Like @TJ Starting says you don't need to worry about ground on a GMRS antenna like this without a ground plane. If you did have a ground plane like the one @NOTNSUV has all you have to do is connect the NMO ground to the metal ground plane. You don't need to ground to the Jeep. If you want to spend effort to improve your setup grounding the antenna to the Jeep is not the answer, getting a functional ground plane like what @NOTNSUV has is the right way to do it.
Do GMRS antennas need grounding?
- Thread starter kiwi
- Start date
One I set up for a friend...
My own... sorry best pic I have of it right now.
As I said, both work great.
My own... sorry best pic I have of it right now.
As I said, both work great.
I understand the challenges with Jeeps and trying to find a GP. I got lucky.
1/4 wave antenna (usually ideal) in GMRS is 6". CB is a 102" whip. 460Mhz vs. 27Mhz
I have the Midland MXT275 mounted under my steering column. I bought their trunk lip mount and attached it to my cowl panel on the passenger side. I then cut the cable and soldered in a “quick connect” setup to shorten it up to the actual needed length (its like 18’ long as delivered). Then mounted my Midland Ghost Antenna on it. No added grounds anywhere. I can talk to truckers on the highway miles and miles across town. As clear as if they were standing at my passenger door. I do have the MXT275’s speaker, mic speaker and Midland external speaker all enabled. I love it…
Thanks everyone. This plastic washer came with the antenna cable, does anyone know where it is supposed to go?
It came like this, but i don’t see how the teeth on the bottom piece can grab the metal on the mount if i put that washer in.
It came like this, but i don’t see how the teeth on the bottom piece can grab the metal on the mount if i put that washer in.
It can go on the top just under the outer threaded ring, sometimes people don't want to thread that thing down onto a painted surface like a hood or trunk and use the bushing. If you don't put it on the bottom side those little fingers will still bite. The little gap in your picture just above the folded washer where the brass shows through is where the mounting bracket would fit in. Once you have an antenna on there you wont see the gap between the upper brass threads and the support bracket that bushing creates. Some mounts don't have it, it doesn't matter.
Teeth underneath, gasket between mounting surface and antenna base. You'll get ground from the two threaded parts.
I think the big black ring in the picture is an antenna gasket and the thing @kiwi is asking about is the NMO bushing which would be below and not outside your outer brass threaded ring. I could be wrong.
Is it alive!?
Is there any kind of gasket between the base of the antenna and the mounting surface?
If not, I'd be concerned with water ingress and resulting corrosion.
Is there any kind of gasket between the base of the antenna and the mounting surface?
If not, I'd be concerned with water ingress and resulting corrosion.
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Dielectric grease, heat shrink and butyl rubber tape are your friends for keeping water out of antenna connections, coax, and electrical.
When I installed vsat dishes in Afghanistan we'd add a glob of dielectric instead the coax, then wrap everything with butyl rubber tape.
Oh and Breedlove mounts are the best IMHO...they have CB and GMRS.
-Mac
When I installed vsat dishes in Afghanistan we'd add a glob of dielectric instead the coax, then wrap everything with butyl rubber tape.
Oh and Breedlove mounts are the best IMHO...they have CB and GMRS.
-Mac
It's alive!
There isn't a gasket, as one didn't come with it. Should i make a gasket out of some gasket material?
Silicone will be fine. I keep a tube handy for this stuff. Run a bead around the base and wipe off the excess with your finger...dip your finger in isopropyl alcohol for a less messy finish.
I lost my first GMRS antenna...base stayed put, the little set screw worked loose. If you have a set screw might want a dab of blue thread locker.
-Mac
Silicone should be fine. Knowing me though, I'd probably go all OCD and make a rubber gasket.
Gaskets are a few bucks on ebay and under $10 for five on amazon. I think Tram 1291 would work if you want an easy solution.
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