The Ham & CB Radio Thread

I got the trail coms installed in my LJ.

Since most people use GMRS these days, I set up a Midland MTX275 unit. It's on a bracket that bolts to the steering wheel mount. I have a remote connection for the microphone in the center dash cluster. The antenna mounts to a Teraflex antenna bracket with the hole reamed out to ¾" for the NMO mount. The microphone hangs on a mount that fits behind the grab bar.





For the ham unit, I attached a Yaesu FTM-200D on a Rugged Ridge bracket meant for a CB. The base unit is too wide so I Rigged up some spacers for it to sit up higher. The antenna is in the rear on a matching Teraflex bracket, also opened up to ¾". I found a 6M (19') cable with an NMO end. I routed it under the tub and up through the grommet where the rear wiring harness goes through.





I haven't had much time to really test things but I'm happy with how it turned out so far.

W0JPR

I use the same NMO antenna mount for ham radio antenna. I have occasionally received poor signal reports and wonder if the thicker metal of the bracket reduces contact at the NMO connection (where the bracket is sandwiched between the NMO mount and antenna base - if that makes sense). Curious to hear if you or others experience similar.

JC123 said:

I use the same NMO antenna mount for ham radio antenna. I have occasionally received poor signal reports and wonder if the thicker metal of the bracket reduces contact at the NMO connection (where the bracket is sandwiched between the NMO mount and antenna base - if that makes sense). Curious to hear if you or others experience similar.

Click to expand...

I use that same mount for GMRS and have had zero issues. That said, I did have to grind it a bit thinner for the GMRS antenna to fit since it was designed for a CB antenna and is much thinker than a standard VHF or UHF mount.

I had 2 different NMO cables with slightly different style NMO ends.

One fit just fine and gave me solid contact with the center tip.

The other was too short. I dropped a solder ball on the center post of the NMO mount to give me more depth. I get good contact.

I also spent some time ensuring I got good grounds. Everything checked out but I haven't had a chance to do any long distance tests.

JC123 said:

I use the same [Teraflex antenna mount] for ham radio antenna. I have occasionally received poor signal reports and wonder if the thicker metal of the bracket reduces contact at the NMO connection (where the bracket is sandwiched between the NMO mount and antenna base - if that makes sense). Curious to hear if you or others experience similar.

Click to expand...

I use Teraflex antenna brackets for both my 3/8" CB antenna and my NMO ham antenna. (Yes, there are many areas where CB is still used, particularly in logging areas of NorCal and the PNW.) I have never experienced poor signal related to the Teraflex brackets or my Breedlove antenna mounts.

Your issue is your NMO mount, not the Teraflex bracket. Some NMO mounts are designed for thin sheet metal, others can handle thicker brackets such as the Teraflex brackets or a piece of angle steel. My Breedlove NMO mount can handle a mounting plate up to 3/8" thick.





https://breedlovemounts.com/



PS - There is bare metal contact between the Teraflex brackets and the body, between Teraflex brackets and antenna mounts, also braided copper bonding straps between the Teraflex bracket mounting bolts and a Jeep body bolt, also body to frame. Easy to make with a crimping tool, ring terminals and a roll of braided copper strap. (Strap works better than wire for bonding.)

https://www.amazon.com/Tinned-Copper-Shielding-Protector-Flexible/dp/B09ZY4QG1Q

thanks @Mr. Bills I'll check out the Breedlove mounts - those look like an improvement over what I have now.

I have two Breedlove mounts . One on the Jeep and one on the Coach , they are excellent quality and made in the USA .