Car window mount antenna, any good?

[threeofnine]

I am trying to figure out a way to effectively use my handheld scanner in a classic Ferrari Testarossa. I mostly want to monitor Alabama Highway Patrol frequencies (Troop G and F). I would really prefer not to do any permanent mounting, drilling holes etc. Even a magnetic mount would be undesirable because they tend to damage paint, plus wiring it would be difficult.

I have seen a few window mount antennas, such as pictured, are there any good at all?

 

[KB4MSZ]

I mostly want to monitor Alabama Highway Patrol frequencies

I bet you do

 

[mmckenna]

Those can work, but it really depends on the glass.
A lot of tinted glass has a metal film it in that will block RF. That can result in poor performance.
Even without the tinting, you have a lot of metal around the antenna, that's going to impact performance.

And "will it work" kind of leaves a lot for interpretation. Working if you are close to a repeater site? Probably will work well.
Get on the fringes of coverage, and it is going to be a poor performer.

So, yeah it'll work. Question will be "will it work well enough to keep me from getting a speeding ticket?" No one knows….


I'll add:
Bingfu brand is cheap Chinese stuff. Really scraping the bottom of the barrel, getting all that sludge/slime off the bottom.
Also, since Alabama Highway Patrol uses VHF, a short compact antenna like that isn't going to perform very well when it really wants to see an 18 inch long whip.

 

[a727469]

Simple answer is there is no real answer since all is relative to the location of frequencies being monitored and your car. One size does not fit all. I use a handheld in my car without any outside antenna since I monitor only local vhf analog and one phase1 vhf trunk system with enough strong sites. I do not know your systems but when I did use a car antenna, the trunk lid mount worked well and if installed carefully will not damage the car.
I am not familiar with the antenna pictured but my guess that for the price it won’t do much. There used to be a mount that you could put your handheld antenna outside a side window and the cable ran in the window and closed on it. Someone else may know what I mean.

 

[a727469]

Those can work, but it really depends on the glass.
A lot of tinted glass has a metal film it in that will block RF. That can result in poor performance.
Even without the tinting, you have a lot of metal around the antenna, that's going to impact performance.

And "will it work" kind of leaves a lot for interpretation. Working if you are close to a repeater site? Probably will work well.
Get on the fringes of coverage, and it is going to be a poor performer.

So, yeah it'll work. Question will be "will it work well enough to keep me from getting a speeding ticket?" No one knows….


I'll add:
Bingfu brand is cheap Chinese stuff. Really scraping the bottom of the barrel, getting all that sludge/slime off the bottom.
Also, since Alabama Highway Patrol uses VHF, a short compact antenna like that isn't going to perform very well when it really wants to see an 18 inch long whip.

I did not know about the sludge and slime!😉😀

 

[cavmedic]

Just drill the hole

 

[threeofnine]

Simple answer is there is no real answer since all is relative to the location of frequencies being monitored and your car. One size does not fit all. I use a handheld in my car without any outside antenna since I monitor only local vhf analog and one phase1 vhf trunk system with enough strong sites. I do not know your systems but when I did use a car antenna, the trunk lid mount worked well and if installed carefully will not damage the car.
I am not familiar with the antenna pictured but my guess that for the price it won’t do much. There used to be a mount that you could put your handheld antenna outside a side window and the cable ran in the window and closed on it. Someone else may know what I mean.

That actually would be a great idea. Something like this?

 

[wadenbc]

My advice. Use that antenna or any other cheap antenna from Amazon with the adhesive back to attach. Attach to vehicle using the adhesive. Will not damage paint and no holes to drill. When it's time to take it off, use dental floss or fishing line to simply saw between the antenna and car roof. It will pop off easily and all that's left is to clean off the left behind adhesive with rubbing alcohol and a rag leaving no trace behind. I did exactly this and have two antennas stuck to rear of my vehicle near the vehicle radio antenna. Works like a charm for two scanners (BCD436s) inside the vehicle with decent clear reception and range of approximately 40-60 kilometers, Very pleased.

 

[a727469]

That actually would be a great idea. Something like this?

Yes exactly! You can experiment with different handheld radio antennas. Maybe not the 100% best but no harm to the car and simple, relatively inexpensive and at least gets the antenna outside he car….some will say there are better ways, but I would try this before anything else. Another benefit, it can be easily put inside the car while parking. Good luck!

 

[wadenbc]

 

[a727469]

Ok not familiar with these..what frequencies and with the size and orientation, how do they work?

 

[mmckenna]

Ok not familiar with these..what frequencies and with the size and orientation, how do they work?

Simple dipoles. Shortened whips, so less performance than full size.
Horizontally polarized, so 30dB of loss compared to a vertical.
Mounting them directly on the metal is going to detune them and probably impact pattern quite a bit.

 

[a727469]

Yes just what I thought, on the horz versus vert but did not know the 30db difference. I have used many dipoles but always vertical. Metal is not your friend in the picture shown!

 

[mmckenna]

Yes just what I thought, on the horz versus vert but did not know the 30db difference. I have used many dipoles but always vertical. Metal is not your friend in the picture shown!

If it's a good strong signal, then it is probably 'good enough' for some users.

 

[wadenbc]

Strong signal with good reception. Very happy here, and that's all that matters for me at the end of the day.

 

[mmckenna]

Strong signal with good reception. Very happy here, and that's all that matters for me at the end of the day.

Exactly. No need to overdo it on the antenna if the system is strong and you can hear them just fine.

 

[threeofnine]

Yes exactly! You can experiment with different handheld radio antennas. Maybe not the 100% best but no harm to the car and simple, relatively inexpensive and at least gets the antenna outside he car….some will say there are better ways, but I would try this before anything else. Another benefit, it can be easily put inside the car while parking. Good luck!

Seems to work ok.

 

[a727469]

Seems to work ok.

Yes!

 

[a727469]

The car’s nice too🚘

 

[N1XDS]

Seems to work ok.
View attachment 169438

Very nice Ferrari Testarossa