External Antenna for Handheld?

[Ziggidy]

Newbie here.  I was wondering if it is possible to place a magnet mount antenna on a vehicle and connect to a handheld GMRS.  Before I try, I want to know if it's possible and if it's even advisable.  

[SteveShannon]

28 minutes ago, Ziggidy said:

Newbie here.  I was wondering if it is possible to place a magnet mount antenna on a vehicle and connect to a handheld GMRS.  Before I try, I want to know if it's possible and if it's even advisable.  

Yes, it’s frequently done. You’ll need an adapter to go from the connector on the radio (SMA usually) to the cable for the antenna which will almost certainly be a PL-259 connector. SO-239 is the female connector that mates with a PL-259. 

[wrci350]

Yes.  That tends to work a lot better than an HT (with rubber duck) inside a vehicle.

[Ziggidy]

2 hours ago, Hoppyjr said:

Consider searching and watching videos on the YouTube, where many questions can be answered before being asked.

I usually do both.  I will ask on a forum but also research online.  I like asking because at times people will elaborate what usually works for them and what to stay away from.  Along with that, friendships are often made when asking through a forum.  A tad more human interaction in forums; something that is lost searching videos over the internet.

I hope I did not cause you any distress by asking.

[dosw]

1 hour ago, Ziggidy said:

I usually do both.  I will ask on a forum but also research online.  I like asking because at times people will elaborate what usually works for them and what to stay away from.  Along with that, friendships are often made when asking through a forum.  A tad more human interaction in forums; something that is lost searching videos over the internet.

I hope I did not cause you any distress by asking.

Continue asking questions. Answerable questions are great. 

 

You didn't mention what GMRS handheld you have. Some models like Midland handhelds don't allow for removing the antenna. But in the GMRS realm that's less common. Nevertheless, before buying an antenna and an adapter, do make sure you are able to remove the one that came with the HT

[WRYZ926]

A lot of people on limited budgets or just dipping their toes into amateur radio and/or GMRS will use a hand held radio connected to a magnet mounted antenna in their vehicles.  While a 5 or 8 watt hand held won't reach out as far as a 20 - 50 watt mobile, radio, it still works well with an external antenna.

I ran a magnet mount antenna with my Baofeng GT-5R hooked to an external antenna in my car for a while and had no issues getting into the local repeaters. That allowed me to save up for and research what mobile radio I wanted.

[SteveShannon]

29 minutes ago, AdmiralCochrane said:

Is this a rule?  Should I have checked on YouTube before asking?   Sorry, I had to.

No, it’s a forum. Feel free to ask. If it’s something that would have been easily found in the owner’s manual you should be prepared to be teased.

[Socalgmrs]

Yes and yes and yes.  Works much much better than Inside 

[AdmiralCochrane]

On 5/29/2024 at 6:19 PM, Hoppyjr said:

Consider searching and watching videos on the YouTube, where many questions can be answered before being asked.

Some youtube stuff is better than others.  I still ask questions here

[WRDJ205]

On 5/30/2024 at 7:03 PM, WRYZ926 said:

I ran a magnet mount antenna with my Baofeng GT-5R hooked to an external antenna in my car for a while and had no issues getting into the local repeaters. That allowed me to save up for and research what mobile radio I wanted.

I started the same way.  It was supposed to be temporary but it’s just so convenient to tuck away the HT out of sight when not using it.  I’m still using that set up (GM-5RH with a midland mag base; I swap from the ghost to whip styles).  

It certainly made it easy to have a radio in the rental I was using.  
 

<thinking:  I need to figure out the best way to run a coax from the roof into the cab of an F150>. 

[Lscott]

On 5/29/2024 at 6:07 PM, Ziggidy said:

Newbie here.  I was wondering if it is possible to place a magnet mount antenna on a vehicle and connect to a handheld GMRS.  Before I try, I want to know if it's possible and if it's even advisable.  

Yes to both questions. You can start off with a cheap 1/4 wave magnet mount. The antenna will only be about 6 to 8 inches tall depending on the exact magnet mount used. The antenna will be short enough where you likely won’t have to worry about clearance issues parking in a garage, going through drive throughs etc. This will at least give you an idea of potential improvements with a better external antenna. 
 

https://forums.mygmrs.com/gallery/image/338-cheap-14-wave-gmrs-antenna/?context=new

 

[AdmiralCochrane]

On 5/29/2024 at 6:19 PM, Hoppyjr said:

Consider searching and watching videos on the YouTube, where many questions can be answered before being asked.

Is this a rule?  Should I have checked on YouTube before asking?   Sorry, I had to.

[WRQC527]

On 5/29/2024 at 3:07 PM, Ziggidy said:

Newbie here.  I was wondering if it is possible to place a magnet mount antenna on a vehicle and connect to a handheld GMRS.  Before I try, I want to know if it's possible and if it's even advisable.  

Highly advisable, practical and doable. Think about this. If you hardwire a GMRS mobile radio into your vehicle, it's useless to you unless you're driving. If you use your HT with both a mag mount in the car and with the stock antenna when you're out of your vehicle, you've doubled the utility of your HT. Five watts is plenty if you have decent repeaters available. 

[Ziggidy]

Sorry....

[Hoppyjr]

Consider searching and watching videos on the YouTube, where many questions can be answered before being asked.