Amateur Radio / Ham Radio / GMRS / CB and/or Antenna Mounting Solution

[Happy]

My radio has a head that seperates from the main body. The main body is mounted to the rear speaker bracket on the roll bar and the control head is mounted above the driverside sun visor.
The mic is on the hardtop ceiling by using a large square of Velcro. I made a wire hook but also can use just Velcro.

On a tire mount antenna I'd recommend a non ground plane antenna. The Larsen NMO2/70B is 1/2 wave 2 meter and 5/8 over 5/8 wave on the UHF side and will allow you to use GMRS with good results. Without tuning the antenna it is one of the few that will have good SWR across the entire 2M thru GMRS range. If I had a friend who used 2 meter, MURS, 70cm and GMRS that is the antenna I'd recommend. Comet 2x4 is good also but very stiff. Bronco is tough to get a good ground plane. I think the hood is too thin to mount an antenna. Especially if it may get hit by brush. The roof of the hard top is iffy to drill a hole in, and you'd have to build a ground plane. so that is why we went tire mount.

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[Tidy2000]

The biggest problem with transmitting out of band, other than legality, is you will not maintain that 1.4 SWR that far off frequency if you’re using the same 2m antenna. But if you keep it at 5w or below for trails, you probably won’t do damage.

I mainly monitor, but occasionally I need to say something.

We use 2M for coordinating our race events (https://100aw.org) but when I go out with jeep guys, other off-roaders, or Gamlers, they’ve mostly upgraded from CB to GMRS now… it’s good to stay in the loop as to what’s going on.
Good news is, like you said, GMRS WILL be used for much closer range, so I could probably get away with it. I already had those frequencies saved and adjusted their output levels in the radio to be as close to legal as possible.

 

[Baja71]

On a tire mount antenna I'd recommend a non ground plane antenna. The Larsen NMO2/70B is 1/2 wave 2 meter and 5/8 over 5/8 wave on the UHF side and will allow you to use GMRS with good results. Without tuning the antenna it is one of the few that will have good SWR across the entire 2M thru GMRS range. If I had a friend who used 2 meter, MURS, 70cm and GMRS that is the antenna I'd recommend. Comet 2x4 is good also but very stiff. Bronco is tough to get a good ground plane. I think the hood is too thin to mount an antenna. Especially if it may get hit by brush. The roof of the hard top is iffy to drill a hole in, so that is why we went tire mount.

I’ve heard good things about that antenna. I just can’t seem to make the jump to NMO for some reason Too many existing UHF mounts lol. I didn’t think it was a non ground plane antenna though.

 

[Happy]

I think....watch out. haha .. . Comet 2x4 has a UHF mount version. I mention this because it is a good antenna actually made by Comet for multi radio service Search and Rescue units that use 2m and GMRS.

 

[Baja71]

I think....watch out. haha .. . Comet 2x4 has a UHF mount version. I mention this because it is a good antenna actually made by Comet for multi radio service Search and Rescue units that use 2m and GMRS.

I have a couple of good performing Comets so I’d definitely be interested in something that performs well in both of those bands.

 

[BroncoKong Jr.]

This is what I did. SWR is 1:21. Mounted my Midland in the front of the center console.

Where is this?

 

[SCTWNB]

Where is this?

Center console right behind the charging pad.

 

[SCTWNB]

See attached

 

[BroncoKong Jr.]

See attached

Wow that's a lot of work!

 

[SCTWNB]

actually, it is really easy. Can take apart in 5 min
Use this video for assistance. I did when I installed the auto-start stop eliminator.

 

[BroncoKong Jr.]

actually, it is really easy. Can take apart in 5 min
Use this video for assistance. I did when I installed the auto-start stop eliminator.

Oh that's not bad. Not too far from what I had to do to replace the touchscreen on a previous car. The original link mentioned taking out the seats lol

 

[Tidy2000]

I think....watch out. haha .. . Comet 2x4 has a UHF mount version. I mention this because it is a good antenna actually made by Comet for multi radio service Search and Rescue units that use 2m and GMRS.

I have one that’s supposedly FRS/GMRS/2M/70CM, but it’s a complete eBay special. I need to check to see how it actually does on the meter.
My truck is NMO but the bronco is clearly not.
Maybe I’ll convert both to the same at some point

 

[Happy]

An eBay special could work. Antennas are science, but most of the science was figured out a long time ago. Some cheap antennas work just fine but do not last due to lower quality parts being used to meet a price point.

 

[UtahBrandon]

actually, it is really easy. Can take apart in 5 min
Use this video for assistance. I did when I installed the auto-start stop eliminator.

is there enough room behind that "lower trim panel" to mount a RJ45 port without interference? That's the part right above the charging pad.

 

[SCTWNB]

is there enough room behind that "lower trim panel" to mount a CAT5 port without interference? That's the part right above the charging pad.

Plenty of room. This is what I used.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01MY04R2N/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

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