GMRS antennas

It’s going to depend on the NMO design. If it’s one of the sealed crimp style it can be shrinked and weatherproofed easily for external applications. The little low pro ones with the plastic covers, your not getting a piece of heat shrink over the coax due to the way the coax is soldered and connected to the body of the connector, and they are meant for the traditional body panel mount where they aren’t going to see moisture being on the inside of the vehicle.

edit: this type of design is much more weatherproofed:
https://www.theantennafarm.com/catalog/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=1123

 

I can use this high frequency design for a GMRS antenna without issue or adapters?
looks like this specific one is for mount thicknesses of 0.1” to .03” (why it's listed backwards I don't know) so I'll have to downsize the tab thickness but that's super easy.

 

You don't want a "pin" type the standard NMO is fine will into 900 megs. I'll be honest with you I have an antenna mounted on a bracket on my tower thats been there for years untouched that collects data relayed from another tower nothing more that a little NMO mount mount right out there in the weather unprotected. Quality NMO antennas seal tight to the NMO base the rest of the stuff really isn't much of an issue. Water will no intrude the center conductor and if the coax is sealed to the inner one with heat shrink water will not get in. The .1 to .03 is the thickness of the material it can be used on based on how deep the outer ring can be if it's to thick it may not make contact with the antenna pin. If it's too thin it my not seal the antena properly.

 

Anybody on here mount the Midland NMO in their roof? I’m curious why it has a nylon insert around the post that I don’t see on the Larson NMO mount. They’re different diameters, so I’m not about to drill a hole until I figure out which one I need to use.

 

I believe the washer allows you to use a 3/4” hole or 3/8” hole without the washer. At least that’s what a number of websites that sell it say.

 

With the washer, it looks like a 5/8” hole and without it, the center mast of the mount is too tall and prevents the antenna from screwing down all the way

 

The washer is supposed to be with the wider end on the bottom close to the mount. You seem to have it with the wide part on top. The wider part is for the 3/4” hole.

 

Are you sure? It came installed with the wide end on the top, and it fits perfectly into the bottom of the brass top piece

 

That’s the way I’ve seen it installed. You could always try it that way or reach out to Midland.

 

Anyone have any experience with this mount? https://www.rightchannelradios.com/...oducts/adjustable-universal-hood-mount-pl-259

 

They’re on my list to call today

 

I got it figured out. I had a thick mount NMO from Midland and it was not going to work in the roof. I went to a local store and got a normal NMO and got it all installed in the roof.

 

Make sure you get a GMRS license from the FCC. GRMS is a licensed band.
There is no test for GMRS, you fill out a application pay a fee and the License is granted.

The FRS VHF frequencies are license free.

Just a FYI, would hate to have anyone get a nasty letter and or fine from the FCC.
N4BSH/WRBT512

 

Has anyone had interference with your ghost antenna? I have the mx275 and just upgraded the antenna. It sounds like someone is holding their mic out the window on the highway

 

Hm, no issues here. Switching to a different antenna on your NMO mount stops the noise?

 

Not sure what nmo means... The original antenna was magnetic. I had to make one for the ghost if that's what you mean

 

NMO mounts are the kind you can screw in to perpendicular to the cable. Your ghost antenna should connect this way. https://images.app.goo.gl/yX7fgmJikcAQN9Pe9

 

Or you can use a trunk lip NMO mount on the hood. That's what I did. No issues with my Midland GMRS Ghost Antenna.

 

Oh I understand now. My original antenna didnt have that. it was just a small magnetic base and attached to my roof. I did order that cable with my ghost. if i disconnect the ghost from the nmo, the noise goes away. I've read that lights and stuff can effect it too (and one of mine did prior to the ghost, but only when it was turned on). Now it's constant, without any lights on at all. Oddly enough, if i disconnect my ditch lights all together, the noise goes away. There shouldn't be any voltage going to them though, so that's kinda weird... i'm going to break out the multimeter and be sure today at some point. considering the only thing that changed was my antenna, i'm less than optimistic it's that though.

I did make a mount (just a piece of stock with two holes drilled in it. I didnt have a bit big enough to fit that plastic piece that kinda slides over the threads of the nmo so wondering if thats grounding it to my truck somehow. I'll snag a picture of mine later today, but essentially that plastic piece covers the threads of the section in the picture.

 

I’m not quite sure I understand what you’re talking about so a picture would be helpful. Do you have any other NMO antennas you can screw on the mount? Since the noise goes away when you remove the antenna, I’d maybe try a different antenna to rule out if your antenna is bad. It is generally a good idea to route coax wires away from other wiring to reduce the potential for interference but sometimes space can be a limiting factor and not give you much of a choice on that.