GMRS antenna recomendations
- Thread starter illking
- Start date
prerunner1982
Adventurer
I have had good experiences with tram/browning antennas and if you like the lower profile the Tram 1181 may be worth looking at.
Based on the SWR plot posted in one of the reviews it shows to be pretty good. The antenna is only about 19" long and shows to have 2.5 Dbd gain on UHF. Though it is a dual band ham radio antenna it would appear to work just fine on GMRS.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00IDTJ2K...olid=2UUJF0X50SZKL&psc=0&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it
Based on the SWR plot posted in one of the reviews it shows to be pretty good. The antenna is only about 19" long and shows to have 2.5 Dbd gain on UHF. Though it is a dual band ham radio antenna it would appear to work just fine on GMRS.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00IDTJ2K...olid=2UUJF0X50SZKL&psc=0&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it
Glad you brought this up. I just got a MXT275 too, it will be in addition to my primary 2M/70CM rig with a Larsen NMO2/70 just so I can be legal and free up my ham. It doesn't need to be top performance for me, so I am going to order the Larsen Mirage so I have a low profile option when needed. I was planning on one of the Laird Phantoms but I like the look of the Larsen better and have had good luck with their other stuff, so even though it appears to be a newer product and no feedback online, I'm excited to give it a try.
It's the flat round one on the right here (the left I believe is a Laird Phantom, or similar):
It's the flat round one on the right here (the left I believe is a Laird Phantom, or similar):
Ahh, yeah I specifically DO want to drill holes in mine.
ratkin
Adventurer
You don't have to drill holes in your vehicle to mount the TRAM 1181 (or any other NMO mount antenna). Check out: http://www.cometantenna.com/amateur-radio/no-holes-mobile-mounts/antenna-mounts-and-brackets/
Hope this helps!
-Richard
prerunner1982
Adventurer
Or maybe even a simple fender bracket could work. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00LMH1L5...olid=2UUJF0X50SZKL&psc=0&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it
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MidlandUSA
Supporting Sponsor
Hi there! Have you looked at upgrading with a Midland antenna? The MXTA10 will get you a significant amount more power and is still semi-low profile at 12 inches high. Our antenna that will give you the most signal output is the MXTA11. Here are all of our additional MicroMobile accessories. https://midlandusa.com/product-category/accessories/micromobile-accessories/
You can pair one of the antennas with an upgraded magmount that has the cable included. https://midlandusa.com/product/mxta12-antenna-mag-mount/
We appreciate your business and hope you are enjoying the MXT275!
illking
Observer
Comunications car to car with included antenna are great. I can hear local repeaters, with a MXTA11 would I be able to make contact with local repeaters?
dreadlocks
Well-known member
I'm using a Comet CA-2X4SR w/Spring on my adventure trailer GMRS Repeater and APRS Radio, I plan on getting another one for my tow vehicle w/a Kenwood D710G modified to reach GMRS frequencies.. just trying to decide if I should drill a hole through the roof and get it done or wait a bit longer and save up and put a front runner roof rack on and mount it to that.
I've been very happy with its performance, when I was setting up the 2m radio I noticed I was getting better reception in the driveway than my home station's J-Pole.. so I went out and bought a new base station antenna for home and my performance skyrocketed.
Folding antenna was pretty much mandatory for my trailer since the top of the antenna is ~13ft high now.. first antenna I put up broke clean off within the first few trips.. Ive since bent a spring on the Comet but the antenna held up fine, cheaper to replace the spring than the whole antenna.. but now I'm moving it from the passanger side to the drivers side right next to the ladder, so its further away from trees, I'll be able to see it in rear view mirror and folding it over when needed will be a quick 30s job without actually requiring stepping foot on the roof.
I've been very happy with its performance, when I was setting up the 2m radio I noticed I was getting better reception in the driveway than my home station's J-Pole.. so I went out and bought a new base station antenna for home and my performance skyrocketed.
Folding antenna was pretty much mandatory for my trailer since the top of the antenna is ~13ft high now.. first antenna I put up broke clean off within the first few trips.. Ive since bent a spring on the Comet but the antenna held up fine, cheaper to replace the spring than the whole antenna.. but now I'm moving it from the passanger side to the drivers side right next to the ladder, so its further away from trees, I'll be able to see it in rear view mirror and folding it over when needed will be a quick 30s job without actually requiring stepping foot on the roof.
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MidlandUSA
Supporting Sponsor
An upgraded antenna will definitely increase the range of the radio but we can't guarantee if it's going to reach local repeaters.
FJOE
Regular Dude
I have my MIcroMobile in my T100, and used these (excellent performance, no issues, and clean install)-
1246-B Trunk Antenna Mount NMO and 1126 Antenna Tram Black UHF 1/4 wave NMO.
1246-B Trunk Antenna Mount NMO and 1126 Antenna Tram Black UHF 1/4 wave NMO.
whitenoise
Adventurer
How much range are people seeing with the MXT275 on the stock antenna? Vehicle to vehicle?
prerunner1982
Adventurer
This will vary person to person depending on the terrain/environment they were in when using the radio.