GMRS (General Mobile Radio Service) Thread

I started a little recon for drilling the antenna. Right now I am thinking about mounting between the two rib supports that the power for the dome light runs under. If I do it right I should only have to take off the drivers side pillar to route the cable down and under the seat to the center console. Then drill a small hole in the corner of the center console to route the wire inside.

Edit: Forgot the link to the pictures and video. https://photos.app.goo.gl/GeNzPHUDezjM7MhDA

 

Left pillar was the option I took.

 

Right pillar, passenger side? I was looking to drop drivers side.

 

You are correct, Left pillar.

 

The attached picture is not my Tundra, however I have the identical Leitner Designs active cargo system setup on my truck. I see the antenna on this rig is probably a bed rail mount on the left side behind the window.

I like the magnetic mount idea for starters and to test it out in both the roof top location and off the bed rail.

 

My license went through and the Midland mxt115 and 6db antenna will be here Thursday. I'll have to get some good cable and mounting hardware now.

 

A single ladder rack and as long it's metallic and grounded, you should be good to go!

 

I called Bullet Proof Diesel today and asked them to make this for the Tundra and Tacoma. They actually talked to me and said they would start looking into it.

 

Yeah, that would work perfectly.

 

Midland is giving away a lantern for orders over $100 - Promo Code READY

 

Well the radio is in, pretty nice. I like the clean white light for the buttons. Have it setup on my desk right now going though the settings (turning of the button BEEP!) and testing it out with the handhelds. Looks like everything else will be in by the weekend. Maybe I'll have time to install it Saturday.

 

What does the included antenna/magnetic mount look like? Overall length of it as well?

 

Included antenna is about 5.5"

 

Is the magnet really that small, or does that screw on to another mount?

 

What you see is what you get, no other mounting for the antenna.

 

Works and sticks well. I used it on my wife's vehicle for a couple of years.

Edit: Lewi3069 - Thank You for disabling that annoying roger (beep)tone!

 

I make all kinds of stuff out of seaboard. It's hdpe and very indestructible. I wonder if something could be made with a router. Maybe an inch or inch and a half thick. I use this stuff when I mount a toolbox or something in my bed. It keeps metal off of metal and you can shape it pretty easily with a router.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MQ1WGQW/ref=cm_sw_r_sms_apa_i_ZZOGDbH7TFGDX

Or

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01M9GL3XH/ref=cm_sw_r_sms_apa_i_U1OGDbX0S3GZW

 

Great idea but remember, an antenna needs to be mounted on common metal surface to assure a good ground plane.

 

Oh ok, I thought you could use a ground wire. Well, good, I was about to go nuts ordering Amazon stuff

 

Using a good braided wire ground is certainly worth a try and is exactly what is used when installing antennas on Corvettes and boats.

 

Some RVr's who have a fiberglass or vinyl roof use a magnetic mount sitting on a metal pizza pan and then placed on roof when camping.
This setup (round pizza pan) also works great just sitting on a picnic table or anywhere a ground plane is needed for mag-mount antennas.
All fun stuff...

 

I called theantennafarm.com and this radio was recommended to me: I do have to program it with the additional software, but I was told that in the future it can be used for HAM freqs also if I select the 400-470 MHz option. 420-450 MHz is 70cm band, so how many people are actually using that band in the HAM community and is this radio worth the few extra dollars and having to program it as well?

https://www.theantennafarm.com/catalog/icom-f6021-2984

https://www.theantennafarm.com/Brochures/F5021_F6021_brochure.pdf

 

Icom makes good products and it will serve you well.
If you need any assistance programing let me know.

 

Here is a screenshot of everything recommended from the gentleman at antenna farm and a total price just for your knowledge. I’m sure if you ask they have a coupon code also for ten percent or so.

 

I do a lot of antenna installs. In the last 23 years, over 20,000 roof mounted antennas and many other types as well. The Laird and Pulse Larson antennas are great antennas but a little pricier than many. I do prefer the Larson 3/4 mount over any other and use it even with the Laird antennas. If you use the 3/4” holesaw made for vehicle antenna installs you’ll have no issues. For years we were Antennex dealer of the year, worldwide, but after they were purchased by Laird some things change internally (like so many companies do) and we weren’t as happy with them and some of their technics but they still make a pretty great antenna. The Laird Phantom series of antennas do great and are low profile but use a Larson mount with it. We mainly do cellular boosters with a few C.B.’s but have a few clients that are picky and won’t let another company do their 2-way work so we occasionally do them as well. For C.B. antenna the Laird C-27 is great but if you can get your hands on the CW-27, and want to spend that much $, it is an awesome C.B. antenna. I’ve installed a few of the Midlands for the pipeline guys and used a Laird Phantom for it, with a Larsen mount. We do fleets for oil, gas, coal and utility companies. Their choice of trucks are 1-Fords, 2-Chevy’s, 3-Rams and then a mix of Toyota’s and others. I’ve taken apart many Tundras though and they are built well, just take your time.
Dave

 

It took me a couple of days on reading about coax, but I finally ordered. Who knew there was so much that went into getting a radio to work it's best.

I ended up settling in LMR 240 ultraflex. I just decided to get a length similar, a little shorter actually, than what comes with the Midland kit.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07L5WJ9R9/ref=cm_sw_r_sms_apa_i_7x4GDb0SDFAK9

And this for the connection between:
https://www.breedlovemounts.com/nmo-drop-in-mount.html

As for the mounting the antenna. I really wanted to mount it on the bed rails, but after seeing the info here and reading up on it, it looks like the roof is where I'm going. I still can't make myself punch a hole through the metal though, so I've come up with a plan... It will take me a bit, but I'll post back here with what I've come up with.

 

These showed up today.

 

Well I got things installed lastnight. Took about 4.5-5 hours really taking my time and thinking things over. Instead of going down the driver middle pillar, I dropped it down the drivers rear pillar.

I'll be posting my full install here.

 

Looks great Lewi3069!
Thanks for taking time for providing photographs and shearing!

 

A common mistake that people make when they "roll their own" antenna install is to buy low quality coax. Some companies sell foam core coax that will only last a few months before the core starts breaking down. Other sell coax with a poor velocity factor or a high loss factor. I'm not associated with this company, but I do know they sell a quality product. https://thewireman.com/product/rg8x-low-loss-coax/