UHF Fiberglass Mobile Radio Antenna, 400-470mhz GMRS Base Antenna, 17 inches SO239 Connector for Ham Radio Device Repeater Mobile Transceiver with Mount Bracket

I bought one of these after I was able to talk on GMRS simplex to a friend 10 miles away (30w on my radio, 40w on his) who mounted one of these on a 20ft flagpole. I found them to be between 1.6:1 on 462mhz to around 2.0:1 on 467mhz out of the package with no ground plane. Using a PVC pipe cutter (***Be sure to wear gloves and an N95 to avoid exposure to any fiberglass fragments from cutting***), I cut the first 2 inches off the top, only to see the tip of the radiating element (actual antenna whip) to be just below this. I cut just a bit more until I got to the radiating element and in very small increments using a wire cutter and antenna analyzer (you could do this on very low power, using an SWR meter and a Baofeng programmed in 1Mhz increments on simplex from 450 (antenna longer)-468Mhz (Antenna shorter)) I was able to trim it just enough to get it to 1.28:1 on 462-463Mhz and 1.7:1 on 467-468mhz. Adding a $14 SO239 ground plane (There is a $40 version of this that comes with the ground plane kit) I found the antenna to go down to 1.14:1 on 462-463mhz and 1.44:1 on 467-468mhz when also mounted on a metal pipe. It was showing on my antenna analyzer as having a flat SWR match (1:1) at 459-460mhz). I didn't want to chance cutting it too short and left it at this SWR match for GMRS use. To cap it off, I used some heat shrink tubing over the top 1 inch of the tube, which made a small PVC cap fit snug over the tube and cemented it in place using PVC cement. I was able to make a simplex contact on 462.725mhz with a friend who was himself, 10 miles from me with full clear audio on the version of this antenna I tuned to GMRS and vice versa. I as well was able to reach a repeater that is around 60 miles from me (Northwestern Broward County to Homestead, FL with line of sight across the Florida Everglades). I had this antenna mounted on a temporary deployed, fiberglass telescoping mast that was extended to 30 feet, using LMR-400 coax). For a very low cost base station antenna, this will perform. Just know it is not a high gain antenna, it is a that factors such as type of coax, height and location the antenna is mounted can improve or lower the performance of this antenna. At the right height and properly mounted, you should get very good results on GMRS repeaters in a 50 mile radius and base station to base station on GMRS simplex, I expect this to give you at least 10 miles, probably as much as 30-40miles if mounted on some elevation with line of sight over the horizon. Base to mobile, I would expect this to at best get you around 5-10 miles, depending on terrain (flat vs. mountainous). If the manufacturer were smart, they would make the cap of the antenna removable (screw on?), so the user can tune the antenna for their needs. None the less, those who are not tech savvy, the SWR across GMRS out of the package is still adequate for local repeaters that keeps your radio happy, just don't expect alot of performance from it..

Very nice GMRS antenna. Talked long distances on this antenna over 60 miles every day to a local repeater. I have bought two and will probably end up with a few more for different purposes. Go ahead and buy one you won’t be disappointed would recommend. Also consider adding the ground plane kit. 73’s 🤓

I bought this antenna because I tried out a 5 element yagi that just does not work. I have the yagi tuned to 467mhz and apparently get into repeaters, but I cannot hear them coming back on 462mhz. That's how much of a dip the SWR curve of the yagi has. I bought this omni to hopefully solve the issue and it seems to have worked. When hooked up to my NanoVNA this omni antenna is supposedly resonant at 448mhz which is closer to 70cm ham than GMRS. That said, it works well with the radio I've got it hooked to and I'm reliably talking to four repeaters within 30 miles of me. The antenna is not tune-able, so you're kind of stuck with what you get but I think that's the nature of the beast with most GMRS equipment sold on the consumer market. It is worth the asking price as a simple and effective antenna.

Great antenna. Works well, receptions amazing.

It is a mighty fine 70 cm antenna. SWR lower than 1.5 from 400-480.

Works better than the 80 dollar one I ordered from a private site that most people rave about. SWR is about 1.6. Only about 1 foot long and feels solid. Mounted it in the attic.

I purchased this antenna based on the other reviews but because of the low price still had some reservations about it. This antenna gave me a SWR of 1.6 at 467 mhz and 1.2 on the lower end at 462 mhz. I have to say it performs extremely well. All feedback I have received report a strong and clear signal. Im using a 45 watt Kenwood and easily reaching repeaters 30+ miles away (mounting height is 35’ / elevation 690’). The antenna appears to be solidly made and built for longevity. Very pleased and recommend for GMRS.

I was going to make a mobile setup for this but decided to keep it at base. It's mounted on a standoff about 15ft up a mast in my yard, and used for GMRS. I'm hearing lots more, and am able to hit previously unheard repeaters. I may have to get another for it's original use.

The sweet spot for this antenna is 435MHz. The SWR for the 70cm ham band is quite good, but starts to get in to the 2:1+ range for GMRS. One bad thing is that the threads on the SO239 are not long enough to get a PL239 connector mated properly, so if you are using this outdoors, make sure you use some good quality mastic to get a good weather seal otherwise it is likely the rain will get in.