I am Failing in my question to gain, no pun intended, an efficient antenna for Midland MmXT275 in my '21 Bronco

[RadioSith]

So I am super newbieto GMRS and not that technically inclined.  I have been studying for my HAM license, but wanted to get GMRS radio (license) to get some experience.  I bought the MXT275 because it was relatively plug and play, had decent power, and not too $$$$$.  The big issue is I have a Bronco (very little if any flat horizontal metal) that rules out many of the traditional mounting locations and this reduces the type of antenna I can use.  The stock mini, I put on the inside rim of the way back window (metal under plastic), but is inhibited by in the vehicle, low stature and week groun plane.  I tried the Nagoya UT-72g mounted on Pizza pan on a plastic go box in the way back.  Many of the same issues.  I bought a window clip mount, but it is a SMA Female attachment for antenna, so have to use adapters.  I used a 48" Abbree Tactical (only not driving), but this as wellas the other antennas recieve but do not transmit very well.  I went to Quarry Hills in Quincy Mass this AM, huge rock hill, which has a perfect 360 line of site to the whole south shore, Mass area, but nada (there is a very tall microwave tower just to the north...which might be blocking signals.   Now SWRs for the three are b/w 1 and 1.8 and nowhere around me, even this Quarry Hills did I get a single contact who recieved my call...or at least was willing to acknowledge it.  As I said I am not technical so I am avoiding more complicated antenns instalations. I have checked the settings in my Midland, as well as The Baofeng  UV 5G plus I have been trying also while in the car.  Cant really test as homebc my town area is very wooded, lots of houses and I dont gave the resources, brain or body, to put up a mast or get on my house to put up an antenna.  Basically stuck with Car options and jury-rigged pizza pans with a mag in my house...which by the way, is old 1938 NE with horsehair plaster over chicken wire...very Faraday-esque.

I am stumped (doesn't take much).Can someone give me any tips on how to address my issues?  Thanks in advance. 

[gortex2]

The bronco has the same issues us with jeeps have fought for years. Do some searching for jeep mounts and you will find ideas. While I run the 1/4 wave or smaller antennas for my use many on hear say the Midland MXTA26 to be a good comprimise for distance on a mount near the hood or spare tire. I dont have a use for distance as I either use my repeater or am talking to the jeep in front or behind me. 

[OffRoaderX]

25 minutes ago, RadioSith said:

...even this Quarry Hills did I get a single contact who recieved my call...or at least was willing to acknowledge it.

You're already over-complicating it and doing it wrong.. GMRS is not for "making contacts" - GMRS if for staying in contact with your group/friends/family while off-roading, caravanning, hiking, etc.  For testing, the best thing to do is to get one of those friend/family on another radio and do some range-testing just to make sure everything is working.

Also, FYI - I have tested the UV-72g and in all of my testing it is not a great antenna - it has been the worst performing of all the mobile antennas I have tested (I have tested a lot of mobile antennas) with noticeable and measurable deficiencies when compared to other antennas...  I prefer (and recommend) the MXTA26 which is what I use on both of my Jeeps.. But that is just my personal preference based on size and performance, so take it with a bag of salt.

[WRYZ926]

I didn't have much luck with the Nagoya UT-72G either. If you can run a longer antenna then go with the Midland MXTA26. 

I do like the short Tram 1174 since I have to use shorter antennas. The downside to the Tram is you will need some type of antenna analyzer or SWR meter since you will have to cut and tune the antenna. But the Tram 1174 does a lot better job compared to the Nagoya UT-72G that it replaced.

[SteveShannon]

On 11/15/2024 at 11:06 AM, RadioSith said:

So I am super newbieto GMRS and not that technically inclined.  I have been studying for my HAM license, but wanted to get GMRS radio (license) to get some experience.  I bought the MXT275 because it was relatively plug and play, had decent power, and not too $$$$$.  The big issue is I have a Bronco (very little if any flat horizontal metal) that rules out many of the traditional mounting locations and this reduces the type of antenna I can use.  The stock mini, I put on the inside rim of the way back window (metal under plastic), but is inhibited by in the vehicle, low stature and week groun plane.  I tried the Nagoya UT-72g mounted on Pizza pan on a plastic go box in the way back.  Many of the same issues.  I bought a window clip mount, but it is a SMA Female attachment for antenna, so have to use adapters.  I used a 48" Abbree Tactical (only not driving), but this as wellas the other antennas recieve but do not transmit very well.  I went to Quarry Hills in Quincy Mass this AM, huge rock hill, which has a perfect 360 line of site to the whole south shore, Mass area, but nada (there is a very tall microwave tower just to the north...which might be blocking signals.   Now SWRs for the three are b/w 1 and 1.8 and nowhere around me, even this Quarry Hills did I get a single contact who recieved my call...or at least was willing to acknowledge it.  As I said I am not technical so I am avoiding more complicated antenns instalations. I have checked the settings in my Midland, as well as The Baofeng  UV 5G plus I have been trying also while in the car.  Cant really test as homebc my town area is very wooded, lots of houses and I dont gave the resources, brain or body, to put up a mast or get on my house to put up an antenna.  Basically stuck with Car options and jury-rigged pizza pans with a mag in my house...which by the way, is old 1938 NE with horsehair plaster over chicken wire...very Faraday-esque.

I am stumped (doesn't take much).Can someone give me any tips on how to address my issues?  Thanks in advance. 

Is it possible you’re on one of the simplex channels instead of one of the repeater channels?  Both receive on the same frequency but the repeater channels transmit on a different frequency 5.000 MHz higher.

[nokones]

There may be a couple of options like the Jeep has, if the Bronco can accommodate them, but, you need to think about using the Midland MXTA26 GMRS antenna. This antenna usually will give you the best VSWRs right out of the box on both the 462/467 GMRS freqs. and has one of the best results for GMRS freqs.  Another good antenna is the Laird B4505N (5 dB non-groundplane), but it will need to be tuned/trimmed.

Here are a couple examples on how to mount antennae:

[WRUU653]

Another fan of the Midland MXTA26 here. Mine is mounted similar to this one and yes it works. Check out the second review by Ham Radio Dude. Rear tire options out there as well.