GMRS question

[runswithscissors]

Hello all. here is where i am. wanting a gmrs radio. i am thinking the btech 50x1. *no idea what the diff. is between the 50x2* what i have read it seems i need a antenna between 5 - 6 db. here is the rub. i do not want a magnetic mount antenna. i have found a few 'whip' stile hard mounted antenna. but they all say they are NOT flexible. i would think this is a MUST??? so long way around to the question. what antenna do i need with this radio? or.. am i just not understanding things? any help is welcome here. thanks!

 

[Prerunner1982]

The 50x2 is a dual band ham radio the 50x1 is a "single band" GMRS radio.
Have you looked at the Midland Ghost antenna? It is pretty popular due to it's size.

 

[runswithscissors]

The 50x2 is a dual band ham radio the 50x1 is a "single band" GMRS radio.
Have you looked at the Midland Ghost antenna? It is pretty popular due to it's size.

gain is 3 db.

 

[Prerunner1982]

Where are you going to mount the antenna?
What is your use case for GMRS? / What are you expecting out of it?

There are longer antennas (more gain) available such as the Browning BR-450 that is about 3' tall. They aren't completely rigid and will flex.
I ran a dual band antenna that was only a few inches taller and it flexed fine, just don't hit it against a tree near the base of the antenna.

 

[runswithscissors]

Where are you going to mount the antenna?
What is your use case for GMRS? / What are you expecting out of it?

There are longer antennas (more gain) available such as the Browning BR-450 that is about 3' tall. They aren't completely rigid and will flex.
I ran a dual band antenna that was only a few inches taller and it flexed fine, just don't hit it against a tree near the base of the antenna.

will that pick up NOAA broadcasts ? the reason that i ask is i have read not all antenna's work well with all radios. again. i do not know =)

 

[Prerunner1982]

yes it will pick up the NOAA broadcasts as well. Any GMRS or UHF Land Mobile antenna that is a 5/8 wave over 5/8 wave (typically noted at about 3' tall and 5-6db) will also be 1/2 wave on VHF which is where the NOAA broadcasts are.

 

[runswithscissors]

yes it will pick up the NOAA broadcasts as well. Any GMRS or UHF Land Mobile antenna that is a 5/8 wave over 5/8 wave (typically noted at about 3' tall and 5-6db) will also be 1/2 wave on VHF which is where the NOAA broadcasts are.

Sweet I’ll look more into that one then! Thanks again for your help

 

[Hogan]

I see you're talking about gain on a GMRS antenna and also talking about receiving NOAA broadcasts. Gain on transmitting antennas is referring to the transmission gain, not receive, and a higher gain antenna is not going to improve your ability to receive. Also, higher gain doesn't always mean better propagation when transmitting. It depends on the terrain.

 

[Oranger]

Great point with gain and terrain.

 

[Dusther210]

Those ghosts antennas are GREAT on GMRS. On my home radio I got an SWR of 1.2 on GMRS with this antenna. I wouldn’t recommend for VHF but I am impressed with it for GMRS and of my all the antennas I have at home it’s the one I use for GMRS. So discreet, my neighbor upstairs doesn’t realize it’s outside his window. Most people don’t even realize it’s on the roof of my truck.
Correct me if I’m wrong but I think it is a 1/4 wave at 462mhz which should help to reach GMRS repeaters or if you’re in a valley.
I know firestik is planning to release a GMRS 1/4 wave next month which I can’t wait to get my hands on. I think most GMRS users are probably group trail riders who might (might is the key word) benefit from a 5/8 wave. But 99% of the time I think a 1/4 wave like the ghost would be best.

 

[Sparksalot]

As an alternative to the Midland branded ghost antenna ($$), I use this on both of thewondertwins. Works for vhf/uhf ham, plus is has about 1.2 SWR at the gmrs frequencies.

 

[Mad Garden Gnome]

Hello all. here is where i am. wanting a gmrs radio. i am thinking the btech 50x1. *no idea what the diff. is between the 50x2* what i have read it seems i need a antenna between 5 - 6 db. here is the rub. i do not want a magnetic mount antenna. i have found a few 'whip' stile hard mounted antenna. but they all say they are NOT flexible. i would think this is a MUST??? so long way around to the question. what antenna do i need with this radio? or.. am i just not understanding things? any help is welcome here. thanks!

I think you are too worried about on paper performance. Get the radio. Install it and see if performance is satisfactory for your use. Then upgrade components as needed. As you've said, you have little experience in this. Instead of making purchases based on a myriad of keyboard experts, get the radio. Install everything that it comes with, and begin building your own experience base with that unit and your vehicle configuration.

 

[Hogan]

As an alternative to the Midland branded ghost antenna ($$), I use this on both of thewondertwins. Works for vhf/uhf ham, plus is has about 1.2 SWR at the gmrs frequencies.

Amazon linking is broken on the forums still, I guess. Maybe the smile URL won't be converted?

EDIT: Nope, that's broken, too.

https://smile.amazon.com/Bingfu-136-174MHz-400-470MHz-Compatible-Transmitter/dp/B07KNY4ZB3

 

[Dusther210]

Hello all. here is where i am. wanting a gmrs radio. i am thinking the btech 50x1. *no idea what the diff. is between the 50x2* what i have read it seems i need a antenna between 5 - 6 db. here is the rub. i do not want a magnetic mount antenna. i have found a few 'whip' stile hard mounted antenna. but they all say they are NOT flexible. i would think this is a MUST??? so long way around to the question. what antenna do i need with this radio? or.. am i just not understanding things? any help is welcome here. thanks!

I think you are too worried about on paper performance. Get the radio. Install it and see if performance is satisfactory for your use. Then upgrade components as needed. As you've said, you have little experience in this. Instead of making purchases based on a myriad of keyboard experts, get the radio. Install everything that it comes with, and begin building your own experience base with that unit and your vehicle configuration.

I totally support what @Mad Garden Gnome says 100%!


Also @TahoePPV we got the same antenna

 

[Hogan]

Indeed, don't worry about paper specs too much, look more at the features/functions you want and set a budget. No problem starting out with an inexpensive radio (Though there are folks out there that will scoff at certain brands and some that will complain about some cheap radios not actually being FCC compliant), if you decide to upgrade later then you have a backup that you can carry or toss into a separate vehicle or whatever. I have an HT (handheld transceiver) as well as a fixed mount mobile radio in my truck, it's nice to have the ability to hop out and still have comms without being tied to my truck.

A decent antenna with the proper gain for the terrain makes output power is less of an issue, especially if you're just going to be talking with folks nearby in a group. I mean, I was able to communicate with my wife who was 3-4 miles away in some treed, hilly areas relatively well and she was just carrying a Motorola GMRS handheld.

 

[Sparksalot]

Amazon linking is broken on the forums still, I guess. Maybe the smile URL won't be converted?

EDIT: Nope, that's broken, too.

https://smile.amazon.com/Bingfu-136-174MHz-400-470MHz-Compatible-Transmitter/dp/B07KNY4ZB3

If you’re using a browser with an ad blocker it sometimes appears that way.

 

[Hogan]

If you’re using a browser with an ad blocker it sometimes appears that way.

Who DOESN'T use an ad blocker these days?! :D

 

[Dusther210]

Indeed, don't worry about paper specs too much, look more at the features/functions you want and set a budget. No problem starting out with an inexpensive radio (Though there are folks out there that will scoff at certain brands and some that will complain about some cheap radios not actually being FCC compliant), if you decide to upgrade later then you have a backup that you can carry or toss into a separate vehicle or whatever. I have an HT (handheld transceiver) as well as a fixed mount mobile radio in my truck, it's nice to have the ability to hop out and still have comms without being tied to my truck.

A decent antenna with the proper gain for the terrain makes output power is less of an issue, especially if you're just going to be talking with folks nearby in a group. I mean, I was able to communicate with my wife who was 3-4 miles away in some treed, hilly areas relatively well and she was just carrying a Motorola GMRS handheld.

^this

 

[Sparksalot]

Who DOESN'T use an ad blocker these days?! :D

Just pointing out why it seems broken. SMH

 

[Hogan]

Just pointing out why it seems broken. SMH

I know, and disabling the ad block for OB forums fixed it (thanks!), just pointing out I don't know anyone that doesn't use an ad blocker these days. I've never had that happen on other forums so it didn't even occur to me to check. Thanks for the tip!