What do you all use for antennas at home?

[WRYC373]

I have a 3-legged 1/4 ground plane i built for my house but I am wondering if anyone uses anything else for home usage? Like a 1/2 wave dipole or similar that they have built/bought? Looking for something relatively durable.

 

I can make these 1/4 waves for pretty cheap but I want something a little stronger I am thinking of doing a J-Pole next out of copper piping but I am worried it will be hard to make as the elements are so short.

 

 

[CentralFloridaGMRS]

Comet CA-712EFC

[gortex2]

LMR Antenna. Mostly DB404 and Laird FG4603 for home stuff. 

[marcspaz]

I use several different antennas on GMRS. I use diamond x300 at home, and a diamond x30 and x200 for portable repeater use.  All are shared between GMRS and Amateur Radio. 

[UncleYoda]

Slim-jim (no ground plane needed) or stacked 5/8 wave on pizza pan.  Good coax matters a lot too.

[OffRoaderX]

For one radio I use a Midland MXTA26 on a cookie-sheet in the window, connected to a KG1000G.  My repeater AND my XTL5000 are both connected to a Tram 1486 on the roof.

Both get me ~75-80 miles of farz which is about my limit because of the geography, but the 1486 on the roof can pick up a LOT more/much weaker signals.

[WRQC527]

I have found that my Jetstream JTM3B does pretty well on GMRS. I normally just use it for amateur 2 meters and 440, but I was surprised to find that it has a decent match on GMRS also. I set it up on a 20 foot window washing extension pole. I can't leave it up all the time since I live in a condo with an ASSociation. 

[WRYZ926]

The Comet CA-712EFC is definitely a good antenna. Though my Comet GP9 dual band antenna also works well for GMRS.

[nokones]

One Laird FG4605 Omni 5dB Base antenna for my Repeater, and two Lairds B4502Ns for my two base XTL5000s that are installed in the attic for comm with several repeaters in my area.

[WRZI712]

Currently using an Ed Fong J-Pole painted and disguised to look like part of my roof vent due to HOA regulations. 

[WRYC373]

I went ahead and got the Tram 1486 I like that it is tunable for GMRS and wont beat the bank . It was awesome to hear about everyone's setups!

[BRADM]

On 12/15/2023 at 8:15 PM, WRPG818 said:

Comet CA-712EFC

Same

[WSAA254]

I currently use a compactenna scan-III.  Its general purpose, but works well for gmrs.

[WRDJ205]

I see a lot of positive results with the Comet CA-712EFC for GMRS.  If one were thinking about getting into non-sad HAM in the future is there an antenna that might be “good enough” for both (realizing there will be compromises)?  

[WRYZ926]

1 hour ago, WRDJ205 said:

I see a lot of positive results with the Comet CA-712EFC for GMRS.  If one were thinking about getting into non-sad HAM in the future is there an antenna that might be “good enough” for both (realizing there will be compromises)?  

The CA-712EFC is definitely a good GMRS antenna. The Comet GP6 and GP9 base antennas are excellent dual band antennas that also work well for GMRS. A good dual band mobile antenna that works well for GMRS is the Comet 2x4SR.

[warthog74]

In the house i use a dual band MURS/GMRS tuned N9TAX slim jim j-pole in the attic.

I use a KB9VBR GMRS tuned j-pole out in the garage. (yes my cat likes to sit up there and chill)

In the mobile i use a Browning BR-182.

[JBRPong]

Midland MXTA26 next to the windows.   I'm in a 2nd story apartment. 

[Flameout]

Using 2 Comet 712 EFC's (one for repeater, one for base) GAP Titan DX, Comet GP6, N9TAX Slim jim and MFJ-2012 OCF dipole. If you look closely, they are all in the photo. I also have a Commscope DB404 sitting in the garage. I replaced it with on of the 712's

[warthog74]

5 hours ago, Flameout said:

Using 2 Comet 712 EFC's (one for repeater, one for base) GAP Titan DX, Comet GP6, N9TAX Slim jim and MFJ-2012 OCF dipole. If you look closely, they are all in the photo. I also have a Commscope DB404 sitting in the garage. I replaced it with on of the 712's

Holy antenna farm Batman! My wife thought i had a lot of antennas on the garage. 

102” whip for CB

J-Pole for GMRS

VHF whip for MURS

Little scanner antenna.

 

[gortex2]

Laird 4605 on house and DB404 on Garage/Shop.