ckent323
Senior Member
We will be travelling in our Truck/FWC camper along with another couple and their Truck/FWC camper.
Last trip through Canada that we did together we had problems using cell phones to communicate truck to truck due to lots of dropouts as well as challenge of international cell plans.
For our upcoming trip we have decided, based on a lot of reading, to add GMRS radios to both trucks. I have a HAM license but our traveling partners do not have a HAM license and are not interested in the study required to take the technician test so 2 meter is out. We have ruled out CB for several reasons not worth getting into.
We like the Midland MXT275 GMRS radio because the chassis can be mounted out of sight and everything is done using the controls on the microphone. (I am probably going to get a Wouxsun KG-905g handheld as well as I often scout areas away from the truck on foot).
https://www.amazon.com/Midland-MicroMobile-Two-Way-Integrated-Microphone/dp/B07FN2FBML/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?crid=NWNPKMJZQM82&dchild=1&keywords=midland+mxt275+gmrs+radio&qid=1621982979&sprefix=midland+mxt275%2Caps%2C233&sr=8-1-spons&psc=1&smid=A33O82Y9CWW4GL&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUEyTFdGTjRaWldYWUhaJmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwMzk0NTgxMTJNVUEzSzRMOVpEQiZlbmNyeXB0ZWRBZElkPUEwMjc1Mzk0MjNHRDNNWVpFOFhNVyZ3aWRnZXROYW1lPXNwX2F0ZiZhY3Rpb249Y2xpY2tSZWRpcmVjdCZkb05vdExvZ0NsaWNrPXRydWU=
I am not knowledgable about radio antennas. The questions I have are about antenna mounting and location. We will be taking the Alaska Ferry North (and if Canada opens up we will drive back). Overall height is an issue relative to a roof mounted antenna and I do not want to drill a hole in the camper roof or the truck roof.
I am wondering about a 6 db whip (32" length) that is mounted to a jack bracket and then bent over and latched for the ferry trip or even attached to the truck rear bumper. The issue is that the top of the antenna might only be a foot or so above the camper roof as well as mounted at one corner and I have concerns that will significantly reduce its effectiveness.
https://www.amazon.com/Midland-Antenna-Durable-Connection-MicroMobile/dp/B084BPXNC5/ref=sr_1_3?crid=202KJDXSGOMUF&dchild=1&keywords=midland+gmrs+antenna+6db&qid=1621982895&sprefix=midland+6db+gmrs+antenna%5D%2Caps%2C236&sr=8-3
Alternatively the Midland 3 db "Ghost" antenna (3-1/2" tall) looks appealing but not sure where to mount it. Maybe on a removable crossbar mounted to the Yakima tracks and centered over the camper (if that mounting provides a suficient ground plane it may be the best solution).
https://www.amazon.com/Midland-MXTA25-Antenna-Connection-MicroMobile/dp/B08429ZT37/ref=sr_1_3?dchild=1&keywords=midland+gmrs+antenna+3db&qid=1621982926&sr=8-3
My questions are:
1) How to assess ahead of time the camper body blocking the antenna signals if I mount an antenna to a jack bracket (or perhaps a bumper). Any rules of thumb before I make a purchase (I am assuming the Aluminum siding and Aluminum frame of the ccmaper will act as a shield to emissions from an antenna that does not extand above the top of the roof - is that correct)?
2) What constitutes a good ground plane. Is a mechanical connection to the camper via a patch of bare metal (via a bolt or clamp) to the jack backet or the Yakima tracks sufficient? That is, does the ground plane need to be a countinuous piece of metal directly under the antenna or is the camper (or truck body sufficient?).
I am hoping a few members knowledgable of antenna theory and practice and GMRS in particular can give some suggestions.
BTW: I am aware of the lower power rules for GMRS emissions in Canada vs US as well as the GMRS license that needs to be purchased (no test). We plan to operate only on the low power setting of the radios whenever we transmit in Canada.
Thanks,
Craig
Last trip through Canada that we did together we had problems using cell phones to communicate truck to truck due to lots of dropouts as well as challenge of international cell plans.
For our upcoming trip we have decided, based on a lot of reading, to add GMRS radios to both trucks. I have a HAM license but our traveling partners do not have a HAM license and are not interested in the study required to take the technician test so 2 meter is out. We have ruled out CB for several reasons not worth getting into.
We like the Midland MXT275 GMRS radio because the chassis can be mounted out of sight and everything is done using the controls on the microphone. (I am probably going to get a Wouxsun KG-905g handheld as well as I often scout areas away from the truck on foot).
https://www.amazon.com/Midland-MicroMobile-Two-Way-Integrated-Microphone/dp/B07FN2FBML/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?crid=NWNPKMJZQM82&dchild=1&keywords=midland+mxt275+gmrs+radio&qid=1621982979&sprefix=midland+mxt275%2Caps%2C233&sr=8-1-spons&psc=1&smid=A33O82Y9CWW4GL&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUEyTFdGTjRaWldYWUhaJmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwMzk0NTgxMTJNVUEzSzRMOVpEQiZlbmNyeXB0ZWRBZElkPUEwMjc1Mzk0MjNHRDNNWVpFOFhNVyZ3aWRnZXROYW1lPXNwX2F0ZiZhY3Rpb249Y2xpY2tSZWRpcmVjdCZkb05vdExvZ0NsaWNrPXRydWU=
I am not knowledgable about radio antennas. The questions I have are about antenna mounting and location. We will be taking the Alaska Ferry North (and if Canada opens up we will drive back). Overall height is an issue relative to a roof mounted antenna and I do not want to drill a hole in the camper roof or the truck roof.
I am wondering about a 6 db whip (32" length) that is mounted to a jack bracket and then bent over and latched for the ferry trip or even attached to the truck rear bumper. The issue is that the top of the antenna might only be a foot or so above the camper roof as well as mounted at one corner and I have concerns that will significantly reduce its effectiveness.
https://www.amazon.com/Midland-Antenna-Durable-Connection-MicroMobile/dp/B084BPXNC5/ref=sr_1_3?crid=202KJDXSGOMUF&dchild=1&keywords=midland+gmrs+antenna+6db&qid=1621982895&sprefix=midland+6db+gmrs+antenna%5D%2Caps%2C236&sr=8-3
Alternatively the Midland 3 db "Ghost" antenna (3-1/2" tall) looks appealing but not sure where to mount it. Maybe on a removable crossbar mounted to the Yakima tracks and centered over the camper (if that mounting provides a suficient ground plane it may be the best solution).
https://www.amazon.com/Midland-MXTA25-Antenna-Connection-MicroMobile/dp/B08429ZT37/ref=sr_1_3?dchild=1&keywords=midland+gmrs+antenna+3db&qid=1621982926&sr=8-3
My questions are:
1) How to assess ahead of time the camper body blocking the antenna signals if I mount an antenna to a jack bracket (or perhaps a bumper). Any rules of thumb before I make a purchase (I am assuming the Aluminum siding and Aluminum frame of the ccmaper will act as a shield to emissions from an antenna that does not extand above the top of the roof - is that correct)?
2) What constitutes a good ground plane. Is a mechanical connection to the camper via a patch of bare metal (via a bolt or clamp) to the jack backet or the Yakima tracks sufficient? That is, does the ground plane need to be a countinuous piece of metal directly under the antenna or is the camper (or truck body sufficient?).
I am hoping a few members knowledgable of antenna theory and practice and GMRS in particular can give some suggestions.
BTW: I am aware of the lower power rules for GMRS emissions in Canada vs US as well as the GMRS license that needs to be purchased (no test). We plan to operate only on the low power setting of the radios whenever we transmit in Canada.
Thanks,
Craig