"Ian Jackson" wrote in message
...
In message , rdoc
writes
Hello,

I need a 2 Meter mobile antenna that gives superb reception above quality
of
transmission. I need really 'good ears' and have used a loaded whip until
now but do not want to drill holes to pass the coax on this particular
car.

I see some antennas on ebay that are 'through the glass' antennas:

How are these for reception in fairly rugged terrain?

How do they hold up to power washes, i.e. do they adhere well under
adverse
conditions?

Are any better than others or are they all bad?

I suggest a 5/8 wavelength (appx 1/2 wavelength long, with a 4 turn 1" dia
stainless steel with spring coil at the bottom) on a large (say 6" dia)
magmount, Mine certainly works well. It's quick to remove. Use a rubber
boot on the magmount, and remember to clean the spot where you place it.
It will probably stay in place up to Mach 1 (well, at least 100mph). Just
slam the door (carefully) on the coax.


Thanks.

This is essentially what I am doing with another car, using a 5/8 whip on a
loaded base and an SO239... outstanding reception. That said... running the
coax out and around is not an option on this vehicle. Neither is drilling
holes behind the seat as I did on yet another one.

A couple of notes for your setup:

My first one did get caught in the door when the mother-in-law was not on
the ball... coax irreparably cut. The next time I got the skinniest
corrugated tube (that is used to bunch harness wires in cars) and put it
over the coax along that spot, but it allowed rain to run right down it and
into the back seat... it needs a sealer.

Also... these are used daily and seldom removed. I had a 3 inch magnet on
the trunk this winter and moisture built up under it then froze. It flew off
and dragged a half mile or so before I could pull over... not good. I now
have a super strong 5 inch magnet on there (what I was searching for when I
last posted here) and it isn't coming off for nuttin :-) In fact... even if
I wanted to take it on and off, it is so strong that getting it to come
straight up with *no* scratch or scuff is tough. On that car that's OK to a
degree... it would be really bad on this one.