SHOW ME YOUR WHIP ANTENNA

Im looking to purchase a whip antenna for looks at the moment, and then actually get a radio. Where are some good mount spots and something thats not too long or too thick.

 

Not too long and not too thick but also just for looks?

There’s a joke about my wife in there somewhere.

 

Well that's like buying tires for a car that you don't know what model you will be getting yet.

Mount and antenna type depends on the radio you get. The antenna and what its connecting to is of the most importance.

That said there are some good versatile mounts and antennas that can be used across a few radio frequency's.

Comet SBB-1 NMO is a great Dual-Band, 2m, 70cm. Only about 16" long and can be mounted to a magnetic mount or a Comet CP-5NMO.

If doing 70cm (GMRS) only there are a few other good options, like the super short Midland Ghost antenna or the Midland MXTA26. But can only be used for 70cm (GMRS)

You can also go with a versatile Comet CA-2X4SR which is better and longer but also is a 2m, 70cm antenna.

So first you need to decide on what band radio.

Best placement for an antenna mount (Midland magnetic mount that came with radio and there ghost antenna (for my 70cm GMRS radio i use the most):


Comet SBB-1 NMO & Comet CP-5NMO mount. Not the best placement but is for 70cm and 2m. Also fits in my garage.

 

I guess I need to do more research. Would it be dumb of me to say im getting one for communication obviously but for truckers as well. I plan on getting my CDL soon and itd be a cool addition honestly.

 

CB definitely narrows down what you should be looking for, Firestick antenna.

 

As a long time CDL holder, CB (26.965 MHz to 27.405 MHz) is different than what i referenced (70cm & 2m) has become less and less used. Having a radio is definitely cool, CB is what i started with many years ago but GMRS for off road use is king nowadays.

 

So most likely what ill need is CB and GMRS. so when getting i guess a radio do I have to get a specific one or does one radio come with the different bands.

 

Radio and antenna specific. So for CB radio you can only use a CB antenna. For GMRS radio you can only use a GMRS antenna. So you would need 2 different radios and 2 different antennas.

I run 2 radios one for Ham/Armature and one for GMRS, which is why i have 2 antennas. You will also want to get a GMRS license which is super easy to get.

 

I see. Did you have to do any extra stuff to mount them or is there mounts with two radio inserts

 

The GMRS was easy since the radio came with the antenna and it was the magnetic mount on the center front of my roof (1st photo noted in post #3). The other one i had to mount in a different spot on the back of my 4R (2nd-3rd photo noted in post #3) and needed a special mount. No mounts I'm aware of that do both CB/GMRS in one. The frequency's they use are wildly different and need different antennas.

I gave up on CB since its so rarely used. But you can get handheld radios in ether case.

You could try CB first since they are cheap and easy.

 

Well thank you. Im pretty new to this offroading and modification stuff. Thank you for helping me understand

 

Its all fun learning it all, quite some deep rabbit holes to go down. Radio is a crazy deep one.

 

It definitely is. I try to do all the mods myself so I can learn. Im pretty good at understanding how things work and I love to learn.

 

Some radio antennas reflect off their mounting surface, so to get maximum broadcase distance the center of roof is ideal. But not ideal for mounting options. So find the best location for your needs.

 

Thank you