General mobile antenna question

[NWI_Scanner_Guy]

When using a mag mount antenna indoors, is it necessary to have it sitting on a metal plate of some kind, or would it work just as well sitting on the top of my desk?

Thanks in advance for any info / comments / suggestions y'all can throw my way.

SSSG

 

[hoser147]

They are made to work with a Ground plane, when in the house Ive used a metal filing cabinet or safe top before in the window Ive just used a little tin lid like the ones that you see decorating the kitchen or for a cookie tin.........Hoser

 

[NWI_Scanner_Guy]

Thanks Hoser, I appreciate the info.

SSSG

 

[PFCCooper]

Ok I have a question, Does it make a big difference range wise if i don't have the mag mount on something metal? I just have it sitting on my desk.

 

[blueangel-eric]

Ok I have a question, Does it make a big difference range wise if i don't have the mag mount on something metal? I just have it sitting on my desk.

It sure will!!! The bigger flat piece of metal the better. unless you have ground radials on it. and there are ground plane kits to make them into base antennas if they are NMO mount antennas.

Eric burris

 

[PFCCooper]

alrighty, I will have to find some flat metal sometime.

 

[nd5y]

You probably have flat metal in your kitchen. Aluminum foil. It works good as long as you don't move the antenna around and tear it up.

 

[RodStrong]

I've got an old RS mag mount sitting inside a metal coffee can for a throwdown scanner in my garage. Probably not the most efficient, but it picks up the vhf and uhf stuff I need better than without the can. Just a thought. Good luck.

 

[n9mxq]

Two words...



Pizza Pan

 

[KT4HX]

It will receive if you just sit it on your desk, however, I've found that if I were to stick it on even a cookie sheet, the received signal increases noticeably. Many people like to stick them on filing cabinets or some other convenient metal object. So yes, it does help from my experience.