PRO-97 Antenna Reccomendations

[260TS]

I'd like to purchase an antenna for my car, preferably a through-the-glass type. I usually listen to frequencies in the 483.XXX and 486.XXX ranges. any recommendations?

 

[kcoleman]

260TS,

A quick search reveals that Radio Shack has one, catalog #20-011. Universal Radio has one made by Valor, and Scanner Master has one, item # 15-540721.

All three are glass mount antennas listing from $29.95 ~ $38.95.

I've never used a glass mount antenna, but I'm sure there are folks here on the forums that will point you in the right direction.

Good Luck,
Keith

 

[N1BHH]

Through the glass antennas are not the best antenna for any radio. They may be cute and cool, but they lack in number of areas. They have to be placed just right, they can't be mounted in certain areas, such as the gray area of the window, plus they have to be mounted perfectly across window defrosters. The best antenna is one mounted permanently dead center in the roof. Get yourself something like a quarter wave in the primary frequency range you want and that will do just fine, besides, that will work much better. If you have to use a mag mount, so be it.

 

[silas]

I use this one: Mobile "Cellular Look-Alike" Glass-Mount Scanner Antenna - RadioShack.com, it works ok. It isn't as good a permanent or magnetic mount would be, but is better than using a handheld antenna inside the car.

 

[kcoleman]

You might also consider this unit

Opek AM800 and AM801 Window Mounts for HT Antennas, I have one of these that I have used both the stock antenna and the RS 800 MHz antenna with pretty good success. So if you have an antenna that is tuned to what you want to hear this might be an option for you. It comes in SMA or BNC versions.

Good Luck.....
Keith

 

[DickH]

I'd like to purchase an antenna for my car, preferably a through-the-glass type. I usually listen to frequencies in the 483.XXX and 486.XXX ranges. any recommendations?

I had a thru-the-glass antenna, but I removed it after a month or so. Since glass (unless it's tinted) offers no resistance to radio waves, I use my scanner inside the car with better results than the thru-the-glass antenna. Simply putting the antenna outside using that over the window thing will not work as well, because of the loss in the co-ax cable.

It's very easy to try. Just remove the belt clip and put on some velcro. Put a matching piece above the arm rest on your door. I have used this arrangement for many years and it works very well on 800, 460 and Hi Band.