Mobile Antenna for HT use

[DTS1832]

Hi all, I'm new to GMRS radios and to this forum. I have some experience with CB's and just found GMRS. I did get my FCC call sign and have ordered a HT radio, the KG-UV9GX. My plan is to have the radio with me when I'm Adventure riding on my motorcycle and when I'm in my 2023 Frontier exploring town dirt roads etc in CT, Mass, VT and N.H. Going by what I've read and my very limited knowledge an antenna mounted outside my truck is the way to go and due to the short range of sight expected an antenna with a 2db gain would be best.
Am I on the right-tract and any antenna suggestions would be much appreciated.

Dan

 

[chief21]

1. The Northeast has some mountainous areas. If you plan to explore those areas, an unity gain antenna (ie quarter-wave) may work better for you.

2. Be sure to use a pigtail cable to connect from your HT to your coax connector from the antenna. This reduces the strain on your HT antenna port.

 

[vagrant]

Comet CA-2XSR is what I use. They have NMO or SO239 mount options. I have both and they perform the same. You can manually fold the antenna as well to get it into a garage. They also sell a spring if your antenna will get hit.

I use one with a scanner and the other for GMRS and amateur stuff.

 

[prcguy]

1. The Northeast has some mountainous areas. If you plan to explore those areas, an unity gain antenna (ie quarter-wave) may work better for you.

2. Be sure to use a pigtail cable to connect from your HT to your coax connector from the antenna. This reduces the strain on your HT antenna port.

I don’t think the north east has high enough mountains to worry about. In CA we have lots of repeaters on 5,000 to at least 9,000ft mountaintops and going from a tall gain type mobile antenna to a 1/4 wave can be noticeable close in to the mountain. Even the major base antenna mfrs all say a stock 10dBd gain repeater antenna is good up to about 1,000ft HAAT and then you need down tilt so you don’t overshoot close in to the hill. So going from something like a 3ft tall UHF 5/8 over 5/8 stacked collinear which has about 3dBd gain to a unity or -1dBd gain 1/4 wave will not be very noticeable when using a repeater on a hill less than about 1,000ft tall.

 

[cactus360]

There are plenty of Mag-Mount and NMO antennas for your truck. You are correct, you want it mounted outside your truck for best reception.
As far as gain, a 5-6 dB in quarter or half wave seems very popular with folks in hilly areas.

Nagoya and others have plenty of offerings. If you don't mind a taller antenna for your truck the Kenwood MXTA-26 is an extremely popular model. A 5/8 wave 32" antenna with 6dB. Mine works great.

As far as your adventure bike. I recommend searching this forum and the MYGMRS forum. I am sure you will get some good advice.

Lastly, when it comes to GMRS line of sight is the biggest determining factor in range. So in mountainous / hilly areas don't be too disappointed with coverage on simplex. Consult a topographical map and you will easily find the highest elevations you will be travelling in and those are great for coverage.

Would also identify existing repeaters in the areas you will be in, get permission to use them and pre-program your radios and use them when in range. On repeaters your range will increase significantly.

 

[K6GBW]

For your truck you might find it easier and more satisfying to have a regular radio installed. Midland has made it pretty easy to do these days. You can get an MXT series radio with all the controls in the microphone and the unit goes under the seat or dash. For straight GMRS use they are really handy. If your truck has an aluminum body the magnet mount antennas won't work. You need a hood mount or a permanent NMO style mount for that.

 

[mmckenna]

Hi all, I'm new to GMRS radios and to this forum. I have some experience with CB's and just found GMRS. I did get my FCC call sign and have ordered a HT radio, the KG-UV9GX. My plan is to have the radio with me when I'm Adventure riding on my motorcycle and when I'm in my 2023 Frontier exploring town dirt roads etc in CT, Mass, VT and N.H. Going by what I've read and my very limited knowledge an antenna mounted outside my truck is the way to go and due to the short range of sight expected an antenna with a 2db gain would be best.
Am I on the right-tract and any antenna suggestions would be much appreciated.

Dan

Right, the limitation on these UHF frequencies is usually your line of sight, so high gain antennas won't make a huge difference if you are out in the hills/mountains. In the hilly/mountainous parts of California, I've found a basic 1/4 wave works just fine for me. If you want to go with a higher gain antenna, you can, but don't expect a huge change in performance. I played around with antennas quite a bit and always came back to the simple 1/4 wave. Low profile and works just fine.

Getting the antenna outside the vehicle will help performance greatly. Top center of the cab is the ideal location from a performance standpoint. I'd second K6GBW above and say that getting a decent mobile radio is the way to go. While you can absolutely use the hand held inside the cab and connected to an external antenna, the little speaker will be working really hard to be heard well. A good radio with a large speaker will increase audio quality.

As for the adventure bike riding, I rode trail bikes for a few years and often carried a radio to keep in touch with others. A good loud speaker mic can work if it's up near the helmet, but it's often hard to hear. A speaker/mic built in to your helmet really helps a whole lot.

 

[DTS1832]

I want to thank you all for your help, for the pointers and advice. This HT will get me by until I get a Mobile unit installed in the truck. Thanks again.

 

[DTS1832]

Well, I got bit by the GMRS radio bug. For the truck, I'm looking at the KG-1000G Plus and MXTA26 antenna. I'm now wondering what my options are for the antenna base and cable. Any suggestions for the 2023 Frontier Pro-4X?
I figure I'll carry the HT in a saddle bag when I'm out doing an ADV ride.
Thanks for the help.

 

[mmckenna]

Ideal installation is a permanent mount NMO in the center of the cab roof.
You do want a good ground plane under the antenna if you want it to perform optimally. You won't get a good ground plane mounting off the fender, as it'll make the radiation pattern lopsided.

The MXTA26 is a nice antenna, but you can get suitable antenna from big name antenna companies much cheaper.

EM Wave EMFLX-M10007 UHF 420-470 MHz Tunable 5dB Mobile Antenna- e/m-Flex® Poly Spring Base

EM Wave EMFLX-M10007 UHF 420-470 MHz Tunable 5dB Mobile Antenna- e/m-Flex® Poly Spring Base

theantennafarm.com

EM Wave EM-M10007-LS UHF 420-470 MHz Tunable 5dB Mobile Antenna

EM Wave EM-M10007-LS UHF 420-470 MHz Tunable 5dB Mobile Antenna

theantennafarm.com

For the mount:

PCTEL Maxrad NMO58UCP - NMO 3/4" Hole Mounts PL-259

Vehicle roof NMO mount, brass permanent mount for a 3/4 in hole, 0 – 960MHz, PL-259 connector uninstalled.

theantennafarm.com

 

[DTS1832]

Ideal installation is a permanent mount NMO in the center of the cab roof.
You do want a good ground plane under the antenna if you want it to perform optimally. You won't get a good ground plane mounting off the fender, as it'll make the radiation pattern lopsided.

The MXTA26 is a nice antenna, but you can get suitable antenna from big name antenna companies much cheaper.

EM Wave EMFLX-M10007 UHF 420-470 MHz Tunable 5dB Mobile Antenna- e/m-Flex® Poly Spring Base

EM Wave EMFLX-M10007 UHF 420-470 MHz Tunable 5dB Mobile Antenna- e/m-Flex® Poly Spring Base

theantennafarm.com

EM Wave EM-M10007-LS UHF 420-470 MHz Tunable 5dB Mobile Antenna

EM Wave EM-M10007-LS UHF 420-470 MHz Tunable 5dB Mobile Antenna

theantennafarm.com

For the mount:

PCTEL Maxrad NMO58UCP - NMO 3/4" Hole Mounts PL-259

Vehicle roof NMO mount, brass permanent mount for a 3/4 in hole, 0 – 960MHz, PL-259 connector uninstalled.

theantennafarm.com

#&%!-it...I knew someone would say "just drill the damn hole".

I know it's the best way to go...I...just hate to have to do it.

Thank you for the links and recommendations. I'll look the truck over to see what's involved with dropping the head liner.

 

[mmckenna]

I'll look the truck over to see what's involved with dropping the head liner.

You do not need to drop the headliner to install an NMO mount.

 

[K6GBW]

Drilling the hole for an NMO mount, it’s a lot like getting your first tattoo. At first it seems like a really big deal. A few years later, you’re looking for space for your 9th and then it really doesn’t seem like a big deal at all!

 

[AK9R]

A few years later, you’re looking for space for your 9th and then it really doesn’t seem like a big deal at all!

Where did you see my 2002 Ford Expedition? I dropped the headliner one day and installed 9 NMO mounts in the roof. I don't think I ever used more than 4. But, they were there if I needed them.

 

[K6GBW]

That’s the spirit! I have a friend with a Volkswagen SUV and he has five! I only have one on my little Subaru, but that’s just because I can literally only fit one radio. If I ever come up with a way to shoehorn in another I’ll have a second on there in…well, a second!

 

[AK9R]

Your Subie has a back seat, doesn't it? This guy took out the back seat on his VW GTI to make room for radios, amps, batteries, power distribution, refrigerator, etc. My GTI

 

[K6GBW]

Yeah, that's not gonna work for my "life balance" thing. I have a dual band Motorola under the drivers seat, that will have to do.