Midland's "specific 462mhz" antennas

[fremont]

Why are they labeled as such when repeater channel Tx are done at 467?  Is it really just a 450-470 antenna, but they brand it as "specific 462" to make sure it's seen strictly as a GMRS antenna?

[berkinet]

An antenna specifically designed for GMRS would typically be tuned for the middle of the band. Maybe somewhere around 464 MHz. But, a lot depends on the design of the antenna and it’s bandwidth. If you were making your own antenna or tuning one on your own, you might choose to favor the repeater section of the band if you exclusively used repeaters. On the other hand, if you only use simplex you would probably favor 462 MHz.

 

I also wanted to note, though I have never used one, the Midland antennas have not gotten particularly good reviews on this forum. You might wish to look around and see what other antennas people have liked and then pick something that meets your radio and financial needs. But, keep in mind there is no particular advantage to using a Midland antenna with a Midland radio.

[fremont]

You might wish to look around and see what other antennas people have liked and then pick something that meets your radio and financial needs. But, keep in mind there is no particular advantage to using a Midland antenna with a Midland radio.

Good advice; thanks. 

 

I do not currently own a SWR meter, so I was hoping to find something "pre-tuned."  Given that Midland bundles their 3db ghost antenna (I'm looking at either unity or 3db gain given my hilly terrain) with the MXT400 repeater capable unit, I'd expect they'd claim it's fine at those repeater frequencies.  The other ghost-type unit I was looking at was the Laird Phantom 3db model (#4503 in black).  It's rated at 450-470, with their tech sheet saying < 2.0:1 VSWR across the 20 mhz range.  (They also say < 1.5:1 across 10mhz, which I'm guessing is 455-465?)

[gortex2]

Just order a UHF NMO 1/4 wave UHF on a magnetic mount. The ghost or phantom antennas only work well with repeaters and good repeaters. I use them on my county TLMR system but we have 15 sites  in one county. For GMRS I run a 1/4 wave.

[junampil]

Hi There, I am very new and just got my license and know nothing about radio comm. I joined the forum to learn more about GMRS and like others out there needs some info and recommendations/suggestions to my newly acquired Midland MXT 275 mobile radio. Please let me know if the small antenna that comes with it is good enough or is there any other antenna compatible to the MXT 275 that will make the radio performance better? I am in the process of requesting access on nearby repeaters and hope they will grant me access. I need your guidance please. Thanks in advance.

[Jones]

Hi There, I am very new and just got my license and know nothing about radio comm. I joined the forum to learn more about GMRS and like others out there needs some info and recommendations/suggestions to my newly acquired Midland MXT 275 mobile radio. Please let me know if the small antenna that comes with it is good enough or is there any other antenna compatible to the MXT 275 that will make the radio performance better? I am in the process of requesting access on nearby repeaters and hope they will grant me access. I need your guidance please. Thanks in advance.

Almost any antenna is better than Midland's MicroMobile series of "included in the package" antennas, HOWEVER... there is no such thing as a one-size-fits-all antenna for UHF.  What type of vehicle are you running it in? Where would you like to mount it?  There are many questions that must be answered before we can recommend the correct antenna for your needs.

[berkinet]

Take a look at this thread...

 

https://forums.mygmrs.com/topic/1977-a-word-on-antennas/

[SnoopCoop]

Hi There, I am very new and just got my license and know nothing about radio comm. I joined the forum to learn more about GMRS and like others out there needs some info and recommendations/suggestions to my newly acquired Midland MXT 275 mobile radio. Please let me know if the small antenna that comes with it is good enough or is there any other antenna compatible to the MXT 275 that will make the radio performance better? I am in the process of requesting access on nearby repeaters and hope they will grant me access. I need your guidance please. Thanks in advance.

 

I am also very new to GMRS and this forum but I run the same radio you do:  the MXT 275.  I use the MXTA26,  6db gain, micromobile antenna which I purchased directly from the Midland website. I didn't actually measure it but is is about 3ft tall and color black.  According to Midland it is cut for 462mhz. Sits on the center roof of my Jeep.    Very important note:  You will also need to order the magnetic base if you are going to place on your roof or trunk.  That is item MXTA12

[junampil]

Hi everybody, 

Sorry its been awhile and been busy!

 

re:Midland MXT 275,  It was a little disappointing to learn that the Midland MXT 275 does not do split tones, so sad to say I shipped back the radio. I called Midland and talked to their technician and confirmed the issues! The repeater I mostly use covered the areas I frequented, same with my family is using split tones. My GMRS purpose is to get a hold of the family member and for the emergency use. The Midland micro mobile is really nice but its no use for my purpose. The Btech Mobile GMRS-50X1 from what I learned is the capable radio. If you have something in mind please let me know. I just purchased TRAM model 1181 140-170/430-470 Mhz Dual band NMO antenna and it has a mag mount. As per description, it is pretuned no need for tuning. I seeking advise it it needs to be tuned as dedicated GMRS antenna. How to do it or send it to someone who is doing it professionally  because I have no tools/equipment. Thanks very much!

[wayoverthere]

Hi everybody,

Sorry its been awhile and been busy!

 

re:Midland MXT 275, It was a little disappointing to learn that the Midland MXT 275 does not do split tones, so sad to say I shipped back the radio. I called Midland and talked to their technician and confirmed the issues! The repeater I mostly use covered the areas I frequented, same with my family is using split tones. My GMRS purpose is to get a hold of the family member and for the emergency use. The Midland micro mobile is really nice but its no use for my purpose. The Btech Mobile GMRS-50X1 from what I learned is the capable radio. If you have something in mind please let me know. I just purchased TRAM model 1181 140-170/430-470 Mhz Dual band NMO antenna and it has a mag mount. As per description, it is pretuned no need for tuning. I seeking advise it it needs to be tuned as dedicated GMRS antenna. How to do it or send it to someone who is doing it professionally because I have no tools/equipment. Thanks very much!

Ive been happy with the 50x1. I'm also impressed (at the moment) with the 3db gain whip I ordered at the same time as the mxt115. Some haven't had the greatest experiences with them, but on a mag mount/pizza pan in the attic I was able to reach a repeater a little over 60 miles away.

 

Also have a tram browning double 5/8 wave that I haven't tested yet...need to get some longer coax to move the antenna to somewhere with more headroom, or go test it from the truck.

[junampil]

Hi Wayoverthere,

 

 

Glad you like it too 

[Linus]

I just got the MXT275. I laughed when I saw the antenna that came with it. I Purchased a Midland 6dB antenna and mounted it in the center of my vehicle roof. I like the magnetic mount. It comes with a nice rubber boot that protects the finish of your vehicle. In my case I am driving that much older car that I don’t care too much about. That’s the way I roll: high end old low milage cars and no car payments.

 

Lowes has the mxt400 available with a bundle that contains a 6dB antenna the mounting hardware and the radio for $249. The antenna of that they supply with this bundle is slightly different than the ones that is seen made by Midland. I think it is an older model but it has a better SWR response. I bought the MXT400 for use as a base station. That antenna that comes with the bundle needs a ground plane if it is not installed on a metal roof.

[taco6513]

I used the Midland MXTA11 antenna. The one with the load coil in the middle. This is a poor quality antenna. I would not use it.

We have went to the Comet CA-2X4SRMNO . This is the third antenna we have used. It is the best so far. Midland antennas 

would be fine to entry level and ease of starting up. However there are better stuff out there. Also the antenna is double the

price. You get what you pay for. This is my 2 cents.

Thanks

WRCW870

KI5GXD

[berkinet]

Before anyone spends any money on an antenna you should really try a simple 1/4 wave dipole. They are cheap to buy, and easy to make on your own (lots of instructions online).  The simple fact is that as a Line-of-Sight service, GMRS/UHF doesn't go very far anyway.  It makes no sense to spend money for gain to create a signal that will not travel any further.  Of course, there are many cases where a gain antenna (uni or multi directional) makes sense. But, the vast majority of applications can be well met with the most basic of antennas.