Just another antenna question

[WSHH887]

So, here's the deal.  I received the DB-20 bundle.  It included a mag mount but no antenna.  I gather that the Midland MXTA26 would be a good antenna to use with the mount.  Let me know if I'm wrong.  

 

But here's my real issue.  I intend to be able to move the radio from my pickup to my Jeep.  The mag mount would work well on the Pickup, but the Jeep has a fiberglass top.  I was thinking about some sort of whip attached to the rear of the Jeep.  But what would be a good antenna for that use?

[nokones]

On 3/9/2025 at 5:52 PM, WSHH887 said:

And, if I'm correct, that would work with the Midland MXTA26?  I should mention that my Jeep is an old CJ-8, think Jeep with a small pickup bed.  I've got tube bumpers front and rear.  I've seen lots of mounts for roll bars that are 2" should work on a bumper tube.

Yes, the Midland MXTA26 antenna will affix to any NMO mount. NMO stands for New Motorola.

All NMO antenna bases will fit all NMO antenna mounts. The are two different size holes for the NMO mounts 3/8" and 3/4" and those are the different hole sizes through a body panel or a mounting bracket. The NMO part what the antenna base affixes to is the same size for all NMO based antennae.

[TDM827]

Suggest you type "Jeep" into the search bar. There has been lots of discussion about mounting antennas on Jeeps, perhaps there are antenna recommendations as well. 

[WSHH887]

Ahh, I tried searching antenna and was overwhelmed. Just a thought as I am aiming for commonality. Would the same techniques that work on a jeep work on other vehicles?

[nokones]

This is what I use for my UHF antenna. The antenna is a Larsen Glass-Mount with excellent VSWRs and performance.

[nokones]

This is what I use for my VHF antenna. The antenna is a Laird non-groundplane antenna. The side bracket is a Rugged Radios bracket for Jeeps.  You can substitute the VHF antenna for either a Laird UHF or a Midland MXTA26 antenna. If you're just needing an antenna for GMRS freqs, go with the Midland MXTA26 antenna.

[WSHH887]

And, the questions continue.  I have decided not to use the mag mount.  I found a mount for my pickup that attaches easily to existing bolts.  It has a 3/8" hole in it, but that is adjustable.  So just what type of antenna, guessing it wouldn't be a ground plane type, would work?  Specific model recommendation appreciated.  

Also, I'm considering a rear bumper mount for the Jeep.  Would the same antenna work for both?

[SteveShannon]

1 hour ago, WSHH887 said:

And, the questions continue.  I have decided not to use the mag mount.  I found a mount for my pickup that attaches easily to existing bolts.  It has a 3/8" hole in it, but that is adjustable.  So just what type of antenna, guessing it wouldn't be a ground plane type, would work?  Specific model recommendation appreciated.  

Also, I'm considering a rear bumper mount for the Jeep.  Would the same antenna work for both?

There are NMO mounts that only require a 3/8 inch hole. That’s what I would use. 

[WSHH887]

11 minutes ago, SteveShannon said:

There are NMO mounts that only require a 3/8 inch hole. That’s what I would use. 

And, if I'm correct, that would work with the Midland MXTA26?  I should mention that my Jeep is an old CJ-8, think Jeep with a small pickup bed.  I've got tube bumpers front and rear.  I've seen lots of mounts for roll bars that are 2" should work on a bumper tube.

[nokones]

On 3/7/2025 at 11:43 PM, WSHH887 said:

So, here's the deal.  I received the DB-20 bundle.  It included a mag mount but no antenna.  I gather that the Midland MXTA26 would be a good antenna to use with the mount.  Let me know if I'm wrong.  

 

But here's my real issue.  I intend to be able to move the radio from my pickup to my Jeep.  The mag mount would work well on the Pickup, but the Jeep has a fiberglass top.  I was thinking about some sort of whip attached to the rear of the Jeep.  But what would be a good antenna for that use?

This what I posted on the Jeep JL Forum this morning:

Seriously, there isn't really any ideal/optimum locations for two-way radio antennae on Jeeps. So, wherever you can mount an antenna is about the best you can do and you just have to live with the performance. Overall, it'll work fine especially for trail comms.

Some professional grade antennae like Laird and Larsen do offer non-ground plane antennae that will help with the lack of an antenna ground plane, and they are great for the side cowl mounts, but they do need to be trimmed/tuned.

I have four radios in my 23 Wrangler Rubi 2 Dr. For my CB Radio, I use a Firestik II antenna off the rear tailgate hinge. Also, I run with a VHF radio and I use a Laird non-groundplane antenna hanging off the driver's side front cowl, and two UHF radios, one analog for GMRS and other analog frequencies, and one digital UHF radio for my radio club digital radio system soon to be statewide. The digital radio antenna is mounted on the hood with a lip-mount and the GMRS analog UHF radio, I use a Glass-Mount antenna mounted on the rear glass.

[WRTC928]

It was pretty much impossible to get a good ground plane on my truck unless I mounted the antenna right on top of the cab, but I didn't want to use a mag mount. After going through a lot of antennas, I settled on the Nagoya HDG and it worked beautifully on a Breedlove bed rail mount right behind the cab. It's about 1/25" diameter, 48" long, and rigid, so it may not be for you, but I'm happy with it.

[Jaay]

On 3/8/2025 at 8:59 AM, Socalgmrs said:

Well I’d leave the mag mount and mxta26 or a comet 2x4 on the truck and get a proper antenna for the jeep. People will tell you to get some junker salt shaker ground plane or other ground plane antenna and mount it with out a ground plane but in reality if you want to tx and rx more then a few miles and in all directions get a non ground plane antenna such as the midland off road antenna for your jeep.   I would then try and swing a new radio as soon as you can so you’re not swapping the radio all the time.  And if you really don’t care about getting more then a few miles then an ht would have worked fine so why bother.  

[WRYZ926]

All antennas are a compromise. Go with what works best for your situation.

I know most do not want to drill holes for an antenna mount into their Wrangler hard tops and I don't blame them one bit. Though it can be done. People install NMO mounts on fiberglass truck toppers (camper shells for us old people) all of the time. They will put a piece of sheet metal on the underside of the shell for the needed ground plane.

And glass mounts do work. Though I will caution that some factory tint can have negative effects on them due to the metal content of the tint. The only way to know is to try.

[Lscott]

On 3/8/2025 at 1:43 AM, WSHH887 said:

I was thinking about some sort of whip attached to the rear of the Jeep.  But what would be a good antenna for that use?

This could be a good solution. It's a non ground plane type so you don't have that worry. It's also a fold over type so you can lay it down when parking in the garage.

https://www.hamradio.com/detail.cfm?pid=H0-018761

There is also a Ham band version of this antenna if you have the license.

[Socalgmrs]

Well I’d leave the mag mount and mxta26 or a comet 2x4 on the truck and get a proper antenna for the jeep. People will tell you to get some junker salt shaker ground plane or other ground plane antenna and mount it with out a ground plane but in reality if you want to tx and rx more then a few miles and in all directions get a non ground plane antenna such as the midland off road antenna for your jeep.   I would then try and swing a new radio as soon as you can so you’re not swapping the radio all the time.  And if you really don’t care about getting more then a few miles then an ht would have worked fine so why bother.