Midland MXTA26 reception for VHF

[WSIR855]

I currently run a Larsen NMO2/70SH with a DB-20G in my truck for GMRS use and VHF/UHF scanning.  Not too shabby performance in the GMRS range, just a lower gain antenna.   At home, I run the Comet CA-2X4SRNMO for the same purpose.  The Comet is AWESOME for this and has quite a bit of gain and low SWRs in the GMRS range and great receive on the VHF/UHF range.  Thing is, the Comet is a bit long for my truck and was looking at the Midland as it seems to be one of the best for GMRS with good gain as well.  I don't currently have an Amateur license and I'm not too sure if I will or not, so for the time being, I'm just listening to VHF/UHF.  Does anyone have any experience with the Midland's receive capability for VHF (I know UHF is close enough it will work there pretty well)?  Thanks everyone.

[WRXU693]

I have a hood mounted Midland MXTA26 on my truck paired up with a KG-1000G+. I do the same thing......GMRS on one side and VHF scanning on the other. It does surprisingly well on the railroad frequencies.  James

[WSIR855]

1 hour ago, JamesBrox said:

I have a hood mounted Midland MXTA26 on my truck paired up with a KG-1000G+. I do the same thing......GMRS on one side and VHF scanning on the other. It does surprisingly well on the railroad frequencies.  James

Thank you.  I'm also looking at the Diamond NR770HBNMO, the Diamond NR73BNMO, the Laird B4505CN, and the Larson NMO2/70, and finally the Larsen nmo150/450c... Too many choices 

[SteveShannon]

1 hour ago, WSIR855 said:

I currently run a Larsen NMO2/70SH with a DB-20G in my truck for GMRS use and VHF/UHF scanning.  Not too shabby performance in the GMRS range, just a lower gain antenna.   At home, I run the Comet CA-2X4SRNMO for the same purpose.  The Comet is AWESOME for this and has quite a bit of gain and low SWRs in the GMRS range and great receive on the VHF/UHF range.  Thing is, the Comet is a bit long for my truck and was looking at the Midland as it seems to be one of the best for GMRS with good gain as well.  I don't currently have an Amateur license and I'm not too sure if I will or not, so for the time being, I'm just listening to VHF/UHF.  Does anyone have any experience with the Midland's receive capability for VHF (I know UHF is close enough it will work there pretty well)?  Thanks everyone.

The mxta26 is terrible for 2 meters in my personal experience. High SWR and deaf for reception. I ended up keeping them (I have 2) for GMRS, but got an SBB5 for 2m and 70 cm. 

[Northcutt114]

On 12/5/2025 at 1:35 PM, WSIR855 said:

Does anyone have any experience with the Midland's receive capability for VHF (I know UHF is close enough it will work there pretty well)?  

Hot garbage on VHF and 2m in general. Which is to be expected, because it's a GMRS specific antenna. Absolutely 100% would not recommend for VHF.

 

[dosw]

Here's how bad it is for VHF: In my area it won't even pick up NOAA weather radio. NOAA is a little higher in the VHF band than 2m, but it's not going to be much different in terms of performance. And transmitting will be way out of its sweet spot.

[LeoG]

On 12/5/2025 at 3:00 PM, SteveShannon said:

The mxta26 is terrible for 2 meters in my personal experience. High SWR and deaf for reception. I ended up keeping them (I have 2) for GMRS, but got an SBB5 for 2m and 70 cm. 

I have the MXTA26 on my truck and listen to the police and such on about 150-170MHz all the time.  Seems to do well.  Same thing with my TD-H3 with the Nagoya 771g

[WRUU653]

3 hours ago, LeoG said:

I have the MXTA26 on my truck and listen to the police and such on about 150-170MHz all the time.  Seems to do well.  Same thing with my TD-H3 with the Nagoya 771g

I agree, for listening. SWR is way bad for transmitting on 2 meter.

[LeoG]

He doesn't have the licensing to transmit on it anyway so it'll be a listening experience only.  Which I think the MXTA26 will do good enough.

[Destro]

I have the MXT-A26 with the Retevis RA25 (same as the DB20G) in my truck, and it works great for RX on 2m, 70cm, GMRS, and MURS. I don't TX very much at all, and if I do it's on GMRS or 70cm. 

[nokones]

Receiving with a mismatched antenna will not cause any harmful affects to the radio. Transmitting with a mismatched antenna is another story. The MXTA26 antenna is tuned for GMRS freqs only. You need to see what the VSWR is insofar as to the reflected power being sent back to the radio on 70 cm.  70 cm is a big spread from the GMRS channels and the difference may piss-off your radio.

[WRTC928]

16 hours ago, nokones said:

Receiving with a mismatched antenna will not cause any harmful affects to the radio. Transmitting with a mismatched antenna is another story. The MXTA26 antenna is tuned for GMRS freqs only. You need to see what the VSWR is insofar as to the reflected power being sent back to the radio on 70 cm.  70 cm is a big spread from the GMRS channels and the difference may piss-off your radio.

Most of the 70cm antennas I've tested have acceptable or better SWRs on GMRS as well. Don't assume that; you should still test, but it will probably be fine.