GME ABL001 4.5M Universal Antenna Base & Lead

GME ABL001 4.5M Universal Antenna Base and Lead with PL259 Connector for 27MHz and 477MHz UHF CB

A universal antenna base and lead from GME, the ABL001 includes 4.5 metres of low-loss foam coaxial cable and a standard PL259 connector, suits both 27MHz CB and 477MHz UHF CB antennas with a 5/16" TPI thread, and uses a ground-dependent design requiring a ferrous steel vehicle body for antenna ground plane.

Product overview

The GME ABL001 is a universal antenna base with 4.5m of low-loss foam coaxial cable and a PL259 connector, suited to both 27MHz CB and 477MHz UHF CB antenna whips with a 5/16" TPI base thread. The low-loss foam coaxial construction minimises signal attenuation over the cable run, and the 4.5m length provides sufficient routing length for most standard vehicle installations.

The ABL001 uses a ground-dependent design, meaning the vehicle's metal body acts as the antenna ground plane. This is the conventional setup for most CB and UHF CB vehicle installations on steel-bodied vehicles. It is not suitable for vehicles with fibreglass, aluminium, or other non-metallic bodies where a no-ground plane (NGP) antenna system is required instead.

Features and benefits

4.5m low-loss foam coaxial cable - minimised signal attenuation: The low-loss foam coaxial construction uses a foamed polyethylene dielectric to reduce signal attenuation over the cable run compared to standard solid-dielectric coax of the same length, delivering more of the radio's signal to the antenna and improving received signal performance.

Standard PL259 connector - direct radio connection: The industry-standard PL259 plug connects directly to most CB and UHF CB radio antenna inputs without additional adaptors.

5/16" TPI thread - standard Australian CB and UHF CB specification: Accepts the majority of Australian UHF CB and CB antenna whips using the common 5/16" TPI thread standard from GME and other compatible brands.

Dual frequency compatibility - 27MHz CB and 477MHz UHF CB: The ABL001 suits antennas for both 27MHz traditional CB and 477MHz UHF CB from a single base, covering both frequency bands in one product.

Ground-dependent design - conventional vehicle installation: Uses the vehicle's steel body as the antenna ground plane for conventional CB and UHF CB antenna performance on steel-bodied vehicles.

Universal - broad vehicle and mounting compatibility: Not vehicle-specific and suits a wide range of mounting configurations across different vehicle types with steel bodies.

Technical specs

Compatible with

The ABL001 is compatible with standard 5/16" TPI CB and UHF CB antenna whips from GME and other compatible brands. Suits 27MHz CB radios and 477MHz UHF CB radios with a PL259 antenna input. Requires a ferrous steel vehicle body for ground plane. Not suitable for aluminium, fibreglass, or non-metallic vehicle bodies.

Frequently asked questions

What does ground dependent mean for antenna performance?
A ground-dependent antenna base uses the metal body of the vehicle as an electrical ground plane, which is the conventional design for most vehicle CB and UHF CB installations. Vehicles with fibreglass, aluminium, or other non-metallic bodies do not provide the required ground plane, and a no-ground plane (NGP) antenna system is required for these applications.

What is low-loss foam coaxial cable?
Low-loss foam coaxial cable uses a foamed polyethylene dielectric instead of solid PE, which lowers signal attenuation compared to standard solid-dielectric coax of the same length. This means more of the signal from the radio reaches the antenna and vice versa, particularly meaningful over longer cable runs.

Is 4.5m enough cable for most vehicle installations?
For most standard vehicle installations routing from the antenna mount through the A-pillar or door seal and under the dash to the radio, 4.5m is typically sufficient. Larger vehicles such as trucks or installations requiring chassis routing may need additional cable length via a compatible coaxial extension.

Will the ABL001 work on a vehicle with an aluminium or fibreglass body?
No. The ground-dependent design requires a steel ferrous vehicle body to provide the antenna ground plane. On aluminium, fibreglass, or plastic-bodied vehicles, a no-ground plane (NGP) antenna system is required for correct antenna performance.

How does the ABL001 differ from the AB001 and AB406?
The AB001 is a universal base only with no cable or connector included. The AB406 is a magnetic base with lead and plug for non-permanent steel surface mounting. The ABL001 is a fixed base with 4.5m of specified low-loss foam coax, a PL259 connector, 5/16" TPI thread, dual 27/477MHz compatibility, and a confirmed ground-dependent design.