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Hey everyone, I'm hoping to get some help with a bit of a head-scratcher. I recently installed a Btech 50 watt radio with a Tram 1181 antenna on an MNO mount. I've double-checked that everything is grounded properly, and while the radio transmits just fine, the reception is absolutely plagued with noise. Here's the weird part: if I completely remove the antenna from the MNO mount (but leave the mount itself attached to the bracket), reception improves dramatically! It's still not perfect, but it's a world of difference compared to having the antenna screwed on normally. In its normal configuration, the reception quality is worse than my handheld radio, and the range is definitely suffering too. I'm at a loss here. Any ideas what could be causing this? I am thinking antenna but I am not sure. VID-20240417-WA0019.mp4

I will update this as I go. I was using a GM-30 in the car and out, reason I started with an HT, and realized I really wanted more power for in vehicle use. I had a few requirements in a mobile unit. First, had to be affordable. I was trying to work with sticking to a $200 budget for radio and antenna. Second, it had to be repeater capable. Third, split-tone capability preferred. For the antenna, I wanted to avoid drilling a hole for the mount. That left me a few options. Lip mount, magnet mount, or roof rack mount. Roof rack mount was abandoned because the rack is not metal, which would eliminate ground plane antennas. I was originally also concerned with clearance, but then realized how short UHF antennas are. I came from the CB world years ago. Radio was eventually picked for cost and features. The AnyTone AT-779UV GMRS version. It comes with the program cable, which was a nice addition. For the antenna, I finally decided on a Browning BR-176-S 3dBd gain and a magnet mount base. The antenna showed up today, and I was able to trim according to the specs included with the antenna, and mount the antenna on the car. The cable was able to be routed into the rear door, and concealed until it crosses under the driver's seat to the center console.