I've been noticing all the new State Police cars and some local units have these new, oblong antennas on the trunk. Is this a new data link or something, or is it part of a new system coming into use?
Some of the more aerodynamic styles have a fiberglass or plastic radome which covers the actual antenna that are 3-5" long, maybe 3" high and only about a half inch thick. SUVs and vehicles with larger roofs for more ground plane work well with these. :wink: 73, n9zas
These low profile antennas work great if you go through parking garages a lot. They do not have the gain of an actual whip, but work well if you give them enough ground plane.
Most need about 4 square feet of metal under them to function properly.
I have used Antennex version for years. They do fade over time though. White turns yellow and black turns gray.
Spoke with someone who said that is a GPS antenna tied to the $1,700 MDT. It allows dispatch to track the Trooper's location and gives the Trooper's accurate info on his and other's current location for MV stops, calls in progress, etc.