When I ordered my X5105 (from Radioddity), I also ordered a GRA-1899 multiband antenna from Amazon.
The 1899 is a lot like the MFJ-1899, but the GRA has a BNC connector to fit the X5105.
I have found that the BNC connector doesn't make a very steady mount, connected directly to the BNC jack on the end of the radio.? One of my big hopes for the radio was handheld Hf operation, and it is still possible - but it seems a little risky.
I decided to 'rig up' a ground or tripod mount for the antenna, but it was pretty hard to find a way to actually mount it, especially since the very bottom is the connector.? I did cobble together a way to do it, which should be the subject of another post.?
I realized that I should have gotten a version of the same antenna but with a 3/4-24 threaded mount.? However, now I can find only one model of those, The Moonraker SPX-100.? And it actually comes with BNC and PL-259 mounting connectors (adapters) as well.? And sells for quite close to the same price as the GRA-1899, about $75.
Now I'm wishing we had hamfests this summer so that I could try to sell my '1899 and get the SPX-100.? I have 2 very handy ways to mount an antenna with the 3/8-24 thread.? One is just a short piece of aluminum flat bar, 1 inch wide and about 3 inches long, with 2 holes in it. One is a 1/2 inch hole for the stud-to-coax (BNC) adapter and the other is for the tripod 1/4-20 camera mounting screw.? For those without hole-threading capability, just a 1/4 inch hole and the use of a 1/4-20 wing nut would hold the bar on the tripod.
The other mount is quite different - some sellers call it "Jaws".? Search for "jaws antenna mount" and you'll get many results.? The price ranged from about $18 on up to about $40.? The more expensive ones come with the 3/8-24 stud mount/connector.? I already had the mount connector, so I got the cheapest one.? I had looked very carefully at the pictures from all the sellers and I truly believe that the basic unit is the same for all sellers.
I found this listing on eBay -
Workman QRCS3 CB Radio Antenna Quick Release Mirror Mount With 180 Degree Swivel
and one at for $49.00
Read some reviews on the mount - it's versatile, popular and well made.? (It's too bad the ebay listing calls it a mirror mount, although it can mount on a truck rearview mirror mounting frame).
Oh, well, at least I can use my "Jaws" with hamsticks, and other 3/8-24 mount antennas, like my MFJ-1664.
Doug, K8RFT
