Base Station GMRS recommendation

[WSED271]

Looking for recommendations on base stations & antenna combos. Been using hand helds for a while, Retevis & Baofeng,  they work great.. but The next thing is a base station. I have no clue about specs, quality or swrs..!? My Chinese radios have done fine, but looking to GMRS family for a little direction.!! 
Thanks in adavance!

-joe 

roanoke va

[OffRoaderX]

For the antenna, I use a Tram 1486... It was not very expensive, it does not look like a space-station antenna on the roof so it got quick spousal-approval, it has a very low wind-profile, and it was very easy to cut/tune.

For the radio I use an XTL-5000 but i would not recommend it for a beginner.

[WRYZ926]

Another good antenna is the Comet CA-712EFC. You won't go wrong with Comet or Tram antennas. 

As far as radios go, there are plenty of good choices from very simple to full of bells and whistles. Midland radios are good for being simple and easy to use. I personally like the Wouxun radios. 

[BoxCar]

55 minutes ago, WSED271 said:

Looking for recommendations on base stations & antenna combos. Been using hand helds for a while, Retevis & Baofeng,  they work great.. but The next thing is a base station. I have no clue about specs, quality or swrs..!? My Chinese radios have done fine, but looking to GMRS family for a little direction.!! 
Thanks in adavance!

-joe 

roanoke va

I wouldn't spend more than $250 for the radio and another for $40 for https://www.amazon.com/s?k=meanwell+12v+power+supply&crid=2BG35N3JFHFF8&sprefix=meanwe%2Caps%2C98&ref=nb_sb_ss_ts-doa-p_1_6, https://www.amazon.com/Bergen-Industries-Inc-PS913163-Appliance/dp/B07BQB7FH5/ref=sr_1_1_pp?crid=1OVEJEOM4FY90&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.RzXLsiTuEDgnVxtXgEYRMV4MxZwJuAWQ56RreG08cXIPSl52UzUYr2rI9ziDJ6dTzEgMWy5baNByOXtTsdkSE9slq3GzBxZazHwObliMXDt964PLe45LE_yOUdopjebBO-gNJ6n8wjHD-lFTbyoi1L0d323rcJwfkNRu58sUjF0N5hiodpiKvsduhOttmNZn4_jotVUBvz6J09cItbAfJs8hsutjrJ8terP1f0ZE0vsxflX9JFwiUXygXSDxTk4NUPBCfW_aRrDyBi_XSGNhuLBCXy7KjQ0q9e6Gtl3IUZw.51v1FGiEZON0o8Q9bZ6ZESuWbBlMGTRF2quEYS0-Sds&dib_tag=se&keywords=power%2Bcord%2Breplacement&qid=1723685842&sprefix=power%2Bcord%2Caps%2C134&sr=8-1&th=1, and https://www.acehardware.com/departments/lighting-and-electrical/boxes-fittings-and-conduit/lugs/34556.

Of course, that doesn't include the coax, lightning protector, feed through, or ground strap and rod.

[piggin]

I just put up in the past week my first dedicated base station antenna for GMRS. I had a free antenna a friend gave me some years ago and a mount on hand so all I had to buy was feedline. I wish I could recommend a base radio for you but for what I need the Wouxun KG-905G works well for my mission of walking children in the local area.

 My antenna is an expensive Laird FG4503 which is really great on the simplex frequencies in the 462 portion of GMRS but only passable on the 467 repeater input frequencies. I can work a couple of local repeaters with it and since that's of no interest to me I am happy with how it performs. It is not too high as it is attached to a plumbing drain vent made of iron pipe on the roof.

 Feedline is Bolton LMR600 equivalent which was cheap and is only 20 feet long. It seems well made but the connectors are nickle plated and not gold or silver (bummer) but on my SDR receiver local stuff has never been louder. I wanted minimum loss because I am a radio dork and wanted to resist the urge to buy a base station.  Total cost not counting feedthru on hand or the weird mastic tape and silicone tape used was 53 dollars.

 My ham antenna is bigger and higher and has LMR400 feedline 100 feet long but I use it primarily for 2m/440 and it's ok on 2m and poor on 440.

I mention it because although it is usable on 462 it is not on 467 and the higher height and gain results in poorer very local work. I am not interested in the repeaters on GMRS very much since my radio dorkitude is satisfied with ham radio. Depending on what you want to do, really dictates your installation.

 If you want to use repeaters use the biggest and lowest loss feedline possible within budget and buy an antenna that is as high a gain as makes sense for where you are. I am pretty high up and need some valley fill in the radiation pattern. My higher gain ham antenna higher up is not as strong close in as the new install is. On distant repeaters it is better. I have peak winds over 100mph in the winter often enough that I prefer single piece fiberglass radomes on my antennas.

Everyone's needs are different. A good source of practical information for wind load at speed is available by looking at professional antenna spec sheets and seeing how robust a support you will need for an antenna of a given height. Also read and read again every review you can find on the antenna that you are considering.

  I hope you really enjoy whatever you erect and asking others for help is a great idea! Remember...I am a radio dork and if I used unfamiliar terms I am sorry.

 PS look up the difference between DBI and DBD gain. Manufacturers use both terms and they are different!

PPS. Use as short a feedline (coax) as you can to minimize loss. (to signal and wallet)

PPPS. Antenna height is the king of all distance. The higher the better. There is a reason repeaters on the top of a mountain reach further.

UHF is line of sight (mostly not counting ducting or temperature inversions which can favor low antennas)