Mounting GMRS antenna

[ShastaJT6]

So for the radio i have it mounted opposite side on the passenger side of the gear shift. i have it mounted with Velcro on the plastic and the mounting bracket. I didn't want to screw into the plastic console. I have it wired to one of the aux switches, that way it only comes on when i turn the switch on and it's not always drawing current from the battery. As for the antenna i used a bracket i got from Rugged Radios for 20 bucks. I have the Midland MXT 400 with a 6 db antenna

Have you had any issues with the passenger side antenna mount? I'm brand new to the radio thing. Seems most people mount on the driver's side, but I'd like to do the passenger side like that as it will simplify the wiring. Had wondered if I'd get interference mounting it so close to the FM antenna.

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[CrazyCooter]

Generally you want 1/4 wave separation between antennas, but broadcast FM's 100mhz vs GMRS's 462mhz is a pretty good spread too.

I went with the Topsy mounts since they are located a few more inches forward for my CB and ham antennas.

 

[Lucifer]

Have you had any issues with the passenger side antenna mount? I'm brand new to the radio thing. Seems most people mount on the driver's side, but I'd like to do the passenger side like that as it will simplify the wiring. Had wondered if I'd get interference mounting it so close to the FM antenna.
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That's why i did it like that, i have the radio wired to an aux switch.. all are connected to the vehicle, no matter if it's right next to each other or 3 feet apart. You'll either have interference or you won't the cables are shielded to prevent interference.

 

[Smess]

When you go to order it says you cant use the passenger side if you have the am/fm antenna but I see you still have it and have the antenna on the passengers side?

 

[Rubi_Rhod]

I got the 3db Midland Ghost antenna mounted to a cowl mount from CoolTech LLC

 

[AZCooWhip]

I got the 3db Midland Ghost antenna mounted to a cowl mount from CoolTech LLC

Got same. How’s the reception on that Ghost? I picked up their 6db as well just in case.

Did you run cable through fire wall?

 

[Rubi_Rhod]

Got same. How’s the reception on that Ghost? I picked up their 6db as well just in case.

Did you run cable through fire wall?

Haven’t been out yet to test it unfortunately. Excited tho, as I also have the 6db antenna to try and my buds have also got into the game recently so will be able to see how reception is as soon as the snow melts off the trails here and they open back up.
And yep, ran through a grommet under the brake booster/clutch and then poked a hole in the plastic firewall cover on the inside. (In the pic just aside the spring seen)

 

[AZCooWhip]

Haven’t been out yet to test it unfortunately. Excited tho, as I also have the 6db antenna to try and my buds have also got into the game recently so will be able to see how reception is as soon as the snow melts off the trails here and they open back up.
And yep, ran through a grommet under the brake booster/clutch and then poked a hole in the plastic firewall cover on the inside. (In the pic just aside the spring seen)

Cool. That’s the ticket And what was i was looking for. Thanks!

 

[pluikens]

I got the 3db Midland Ghost antenna mounted to a cowl mount from CoolTech LLC

I've been looking for just this mount. Did you order just the bracket and mount from CoolTech or did you need the bracket, NMO adapter, and coax cable? Thanks!

 

[Rubi_Rhod]

I've been looking for just this mount. Did you order just the bracket and mount from CoolTech or did you need the bracket, NMO adapter, and coax cable? Thanks!

I ordered it all from CoolTech. They are 2 separate items (Antenna, Bracket with NMO and Coax). If you order the mount from cooltech, it has drop down for their kit which is a little custom to include longer leads than the standard 6', with removeable end to make threading the interior antenna connector through passages easier, and the washers/spacers for the NMO antenna.

 

[DocMike]

I did the same. Took them a hot min to ship, but I liked the end result.

I ordered it all from CoolTech. They are 2 separate items (Antenna, Bracket with NMO and Coax). If you order the mount from cooltech, it has drop down for their kit which is a little custom to include longer leads than the standard 6', with removeable end to make threading the interior antenna connector through passages easier, and the washers/spacers for the NMO antenna.

 

[49Gramps]

Admittedly, I have no idea if this is at all feasible, but would Midland's small magnet mount antenna work upside down stuck to a small metal disc epoxied to the roof? Or sideways from the roll bar? It's not a metal roof, and I know the Sirius Radio antenna worked well mounted under my LJ's hardtop.

 

[prerunner1982]

Admittedly, I have no idea if this is at all feasible, but would Midland's small magnet mount antenna work upside down stuck to a small metal disc epoxied to the roof? Or sideways from the roll bar? It's not a metal roof, and I know the Sirius Radio antenna worked well mounted under my LJ's hardtop.

Upside down would probably work better than sideways as there is some signal loss using horizontal polarization when everyone else is using vertical polarization.
Midland offers a small "ghost" antenna and I believe I recall someone(s) mounting it on top of their roll bar in a JL so it may work as well for the JT and it would be mounted in the correct orientation.

 

[CrazyCooter]

No way I'm transmitting UHF 25watts through a gain antenna inside my cab with the antenna placed near my head? Buy a bracket and put it on the fender or use a handheld.

 

[mx5red]

Upside down would probably work better than sideways as there is some signal loss using horizontal polarization when everyone else is using vertical polarization.
Midland offers a small "ghost" antenna and I believe I recall someone(s) mounting it on top of their roll bar in a JL so it may work as well for the JT and it would be mounted in the correct orientation.

Surprised no one mentioned this. Seems like a slick option, though I believe you have to move the XM antenna (Maximus makes a relocation bracket).

https://www.jlwranglerforums.com/forum/threads/gmrs-antenna-mounting.7307/post-1112849

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