best ⅝ wave GMRS high gain NMO antenna

[CyborgAlienWRYG738]

I'm not worried as much about cost as I am having the best long range NMO no ground plane GMRS antenna I can get, prefer at least ⅝ wave.

Nothing under 5db gain and it should also be able to do 2m. A plus if it can do: 136-180 VHF • 219-250 VHF • 350-512 UHF • 700-960 UHF quad-band, with GMRS being the necessity.

I've already wasted money on the Diamond and Tram junk, now I'm wanting the best. I'm using a magnet mount, as a necessity as well, albeit I'm open for a better model of it as well. I'm looking for at least 5" magnet for stability. Going on a leased Nissan Rogue, can't be permanent mount.

[WRUU653]

On 12/8/2023 at 11:55 AM, WRZM228 said:

It was drawing 23 watts on my 13.8 power supply at home. So it means, i wont be able to use a cigarette lighter socket.

Why not? My truck's lighter sockets are rated at 120 watts. Stock. Nothing out of the ordinary. Quiz, can you tell me how many amps that is? It's a rhetorical question. That means I'm not interested in a response because clearly you don't get it. 

Not knowing things isn't a crime. In fact that is what has been great about this community. That people help people and they become educated. You got to want info though and you are something else.

Let's recap. When you told us it was pulling 23 watts on 13.8 volts, well you are the one that told us it was less than two amps (regardless if you realize that or not, math/ohms law, you should try it).  When @nokones asked for some clarification (because your statment made no sense) you insult him. That's a great way to show us how absolutely brilliant you are. double down and insult the guy.  Then @Sshannon tries to explain because clearly their was no need to be insulting people and you insult him and say he's wrong. No he is not and being loud and insulting dosn't change that. 

I don't understand why this forum has taken a turn for the worst with all the insultling lately but I can pin point the people doing it. It would be nice if you could try being a better human here on the forum. Regardless you are going on my ignore list which does make this a nice Sunday morning indeed. 

[CyborgAlienWRYG738]

This arguing is what I was trying to avoid with this question, it's really bad when a bunch of sad hams have to try to ruin an experience for someone who is trying to learn, even when they clarify what they're trying to ascertain then get belittled for doing so. This right here is why I'm not sure that I want to get my Technician or anything else above GMRS. The insults need to quit, it gets NOONE anywhere, just makes more people to say fuck it and go do what they want and damn everyone else. Then you end up with all of the bands of radio services to end up like CB. That is if the feds don't just eliminate all of it, altogether. 

[CyborgAlienWRYG738]

Delete this

[WRZM228]

On 11/16/2023 at 12:03 PM, CyborgAlienWRYG738 said:

I'd rather just use 1 antenna so as to keep the roof as clear of scratches as possible. Most bands are "listen only" just GMRS is transmit band and requires the most gain and best signal response for distance. The rest are relatively local frequencies.

Going back to our last conversation in the cb antenna. I need to fetch me a magnamount today. So do you think I should just go with the Wilson 1000 rather than the K40?

Thanks.

[CyborgAlienWRYG738]

20 minutes ago, WRZM228 said:

Going back to our last conversation in the cb antenna. I need to fetch me a magnamount today. So do you think I should just go with the Wilson 1000 rather than the K40?

Thanks.

Or the Lil Wil, unless you have a need for the increased power rating . The K40 is made by the same company that makes Wilson antennas and they're the lower quality brand. I believe Stricker is the other brand that's supposed to be better than Wilson but, I wouldn't know, I've always used tried and true Wilson's, due to the 1 K40 I used breaking on me back in the 80s. Wilson's only lose their top thing which seems to make them better, or it has mine anyways, every time.

[WRZM228]

On 12/11/2023 at 8:46 AM, CyborgAlienWRYG738 said:

Or the Lil Wil, unless you have a need for the increased power rating . The K40 is made by the same company that makes Wilson antennas and they're the lower quality brand. I believe Stricker is the other brand that's supposed to be better than Wilson but, I wouldn't know, I've always used tried and true Wilson's, due to the 1 K40 I used breaking on me back in the 80s. Wilson's only lose their top thing which seems to make them better, or it has mine anyways, every time.

Okay. They have a both Wilsons that's about 35 miles from me. I need this antenna for my travel so I'll take the time to drive there and pick up one. 

[CyborgAlienWRYG738]

4 hours ago, WRZM228 said:

Okay. They have a both Wilsons that's about 35 miles from me. I need this antenna for my travel so I'll take the time to drive there and pick up one. I'm not going over 70 watts. so I guess the little will should be good if that's correct.

Yes, it's rated for 100W so it should suffice, if you're going to Wilson's antenna store, not the leather shop, then by all means ask them, they're better informed then me, I don't have that option near here.

[WRZM228]

59 minutes ago, CyborgAlienWRYG738 said:

Yes, it's rated for 100W so it should suffice, if you're going to Wilson's antenna store, not the leather shop, then by all means ask them, they're better informed then me, I don't have that option near here.

100 bucks for the Wilson 1000 with magnamount 

37 bucks for the Tram Cat Twin Coil CB Antenna (TCT-9)

they shipped both free. I couldn't pass it up. That 1000 should work perfect on the Prius grocery getter.

BTW: I been dreaming about this tram twin coil antenna since when I was young. Its 64 inch tall. All I need is to screw this on my pickup truck because its all set up with an excellent mounting.

[CyborgAlienWRYG738]

2 hours ago, WRZM228 said:

100 bucks for the Wilson 1000 with magnamount 

37 bucks for the Tram Cat Twin Coil CB Antenna (TCT-9)

they shipped both free. I couldn't pass it up. That 1000 should work perfect on the Prius grocery getter.

BTW: I been dreaming about this tram twin coil antenna since when I was young. Its 64 inch tall. All I need is to screw this on my pickup truck because its all set up with an excellent mounting.

I've got one in the shed now wasting space... Too bulky you need to have a stout mount for it, it's basically overkill beyond overkill, unless your linear in your truck is pushing like 10kW or something like that. If that's the case, why advertise it?!?

[WRZM228]

3 hours ago, CyborgAlienWRYG738 said:

I've got one in the shed now wasting space... Too bulky you need to have a stout mount for it, it's basically overkill beyond overkill, unless your linear in your truck is pushing like 10kW or something like that. If that's the case, why advertise it?!?

Its a transfer antenna for camping. It should be good for high elevation.

[CyborgAlienWRYG738]

2 minutes ago, WRZM228 said:

Its a transfer antenna for camping. Its should be good for high elevation.

If you don't break it off getting there, a flexible whip is better for off-road use. Those were just made to put on rigs for drivers with linears pushing out some megawatts while driving down the highways, where they're unlikely to snap off from trees.

[WRZM228]

On 12/1/2023 at 10:08 AM, kidphc said:

Readings? I was actually asking what meter.

Sent from my SM-S901U using Tapatalk
 

Ooops.

I'm using the old school analog meter. Pretty much I'm done with the antenna setup. But the meter is still hooked up as I'm using it with a switch box so I can see the modulation swing.  Both base antenna and the and mobile is phenomenal. I can easily hit Corvallis straight from base. I love this radio. Its got 2 simultaneous-separate, volume, transmit and receive indicator, squelch and  RF Gain adjustments all in analog analog form. Even the transmit and receive is much clearer than my other mobile radio.

The only thing that I don't like about home base is going to the roof of my house. Its not like 35 years ago. It will look ridiculous for someone in my age messing around with antennas especially if my neighbors see me doing it. Its a good thing that I only had the antenna sitting on a  10 footer mast.

[WRWK524]

On 12/11/2023 at 11:36 AM, WRZM228 said:

 I need to fetch me a magnamount today. So do you think I should just go with the Wilson 1000 rather than the K40?

Thanks.

Get a NMO mag mount and you can swap CB and GMRS when needed. This is my setup and both of them have a 1.1 SWR on this mag mount on SUV roof, which has a less than ideal sunroof too. Very easy to change out and the mag mount is VERY strong. 

 

https://www.amazon.com/Browning-BR-140-Land-Mobile-Antenna/dp/B0043I6FJA/ref=sr_1_7?crid=3ENST7RBGEP8F&keywords=Browning%2Bcb%2Bantenna&qid=1703031244&sprefix=browning%2Bcb%2Bantenna%2Caps%2C146&sr=8-7&th=1

 

https://www.amazon.com/Browning-BR-450-Land-Mobile-Antenna/dp/B0043310ZO

 

https://www.amazon.com/TRAM-1267R-Magnet-Mounting-Rubber/dp/B00E48AGC6/ref=sr_1_8?crid=2M7PLAPIIHQ3K&keywords=5.5"%2Bmag%2Bmount&qid=1703031499&s=electronics&sprefix=5.5%2Bmag%2Bmount%2Celectronics%2C176&sr=1-8&th=1

[WRZM228]

44 minutes ago, WRWK524 said:

Get a NMO mag mount and you can swap CB and GMRS when needed. This is my setup and both of them have a 1.1 SWR on this mag mount on SUV roof, which has a less than ideal sunroof too. Very easy to change out and the mag mount is VERY strong. 

 

https://www.amazon.com/Browning-BR-140-Land-Mobile-Antenna/dp/B0043I6FJA/ref=sr_1_7?crid=3ENST7RBGEP8F&keywords=Browning%2Bcb%2Bantenna&qid=1703031244&sprefix=browning%2Bcb%2Bantenna%2Caps%2C146&sr=8-7&th=1

 

https://www.amazon.com/Browning-BR-450-Land-Mobile-Antenna/dp/B0043310ZO

 

https://www.amazon.com/TRAM-1267R-Magnet-Mounting-Rubber/dp/B00E48AGC6/ref=sr_1_8?crid=2M7PLAPIIHQ3K&keywords=5.5"%2Bmag%2Bmount&qid=1703031499&s=electronics&sprefix=5.5%2Bmag%2Bmount%2Celectronics%2C176&sr=1-8&th=1

That looks like a good setup. I saw the 49 inch cb whip antenna. Its a very good height for CB. I already have magnetic mount on my mobile. I just came back from the road. I was talking to my wife using my mobile radio and antenna while she was using a hand held at home inside the room. Its very clear! The Evergreen museum is 17.2 miles from my house. 

But if I use the same hand held she has, the farthest Ive tried it was 3 miles.

I dont know how far can my mobile go to my home base yet. But from the home base, I can go really far without even using the repeater. I'll just pop in the Wilson magnamount if I need to. 

I made a mistake in the description earlier. I was using the anytone in the mobile. Cant believe that radio can communicate that well in such  distance.

[WRWK524]

12 hours ago, WRZM228 said:

 I was using the anytone in the mobile. Cant believe that radio can communicate that well in such  distance.

FYI: I too have the Anytone AT-778UV and it draws 3.25 amps on low power, 6.0 amps on mid power, and 8.25 amps on high power. I just checked it with my amp clamp.

 

Amps x Volts = Watts.

 

So if the voltage is 13.8 and the radio is on high power, the wattage it draws is 13.8 x 8.25 = 113.85 Watts.

 

So the radio presumably puts out 25 Watts of RF power on high, while DRAWING 113.85 Watts from the power supply.

 

I tested the range from the radio installed in my vehicle, to my base station, and I got about 6 miles before it started to lose reception. That's using the Browning BR-450 NMO antenna and a discone antenna about 25 feet off the ground for my base station antenna. That was on the highway which had small hills along the way so your results may vary.

 

 

[WRZM228]

5 hours ago, WRWK524 said:

FYI: I too have the Anytone AT-778UV and it draws 3.25 amps on low power, 6.0 amps on mid power, and 8.25 amps on high power. I just checked it with my amp clamp.

 

Amps x Volts = Watts.

 

So if the voltage is 13.8 and the radio is on high power, the wattage it draws is 13.8 x 8.25 = 113.85 Watts.

 

So the radio presumably puts out 25 Watts of RF power on high, while DRAWING 113.85 Watts from the power supply.

 

I tested the range from the radio installed in my vehicle, to my base station, and I got about 6 miles before it started to lose reception. That's using the Browning BR-450 NMO antenna and a discone antenna about 25 feet off the ground for my base station antenna. That was on the highway which had small hills along the way so your results may vary.

 

 

I live in a 725 ft elevation.  Its a good height the the bad news is just a hill side which there are certain part which are blocked. I check my mobile radio and it was only putting out 23 watts in the targeted GMRS frequency. Just like what you said. it has to be a constant 13.8v and good amperage to achieve the high capacity transmission. I also notice that the anytone has a very quiet receiving mode. I'm not really talking about squelch but the RF gain itself is nice and clean plus the speaker has an excellent clear and warm audio like how the auxiliary speakers are. Its very easy to communicate even on a lower speaker volume. I'm just curious,, where is your '20?

Edited: Okay I got it now and youre in the right side of mid west.

[WRWK524]

6 minutes ago, WRZM228 said:

I live in a 725 ft elevation.  Its a good height the the bad news is just a hill side which there are certain part which are blocked. I check my mobile radio and it was only putting out 23 watts in the targeted GMRS frequency. Just like what you said. it has to be a constant 13.8v and good amperage to achieve the high capacity transmission. I also notice that the anytone has a very quiet receiving mode. I'm not really talking about squelch but the RF gain itself is nice and clean plus the speaker has an excellent clear and warm audio like how the auxiliary speakers are. Its very easy to communicate even on a lower speaker volume. I'm just curious,, where is your '20?

Edited: Okay I got it now and youre in the right side of mid west.

I'm located about 50 miles north of Raleigh, NC. Elevation is about 400 feet above sea level.

I do like the Anytone radio, I use it for a base station when it's not in my vehicle. It would be nice if it put out 50 Watts but wattage isn't everything. I usually use my CB in the car since there is close to zero traffic on GMRS around this area, and no repeater within range, and my CB has a greater range in the car, and more people use CB around here than they do GMRS. The AT-778UV radio has a very clean transmit and receive audio. I also have an Anytone AT-6666 as a base station and it gets very good reports on how clean the audio is. Both my Anytone radios are a good value for what they are. No problems with either in the few years I've had them.

 

 

[WRZM228]

12 minutes ago, WRWK524 said:

I'm located about 50 miles north of Raleigh, NC. Elevation is about 400 feet above sea level.

I do like the Anytone radio, I use it for a base station when it's not in my vehicle. It would be nice if it put out 50 Watts but wattage isn't everything. I usually use my CB in the car since there is close to zero traffic on GMRS around this area, and no repeater within range, and my CB has a greater range in the car, and more people use CB around here than they do GMRS. The AT-778UV radio has a very clean transmit and receive audio. I also have an Anytone AT-6666 as a base station and it gets very good reports on how clean the audio is. Both my Anytone radios are a good value for what they are. No problems with either in the few years I've had them.

 

 

The only thing I havent proven on this radio is what kind of heat does it do and a mid summer. Most of the radios I have and had, its either has a built in cooling fan or retro fitted. I notice it was beginning to heat up  after 30 minutes of communication. which is actually not bad. But the summer is the real test!

Yes I saw there are lots of cb users in your area.  This guy really blew my mind. Pretty sure you might know him...

 

[WRWK524]

6 minutes ago, WRZM228 said:

Yes I saw there are lots of cb users in your area.  This guy really blew my mind. Pretty sure you might know him...

 

I've seen his videos, I subscribed to his YouTube channel. He has some good antenna info as he does a lot of videos on different antenna builds. He too has an Anytone AT-6666. I live next to a truck stop just off the highway so there's a lot of trucker CB traffic. Not as much as yesteryear, but still a decent amount of traffic. Then there's the daily skip...

[WRZM228]

25 minutes ago, WRUU653 said:

Why not? My truck's lighter sockets are rated at 120 watts. Stock. Nothing out of the ordinary. Quiz, can you tell me how many amps that is? It's a rhetorical question. That means I'm not interested in a response because clearly you don't get it. 

Not knowing things isn't a crime. In fact that is what has been great about this community. That people help people and they become educated. You got to want info though and you are something else.

Let's recap. When you told us it was pulling 23 watts on 13.8 volts, well you are the one that told us it was less than two amps (regardless if you realize that or not, math/ohms law, you should try it).  When @nokones asked for some clarification (because your statment made no sense) you insult him. That's a great way to show us how absolutely brilliant you are. double down and insult the guy.  Then @Sshannon tries to explain because clearly their was no need to be insulting people and you insult him and say he's wrong. No he is not and being loud and insulting dosn't change that. 

I don't understand why this forum has taken a turn for the worst with all the insultling lately but I can pin point the people doing it. It would be nice if you could try being a better human here on the forum. Regardless you are going on my ignore list which does make this a nice Sunday morning indeed. 

You're not even a part of this and as I remember. You barge in to one of my previous comment and telling me to use the repeater openly with no need for permission needed. But that wasn't the case. To begin with, that wasn't even what I was talking about and secondly, I wont even tell anyone "forcefully" what to do unless I was asked. I understand those things even my conversation with your friend. And I already answered his questions. If there was anyone being insulted, I didn't ask for it. They did it to themselves. You are biased and I see this om this forum. When there is a situation, you and your buddy are always in the middle of it. I consider that normal and I wont be a part of it. Its plain and simple to ignore someone. That's what I would do. Because the last thing I want to do is to create a friction with anyone. Thread easy! 

[WRZM228]

14 hours ago, nokones said:

Do you mean 23 amps or watts? If you're pulling only 23 watts, "that is only a couple of amps at the most." What is your radio rated for RF Power Output? A radio on standy/idling and/or receiving normally won't exceed an amp and a half. What is your power draw when transmitting and how many RF watts output would that be?

Are you alright man? You must be doing something else besides drinking...

[WRZM228]

3 hours ago, Sshannon said:

You’re still missing the point.  You said that your manual said you must provide a 12 amp source. Then you said your radio draws 23 watts, a number that doesn’t make sense.  That’s what Kenny was telling you. Kenny explained that’s less than 2 amps.  Now you’re talking about your radio using 20-30 amps, numbers which still make no sense for a GMRS radio, even while transmitting.

My mobile ham radio outputs 100 watts of RF.  At 13.8 volts it does that while drawing 23 amps, which is a power consumption of 317.4 watts. That’s a power efficiency of 31.5%.  The rest of the power is mostly converted to heat and some light. This radio would require a direct connection to the battery.

During receive my radio draws 0.6 amps (at 13.8 v), which means it consumes 8.28 watts.

So, where did your “23 watt” figure come from?  Is that something you measured on an RF wattmeter?  If so, that’s not the power “draw” but rather the output power.

And if that’s the output power, then your radio probably doesn’t need a 12 amp circuit.  

12 amps would be a reasonable current requirement for a radio with a 50 watt RF output if it were as efficient/inefficient as my FT-891.

But, if your radio only puts out an actual 23 watts (RF Output), and if it operates at the same inefficiency level as mine (31.5% of the input power is radiated as RF power), then the actual power consumption while transmitting is 73 watts, which represents a current consumption of about 5.29 amps, a value that’s easily delivered by your cigarette lighter socket.

So Kenny was trying to get you to understand that you were using numbers and units that simply didn’t make sense the way you used them and in return you accused him of drinking.  

I can see why he might want to.

Ehhhh wrong again! you read wrong. Its very clear what I said  "The other thing I found out is when I was reading the radio manual, I'm required to connect it to a minimum of 12 amp so I can achieve the maximum steady output. It was drawing 23 watts on my 13.8 power supply at home." So it means, i wont be able to use a cigarette lighter socket. I have to wire it all the way to the battery."

Its very clear that in order for me to run maximum wattage I have to do a full power. Are all right man?

I wont barge into a conversation that you don't even understand to begin with. I wasn't here to change someones life. I'm just quietly making a conversation to somebody. If you feel confident in using a 2 amp power supply on a 23-25 watt. go ahead, Manufacturers wouldn't recommend you to use 12 amp power supply for no reason. They tested that product on different and maximum conditions which varies in power consumption. I'm not stopping you for what you want or think and In fact I wont even say anything. I think that makes a lot of sense rather than pulling out the famous word "It doesn't." LoL.... Keep it up man. I'm a quick learner.

[WRZM228]

14 minutes ago, Sshannon said:

How did you measure that?

Is this for your Anytone AT-778UV?

Enjoy the Sunday..  I did.