2 Questions about Mobile Antennas

[senduhelp]

Hi Everyone,

Which antenna is best for reception for the frequency range from say 33.00 through the 400's?

I have a honda pilot and am looking for the best place to place an external antenna. I don't necessarily want to place it on the roof because of being too tall and the antenna striking things. Has anyone ever placed an antenna on the hood area up near the windshield in the area of where a radio antenna normally is. If so what type of connection did you use?

Thanks for your help.

 

[n4yek]

Hi Everyone,

Which antenna is best for reception for the frequency range from say 33.00 through the 400's?

I have a honda pilot and am looking for the best place to place an external antenna. I don't necessarily want to place it on the roof because of being too tall and the antenna striking things. Has anyone ever placed an antenna on the hood area up near the windshield in the area of where a radio antenna normally is. If so what type of connection did you use?

Thanks for your help.

I have actually read somewhere that you can purchase an item that turns your car's FM radio antenna into a scanner antenna. It is a little box that just gets placed in line with the radio's coax and has another coax to plug into your scanner.
Maybe someone else on here will tell you exactly what the item is, I wish I could remember.

Edit: Here is a link to what I am describing: http://www.walcottcb.com/paradynamics-pdc64-amfm-to-scanner-splitter-p-389.html

 

[senduhelp]

I had heard of doing that. I was wondering if anyone had installed an external antenna for a Honda Pilot that might have suggestions. Thanks again for the advice.

 

[N1BHH]

There are many antennas to research in the antenna wiki here: http://wiki.radioreference.com/index.php/Scanner_Antennas
I use the Larsen NMO-150/450/800 and NMO2/70 at home and on the road on mag mounts. They work for what I listen to. For Low band I would suggest anything that is fairly long. I use an old Antenna Specialists MONR51 (I think it is) for when I want to listen to Low Band. I also have an old Phelps Dodge antenna that we all called the "Curly Q" because it has an exposed matching coil at the base. These antennas are very rare nowadays, but I still have mine and use it from time to time when Low Band is open. Works pretty darned good. It used to be the choice around here when everyone was just on Low Band and High Band. This antenna was a High Band antenna that was also a Low Band magnet, just superb.

 

[senduhelp]

okay great I'll check that out. I have a mag mount antenna but the problem is with a Pilot it is too tall of a vehicle to have a mag mount on top of it. I find that it strikes branches and so forth all of the time. I was hoping to install something maybe on the hood that would be effective. I am looking for a nice looking install. It just seems like a mag mount would be an eye sore on the hood. Maybe some type of a lip mount would work.

 

[af5rn]

I was hoping to install something maybe on the hood that would be effective. I am looking for a nice looking install. It just seems like a mag mount would be an eye sore on the hood. Maybe some type of a lip mount would work.

http://www.radioreference.com/forums/showthread.php?t=105650

 

[senduhelp]

Just the type of think I am looking for. Sorry I missed it. Thanks for your help.

 

[popnokick]

The AM/FM radio antenna scanner coupler devices are not as effective as a separate external antenna. But I've used both couplers and external antennas for years, and have found that for me the answers lies in what I listen to when mobile. Primarily, I'm interested in comms in my driving vicinity that may cause me to have to change routes. Such as:
- Countywide fire/ambulance freqs, usually with strong repeaters covering the area I'm driving in
- Local police, usually with strong repeaters and/or mobile units that are near me on simplex channels. If the mobiles are more than 7-9 miles away from me, I don't care if I hear them direct or not.
- Construction crews using MURS or FRS radios.
- Traffic helicopters

All of the above are received just fine using the standard AM/FM antenna with a scanner coupler. Anything else is mostly a distraction or remote interest when I'm driving.