Best Mobil Antenna

Status
Not open for further replies.

specialist

Member
Joined
Jun 8, 2007
Messages
32
Location
Northwood, NH
Hi,

I did a few searches trying to locate what would be the best Antenna and as usual I am easily confused.

Price is no concern, I would like to purchase the best without drilling any holes.

Right now I have a Uniden 996 Digital in the house and would like to install the same model in my Tacoma pick up.

So I am Looking to find the best antenna for my listening pleasure.

The frequency's I would be listening to are from 151.400 - 159.315 and most are Apco-25 Digital.

Max 360 degee distance is under 75 miles.

I don't really want to drill a hole in the cab, I have seen searched some clean installs using the hood lip attachment aside the front fender.

Is this the best type, next to a permanent install on top of the cab?

And if so would what would be the best brand and model for my range of listening.

Thanks so much!!
 

SAR923

Active Member
Joined
Dec 19, 2002
Messages
1,514
If you're only going to be listening to the 150 VHF range, the Antenna Specialists 5/8 wave mobile antenna would give great results. The ASP7455 would probably be your best choice and will run about $100. My first choice would be drilling a hole in the roof, second would be an NMO mag mounting on the roof, and third would be a trunk lip mount on the pickup hood. You're going to lose a significant amount of signal if it's mounted on the hood, pick up more engine noise, and make the antenna broadly directional, depending on where your truck is pointed compared to the transmitter.
 

specialist

Member
Joined
Jun 8, 2007
Messages
32
Location
Northwood, NH
Thanks!
I will check out the models \ items you mentioned.

Sure would hate to drill the cab, but like you mentioned it's the best performance.

I like doing my own work, and never did a hole roof mount.

Really don't have a clue on how you would seal the hole, or run your coax under the roof material.

Seems like a lot of work.

I know this might sound dumb, but with the magnetic cab roof mount where does your coax come in?

Thanks!
 

doctordave

Member
Joined
Jan 2, 2003
Messages
1,562
Last edited:

specialist

Member
Joined
Jun 8, 2007
Messages
32
Location
Northwood, NH
Will I end up loosing a lot of reception, as member SAR2401 mentions above, not getting 360 unobstructed?

I just located the Antenna Specialists mod ASP7455 for around $45.00 online, though I am not sure where I can find a place in N.H. to to do an install to the cab roof.

The hood lip is what I originally looking at and is within my talents of installing, though, it seems to make sense if you are not over the roof line your going to loose out on your reception.

I have seen a few of those window mounts on the back of truck cab windows where the whip comes over the top of the cab by several inches.......

Is this design any better?
 

doctordave

Member
Joined
Jan 2, 2003
Messages
1,562
You'll certainly have some diminished range with a trunk-lip mount on the hood, for the reasons that Jim pointed out....but I use a trunk lip mount on the hood of my Suburban and am actually rather pleased with the performance. In my case, I have garage ceiling clearance issues - so a rooftop mount is not a realistic option. If you have no barriers to getting a rooftop mount installed, then that's certainly going to be your best option. As for the window mount options, I have no direct experience - but if you do a search within our antenna forum, you will find enhaustive, related summaries.
 
Last edited:

specialist

Member
Joined
Jun 8, 2007
Messages
32
Location
Northwood, NH
Thanks,
Yes, I thought of Garage issues way back when I was building mine.

I said to myself, why cut your 2x6's down and throw away good wood lets go with full length 10' 2x6's.

My garage walls are ten feet and the door height is close to that.

I located a place a few miles from me that does radio installs for a bunch of outfits.

They will install my roof antenna for $100.00.

I have the antenna on the way, so I am on the way to getting this baby done.

Thanks for all the info everyone!
 

SAR923

Active Member
Joined
Dec 19, 2002
Messages
1,514
Glad to hear you went with the pro roof install. You really will get a lot better performance with it in the center of the roof. As Dave said, a hood mount might be OK as long as you're listening to repeated P25 systems from not more than 25 or 30 miles away but you mentioned 75 miles. For that, you need the best antenna you can get, installed in the most advantageous location.
 

specialist

Member
Joined
Jun 8, 2007
Messages
32
Location
Northwood, NH
Yikes!

I was looking at the wrong part number, I was thinking this Antenna was the 27" one.

It's over 4" in length.......

My garage as high as it is, I only have 36" from my Tacoma roof before I hit my overhang. :(

I think I am going to have to mount it on my front fender, hood, or look for another brand & model.

How about cutting about 16" off this antenna would that screw up the frequency range much?

I am starting to learn,,,, Looking at various Antenna manufacturers it looks like High Band VHF antennas are long whips.

When I was a kid I remember looking at my Wife's Dads State Police Cruiser in their yard.

It had a whip attached to the bumper, the base had a spring the size of my leg, and it draped all the way
from the rear bumper past the roof.

Watch out when you let that baby loose - LOOK OUT>

NH likes their HiGH-band......
 

SAR923

Active Member
Joined
Dec 19, 2002
Messages
1,514
Go for the A/S broadband VHF whip. It's only about 14" high and does a better job than a 1/4 wave antenna although not as good a job as the 5/8 wave model.
 

specialist

Member
Joined
Jun 8, 2007
Messages
32
Location
Northwood, NH
Thanks,
I have narrowed it down to these models from Antenna Specialists brand.
They are all around 20" high though I am unsure what the differences are between them.

I just phoned AS and only get a voice mailbox.

My Freq range on the VHF High Band is 151-160 mhz

Models
MWB1320
(B) MWV13655
ASPR 7495
ASPRE7495

Thanks,
Mike
 

specialist

Member
Joined
Jun 8, 2007
Messages
32
Location
Northwood, NH
I went and ordered the MWV13655 in Black.

We will see how it works out, the repeaters here are pretty strong, not many valleys etc.

Thanks!
 
Last edited:
Status
Not open for further replies.
Top