GME ABL002F Elevated-feed Antenna Base FME Terminated - Stainless Steel

Elevated-Feed Stainless Antenna Base with FME Termination Ground Independent, 4.5m Low-Loss Foam Coax, BSW Thread

Product Overview

The GME ABL002F is the FME-connector variant of the ABL002 elevated-feed stainless steel antenna base. It shares the same ground-independent elevated-feed design, stainless steel construction, BSW thread, and 4.5m low-loss foam coaxial cable as the ABL002 with the key difference being the pre-terminated FME connector in place of a PL259 or other standard plug.

The FME connector is a compact coaxial connector used by certain GME radio models that feature an FME antenna input. The "F" suffix in the SKU and the "FME Terminated" designation confirm the connector type. Confirm that your GME radio has an FME antenna input before purchasing if your radio uses a PL259 input, the ABL002 or ABL001 will be more appropriate.

The ground-independent design means the ABL002F does not require a conductive (steel) vehicle or vessel body for antenna ground plane, making it suitable for fibreglass boats, aluminium canopies, and non-metallic mounting surfaces.

Note: BSW thread differs from the 5/16" TPI standard used on other GME antenna bases. Confirm your antenna uses a BSW base thread before purchasing.

Features & Benefits

• Pre-terminated FME connector — factory-fitted FME connector ready to connect to GME and compatible radios with FME antenna inputs; no additional connector fitting required
• Ground-independent / elevated-feed design — does not rely on a conductive vehicle body for ground plane; suits fibreglass, aluminium, and non-metallic surfaces
• Stainless steel construction — corrosion-resistant for marine, coastal, and outdoor 4WD environments
• 4.5m low-loss foam coaxial cable — minimises signal loss over the full cable run
• BSW thread — British Standard Whitworth antenna thread; confirm your antenna uses BSW thread before purchasing

Technical Specs

Compatible With / Goes Well With

• GME radios and devices with FME antenna input — confirm your specific radio model uses FME before purchasing
• Antennas with BSW thread base
• Fibreglass, aluminium, steel, and non-metallic vehicle and vessel bodies
• 4WD, marine, and recreational installations where ground-dependent bases are not suitable

Weight

Not specified

Frequently Asked Questions

What is an FME connector and which GME radios use it?

FME (Female Miniature Equivalent) is a compact coaxial connector used in space-constrained or miniaturised antenna applications. Some GME handheld and compact radio models use FME antenna sockets rather than the larger PL259 standard connector. Confirm your specific GME radio's antenna input type before purchasing — if it uses PL259, the ABL002 (standard ABL002) is the correct choice.

How does the ABL002F differ from the ABL002?

The ABL002F is identical to the ABL002 in all specifications — same 4.5m low-loss foam coax, same ground-independent elevated-feed design, same stainless steel construction, same BSW thread — except for the connector termination. The ABL002 connector type is unspecified in supplier data; the ABL002F is explicitly pre-terminated with an FME connector. Choose the ABL002F if your radio has an FME antenna input.

Why does the BSW thread differ from 5/16" TPI on other GME bases?

GME's antenna range spans different thread standards depending on the base design. The BSW thread on the elevated-feed ABL002 and ABL002F series is not the same as the 5/16" TPI thread used on the AB001, AB406, and ABL001 bases. A BSW-based antenna is required for both ABL002 variants. Mixing thread types can result in cross-threading or an unreliable connection. Always confirm antenna thread compatibility before purchasing.

What applications particularly suit an FME-terminated base?

FME-terminated cables suit radios with compact form factors that use FME antenna sockets — this is common in certain GME portable and compact mobile radios. The FME connector also sees use where low-profile antenna cable routing is needed. If you're connecting to a standard mobile radio with a PL259 socket, a PL259-terminated base is the correct choice.

Does the ground-independent design make this suitable for a fibreglass boat?

Yes — the elevated-feed, ground-independent design is specifically the correct choice for fibreglass boats, aluminium tenders, and other non-metallic vessels where a conventional ground-dependent base would perform poorly. The base generates its own effective ground plane without relying on the vessel structure.