where to mount antenna on car

[meltingplastic8]

I have a 2001 mustang and i got a 800mhz scanner antenna at the convention in wildwood last weekend it is glass mount. i am looking at two spots to mount it either the lower back windshield and have it angled so it runs paraelle with the window or stick it on the rear small quater window sticking straight up. which one would i get better reception with? thanks

 

[Julian1]

I would opt for the uppermost part of the rear window. That gets it up as opposed to hidden if placed at the bottom.

We've all noticed how cell phone antennas were installed.....top center of the rear window.

Closer to the top in the center will get you a better "ground plane" with the car. That imroves reception.

Good luck,
Julian

 

[Al42]

And the lower part of the back window, if there's no conductive film on the g l a s s will be as much as 10db down from the top of the glass. (Even more loss to the front if there's a conductive film - and that includes a defroster grid.)

 

[blinddog50]

Yeah, if you have a rear window defroster it will almost kill any signal especially in the 450 mhz range, unless you can mount it about 10 in. from the defroster.
A lot will depend on what you plan to listen to.
I live in large metro area and pick up 800 mhz with no antenna.
I have a glass mount on a Jeep Cherokee on the rear side glass and can pick up 450 & 150 mhz signals from 60 miles away.
So determine what you will be listening to the most and go from there.
800 mhz, a cell phone antenna will work just fine.
Anything lower I would recommend the side mounting.

 

[blinddog50]

Wildwood?
You wouldn't happen to work for CP&F would you.

 

[K2KOH]

I'm using a glass mount on my Taurus and have it mounted on the rear most side glass...no problems, no worries about the defroster, and I have no problems. Low band even works pretty well.

 

[meltingplastic8]

Wildwood?
You wouldn't happen to work for CP&F would you.

no, im just a volunteer fireman that was down there for the convention last weekend. also i decided to mount it on my rear side passenger quater window and ran the cable into my center console and mounted my scanner it works awesome thanks to everyone for all your help.