1998 Firebird Mobile Install

[MrCheez]

Alrighty - right now I have a pretty basic and low budget setup for my 1998 Pontiac Firebird. I use a Bearcat B350C with a Radioshack on-glass antenna.

Now, I want to re-do this setup, as I am not satisfied with it, and I'd like your help and suggestions with this process.

The first thing I want to do is replace the on-glass antenna with a permanent one on the car. Magnet mounts are not a solution for me as the only location they stay on is my hood, and that's no good.

The antenna I was considering most is the PCTEL MONR33 - I believe in previous posts everyone who used it was satisfied. Additionally, I really don't mind a four-foot antenna on my car if it means fantastic reception compared to what I use now.

Link: http://www.tessco.com/products/displayProductInfo.do?sku=20272&eventPage=1

I will include pictures of my current set up and rear of the car to show you where I believe I should install the antenna. Additionally, if you can recommend an alternative antenna, I would be much obliged.

One of my questions is if this antenna will function well if the rear hatch of my car is not metal; honestly, I'm not entirely certain what in the heck it is.

I should also mention the primary frequencies I monitor are approx 42 Mhz, 154 Mhz, and 156 Mhz. Secondaries (not often) are in the 400's and 800's.

 

[MrCheez]

Hmm those pictures didn't come out too well, but they will suffice.

Now, here is where I would think about installing the antenna, on the attached image; the red dot is the location where I would drill the hole and mount the antenna. The cable can come through the interior just fine - by where the wiring for the rear lights is, and this wouldn't be a problem.

 

[popnokick]

I don't know if the lack of a metal ground plane is going to be an issue or not. I've heard it's less of an effect if you have a 5/8 wave antenna. Electrically, I guess that will depend on what freq you're using with the PC-TEL antenna.
Do you use your AM-FM radio much? If not, rip out the existing one in the photo on the right rear fender and replace it with a permanent mount scanner antenna. Get an inside the windshield or other antenna for the AM-FM radio.
Unless the existing AM-FM is a power up/down antenna. Then I probably wouldn't mess with it.
I can't tell from the photos, but is there any metal on your rooftop, or is it just fiberglass panels? If you have metal roof and a nearby domelight, snap out the domelight cover and start drilling!

 

[OpSec]

I don't know if the lack of a metal ground plane is going to be an issue or not. I've heard it's less of an effect if you have a 5/8 wave antenna. Electrically, I guess that will depend on what freq you're using with the PC-TEL antenna.

The only suitable mobile antenna that doesn't require a ground plane is a 1/2 wave. Niether a 1/4w or a 5/8w will work worth a #$!% unless they have a ground plane.

IIRC, the Firechicken body panels are composite, so a traditional antenna won't work so well. I guess I'd stay with a glass mount.

 

[wv8mat]

i think with that car i would get a hole saw and drill the area behind the sunroof and back glass and get a phantom antenna.

 

[Fast1eddie]

I am using the Monr33 mounted on my '07 Focus trunklid feeding my AOR 8/8200 with excellent reception. Found a nice mount from Panavise.

Ed

 

[MrCheez]

Yeah I am now considering drilling into the white part of the roof (to be specific); I just remembered our CHP camaros out here and how they had their antennas on their roof, and if they use it, it must be the best option....hmmm

Edit; here is my new plan: Drill a hole in the rear location where the red dot is or somewhere nearby it if I find a better spot, install the MONR33 at this location (4' in length) for a scanner monitoring the low freq's (~42 mhz) for CHP. Additionally, I would install a 16" Larsen 150/450/800MHZ NMO antenna on the center of my roof, as this is actually a light metal, but too light for a mag mount.

Now, would the MONR33 mounted at the rear of the vehicle still outperform the Larsen not meant for low freq's on the center of the roof?

 

[OpSec]

You have T-tops on that FireChicken?

 

[MrCheez]

Yep I do

 

[andy404ns]

When I had my '94 Firebird (before my brother crashed it), I used a trunk mount on the hood. The '94's only had the fiberglass nose and hood was metal so the connection was fine. Plus, the hood is fairly wide so can even put another antenna on the other side to match if you decide to monitor another band or if you get another radio (say, a CB) or something. The only issue with that is that drilling through the firewall is a son of a ***** on firebirds because the engine is set back so far. However, you can run the cable through the door without worrying about it getting damaged much.

Andy

Edit: A kid I know from school uses a CB in his Firebird and has a mag mount on the roof with the cable running in through the T-Tops. Not much to look at, but it gets the job done.

 

[MrCheez]

Hmm is that a rare-earth magnet or something? I could never get a magnet to stick on the roof.

Anyway, to give an update, I ordered 3 antennas now for different purposes.

The first is a Firestick E30-NGP CB antenna (they were discontinued but I somehow found a site that carries them). The second is the Austin Spectra; I think this will be best for the 42 mHz CHP channels. And the third is the Larsen 150/450/800 tri-bander. I've heard nothing but good things about the last two antennas, so I figured I'd test them out myself.

I also ordered a couple trunk lip mounts that are angle adjustable, because I think I can actually mount one each at the rear corners of the trunk. I'll keep you guys updated.

 

[andy404ns]

Yeah I probably should have noted that this kid drove a late 80's early 90's firebird so the body construction is different. As far as the lip mounts go, I think I tried them on the rear of the car but the deck wing got in the way. But I might be incorrect. In any event, you can always put them on the hood. Good luck. Where in California are you monitoring?

 

[OpSec]

Hmm is that a rare-earth magnet or something? I could never get a magnet to stick on the roof.

I think that piece is either composite or aluminum...there isn't much steel in the 3rd gen F body.

 

[MrCheez]

Yeah I probably should have noted that this kid drove a late 80's early 90's firebird so the body construction is different. As far as the lip mounts go, I think I tried them on the rear of the car but the deck wing got in the way. But I might be incorrect. In any event, you can always put them on the hood. Good luck. Where in California are you monitoring?

Yeah I checked out the measurements and I *think* it should fit - I got adjustable mounts just in case, so I can have them at a slight angle....we'll see how it goes.

I am monitoring in Southern California - Eastern Ventura County.

 

[wv8mat]

we want pic's when you start and get it done