TRAM 1199 thru the glass antenna

[motorman105]

Just installed a Tram 1199 thru the glass antenna on my 2017 Forester. I’m thrilled with the results!
I use a Uniden BCD325P2 handheld for a my mobile rig. It stands up with a right angle BCD antenna connector in the limited space below the radio. I was trying to get the most wide band reception with the least amount of antenna. I had been using a Spectrum Force glass mount antenna that was bigger than the 800 MHz I see advertised now. It was great but in southern fairfield county CT, I needed a better wide band reception. I couldn’t bring myself to plant an antenna on my roof, although I’m sure that would’ve been the best solution. I decided to try a “through the glass” antenna. The last time I tried this, ( I’ve been doing this for over 40 years) it wasn’t good! The hardware seemed cheap and performance wasn’t much better.
The Tram 1199 (eBay $27.00 free shipping) has much more substantial hardware. I’m getting 2 bars for Connecticut State Police in my driveway, with the spectrum force, no bars. I drove to Lordship in Stratford,CT on Long Island Sound and listened to NYPD Highway and Special services.
I realize NYPD and FDNY signals are very strong and easily come right up Long Island Sound to Stratford some 50+ miles away and I realize I can’t expect an inside antenna to perform like an outside antenna but my point is, the Tram 1199 gives me much more than I expected without having to put a roof or hood mount antenna on my car.

 

[mark40]

I decided to try a “through the glass” antenna. The last time I tried this, ( I’ve been doing this for over 40 years) it wasn’t good! The hardware seemed cheap and performance wasn’t much better.

I've had the same experience, had a couple over the years. Good to know the Tram is performing/exceeding your expectations.

 

[popnokick]

I've had both the Tram 1199 (scanner) and 1191 (ham dual band currently on vehicle) and all have worked very well over the years on several different vehicles. You do have to be careful not to install over heavily tinted glass, defroster wires, or embedded AM/FM antenna wires in glass. And the 1191 does require adjusting the match with the supplied plastic tuning stick. But considering the cost and ease of installation they work well.

 

[motorman105]

one thing i noticed was a whistling sound above 30 mph. I decided it was the wind going through that part of the antenna that is coiled like an old cell phone antenna. I took a small black plastic wire tie and wrapped it around the coiled area. That broke up the air flow that caused the whistling sound and problem solved !

 

[bb911]

I had an Antenna Specialist thru the glass antenna (no coil) which I used for 2m and scanning (more for scanning VHF -Hi with 2m rig). Worked great for both. Also, dual sided tape lasted for about 10 years. Replaced it with a high quality outdoor tape made by 3M. The only problem was when I drove through concrete parking structures with low clearance. Had to go very slow because the antenna would slightly scrape the bottom of the structrues low spots. (AS was huge in scanner antenna manufacturing during the 1970's and 80's).