mmckenna
I ♥ Ø
Laird makes good antennas.
However, while the "Phantom" antennas work OK on UHF and higher, they are no better than a 1/4 wave antenna, and sometimes worse (especially on VHF). I disagree when they use the term "low profile". Put one of those side by side with a simple 1/4 wave whip and you'll find the 1/4 wave is a lot less noticeable.
Plus, there's a big price difference.
Stick with the 1/4 wave. Try it and see if it works. For $9 or so, if it doesn't do exactly what you need, then you will only be out $9.00.
The 1/4 wave will cover GMRS and 70cm just fine. I did that for years. I had a commercial radio running both 70cm and GMRS, no issues, performed very well.
I did try a 5/8's wave antenna once, and I honestly couldn't tell the difference in performance compared to the 1/4 wave.
It's your money, so your choice, but after doing this stuff for 30 years, I keep coming back to the 1/4 wave antennas as the best for my applications.
One thing you can do is look at see what the public safety agencies are using in your area. While they'll have a much more sophisticated repeater/receiver system, you'll get a good idea of what works well.
On simplex, you are going to be limited by line of sight, so you'll find that in many cases higher gain antennas are not worth the extra cost.
As for road trip/car to car stuff, I'd get 10 miles no problem between vehicles with 1/4 waves mounted on the roof and 35 watt radios.
And, yes, there are NMO magnetic mounts.
However, while the "Phantom" antennas work OK on UHF and higher, they are no better than a 1/4 wave antenna, and sometimes worse (especially on VHF). I disagree when they use the term "low profile". Put one of those side by side with a simple 1/4 wave whip and you'll find the 1/4 wave is a lot less noticeable.
Plus, there's a big price difference.
Stick with the 1/4 wave. Try it and see if it works. For $9 or so, if it doesn't do exactly what you need, then you will only be out $9.00.
The 1/4 wave will cover GMRS and 70cm just fine. I did that for years. I had a commercial radio running both 70cm and GMRS, no issues, performed very well.
I did try a 5/8's wave antenna once, and I honestly couldn't tell the difference in performance compared to the 1/4 wave.
It's your money, so your choice, but after doing this stuff for 30 years, I keep coming back to the 1/4 wave antennas as the best for my applications.
One thing you can do is look at see what the public safety agencies are using in your area. While they'll have a much more sophisticated repeater/receiver system, you'll get a good idea of what works well.
On simplex, you are going to be limited by line of sight, so you'll find that in many cases higher gain antennas are not worth the extra cost.
As for road trip/car to car stuff, I'd get 10 miles no problem between vehicles with 1/4 waves mounted on the roof and 35 watt radios.
And, yes, there are NMO magnetic mounts.