GMRS Antennas and Understand Decibel – Midland

Midland's line of GMRS antennas were created to take range to new levels while on the trails. The GMRS antennas can extend the range of your radio by up to four times! This article will help you understand how choosing the right antenna will help yo achieve this impressive range extension.

Our GMRS antennas are compatible with GMRS mobile radios. They also offer multiple dB (decibel) levels that'll help adventurers level up communication in their specific environment.

Please note that Midland's GMRS antennas, such as the MXTA26 or MXTA25 are pre-tuned for GMRS frequencies and as such will not work for CB or ham radios.

Let's Get to know Midland's GMRS Antennas

MXAT01VP Fiberglass antenna (The Grand Vista ™)

This antenna will more than quadruple your signal output. 50 inches in height, the MXAT01VP or "The Grand Vista," packs a punch with a gain of 7.5dB.

It also features an NMO adapter for a 1/2 inch hold mount and 19.5 foot COAX cable.

The 1/2 inch hole is commonly used to mount CB antennas, making it easy to switch antennas depending on the type of radio you're planning to use.

MXAT03 Bullbar Antenna (The Canyon Edge™)

This 3dB antenna will double your signal output, increasing radio range and clarity. The MXAT03, also. known as "The Canyon Edge," is 28 inches tall and comes with a 19.5 foot COAX cable. The bullbar antenna requires a 1/2 inch hole for mounting and is waterproof.

MXAT04VP Heavy-Duty Bullbar Antenna with Spring Base (The Highland™ Tall)

The MXAT04VP is the Highland Tall, coming in at 47.5 inches in overall height with a 6.6dB gain. Because of this antenna's height and heavy-duty design, it's fit to take on the toughest of environments. This antenna is also water resistant, so it's fit for the outdoors.

The MXAT04 requires a 1/2 inch hold for mounting.

Included with this value pack is the antenna, and the heavy-duty spring base with a 19.5 foot long COAX cable.

The antenna is also sold by itself as the MXAT04 without the spring base and COAX.

MXAT05VP 3dV Heavy-Duty Bullbar Antenna with Spring Base (The Highland™)

The MXAT05VP, other wise known as "The Highland", is a 3dB gain antenna. That means it will double radio output, bringing improved range & clarity to two-way radio communication.

The bullbar antenna is 28.5 inches tall so it won't be an issue with obstructions on the trail. Like other Midland antennas, the MXAT05 requires a 1/2" hole to mount.

The bundle includes the antenna and spring base with a 19.5 ft COAX cable. The antenna is also sold alone without the spring base or COAX.

What is dB?

dB is the difference between two signal levels. dB describes the impact of system devices on signal strength.

Per the FCC, it is an important measurement because system gains & losses are calculated by adding & subtracting whole numbers. Each time you double (or halve) the power level, you add (or subtract) 3dB to the power level. This correlates with a 50% gain or reduction.

For example, a 10 dB gain/loss corresponds to a ten-fold increase/decrease in signal level. A 20 dB gain/loss corresponds to a hundred-fold increase/decrease in signal level.

Understanding dB (Decibel) Coverage

While you might think the GMRS antenna with highest dB will automatically go farther than an antenna with a lower dB, that isn't necessarily true.

A lower dB casts a taller signal, making communication clearer when encountering heavily obstructed areas such as cities, dense forests, and mountains. For Midland's GMRS antennas, this would include decibels between 2.1-3dB.

Medium dB helps strengthen communication in areas with some obstructions like hills & scattered trees. In these conditions, Midland recommends its antennas with a dB between 3-6.

Higher dB casts a longer signal, better fit for areas with minimal obstructions like wide open plains or highways. The recommendation is that for these environments, you shop Midland's antennas in the 6.6-7.5dB range.

Antenna Tips & Tricks

To maximize range, mount your antenna as high as possible
Don't install a bullbar antenna with the base near, or above the roof line
Don't install a fiberglass antennas on a lip mount, as it will not be secure enough
The best place to route your cable from the cab to the front of the vehicle is through the firewall. There should be a rubber grommet you can use for access, depending on your vehicle
When attaching your antenna mount to the coax cable, do not over-tighten
To properly ground your antenna, ensure the mounting surface is bare metal without powder coating or paint. Additional antenna grounding is not necessary with GMRS, but may help overall performance
To avoid signal obstruction and interference, keep your antenna away from light bars, GPS antennas, cables, roof racks, air scoops, etc.
When routing the antenna cable always keep it away from power cables, intercom cables, ignition cables / coils, engine electronics, an any other cables
If radio interference occurs, clip ferrite core beads to the antenna cable to suppress noise
Always avoid tightly coiling or bundling any excess antenna cable. If the cable is too long, shorten it by cutting the cable and using a PL259 Make Crimp Connector kit. You can also route the cable to use the excess length
Use hooks and cable wrap to secure the cable. Avoid using zip ties if possible