Help. Location on antenna.

[stano0098]

I'm looking for suggestions on where to mount my scanner antenna. I don't want to mount it to the truck its self. but i have an idea of putting it on the passenger side mirror. Its for a 2001 dodge dakota truck.

This is the mirror:
http://www.thepartsbin.com/catalog/i..._vue/DG22L.jpg

This is the antenna:
ImageShack - Image Hosting :: jan220003rj1.jpg

[Stealth Stalker]

Not sure what you're getting at, but the mounting surface must be metal, and if you want to actually receive anything, it must have enough surface area around it (preferably AT LEAST 18 inches) to provide an effective ground plane. That mirror doesn't look like it fills either requirement.

My recommendations would be, in this order:

1. Man up and drill the stupid hole already. It's an 8 year old truck, for Christ's sake. A hole will make all the difference in your reception, and zero difference in your resale value. Besides, if you were planning on selling it, you probably wouldn't be installing radios in it, lol.

2. Buy a magnetic mount for it and stick it on the roof.

3. Get a bed rail mount that either clamps on, or takes only a couple of tiny holes.

4. Get real truck mirrors that you can clamp an antenna mount onto.

Of course, depending on your monitoring requirements, you may not even need a mobile antenna. If you're using a handheld scanner (which most people here seem to prefer for some odd reason), and you are listening to strong stations that aren't multiple counties away, you may get by just fine with a rubber ducky antenna. If you haven't already, you might want to check and see how the reception is without the mobile antenna before you do something that you obviously don't really want to do. Good luck!

[stano0098]

Not sure what you're getting at, but the mounting surface must be metal, and if you want to actually receive anything, it must have enough surface area around it (preferably AT LEAST 18 inches) to provide an effective ground plane.

Ah i see. I have no idea what i'm doing. So you have to mount it to a metal surface?
i just pick the side mirror bc its easy to install. If i have to i will mount it to the body itself but im going have to do some drilling right?

[Stealth Stalker]

Not necessarily. Like I said, a magnetic mount can work just fine for you, given a proper ground plane. The roof is the best place for that.

While I say that drilling holes is the best way to go, I should mention that doing it yourself can create a nightmare, so have a professional shop do it for you. Unfortunately, that is exactly what this particular antenna is designed for though.

[stano0098]

While I say that drilling holes is the best way to go, I should mention that doing it yourself can create a nightmare, so have a professional shop do it for you. Unfortunately, that is exactly what this particular antenna is designed for though.

Yeah. That kinda sucks. Hopefully i know someone that could do it for me. Thank you for the info.

[The Breeze]

Why don't you just make it easy on yourself and get a glass mount antenna? This is what I use, and I have great reception everywhere I go. It has been my experience with scanners, that scanner antennas are not that critical. My scanner will pick up everything even without a antenna hooked to it. Ground plane is primarily for a cb antenna where you will be transmitting, and not necessary to receive a decent signal.

[stano0098]

Why don't you just make it easy on yourself and get a glass mount antenna? This is what I use, and I have great reception everywhere I go. It has been my experience with scanners, that scanner antennas are not that critical. My scanner will pick up everything even without a antenna hooked to it. Ground plane is primarily for a cb antenna where you will be transmitting, and not necessary to receive a decent signal.

Glass mount? Really didn't even know they existed. Any links?

[The Breeze]

E bay has lots of them.

[stano0098]

I have seen a lot of those antennas around but thought they were for old car phones.

[The Breeze]

I just googled "glass mount scanner antenna" and it looks like you could take your pick.