Batboard

Looking for a few options for a low profile VHF antenna for a mobile radio in my truck. Any good resources?

Marv,

One specific shortcoming of a low-profile VHF antenna is its narrow operating bandwidth if you're using it for both transmit and receive. If you go to UHF the bandwidth increases to 20 mHz with some units, but on VHF it's sometimes as little as 1 mHz. Just FYI.

Regards,

You could learn how to make a slot antenna in your roof.

Sharkfin or nothing. Aside from being extremely narrow-banded the "hockey puck" and "beer can" style antennas have extremely low power ratings and can only operate at something like a 20% or 40% duty cycle at 50W.

Thanks for the info guys. Never knew the shark fins were that narrow.

I've spent a king's ransom to buy and try a LOT of low profile / disguise VHF antennas. These were tested on Motorola factory tuned mobiles. My word is: "They pretty much all suck". Shark Fins, and Soup cans are the absolute worst, unless you want to even consider the bumper / license plate type antennas. Sti-Co makes a fairly decent disguise VHF ONLY antenna that looks like the factory model. BW is quite narrow., however.Their multi-bands suck on all bands. Aside from a 1/4 wave; I've found no smoking gun. Not even close. UHF? 700/800? Lots of good perfomers... You name it. VHF - not so easy. All bands have been tested by me in both the most urban environments (Atlanta, GA) and the most rural environments (West Texas) with no better or worse performance.

4n6inv wrote:Shark Fins, and Soup cans are the absolute worst..

I've used the "Linebacker" shark fin made by Antenna Specialists before, on the roof of a Chevy S10 connected to a 110W Astro Spectra used primarily for receive in a mixed urban/suburban environment. I didn't think it was that bad for what it was, actually. Now those new things being made by Laird/Antenex, yeah, those are total garbage. I tested one once on the roof of a CVPI once just out of curiosity and it couldn't even hold a candle to a quarter-wave whip.

I've tested some that did perform fair on rx, but not close to a 1/4 wave. Tx - forget it - unless you want to replace your PA's prematurely. My experience is: If you absolutely, positively HAVE to have a low profile VHF antenna, they're only good for short range tx and rx with low power.

I'm a big fan of the 1/4 wave as well. If appearance is the issue get them in black. If clearance is the problem a couple companies make a flexible, narrow diameter that will bend and return to normal without damaging the mount or hole. On my pickup I have one of these flexible types in black, barely noticeable.

Low profile as in fits in a parking structure or low profile as in "what radio?".

My picks:

PCTEL MWV1365 in black for all of 136 to 174 MHz - they really work but need a ground plane (best on the roof centre or trunk on a sedan).

The so called wide band 1/2 wave styles from Larsen, etc, that do maybe 16 MHz of goodness but are cheaper, are ground plane independent, and have the edge on range.

If you really want to hide it, assuming your truck doesn't already have a fender mount broadcast antenna, a neat trick is to make up a bracket to mount the MNO base inside the fender with just the whip section coming thru the fender via a body plug. This way the whole MNO base and coil section is hidden.

OK, If we're going to get down to picks; this is mine:

I use the Motorola heavy duty wideband 1/4 wave VHF with the heavy spring on the bottom. I had mine bronze anodized (since they only come in chrome from Motorola) and no one notices it against the dark blue paint on my S-10 Blazer 4x4. I can hear and hit the Nolan County SO repeater from just under 100 miles away in West Texas with an Astro Spectra W-3 mid-power. And, no; Nolan's repeater (Quantar in digital mode) isn't in a fantastic spot - in a good spot, but nothing to write home about. Most of the jurisdictions out here have really crappy repeater locations / heights due to the flat terrain.

I'm not challenging anyone elses experience or preference. This is just what works for me. I've noticed very little discernable difference between the performance of it and any Spectrum or Larsen base loaded gain antennas with identical hardware.

I'm waiting (and probably will be for the rest of my life) for a low-pro, or disguise low band antenna. I'm not kidding! I'm stupid enough to try it just for laughs!

Oh, yeah: it sounds like a gorilla on the roof in a parking deck. I'd actually suggest what the other poster said about the flexable 1/4 wave. But; it does survive parking decks to see another day...

RadioSouth wrote:I'm a big fan of the 1/4 wave as well. If appearance is the issue get them in black. If clearance is the problem a couple companies make a flexible, narrow diameter that will bend and return to normal without damaging the mount or hole. On my pickup I have one of these flexible types in black, barely noticeable.

Do you have any suggestions of specific models that have that flexible construction? My issue is pulling in my home garage. I have an 08 Tahoe and won't give up parking in the garage. I think I have 8-9 clearence. I don't want to damage the truck/roof/ mount. I'd rather replace a whip occasionally.

ILuvXMRadio wrote:

RadioSouth wrote:I'm a big fan of the 1/4 wave as well. If appearance is the issue get them in black. If clearance is the problem a couple companies make a flexible, narrow diameter that will bend and return to normal without damaging the mount or hole. On my pickup I have one of these flexible types in black, barely noticeable.

Do you have any suggestions of specific models that have that flexible construction? My issue is pulling in my home garage. I have an 08 Tahoe and won't give up parking in the garage. I think I have 8-9 clearence. I don't want to damage the truck/roof/ mount. I'd rather replace a whip occasionally.

I had a Suburban with the same issue. There just aren't any that are that flexible. With 6-8 inches of clearance; your antenna will look like crap in no time, and you will be replacing it frequently. It will also leave a nice mark on your garage door after a while.

Idea, but not a great one: Get an "L" mount and put it over your left front fender. It's not horrible, but; it ain't great, either. That's the price we pay for SUV's.

If you're going to roof mount it - be prepared for - unsettling noise when you enter the garage, and also buy the antennas by the dozen.

ILuvXMRadio wrote: Do you have any suggestions of specific models that have that flexible construction? My issue is pulling in my home garage. I have an 08 Tahoe and won't give up parking in the garage. I think I have 8-9 clearence. I don't want to damage the truck/roof/ mount. I'd rather replace a whip occasionally.

http://www.sti-co.com/antenna-products/ ... flexi-whip Use that and you shouldn't ever have to replace the whip.

Looks like a good alternative, but; if you're buying it from Sti-Co, buckle your seatbelt on the price. Although, considering all of the other hassels, it may be well worth it!

resqguy911 wrote:

ILuvXMRadio wrote: Do you have any suggestions of specific models that have that flexible construction? My issue is pulling in my home garage. I have an 08 Tahoe and won't give up parking in the garage. I think I have 8-9 clearence. I don't want to damage the truck/roof/ mount. I'd rather replace a whip occasionally.

http://www.sti-co.com/antenna-products/ ... flexi-whip Use that and you shouldn't ever have to replace the whip.

LOVE IT... Any ideas on performance of this antenna? How does it stand up to the wind as you're driving?

They really don't lay over that bad in the wind. Also, for better price I believe Tessco sells them.

We have used those sti-co flexable whips in a few applications. They are seem to hold up well. The only other alternative is also made by sti-co and that is the window mount cell look alike. Ive installed tons on 3 letter agencies and overall had very good performance, But as noted.. grab your ankles when you see the prices.