GMRS Radio Antennas - Ground Plane?

There is a very gray area with amps connected GMRS HT's basically they are not type 95 excepted. The question does the FFC really care? No matter what you do with the UHF frequencies neatness really counts every connection every antenna instal, antenna tuning "good enough" doesn't cut it. Don't forget to send in the form to the FCC.

 

I hear ya. I’ll try to tune that antenna best I can. I’d like to follow the rules whenever possible of course, the gray areas need to be sorted out by the FCC. I’ve seen tons of debates on the different “Parts” of the rules, it’s overwhelming to a noob.

That said, I feel comfortable adhering to the major black and white stuff. Wattage, certified equipment, licensing, etiquette. I’ll be using GMRS channels and not FRS on the amp for example. No issues with that.

Thank you for the input. Always wanting to learn. Now I need an swr meter to help tune...

 

Look on line for a cut chart and cut to center band length. SWR meter will work but if you have a friend with an antenna analyzer it makes things much easier. That is not a band I use but if you have seen a vertical whip you have seen them all. The simplest antenna is a 1/4 wave anything beyond that requires a matching coil at the base generally 1/2 or 5/8 wave they have a slight gain factor over the 1/4. Because of the GMRS frequency none of them are particularly long.

 

Well we won't have to worry about the AMP. It's too much crap in the truck with all the wiring and adapters. It's too sloppy in the cab for a 1st gen. I'll likely just use the external antenna with a SMA to SO239 adapter for the handheld. One wire.

If I feel that I can use the extra power I'll just buy a mobile unit. This way I'm only in for a good antenna, cable, and a few adapters.