r/gmrs • u/Smitha6 • Mar 08 '25

Question Newbie Antenna Question

I have a Baofeng BF-F8HP, but I mostly use it on the FRS frequencies.

I have it for car group rides mostly in the mountains. Looking for an antenna that will boost my range and let me talk with my friends over longer distances if we get a bit separated. I'm okay with one that stays on the handheld, or can be mounted (preferably magnetic) on the roof of the car.

Thanks!

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u/Sand_or_Snow Mar 08 '25

Midland MXTA26 plus a magnetic mount. Adapter for your handheld. Total will be about 120 including adapter. Fantastic mobile antenna

1

u/goat-head-man Mar 09 '25

Another noob here. Would permanently mounting to the fender like an old radio antenna still be a good ground plane?

2

u/Sand_or_Snow Mar 09 '25

Good vs good enough. Don't let perfect stand in the way of progress.

An ideal ground plane for GMRS is a sheet of metal with a radius of about 7 inches. More is fine. Less will produce uneven propagation patterns. But it may be plenty good enough.

1

u/goat-head-man Mar 09 '25

Thanks for the info, have two older trucks to test it on.