RadioRanked verdict
Midland Radio
Midland MXTA25 Ghost Antenna
A reasonable buy for the low profile alone, and the high rating reflects real owner satisfaction with that. Just do not expect the 3 dB gain claim to be real; the physics of an 89mm element cannot deliver it.
Proprietary RR score
How we scored it
Performance is derived from the antenna's length in wavelengths on each band it covers, not from the advertised gain. How we score →
Length versus wavelength
What 89 mm Buys You
An antenna radiates according to its length measured in wavelengths, not according to the number on the packaging. Here is where this one lands on each band it covers.
| Band | Wavelength | This antenna | Works out as |
|---|---|---|---|
| GMRS465 MHz | 645 mm | 0.14 λ | electrically short |
Decision helper
Is this antenna right for you?
Yes, if you're…
- ✓Low-clearance parking (garages, car washes, covered lots)
- ✓Riders who want minimal profile more than maximum range
Skip it, if you're…
- ✕Anyone prioritizing range or hitting distant repeaters
- ✕Anyone buying specifically because of the gain claim
Tradeoffs
The good and the bad
What we like
- Genuinely low-profile; will not catch on garages, branches, or car washes
- Highest rating of any antenna in this batch (4.8 stars, 1,199 reviews)
- Easy NMO installation
What we don't
- The advertised 3 dB gain is not supported by the antenna's length; expect a real loss, not a gain
- Meaningfully shorter range than any full-length GMRS whip in this catalog
- Single-band GMRS only
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Overview
The Midland MXTA25, sold as the "Ghost Antenna," is a 3.5-inch (89 mm) NMO stub for GMRS radios. Midland's own product page calls it a 3 dB gain antenna. At just 0.14 wavelengths on the GMRS band, that number is not physically plausible; an element this short radiates at a measurable loss rather than a gain, and our model puts its realistic performance around -1 dBi, not +3.
None of that makes it a bad product for what it actually is. At 3.5 inches it is barely taller than the NMO base itself, so it will not catch on a garage door, a low branch, or a car wash brush the way a full-length whip will. Buy it for the low profile and accept a real reduction in range compared to a proper GMRS whip; do not buy it expecting gain.
Specifications
| Frequency bands | UHF, GMRS |
| Connector | NMO |
| Length | 89 mm |
| Antenna type | mobile |
| Flexible | No |
| size | Compact |
| color | Black |
| unitCount | 1 |
Key Features
- Ghost Antenna: The antenna is a high-performance radio antenna that is designed to enhance the reception of your 462 MHz frequency radio. This antenna is engineered using top-quality materials to provide you with exceptional reliability.