Stealthy dual band antenna?

[Rando]

I figured this would be a better question here than in a ham forum where I am sure to be jumped on for poor performance.....

I have a new FT-7900R. I primarily bought it for listening to NOAA weather broadcasts, CDOT road conditions and general HAM traffic. . I really have very little intention of transmitting, except in an emergency, or possibly for short range simplex operations on the low power setting. I have had my license for going on 10 years and have NEVER talked to anyone with it, so it is unlikely that I will start now That being said, I am looking for a discrete antenna solution. As I am not planning on transmitting with any regularity, or trying to pick up weak signals, it does not need to be a highly efficient system. In fact the majority of reception will likely be at 163.XXX Mhz for weather band radio and not in the 2M band.

I am thinking about a glass mount cellular style antenna, but am open to other ideas. Does anyone know a simple way of testing tinted glass to see if it suitable for capacitive coupling?

What I am currently using is a miniature 20" mag mount whip: http://www.mfjenterprises.com/Product.php?productid=MFJ-1722
however instead of mounting it on my roof, I have it mounted to the top of my stove inside my fiberglass wildernest (topper). I like this because it is totally hidden, however I don't think this is too practical for the long term as it is likely to get in the way.

Any other creative suggestions?

 

[gary in ohio]

What vehicle? For you needs do you even need an outside the vehicle antennas? A rubber duck tucked away inside a headrest or hung off a A,B or C pillar would work fine. A 1/4wave mobile antenna hidden away in the car. If you really need to transmit in an emergency then a second mag mount could be carried for that rare case.
Heck for what you looking for, maybe sell of the 7900 and get a handheld radio or scanner. You loose tx with the scanner but that doesnt seem to be a big issue. The scanner would open up lots of other things to hear if that is of interest.

 

[Hltoppr]

I'm using a 10" comet dual band antenna with my 7800. IIRC you can find even 4" antennas....check out Ham Radio Outlet.

-H-

 

[Rando]

2004 Tacoma. I do want to retain the ability to transmit for emergency use (that was a major justification for buying the radio), I just don't see myself transmitting more than a couple of times a year.

I was going to keep the (crappy) mag mount I have for setting up in case I need to transmit, so my 'normal' antenna really can be receive only. The mag mount is ridiculously tiny so there is no problem stashing it away somewhere. I like the idea of a 1/4 wave maybe taped to the wall of my wildernest, where it would at least be out of the Faraday cage of my car. Thanks for the suggestion.

What vehicle? For you needs do you even need an outside the vehicle antennas? A rubber duck tucked away inside a headrest or hung off a A,B or C pillar would work fine. A 1/4wave mobile antenna hidden away in the car. If you really need to transmit in an emergency then a second mag mount could be carried for that rare case.
Heck for what you looking for, maybe sell of the 7900 and get a handheld radio or scanner. You loose tx with the scanner but that doesnt seem to be a big issue. The scanner would open up lots of other things to hear if that is of interest.

 

[ntsqd]

Not a single clue here, just tossing out an idea for debate, but could a non-traditional mobile antenna, say a Yagi or something else, be attached to the ceiling of the shell?

 

[BigJimCruising]

Short of spending big bucks for an undercover antenna I think you're on the right track with the through the glass type. They work better then you'd think and they do make them for dual band use also. If you have add on tinting just remove the small section where you will mount the antenna and it will be fine. If it's factory tint then must make sure there are no wires running through the place where you will mount it and it will work ok. Follow the installation steps exactly or trouble will follow! Don't ask me how I know that!

 

[gary in ohio]

You can also look at something like a disguise antenna. Its replaces your am/fm antenna with a VHF antenna and a splitter for your AM/FM radio.

A google search will turn up serveral options.

 

[Topher Walters]

I have wanted to get an attenna that would basically match my am/fm attenna and mount it in the same location as my am/fm but on the other side of the vehicle. I have always thought it would be barely noticable if it matched the am/fm attenna.

 

[HenryJ]

Mine is not really obvious. They are small and disappear pretty well.

Ham radio

I use a splitter and two 1/4 wave antennas mounted to the roof through the front feet of my roof rack. If I need to hide the holes after removal, I swap feet. The 1/4 wave whips are very durable.