna - NMO Spring - 450-470 MHz NGP

The Laird BB4505CNS is a 32 inch black base loaded mobile UHF whip antenna with NMO base and spring. This antenna does not require a metal ground plane. This omnidirectional antenna offers 5 dbi gain and 100 watts max power and operates in the 450MHz - 470MHz range. Compatible with GMRS...

www.arcantenna.com

Or the Midlands MXTA26.

Should I pair it with one of these mounts/cables (not sure exactly what the differences are or how to choose)...

NMO Motorola Style Mounts

Check our NMO Mobile collection that includes combination of NMO Mounts (Thru Hole NMO, Magnetic NMO Mount, Thick NMO Mount for Thick roofs, 3/8 Hole NMO mount), Connectors (PL259 / UHF, Mini UHF, BNC, SMA, TNC and many more connectors) and Cable (RG58, RG58A/U, RG8X, LMR200, RG8, ATX195). Our...

www.arcantenna.com

Or should I just go with the Midlands MXTA24?

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0842B1WFS

 

[prcguy]

Take a look at the Bull Bumper Antenna. Aestectically, it'll look kinda "Ghetto" attached to the front bumper but again it's what they do in Australia. Again, there's not that many viable choices with decent a VSWR.

I’m not a fan of the Australia look, although I’ve trashed out many of my vehicles with a stainless steel forest. Most any UHF antenna will match just fine on a hood lip mount, I’ve had a 1/4 wave UHF whip, stacked 5/8 over 5/8 UHF colinear and various dual, tri and quad band commercial antennas on my Jeep and they all worked great.

 

[mmckenna]

Now I'm thinking about going with a NGP antenna, just to open up more location options to experiment with.

Personally, I'd recommend this one:

MUF4502S: PCTEL / Maxrad Base Loaded Chrome Coil Antenna - UHF 450 MHz-470 MHz - Spring Included - Unity

Designed for installations that lack a suitable ground plane, these antennas feature a tapered loading coil jacket with chrome-plated fittings and an optional heavy-duty stainless steel spring. The base loaded matching network supports the colinear or trilinear rod sections. This Antenna...

www.arcantenna.com

Really high gain antennas can work against you. Start with something basic and see how it works. Less investment and a good all around antenna.

Should I pair it with one of these mounts/cables (not sure exactly what the differences are or how to choose)...


Or should I just go with the Midlands MXTA24?

I don't know who makes the Midland antennas. It is probably not Midland, which would mean they are sourcing them from someone else which leaves a lot of questions. And, $30 for an "unknown" manufacturer mount is downright silly. Especially when you can get a known name brand mount for almost half the price:

NMOKHFCXFME: NMO High Frequency Mount - 17 foot RG-58A/U - FME Crimp

NMO High Frequency Mount - 17 foot RG-58A/U - FME Crimp If this is not the NMO Mount you are looking for, please click here to find all NMO mounts we carry or email customerservice@arcadianinc.com to get to one of our customer service team member.*This product is subjected to a minimum order...

www.arcantenna.com

 

[prcguy]

I don't know who makes the Midland antennas. It is probably not Midland, which would mean they are sourcing them from someone else which leaves a lot of questions. And, $30 for an "unknown" manufacturer mount is downright silly. Especially when you can get a known name brand mount for almost half the price:

Here are some Larsen NMO mounts with coax for good prices. eBay is your friend.

NEW Larsen NMO Antenna Mount With RG58 | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for NEW Larsen NMO Antenna Mount With RG58 at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!

www.ebay.com

LARSEN NMOKUD 3/4" Permanent Hole Antenna NMO Mount RG58A/U Dual Shield 17ft | eBay

The pictures provided depict the actual item(s) available for sale in our inventory.

www.ebay.com

 

[nokones]

Laird mag-mounts have been problematic recently. Even Laird admitted they have had quality control issues and have had a lot of returns on their products. I don't know where they stand today regarding their quality control issues.

 

[SublimeHiPpOs]

Personally, I'd recommend this one:

MUF4502S: PCTEL / Maxrad Base Loaded Chrome Coil Antenna - UHF 450 MHz-470 MHz - Spring Included - Unity

Designed for installations that lack a suitable ground plane, these antennas feature a tapered loading coil jacket with chrome-plated fittings and an optional heavy-duty stainless steel spring. The base loaded matching network supports the colinear or trilinear rod sections. This Antenna...

www.arcantenna.com

Really high gain antennas can work against you. Start with something basic and see how it works. Less investment and a good all around antenna.



I don't know who makes the Midland antennas. It is probably not Midland, which would mean they are sourcing them from someone else which leaves a lot of questions. And, $30 for an "unknown" manufacturer mount is downright silly. Especially when you can get a known name brand mount for almost half the price:

NMOKHFCXFME: NMO High Frequency Mount - 17 foot RG-58A/U - FME Crimp

NMO High Frequency Mount - 17 foot RG-58A/U - FME Crimp If this is not the NMO Mount you are looking for, please click here to find all NMO mounts we carry or email customerservice@arcadianinc.com to get to one of our customer service team member.*This product is subjected to a minimum order...

www.arcantenna.com

Neither that antenna nor the mount are in stock. Are there other alternatively that you'd recommend? If possible, I'd prefer an antenna that's black rather than chrome. Thanks!

 

[mmckenna]

Neither that antenna nor the mount are in stock. Are there other alternatively that you'd recommend? If possible, I'd prefer an antenna that's black rather than chrome. Thanks!

EM-M10003-GPI - EM Wave UHF 2dBi Gain Roof Mount Antenna 380-520 MHz w

EM-M10003-GPI - EM Wave UHF 2dBi Gain Roof Mount Antenna 380-520 MHz w Spring GPI -- Overall Length 16.125" - The EM-M10003-GPI is E/M Wave, Inc's new 1/2 Wave Ground Independent, Wide Band Antenna (GPI). This antenna has Stainless Steel Springs for enhanced durability and mechanical flexibility...

shopwiscomm.com

The EMWave antennas are very nice, would be a good choice for what you are doing.

NMOKHFUDFME: NMO Mount with FME Installed.17 foot RG-58/U Dual Shield Cable.

Pulse / Larsen NMOKHFUDFME NMO style mounts convert from low frequency applications to high frequency applications and and include 17 feet of RG-58U dual shield coaxial cable with an FME female connector installed. ***Click here to see all the collection of Pulse/Larsen NMO Mounts we sell or...

www.arcantenna.com

 

[SublimeHiPpOs]

Here are some Larsen NMO mounts with coax for good prices. eBay is your friend.

NEW Larsen NMO Antenna Mount With RG58 | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for NEW Larsen NMO Antenna Mount With RG58 at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!

www.ebay.com

LARSEN NMOKUD 3/4" Permanent Hole Antenna NMO Mount RG58A/U Dual Shield 17ft | eBay

The pictures provided depict the actual item(s) available for sale in our inventory.

www.ebay.com

I'm unclear on the connector type on these. Do they have mini-UHF (which I believe is what's on my radio), or FME, or something else I'll need adapters for?

 

[SublimeHiPpOs]

EM-M10003-GPI - EM Wave UHF 2dBi Gain Roof Mount Antenna 380-520 MHz w

EM-M10003-GPI - EM Wave UHF 2dBi Gain Roof Mount Antenna 380-520 MHz w Spring GPI -- Overall Length 16.125" - The EM-M10003-GPI is E/M Wave, Inc's new 1/2 Wave Ground Independent, Wide Band Antenna (GPI). This antenna has Stainless Steel Springs for enhanced durability and mechanical flexibility...

shopwiscomm.com

The EMWave antennas are very nice, would be a good choice for what you are doing.

NMOKHFUDFME: NMO Mount with FME Installed.17 foot RG-58/U Dual Shield Cable.

Pulse / Larsen NMOKHFUDFME NMO style mounts convert from low frequency applications to high frequency applications and and include 17 feet of RG-58U dual shield coaxial cable with an FME female connector installed. ***Click here to see all the collection of Pulse/Larsen NMO Mounts we sell or...

www.arcantenna.com

Thanks!

I notice that antenna is only 16" tall. I believe I could comfortably run up to 32" before having issues contacting my garage. Would I not benefit from a taller one?

For the mount, I assume this is what I need to connect the FME on the end of the cable to my radio?

FM : Adapter FME to MPL Mini UHF

Adapter; FME to MPL (Mini UHF) *This product is subjected to a minimum order quantity of 42*

www.arcantenna.com

 

[mmckenna]

I'm unclear on the connector type on these. Do they have mini-UHF (which I believe is what's on my radio), or FME, or something else I'll need adapters for?

That mount has an FME. That allows you to route the cable without cutting the end off, and then just install the adapter you need.

Mini-UHF connectors are rare on anything other than Motorola radios. You need to be 100% of what you are looking for. Post a photo or model of radio, and we'll be happy to assist.

 

[mmckenna]

Thanks!

I notice that antenna is only 16" tall. I believe I could comfortably run up to 32" before having issues contacting my garage. Would I not benefit from a taller one?

Higher gain is not always better. Start with a 'middle of the road' antenna like this and see how it works. Higher gain/longer antennas can work against the performance of your radio. There's more to the decision than just how long the antenna is.

For the mount, I assume this is what I need to connect the FME on the end of the cable to my radio?

A picture is worth a thousand guesses.

 

[prcguy]

I'm unclear on the connector type on these. Do they have mini-UHF (which I believe is what's on my radio), or FME, or something else I'll need adapters for?

It’s best to route the cable, cut off the excess and install a connector that fits your radio. Or in my case I terminate most of my cables in BNC then use an adapter for some radios and if I only have a handheld with me it’s an easy connection. A BNC to other adapter has virtually no loss below 1GHz.

 

[SublimeHiPpOs]

Higher gain is not always better. Start with a 'middle of the road' antenna like this and see how it works. Higher gain/longer antennas can work against the performance of your radio. There's more to the decision than just how long the antenna is.



A picture is worth a thousand guesses.

That makes sense. I guess I was thinking that antenna length and gain weren't 100% correlated. I didn't know if a 32" antenna existed with similar gain to the 16" one that would possibly perform even better?

I have a Retevis RA86.

RA86 GMRS Mobile Two Way Radio

RA86 MicroMobile 20W GMRS Two-Way Radio with Integrated Control Microphone- Long Range with 260 Privacy Codes, and NOAA Weather Alerts and Weather.

www.retevis.com

It looks like it has a UHF/PL259 antenna connection.

 

[mmckenna]

It looks like it has a UHF/PL259 antenna connection.

Correct, it appears to be, although it does not state that anywhere that I could find on the webpage or the owners manual.

UHF and mini-UHF are different/non-compatible.

The FME connector was rolled out about 20 years ago as a small connector that was easy to route, and then just used an adapter that would fit the radio. The entire connector package (FME + adapter) is fairly short and lightweight, so it doesn't put a lot of extra strain on the connections.

The BNC connector option that prcguy mentioned above would work just fine, but has a slightly larger diameter. Since he's got a jeep, he could probably tell you if the BNC connector will route easily through available paths.

Ideal situation:
You run the bare cable with no connector attached. Then cut the cable to length and add the correct connector for the radio.

Installing coaxial connectors takes a bit of skill, experience and having the right tools. Not a good fit for your first time.

 

[SublimeHiPpOs]

Correct, it appears to be, although it does not state that anywhere that I could find on the webpage or the owners manual.

UHF and mini-UHF are different/non-compatible.

The FME connector was rolled out about 20 years ago as a small connector that was easy to route, and then just used an adapter that would fit the radio. The entire connector package (FME + adapter) is fairly short and lightweight, so it doesn't put a lot of extra strain on the connections.

The BNC connector option that prcguy mentioned above would work just fine, but has a slightly larger diameter. Since he's got a jeep, he could probably tell you if the BNC connector will route easily through available paths.

Ideal situation:
You run the bare cable with no connector attached. Then cut the cable to length and add the correct connector for the radio.

Installing coaxial connectors takes a bit of skill, experience and having the right tools. Not a good fit for your first time.

I contacted that site about the EMWave and it's not in stock and would take a few weeks to get from them. So I'm thinking about going with this one instead:

BB4502NS: 450-470 MHz Mobile Base Coil NMO Mount Antenna With Spring-No Metalic Ground Plane Required

The Laird / Antenex BB4502NS is a 15 inch long, Black base coil, omnidirectional whip antenna for operation in the 450-470 MHz UHF band, with NMO base and spring. No metal ground plane required. *This Antenna Requires a NMO Mount. Please click here to find all Thru-Hole NMO mounts or Magnetic...

www.arcantenna.com

The specs look pretty similar, any reason not to go this direction?

Also, I measured a mounting hole in my spare tire carrier that I'd like to try out mounting the antenna to first now and it's right at 5/8" in diameter. Will this work for the mount you recommended or will I likely need to open it to 3/4"?

NMOKHFUDFME: NMO Mount with FME Installed.17 foot RG-58/U Dual Shield Cable.

Pulse / Larsen NMOKHFUDFME NMO style mounts convert from low frequency applications to high frequency applications and and include 17 feet of RG-58U dual shield coaxial cable with an FME female connector installed. ***Click here to see all the collection of Pulse/Larsen NMO Mounts we sell or...

www.arcantenna.com

Thanks again!!

 

[mmckenna]

I contacted that site about the EMWave and it's not in stock and would take a few weeks to get from them. So I'm thinking about going with this one instead:

The specs look pretty similar, any reason not to go this direction?

That would work just fine.

Also, I measured a mounting hole in my spare tire carrier that I'd like to try out mounting the antenna to first now and it's right at 5/8" in diameter. Will this work for the mount you recommended or will I likely need to open it to 3/4"?

NMOKHFUDFME: NMO Mount with FME Installed.17 foot RG-58/U Dual Shield Cable.

Pulse / Larsen NMOKHFUDFME NMO style mounts convert from low frequency applications to high frequency applications and and include 17 feet of RG-58U dual shield coaxial cable with an FME female connector installed. ***Click here to see all the collection of Pulse/Larsen NMO Mounts we sell or...

www.arcantenna.com

Thanks again!!

To use the existing hole, you have two easy options:
1. Make the hole larger.
2. Use a mount designed for a 3/8" hole and find some way to keep the mount centered:

MAB8PS - Laird NMO 3/4" or 3/8" Hole Mount 17ft Cable with PL259

MAB8PS - Laird NMO 3/4" or 3/8" Hole Mount 17ft Cable with PL259 - The Laird MAB8PS vehicle roof mount antenna installation hardware kit is an NMO mount for Motorola-style mobile antennas 0-1000 MHz. This brass permanent mount is for a 3/8 or 3/4 inch hole (from below) in mounting surfaces. The...

shopwiscomm.com

 

[prcguy]

Correct, it appears to be, although it does not state that anywhere that I could find on the webpage or the owners manual.

UHF and mini-UHF are different/non-compatible.

The FME connector was rolled out about 20 years ago as a small connector that was easy to route, and then just used an adapter that would fit the radio. The entire connector package (FME + adapter) is fairly short and lightweight, so it doesn't put a lot of extra strain on the connections.

The BNC connector option that prcguy mentioned above would work just fine, but has a slightly larger diameter. Since he's got a jeep, he could probably tell you if the BNC connector will route easily through available paths.

Ideal situation:
You run the bare cable with no connector attached. Then cut the cable to length and add the correct connector for the radio.

Installing coaxial connectors takes a bit of skill, experience and having the right tools. Not a good fit for your first time.

On a Jeep Wrangler and Gladiator there should be an easy access hole and grommet through the firewall on the drivers side about a foot or so below the hood level. Routing cables through the passenger side firewall is a b*tch, the fusebox and battery are in the way.

 

[SublimeHiPpOs]

I got the antenna installed, but haven't had a chance to test it out yet though. I have a SWR meter being delivered tomorrow, so I'll be tuning it and testing things out in the next few days! For GMRS use, including repeaters, should I shoot for the 465 MHz for tuning purposes?

I noticed the cut chart says 8 9/16" for 465 MHz, which made me realize that the antenna seemed kind of small for a "15 inch", so I measured it and it's about 12 3/4" from the bottom of the base to the very top. I guess they measure antennas the same way they do TVs, or is it possible I got the wrong one?

 

[mmckenna]

I got the antenna installed, but haven't had a chance to test it out yet though. I have a SWR meter being delivered tomorrow, so I'll be tuning it and testing things out in the next few days! For GMRS use, including repeaters, should I shoot for the 465 MHz for tuning purposes?

Yes. Happy medium. The SWR curve is going to be pretty gentle, so there won't be much of a difference between the 462.xxxx and 467.xxxx

I noticed the cut chart says 8 9/16" for 465 MHz, which made me realize that the antenna seemed kind of small for a "15 inch", so I measured it and it's about 12 3/4" from the bottom of the base to the very top. I guess they measure antennas the same way they do TVs, or is it possible I got the wrong one?

It's always possible they sent the wrong one, but double check the packaging and also check to see if there are any marks under the base coil indicating the model number,
However, the cut chart gives the length for the whip only. The spring adds to that, and probably a bit of the base coil.

Which one did you order?

 

[mmckenna]

I noticed the cut chart says 8 9/16" for 465 MHz, which made me realize that the antenna seemed kind of small for a "15 inch"

15 inches would be the length for the lowest designed frequency. At 450MHz, the whip would be 9 5/16th's. Add the length of the coil and the length of the spring, and you're probably pretty close to 15 inches.