WSEH456 Posted August 27 Report Share Posted August 27 (edited) I have been thinking about getting a vehicle antennae that I could plug my Baofeng UV-5G Plus handheld into while driving. However, I have no idea what all the components would be to do this. Obviously, an antennae, antennae mount, cable, possibly an amplifier and then some type of adapter to go from the coax to the handheld radio. Anybody have suggestions like on models / products? Greatly appreciate the help! Follow Up To Initial Topic I greatly appreciate all the information gang! The UT-72G with the magnetic mount with the adapters looks like a great way to go. I potentially have a problem with the magnetic mount. Ford seems to have fallen in love with aluminum on their trucks so may run into a problem as to where or how to mount the antennae. Please have a look at this alternative and let me know if this is a viable option: Amazon.com: Retevis GMRS Mobile Antenna, Heavy Duty Fiberglass GMRS Antenna, 6.5dB 462-467MHz,Mount Bracket,Spring Base with 16ft RG-58U Coaxial Cable,Compatible with Midland GMRS Radio Retevis RT97 RA86,43.3inch : Electronics Amazon.com: exgoofit UHF Female to SMA Male Female Adapter Pack-2Pcs Handheld Antenna Cable 6'' PL259 SO239 Connector for Amplifier, CB Radio Handheld Walkie Talkie Extension : Electronics Again. I greatly appreciate the help and input! Edited September 5 by WSEH456 Update of Information Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WRUQ357 Posted August 27 Report Share Posted August 27 I'm not the smartest person on here. It took me a while to figure it out myself. I have a Radioddity GM-30 and used a SMA male to UHF female. The SMA end consists to your radio. Yours might take a female? I used a Nagoya lip mount on my driver side rear door with a Motorola 3db ghost antenna, both of which I got off of Amazon. SteveShannon and WSDM599 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Socalgmrs Posted August 27 Report Share Posted August 27 By the time you spend the money on an amp you would have been able to buy a good mobile unit. For this I’d recommend a ut 72. Comes with everything you need for less then $30 and try it out. TrucksNCoffee and WRXB215 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AdmiralCochrane Posted August 27 Report Share Posted August 27 There are cheap foreign made amps that cost WAY less than a GOOD mobile unit. But I agree that the UT-72 by itself is the absolute best investment in this scheme. I advise against the amp regardless of its price. The relatively minor increase in clarity of signal to those you transmit to will be of no really use. WRYZ926, WSDM599 and WRXB215 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WRYZ926 Posted August 27 Report Share Posted August 27 I will agree with everyone, get a good antenna along with the adaptor to go from the antenna coax to the radio will be fine. A lot of people have ran that way for a mobile setup without issues. Yes your range won't be quite as good with a 5 watt radio versus a 50 watt radio, but you will still get out just fine. A lot of times I don't even run my 50 watt dual band and 50 watt GMRS radios on high power. I also would not worry about getting an amp for a hand held radio either. Put the money towards a mobile radio of your choice instead. Yes having a 50 watt radio is nice when you need the extra power but a 20-25 watt radio will suit your needs most of the time. TrucksNCoffee 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dosw Posted August 27 Report Share Posted August 27 9 minutes ago, WRYZ926 said: A lot of times I don't even run my 50 watt dual band and 50 watt GMRS radios on high power. This ^ My AR-5RM (max 10w) is set to 5w so that I don't drain the battery. If I need extra power, I know where the menu option is for that. My Retevis RA-87 (max 40w) is set to its Mid mode, which is about 25w because it sounds fine that way when I hit repeaters. And again, if I find that I need more power, I know where the menu option is. The frequency that we use for family simplex while skiing/camping/etc. I have programmed into my radios at a low, mid, and high setting so that I can just switch the channel quickly to step up the power if needed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LeeBo Posted August 28 Report Share Posted August 28 I bought a Diamond lip mount and a Comet antenna for my car and the cable was long enough to route up to my 10w ht. Works just fine. I do have a 50w mobile unit but I'm waiting for the weather to cool off before running power cables. But for now the 10w ht with antenna does the job. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
back4more70 Posted August 28 Report Share Posted August 28 17 hours ago, WSEH456 said: I have been thinking about getting a vehicle antennae that I could plug my Baofeng UV-5G Plus handheld into while driving. However, I have no idea what all the components would be to do this. Obviously, an antennae, antennae mount, cable, possibly an amplifier and then some type of adapter to go from the coax to the handheld radio. Anybody have suggestions like on models / products? Greatly appreciate the help! I don't recall 100%, but I think when I bought my UT-72G, it came with an adapter to connect my handheld. WRXB215 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WRXB215 Posted August 28 Report Share Posted August 28 11 minutes ago, back4more70 said: I don't recall 100%, but I think when I bought my UT-72G, it came with an adapter to connect my handheld. My UT-72 came with one but I didn't use it because I have a mobile. The adapter is a thin cable. Not long enough to worry about loss but being flexible eases some of the strain on the SMA of the radio. back4more70 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WSEH456 Posted August 28 Author Report Share Posted August 28 Thank you everyone for all the great advice! I would like to get a permanent mobile unit in the near future for the truck but, was looking for a cheap alternative to play with in the mean time. I live near Roanoke, TX (actually more near Texas Motor Speedway) and there is a repeater tower in Denton, TX (Denton 600) with a stated radius of 60 miles. I am approximately 20 miles away. It has been hit or miss whether I can get someone to respond to a radio check with the 18" antennae. Granted there are hills, houses, etc.... between me and the tower so, I expect it to be difficult. The other Denton, TX repeater (Denton County 550) I have yet to get anyone at all to respond back and yes, I have the right tone. I feel like Robin Williams in RV trying to get a signal, LOL!!!! Ironically, we are full time RV'ers so it really hits home! TrucksNCoffee 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GreggInFL Posted September 3 Report Share Posted September 3 I have your radio and plug it into the UT-72G others have recommended. The combination works well. The antenna kit can be had here and has all the components you need. When you move to a full-size mobile unit you can use the same antenna without the SMA adapter. Edited for truthiness. (See below.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WRXB215 Posted September 3 Report Share Posted September 3 5 minutes ago, GreggInFL said: When you move to a full-size mobile unit you can use the same antenna with one of these adapters. With that "kit" he will not need another adapter for a mobile. All he will have to do is remove the SMA adapter being used for the HT. The cable already has a PL-259 which is why it comes with the SMA adapter for HT in the first place. SteveShannon and GreggInFL 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GreggInFL Posted September 3 Report Share Posted September 3 1 minute ago, WRXB215 said: With that "kit" he will not need another adapter for a mobile. All he will have to do is remove the SMA adapter being used for the HT. The cable already has a PL-259 which is why it comes with the SMA adapter for HT in the first place. Excellent point, sir. I stand corrected. Thank you. WRXB215 and SteveShannon 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TrikeRadio Posted September 5 Report Share Posted September 5 I bought this mobile mag mount antenna for trying my HT in the car and on a metal cookie pan for a ground plane in the house... works great and comes with the adapter. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09TPZ221K?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title WRXB215 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WRXB215 Posted September 5 Report Share Posted September 5 I have the UT-72 dual band. It works quite well. Since you are using the dedicated GMRS version, it should work even better. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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