Dual Antenna??

[okccsi]

Okay,I have a wife and a brand new 2005 Excursion.

To some, enough said. For the rest of you, this translates into trouble for me.

I am cleared to install the Excursion specific add-on console from JottoDesk. It actually goes onto the dash. I will be putting it in one scanner and my work radio. However, I am NOT cleared to drill any holes for the antenna. Not even a lip mount. For my work radio to work correctly, I need an antenna that operates in the 450mhz range. Is there a way to use the current antenna that is on the truck for both the Kenwood radio and normal FM radio??

I have heard others talk about using their scanner and normal FM radio on the same Antenna.

TIA for the help.

OKC CSI

 

[RevGary]

Sounds as if you have a bit of a problem, there. Using the factory installed antenna on the SUV will not give you anything but headaches. There were several manufacturers who offered interface boxes for undercover Public Safety vehicles, but they were more problems than they were worth and most have been discontinued.

Use the link below to view the GLASS MOUNT antennas specifically for your UHF radio. These can be mounted on the rear side window and do a very good job in most cases. Scroll down to # 3 and # 4.

For your scanner, you can use another GLASS MOUNT on the opposite side using the second link below for a good quality multi band antenna. These are proven products, leave no holes in the vehicle and are not any more "unsightly" than an 800 mhz cellphone antenna. Review the first item on the page. Best of luck...


http://www.antenna.com/product_category_detail.cgi?id_num=58&styleid=6

http://www.fox-intl.com/searchresult.asp?id=2886

 

[mam1081]

Yes, there is a way to use the same antenna. I haven't used any of these products, but like RevGary said, they could be trouble.

I have seen one that sold for about $400 for VHF - and even then, I think you were restricted to like 50W. It would be a nice thing, but it all depends on how deep your pockets are.

Glass mounts are OK - not great. Lip mounts should work ok - they don't put any holes in the car (usually come with a protective plate for the underside so the screws don't dig in).

I'm protective of my vehicle also, so something I use is a mag mount with a rubber boot on it. You just have to be careful with opening and closing the doors (or trunk - where ever the coax comes out) - you'd have that problem with a lip mount also - but not with a glass mount. I have never had that set-up scratch my car or do anything that I can see, and it works very well.

 

[RISC777]

There are lip / lid mounts (for Motorola style / NMO) antennas that require no drilling.

And, as already mentioned, there are a good number of various types and styles of glass mount antennas available.

 

[Al42]

Best bet (without holes) - mag mount on the roof. (Bit of a pain putting it up and taking it down all the time.)

Second best - glass-mount at the top of the rear window - my personal choice for over 20 years now.

Very far down the list - trunk or cowl mount. 450, to get any decent range, needs height.

Stick with Larsen-Radial or Antenna Specialists. This is work, not hobby, right? Would you buy a $2 papier mache hammer if you're a carpenter?

 

[n4voxgill]

I use two trunk lip mounts on the hood my expedition. They are the NMO mounts and will accept most commercial antennas and scanner antennas. There was a nice feed hole in the dash to feed the coax thru. Very easy installation, no motor noise at all.