Mobile antenna - trunk lip or magnetic?

601 · Post by **601** » Sun Jun 22, 2003 1:34 pm

Does anyone know if there is a noticeable difference in performance between magnetic mount and trunk lip mount mobile antennas? Drilling is out of the question, so I'm left with the others as an option. I'm using them on VHF, and mounted on the trunk (both vehicles have sunroofs) They also won't need to be removed all that much, maybe once a month for a carwash)

Any opinions appreciated.

wa2zdy · Post by **wa2zdy** » Sun Jun 22, 2003 5:59 pm

Go with the trunk lip. The mag mount will work satisfactorily on high band and up (really crappy on low band and CB), but having the lip mount grounded will make it just that little bit better. Then again, not being centered on the trunk or roof takes some away. Kind of half dozen of one, six of the other.

As for the practical realities of the mag mount, they will ALWAYS scratch the car. 100% guaranteed. You'll take it off one day and when you put it back on, you'll slip and SCRATCH. Or it'll get wiggled and the inevitable crud will get under it and SCRATCH. And of course the magnet itself is always trying to pick stuff up that will SCRATCH. After a few scratches, you realise you should have gone with the hole.

Good luck.

601 · Post by **601** » Sun Jun 22, 2003 7:05 pm

I would drill, but my new car is very limited on where I can put anything. The bottom of the center of the trunk lid has support that you can't get access to without drilling another hole to feed the coax. I don't want it off center. And I have a powered sunroof that I can't get access to under the headliner without messing something up, and the glass goes almost all the way to the back when it's open. Sooooooo, these were my only two choices. I can't even find anyplace to mount the radio inside either. It's probably going to be jammed in between the seat and the center console for the time being until I can figure something out. But that's a whole other topic.

I've had some bad experiences with the good 'ol magnetic mount CB and scanner antennas. Had one blow off and almost hit my window. And damn did it leave a gouge when it did.... same with my magnetic mount lightbar. That thing got pushed back a few times while driving (which is my fault because it gives a warning roight in the manual... The use of any magnetic mounted warning beacon on a roof of a vehicle while in motion is at the sole descretion and risk of the user)

The only other option that i've kind of been reluctant to look at is the glass mount antennas. I've heard that they can perform really well, and others say that they're complete crap. I'm using a 45 watt GM300, I've heard they're only good up to 25 watts.... Any word of those?

Nickdap · Post by **Nickdap** » Mon Jun 23, 2003 3:43 am

RF Industries have this sort of on glass mount. It's a bracket which holds their ground indapendant antenna on to the window with adheasive. I've seen them about and they seem pretty strong. Only thing is the wire, the hole thing is external so so is the wire. If you used it your best bet would be on the left (right) side of your car away from the drivers side then run the cable around and into the cab. Not the best solution by far but better then having to cut a strip out of your sun roof to allow for "the hole". Also it may allow for an antenna which is better then just a normal onglass job-O.

Think of it as a cell phone onglass antenna but with the wire on the out side.
Nick

EDIT

http://www.rfindustries.com.au/rfiprodu ... e_r164.pdf

MODEL NUMBER: WM1 (right hand side, half way down)

http://www.rfindustries.com.au/

thespoon · Post by **thespoon** » Mon Jun 23, 2003 4:25 am

I use Antenna Specialists AP-153 glass mounts on all my new installs. They work just like a cell phone antenna (but a whole lot better) and look like one too. I was skeptical at first about ground plane and everything but I have about 50 of them out there and no complaints yet. The good thing are NO HOLES needed, all the coax can be hidden down the a or b post to the radio. They also have a valuable feature of an adjustable SWR screw on the box that sticks on the inside. You can get those SWR's down to the lowest possible. Just make sure you get the one in your frequency range as they make several ranges. Call Larry @ Comark 1-800-777-2708 and tell him Dave w/ Southeast VFD told you to call. They run about $40.00 and are well worth it! Hope this helps. Dave.

nmfire10 · Post by **nmfire10** » Mon Jun 23, 2003 6:19 am

I found that by the time a year was done with, the Mag Mount made the whole roof or trunk look so scratched up, that drilling a hole would make it look BETTER.

RapidCharger · Post by **RapidCharger** » Mon Jun 23, 2003 9:04 am

601 wrote: I can't even find anyplace to mount the radio inside either. It's probably going to be jammed in between the seat and the center console for the time being until I can figure something out. But that's a whole other topic.

You mean to tell us that you bought a new car but the very first thing you looked at in the dealership was something other than how your radios will look inside?! What's wrong with you!

I have heard o.k. results from glass mounts when then user is close to the repeater, when they get about 10 miles away they are really crackly where other users would get in fine. So just try to return the car to the dealership citing the reason: No where to put radios and mount antennas.

601 · Post by **601** » Mon Jun 23, 2003 11:43 am

GeorgeJEfferson wrote:
You mean to tell us that you bought a new car but the very first thing you looked at in the dealership was something other than how your radios will look inside?! What's wrong with you!

That's what I was looking for, but try to install a radio on these fnewer cars where every surface is curved and there's NO room under the dash. GRRRRRRR!!!!!

I was going to get a brand new 2003 chevy impala, but got a great deal on a new 2003 Saturn Ion (I had a saturn before, so they gave me a few discounts being a returning customer).

I'm still looking for a used GM300 remote mount if anyone has one lying around!

wa2zdy · Post by **wa2zdy** » Mon Jun 23, 2003 1:38 pm

Mike, it doesn't have to be exactly in the center. Look at mine (http://www.geocities.com/wa2zdy/radio.html) and you'll see what I mean. And they both work just fine. (Take note, this is the car I hit the deer with. I'm getting something else to drive in the next few days. Then NEW pics LOL.)

And yeah, the glass mounts work great - 10 miles out. I hit repeaters on both the 2m and 440 ham band from 50 miles out. Working 10 miles with 45w is not what I'd call "working."

Stop screwing around. Get the thing in and in RIGHT. You bought the car to use, not as an investment, right? Cars make very poor investments, so you may as well just do it and use it. And I'll be glad to help. Come up to Freehold one day. I have tools.

Good luck.

KitN1MCC · Post by **KitN1MCC** » Mon Jun 23, 2003 5:21 pm

601 wrote:Does anyone know if there is a noticeable difference in performance between magnetic mount and trunk lip mount mobile antennas? Drilling is out of the question, so I'm left with the others as an option. I'm using them on VHF, and mounted on the trunk (both vehicles have sunroofs) They also won't need to be removed all that much, maybe once a month for a carwash)

Any opinions appreciated.

Once a month Car Wash.

i would never take a New vehicle to one f those things

i wash my truck once a Week with mother Soap (Very light But works wel and helps the vehicle shine no wax in the soap)

601 · Post by **601** » Thu Jun 26, 2003 3:06 pm

wa2zdy wrote:
Stop screwing around. Get the thing in and in RIGHT. You bought the car to use, not as an investment, right? Cars make very poor investments, so you may as well just do it and use it. And I'll be glad to help. Come up to Freehold one day. I have tools.

Good luck.

I'll take you up on your offer! I'd like a second opinion in person to see what can be done.

007 · Post by **007** » Thu Jun 26, 2003 3:20 pm

Shoulda bought the Impala....tons of room. I've got 3 X9000's and a spectra in mine, with the center console.

601 · Post by **601** » Thu Jun 26, 2003 3:23 pm

Trust me, If I could have, I would have.... But a little too much money, but my next vehcle will definitely be something along that line.....

All black with tinted black windows..... spoiler..... uuugh, i'd love it!

Mobile antenna - trunk lip or magnetic?

Mobile antenna - trunk lip or magnetic?

Re: Mobile antenna - trunk lip or magnetic?