Recommend Wideband Scanner Antenna - Magnet Mount on the Trunk

Hi,

been a while since I was interested in radio scanning. I recently purchased BCD436HP and wanted your help to help me choose an antenna I can semi-permanently attach on the trunk lid of my sedan (unless there's a better place?).

I think magnet base would be the best choice, with some kind of thin silicone lining underneath in order not to scratch the paint.

Reception wise I'm mostly interested in Bay Area/California frequencies, CHP, local fire/police/etc, maybe mil and air in the future. I'm currently up on ~45-48MHz, 160MHz and 450-490MHz. Would like a better range though than the supplied whip antenna.

Objective is to find a high performance and high convenience magnet base antenna for my scanner for the car, cost is not in question at the moment, just the antenna specs and how useful it'll be.

Thank you in advance.

Worth Considering

If I were to mobile scan I would consider this, since you also require low band coverage then it's 33" length shouldn't be a deal breaker.

Austin Antenna Spectra Multiband Mobile/Base Scanner Antenna

Here are some Eham reviews.

Austin Spectra Amateur Four Band Mobile 30, 150, 450, 800 MHz Product Reviews

Whatever antenna you choose, good luck & enjoy.

The Radio Shack magnetic mount has been a good one for quite a number of years and is currently $15.99 (less than half price) on their website.
Magnet-mount mobile scanner antenna - Radioshack

A good antenna I have used up until recently is the Hustler MOR. I had it mounted on a Comet lip mount (RS720NMO) and it worked great on all bands. You could look into that. (Actually, here is the link... http://www.aesham.com/scanners/hustler-mor-b/)

Personally, a mag mount is probably the least desirable mounting method. Of course, the preferred method is drilling for a proper NMO mount. I just got over my hesitation after a number of years and had one installed in the roof of my vehicle and am quite happy.

If you are dead set against drilling for a proper NMO mount, you could use a fender or trunk lip mount (http://www.theantennafarm.com/catalog/mobile-antenna-mounts-264/). The Larsen Tri-Band NMO type antenna (http://www.theantennafarm.com/catalog/larsen-nmo150-450-800-1050.html) is one of the go-to scanner antennas. It covers the VHF/UHF/800 bands. The antenna mounted on my roof is a Laird ANSCANCS (http://www.theantennafarm.com/catalog/laird-technologies-abscancs-5587.html), which is similar to the Larsen. Although not designed for low band, it does surprisingly well.

Lots to consider.

If you are going to magnet mount and low cost is the aim -
Scanner Master SpectrumForce Antennas

I have used a number of antennas, but the one I stick with for all around good frequency coverage is the Radio Shack 20-032 mag mount antenna.

I'm dead set against drilling.
Let's just say that I'd pay 2x if I get >15% improvement in reception, relatively speaking.

I was wondering about trunk lip, won't it interfere with the trunk opening? Anyone have a demo video link of a trunk lid in use? Why is magnet bad?

Give me a day to review your suggestions and I'll reply with some questions.
Thanks

kandrey89 said:

I'm dead set against drilling.
Let's just say that I'd pay 2x if I get >15% improvement in reception, relatively speaking.

I was wondering about trunk lip, won't it interfere with the trunk opening? Anyone have a demo video link of a trunk lid in use? Why is magnet bad?

Give me a day to review your suggestions and I'll reply with some questions.
Thanks

Click to expand...

A magnet mount can end up scratching the paint on your car. I didn't want to drill into my truck either. I ended up getting a hood lip mount that was made for the model of my truck from the antenna farm. Came with the nmo mount and cable as a kit. Depending on the car you have, they might have one. Take a look at their website and see if you can find something that will work out. Ive bought a few things from them. Good service and prices.

kandrey89 said:

I'm dead set against drilling.
Let's just say that I'd pay 2x if I get >15% improvement in reception, relatively speaking.

I was wondering about trunk lip, won't it interfere with the trunk opening?
Anyone have a demo video link of a trunk lid in use? Why is magnet bad?

Give me a day to review your suggestions and I'll reply with some questions.
Thanks

Click to expand...

FYI -
You might try the little search box in the upper right hand corner.
The virtues and ills of both mag mounts and trunk lip mounts
have been discussed ad nauseum many times.
We can do it again if you'd prefer,
But I don't think anything's changed.

kandrey89 said:

I'm dead set against drilling.
Let's just say that I'd pay 2x if I get >15% improvement in reception, relatively speaking.

I was wondering about trunk lip, won't it interfere with the trunk opening? Anyone have a demo video link of a trunk lid in use? Why is magnet bad?

Give me a day to review your suggestions and I'll reply with some questions.
Thanks

Click to expand...

A trunk lip doesn't HAVE to be mounted on the forward-most edge near the rear window. You can mount them on the side. Here is an example from right here in Radio Reference that I found just by doing a Google image search for "trunk lip antenna mount". Ironically, it uses the Larsen Tri-Band we talked about earlier.

http://forums.radioreference.com/sc...bile-antenna-you-using-996xt.html#post1630596

http://forums.radioreference.com/at...728d1377538249-hf-vhf-mobile-antennas-001.jpg

This is the Spectra on my Malibu with the trunk lip mount. I've been using this antenna on every car I've driven since 2006, and it has served me well all that time. I haven't had any issues with it, and it has withstood numerous trips through car wash equipment without any incidents. It's a tough, well constructed unit, in my opinion.

With it located in this position on the trunk lip, it does come in contact with the glass surface of the rear window, but I just have to raise the trunk slowly and not let it slap the glass with too much force.

This antenna has served my scanner needs with the freqs that I monitor regularly, but I don't listen to VHF Low band at all, so I can't comment on how good it will do for you on those freqs. I think the Spectra has a cutting sheet that tells you how much to cut the top antenna section for low band coverage, but I've never trimmed mine since I don't have to.

The Spectra has several types of mounts available, so you can order it with a mag mount if that's what you prefer. I too am not a fan of drilling holes in my autos and I'm not too sure that a magnet mount would withstand the beating of the brushes at the car wash, and that is why my choice was the trunk lip mount. It has been the correct choice for me.

I know that there are numerous antennas in the marketplace to choose from and the price point of the Austin Spectra takes it out of consideration for many, but I stand firm on the performance and sturdiness of it. If it gets destroyed for whatever reason, I won't hesitate to purchase another. I hope this info is useful for you. Good luck on your selection.

Russell

I will throw my hat into the ring for the Austin Sprectra. I have had RS , Antenna Specialist, and other brands, none have lasted or held up as long as the Spectra. It is the only antenna, that I found when I got mine in 2000, that had a tuneable tip for the low bands. Mine is tuned for 42.12, what the Missouri Highway Patrol used to use in my area. The mount is an smo mount, mounted onto a Larsen Mag mount. The mount has rubber sides on the mount, so removing you don't scratch the paint. The antenna is a long term investment just like your scanner. I have tried other antennas over the years, the bases rusted the base had a plastic cover and cracked or became faded with age. If you go to a trunk lid mount, the Austin is right at home with a smo mount. With a Larsen Mag mount and the antenna, the combination will run $180.00. I also have the Spectrum Force, $19.95 and it has advantages. It is light weight, though the mag will not blow off. Its packable in a suitcase so you can take it along on trips. I have used it in motel and hotel rooms .It is the antenna I travel with when I ride with someone. The Sprectra will soon net cost to me over the years, $10.00 per year. The black covering of the coils fades from time to time from the weather. Alittle Armourall treats the black coils and returns the antenna to almost new condition. I have not experienced any rust or corrosion from the design.

Has anyone tried MP Antenna 08-ANT-0860 http://www.theantennafarm.com/catalog/mp-antenna-08-ant-0860-6183.html ?
Looks ugly, especially for a car, but seems like performance might be great.

Some people don't seem to like the cost vs performance of an Austin Spectra antenna, but I might get it after all if nothing else is better and cheaper.

Questions: A don't see a lot of mobile antennas supporting ~45MHz (6 meter band), how do I know that it'll work there or is it being listed just for transmit?

I was trying to figure out which magnet mount would work best for me.
TRAM 1267R 5 1/2” Magnet NMO Mounting with Rubber Boot
Laird Technologies GBR8 3 1/4"
1. Any experience with either?
2. How does the rubber boot for either fare on the trunk of a car, any permanent marks long term?
3. Will a 3 1/4" hold down Austin Spectra's 33" antenna at up to 90mph? (I don't speed, but have to ask for margin of error and etc)
4. Anyone replace the mount's thick coax wire with something like LMR-100A-PVC? How easy is it, the mounts more or less disassemblable? I have no problems doing resolder work.

My BCD436HP has an SMA, I'll probably buy an SMA connector and crimp it myself to length.

My car had a spoiler built in as part of a hybrid package, so my trunk lid probably has only like 7" of space.

I have a 12 foot tall attic, starting to wonder what kind of antenna I'd put there, maybe 40m+ bands?


Do people buy from:
Austin Antenna Spectra Multiband Mobile/Base Scanner Antenna
the price is cheaper but it has a 4-8 week shipping delay?
Is Austin Spectra Mobile Antenna then the only site that will ship right away?