GME AE4012K2 860mm Elevated-feed Antenna (6.6dbi Gain)

GME AE4012K2 860mm Ground-Independent Elevated-Feed UHF CB Antenna Kit 6.6dBi

A complete elevated-feed UHF CB 477MHz antenna kit from GME, the AE4012K2 combines an 860mm total length with a 6.6dBi stainless steel whip, the ABL002F elevated-feed base and lead assembly, a light duty stainless spring, and an AD503 FME to PL259 adaptor, delivering ground-independent performance in virtually any mounting position.

Product overview

The GME AE4012K2 is a complete elevated-feed UHF CB 477MHz antenna kit, 860mm total, with a 6.6dBi stainless steel whip, elevated-feed base and lead assembly (ABL002F), light duty stainless spring (AS001), and FME to PL259 adaptor (AD503). The elevated-feed, ground-independent design means this antenna performs correctly in virtually any mounting position, including bull bar, gutter, fender, or A-pillar, without requiring the vehicle roof as a ground plane.

The elevated-feed design raises the radiating element above the vehicle body and obstructions, providing a strong omni-directional pattern regardless of mount position. This makes the AE4012K2 a popular choice for heavy vehicles, fleet vehicles, and 4WDs where non-roof mounting is required.

Important: GME recommends the AE4012 series should not be mounted on the bull bar of diesel vehicles. Confirm mounting position suitability before purchase.

The 6.6dBi whip can also be replaced with a 2.1dBi whip for a broader vertical radiation pattern in terrain where high gain would reduce effectiveness.

Features and benefits

Elevated-feed, ground-independent design: Performs correctly in any mounting position without needing the vehicle roof as a ground plane, suitable for fibreglass, aluminium, and non-metallic vehicle bodies.

Raises the radiating element above obstructions: The elevated-feed base positions the antenna element above the mounting surface for optimal omni-directional pattern from bull bar, gutter, or fender mounts.

6.6dBi gain: Balanced UHF CB range for most terrain types with mid-high gain.

Stainless steel whip: A durable, corrosion-resistant whip element.

Light duty stainless spring (AS001): The spring base absorbs vibration and allows the antenna to deflect on contact with obstacles.

ABL002F elevated-feed base and lead included: The FME-terminated elevated-feed stainless base is included in this kit.

AD503 FME to PL259 adaptor included: Allows direct connection to radios with either FME or standard PL259/SO239 antenna inputs.

6.6dBi whip swappable for 2.1dBi: The 6.6dBi whip can be replaced with a 2.1dBi option for a broader vertical pattern in hilly terrain.

Popular for heavy vehicles and fleet: The elevated-feed design is widely used in the heavy vehicle and commercial fleet sector.

Not recommended for diesel vehicle bull bars: See FAQ for further detail on this recommendation.

Technical specs

Compatible with

The AE4012K2 is compatible with GME UHF CB radios with FME or PL259/SO239 antenna input via the included AD503 adaptor, fibreglass, aluminium, steel, and non-metallic vehicle bodies due to its ground-independent design, and bull bar, gutter, fender, and A-pillar mounting positions. Not recommended on diesel vehicle bull bars.

Frequently asked questions

What is an elevated-feed design and why does it improve bull bar and gutter mounting?
In a standard ground-dependent antenna mounted on a bull bar or gutter, the antenna's ground plane is formed by the small area of metal immediately around the mount, significantly less than the full vehicle roof. This results in a distorted radiation pattern and reduced performance. The elevated-feed design builds the antenna's counterpoise into the base itself, making the antenna's radiation pattern independent of the mounting surface. When mounted on a bull bar, gutter, or fender, the elevated-feed AE4012K2 radiates an omni-directional pattern as if it were roof-mounted.

Why should the AE4012K2 not be mounted on a diesel vehicle bull bar?
GME specifically recommends against mounting the AE4012 series on the bull bar of diesel vehicles. This is due to electromagnetic interference from diesel engine management systems and high-current injection systems, particularly diesel engines with common rail or piezoelectric injection, that can degrade UHF CB performance or cause interference when the antenna is in close proximity to the engine bay. Roof, gutter, or fender mounting positions away from the engine are recommended for diesel vehicles.

Can the 6.6dBi whip on the AE4012K2 be replaced with a 2.1dBi whip?
Yes. The 6.6dBi whip can be removed and replaced with a smaller 2.1dBi whip option. This allows the radiation pattern to be broadened, useful in hilly terrain where the narrower vertical angle of 6.6dBi would cause some signal to miss terrain features. A 2.1dBi AE4001 or similar compatible whip would be used for this purpose.

What does each component in the AE4012K2 kit do?
The AE4012 whip is the 6.6dBi stainless steel antenna element. The ABL002F is the elevated-feed stainless steel base assembly with 4.5m FME-terminated lead. The AS001 is a light duty stainless spring that sits between the base and whip, absorbing vibration and allowing the antenna to flex and recover on contact with obstacles. The AD503 is the FME to PL259 adaptor that allows the kit's FME-terminated cable to connect to radios with a standard PL259/SO239 antenna socket.

How does the AE4012K2 relate to the ABL002F sold separately?
The ABL002F elevated-feed stainless antenna base is available as a standalone product, allowing buyers to assemble or configure their own elevated-feed antenna system. The AE4012K2 is a complete pre-assembled kit, with the ABL002F base, AE4012 whip, AS001 spring, and AD503 adaptor all bundled together. Buyers who already have some of these components can purchase them separately.