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GMRS antenna ground, (not ground plane)

K

KF0SET

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Hi all, newbie here. I am preparing to install a GMRS radio in my automobile. Said automobile does not have a steel roof, rather, a molded plastic composite, (2024 Bronco). The antenna mount will be mounted to a plastic accessory that is not naturally (DC) grounded. My question is: Should I, or do I have to attach a ground strap from the body/chassis to the antenna mounting bracket. The antenna uses an NMO mount and I see that there are raised "scallops" on the t-nut part of it that I assume are designed to penetrate paint and such in order to be grounded? If I do have to use a short ground strap, I have read on the interwebs that a ferrite bead should be used to "isolate" the antenna? any direction would be greatly appreciated!
 
Last edited:
prcguy

prcguy

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If you have a "no ground plane" antenna it should mount and tune up fine attached to metal, plastic, doesn't matter. However the performance will usually be enhanced when its mounted on a flat sheet of metal of appropriate size for a ground plane. If your antenna is not rated as a "no ground plane" type then expect problems tuning and poor performance, even if its got a ground wire to the vehicle body.

If there is an RF on the coax problem due to poor ground plane then using two or three snap on ferrite beads of a #43 mix or a Laird 28 mix will reduce RF on the coax.
 
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