GMRS antenna

In 2022, Melowave entered the two way radio accessory market for the first time. its initial product lineup consisted of two mobile antennas, the Overlander and Shadow. These premium quality antennas were designed and tuned specifically for the GMRS, and they quickly became renowned for their durable construction and reliable performance.

These antennas were a welcome addition to the GMRS community, yet something was missing from all this. There was no Melowave antenna for handheld radios.

That is, until now.

We're thrilled to announce the launch of a new product from Melowave – the Bandit-G antenna! This latest addition integrates seamlessly into Melowave’s stellar lineup. Designed specifically for handheld GMRS radios, the Bandit-G is engineered with precision and built for performance. It's an indispensable after-market upgrade for the GMRS user who needs portability and maximum range.

The Melowave Bandit-G is truly a high-performance antenna. It is optimized for the GMRS, encompassing the frequency range of 462-468 MHz on the UHF band. Measuring approximately 15.5 inches in length, the Bandit-G features a thin, flexible wire design that ensures both portability and resilience in various mobile environments. It offers significant improvements in performance over many stock handheld antennas, with a 2.15 dBi gain and a maximum power rating of 10 watts, providing clear and strong communications for users.

The Bandit-G is currently available with three different connectors: SMA Male, SMA Female, and BNC Male, ensuring compatibility with a wide range of portable handheld GMRS radios equipped with a removable antenna.

Whether you're a seasoned radio operator or new to the GMRS, the Melowave Bandit-G is made for you. It is engineered to deliver exceptional performance and reliability, continuing the legacy of Melowave's commitment to providing the highest quality and most reliable two-way radio accessories on the market. It's available exclusively from Buy Two Way Radios.​ Price: $17.99.

Stay tuned to our blog for more updates and product releases from Melowave. Follow us on social media and check out our website for the latest news, product reviews and promotions.

One of the most critical components of a radio is the antenna that is connected to it. While a radio does need sufficient power and positioning to maximize its range, it is the antenna that determines the ultimate fate of the signal to be sent or received. The choice of antenna cannot be taken lightly, and there are many from which to choose.

This is why we carry so many antennas. We offer a broad selection of antennas and antenna accessories from name brand manufacturers, including Diamond Antenna, Icom, Midland, Nagoya, President, Tram, and others. Now we've added a new manufacturer to our product lineup, the Melowave brand!

Who is Melowave?

Introduced just this year, Melowave is a new brand of two way radio accessories brought to you by the same people who founded Buy Two Way Radios. Melowave products are developed based on feedback from customers of Buy Two Way Radios who use these types of products every single day. This direct relationship with the those who use them in a real world scenario enables the company to respond with products that customers really need.

The customer focused approach to product development ensures that Melowave meets the expectations of consumers with products that are of high quality, deliver value as advertised, and perform better than comparable products from other manufacturers.

What does this mean for the average GMRS user? In short, it translates to greater range, greater parity, and greater performance of their radio.

Antennas
Melowave is initially launching with two mobile antennas, and each are made for the GMRS. To be more specific, these are not commercial or ham radio antennas that merely include the GMRS frequency range. They are designed and tuned specifically for GMRS channels and frequencies.

Shadow
The Shadow is a short, inconspicuous 1/4 wave GMRS antenna with 3dB gain. Designed for mobile GMRS two way radios such as the Wouxun KG-1000G and KG-XS20G, this high performance, low profile antenna is precisely tuned for 462MHz-467MHz frequencies assigned to the 30 channels on the General Mobile Radio Service. It has an NMO connector for compatibility with a wide variety of mobile antenna mounts. An antenna mount is not included.

The Shadow is a great choice for most mobile radio applications. At a mere 3.5 inches (97 cm) high, it provides great performance without getting in the way. Price: $39.99

Overlander
True to its name, the Overlander is targeted for, you guessed it, the off-roading or Overlanding community. This is not your typical mobile radio antenna. It's a heavy duty, four foot long aerial made specifically for vehicles traveling in extreme environments or over rough terrain.

The Overlander is a high gain, 5/8 over 5/8 wave antenna for excellent performance in the field. It is precisely tuned for 462MHz-467MHz frequencies on the GMRS with 6 dBi gain and V.S.W.R. ≦1.2:1. The attached cable is a low loss CFD200 with with FME connector and UHF adapter. At nearly half the loss of the RG58 cable usually provided with mobile radio mounts, the CFD200 adds to the optimal performance of this aerial.

In addition to superior performance, the Overlander is also tough. It is equipped with a massive spring at the base to keep it upright and intact when driving on harsh trails. The included L bracket mount and U bolts that secure the Overlander to the vehicle are also black. Plus its sleek, black appearance looks great on a camper or a 4x4. Price: $159.99

Mounts
Melowave is also launching the brand with an ample selection of popular mount styles. These include NMO magnet mounts in 2 sizes, a trunk lip mount and two NMO hole mounts. The company also offers mount accessories such as Studs (NMO to UHF, NMO to N), brackets and other items.

One important plus that should not be overlooked is the type of cable included with these new products. While it is not uncommon for other manufacturers to use RG-58 A/U with their mobile antennas and mounts, Melowave uses CFD200 type cable, which has nearly half the signal loss of RG58. Also, rather than chrome, Melowave mounts are solid black in color, which seems to be the preferred color based on customer feedback.

Although the initial launch of the Melowave product line is somewhat limited, the selection will grow over time.

Since the FCC Part 95 reform of 2017, we've seen quite a surge in demand for GMRS radios, of both portable handheld walkie talkies and mobile/base station units. This isn't surprising to us at all. It was inevitable, and for several reasons. In response to this demand, high quality, commercial grade GMRS radios such as the Wouxun KG-805G are entering the market, and are quickly becoming quite popular. This new generation of transcievers also brings a demand for professional grade radio accessories such as high capacity batteries, earpieces, speaker mics, and antennas.

However, while audio accessories are plentiful and power options are not much of a problem, it's the availability of detachable antennas that is at issue. More specially, antennas made and tuned for the GMRS.

Before the Great Reform, the antennas on FRS/GMRS radios were not swappable. While the FCC did allow GMRS radios to have detachable aerials, it wasn't legal on FRS walkie talkies, so the combo units simply didn't have them. With few exceptions, serious GMRS operators had to settle for using antennas tuned to a wider range of UHF business frequencies in the 420-480Mhz range. While these antennas also worked on the GMRS, they weren't specifically tuned for it, limiting the overall performance of the radio to which it was connected.

Not anymore.

Buy Two Way Radios and Nagoya have teamed up to introduce a new series of antennas designed and built specifically for GMRS two way radios. These new GMRS antennas from Nagoya are now available for purchase, and exclusively at Buy Two Way Radios!

There are currently three antennas in this series, two for the portable handeld walkie talkies, and one for mobiles. All three are made for the GMRS.

Nagoya NA-701G
Based on one of Nagoya's most popular antenna series for dual band portable radios, the NA-701G takes the venerable NA-701 directly to the General Mobile Radio Service, supporting 462MHz GMRS channels, plus 467MHz for fine tuning to GMRS repeaters.

Nagoya NA-771G
The NA-771G is based on another very popular, high performance antenna for handheld dual band amateur radios, the NA-771. It's also, at the time this article is written, probably the longest, at over 15 inches in length! This is a 1/2λ wave antenna with a maximum power rating of 10 Watts and is tuned to 462 MHz and 467 MHz GMRS frequencies.

Nagoya NL-770G
The NL-770G is a high gain linear mobile antenna tuned to 462MHz and 467MHz frequencies for GMRS. It has a PL-259 (UHF male) connector that fits any number of vehicle mounting kits that is equipped with an SO-239 (UHF female) connector or feed line, including the Nagoya RB-MJPL Mobile Mag Mount Base. At approximately 38 inches (97 cm) in length, the LN-770G has 6 dBi gain and V.S.W.R. 1.5:1.

All three antennas are now available exclusively from Buy Two Way Radios.

We have a long relationship with Nagoya and only buy direct from this manufacturer. When you purchase a Nagoya antenna from us, be assured that you are getting an authentic, genuine Nagoya product from an authorized Nagoya dealer - Buy Two Way Radios! Questions? Concerns? Contact us!

Here is the Official List of Nagoya Authorized Dealers and Distributors Worldwide.