C7 antenna install

[Wheaticus]

Looking to install midland ghost antenna on c7 z06 corvette. If anyone has any tips to get the antenna in a good spot maybe near the halo or b pillar to keep it up high please chime in. 

[Socalgmrs]

That’s a ground plane antenna so you’re gonna need 12-18” of steel/aluminum in all directions.   If you can’t do that you’re gonna need to find a no ground plane antenna for a lip mount.  

[WRUE951]

I'd get a fiberglass magnet and try that  

[WRYZ926]

Yes you are going to want some type of metal ground plane. A 12" diameter piece of metal with the antenna mounted in the middle will be enough for GMRS.

[tcp2525]

4 hours ago, Wheaticus said:

Looking to install midland ghost antenna on c7 z06 corvette. If anyone has any tips to get the antenna in a good spot maybe near the halo or b pillar to keep it up high please chime in. 

Scrap the idea of using Midland garbage and go with a 1/4 wave NMO mount antenna and drill it in. On the inside of the car gain access to the underneath area of the fiberglass and place a piece of copper foil by using 3M spray adhesive. Make sure your NMO is in good contact with the foil. You won't even see that 1/4 wave whip.

[nokones]

Laird has a Phantom Non-Groundplane antenna. You will have to order the White antenna unless you want to buy the black antenna in mass quantities.

I would go with the Larsen Glass-Mount antenna. You will be surprised on the performance of this Antenna.

[WRYZ926]

@tcp2525 and @nokones gave good advice.

It is common for those with camper shells/toppers on trucks to use a piece of conductive metal on the underside of the fiberglass shell with a drilled hole for a NMO mount. And for the most part a glass mount antenna will also work.

I personally would go with the Larsen glass mount on a Corvette to keep the classy and sporty look of the vehicle.

[Wheaticus]

11 hours ago, WRYZ926 said:

@tcp2525 and @nokones 

I personally would go with the Larsen glass mount on a Corvette to keep the classy and sporty look of the vehicle.

Are there any downsides to the glass mount antenna? 

[BoxCar]

22 minutes ago, Wheaticus said:

Are there any downsides to the glass mount antenna? 

Glass mount antennas have special mounting requirements. They can't be installed on windows carrying electrical charges or metallic film. Embedded defroster wires, heated windows or FM radio antennas all are problems.

[nokones]

I did not notice any degradation in any signal level with my glass-mount antenna when turning on the Rear Window Defroster. In the Phoenix Area, we do not allow any frost on our windows and never had a reason to use it. Also, my rear window has the factory tint.

My VSWR on 462 Megs is 1.2:1 and on 467 Megs is 1.6:1 and unfortunately, I hear a lot of FRS traffic about 5-6 miles away and I can communicate with several repeaters approx. 35-50 miles away. On the Trail, obviously it varies due to terrain, foliage, and obstacles and I am not disappointed in the performance. Some of the poor signal reception is because some of my fellow Jeep Creeps use cheap FRS radios from inside of their vehicle

You just need to follow the mounting instructions and ensure the antenna is tuned/trimmed properly.

[WRYZ926]

As others have said, you may or may not have any issues with a glass mount antenna. Defrosters, embedded AM/FM antennas  and certain types of tint can cause a problem. Or they may not cause any issues. Some window tint has enough metal in it to affect RF signals. 

[tcp2525]

4 hours ago, Wheaticus said:

Are there any downsides to the glass mount antenna? 

Tinted windows can be an issue depending on the composition of the tint. In my opinion, unless the glass is clear without tint I won't recommend using them. It's NMO and a 3//4" hole or nothing.