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.

[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. 

[OffRoaderX]

19 hours ago, tcp2525 said:

Scrap the idea of using Midland garbage

There is absolutely nothing wrong with the Midland Ghost antenna based on ACTUAL TESTS AND DATA that I have done (not based on "Some People's" opinion).. However as others have posted, the Ghost antenna form-factor may not be the best choice, but if you use it, it will perform fine as long as its not blocked/surrounded by any metal.

[nokones]

If the OP elects to go with a NMO mount, one thought is maybe a NMO lip-mount on the edge of the hood. I sold all my  Corvettes last year, except my racecar, so I kinda don't remember if there is a suitable edge on the rear hatch or not to mount a lip-mount.

In anycase, whatever type of mounts he uses, he needs to make sure that the mount has continuity to chassis ground.

[WRYZ926]

I guess it's all in perspective to each individual. I personally would not want to go drilling into any Corvette  for a NMO mount. The bodies are still primarily made for either fiberglass or carbon fiber or a mix of the two. 

Just me, but any type of antenna mount other than a glass mount would look out of place on an expensive sports car.

I generally don't care for glass mount antennas but that would be what I would go with in this situation.

[WRUE951]

i've been using Midland antennas on my mobile's for about 4 years now and won't use anything else.  To the guy that calls Midland 'junk'.  I challenge you to prove to me that you are correct.  With all the actual test i have done using numerous other antennas,  i can promise that Midland antennas outperform many others.    

[SteveShannon]

Just to be fair, @Socalgmrs has said good things about Midland antennas; it’s the radios that he disparages.

[tcp2525]

1 hour ago, WRUE951 said:

i've been using Midland antennas on my mobile's for about 4 years now and won't use anything else.  To the guy that calls Midland 'junk'.  I challenge you to prove to me that you are correct.  With all the actual test i have done using numerous other antennas,  i can promise that Midland antennas outperform many others.    

I stand corrected for calling them junk when the proper term is scrap. If a manufacturer can't use stainless steel set screws to hold the whip in, they are substandard scrap.

[tcp2525]

1 hour ago, WRYZ926 said:

I guess it's all in perspective to each individual. I personally would not want to go drilling into any Corvette  for a NMO mount. The bodies are still primarily made for either fiberglass or carbon fiber or a mix of the two. 

Just me, but any type of antenna mount other than a glass mount would look out of place on an expensive sports car.

I generally don't care for glass mount antennas but that would be what I would go with in this situation.

Fiberglass repair and painting is extremely easy and invisible with little effort. 

[SteveShannon]

1 hour ago, WRYZ926 said:

I guess it's all in perspective to each individual. I personally would not want to go drilling into any Corvette  for a NMO mount. The bodies are still primarily made for either fiberglass or carbon fiber or a mix of the two. 

Just me, but any type of antenna mount other than a glass mount would look out of place on an expensive sports car.

I generally don't care for glass mount antennas but that would be what I would go with in this situation.

A glass mount doesn’t sacrifice much either, but there are nice looking kits that replace the factory shark fin with a gps antenna and NMO mount which do not require additional drilling.

[WRYZ926]

Yes there are many different antenna mounting options available. I would personally go with the type of mount @SteveShannon mentioned before going with a standard NMO mount on a Corvette. But that's just me. A Corvette is out of my humble price range and I would never go drilling into such a vehicle. 

And while not 100% necessary, One will still want to find a way to mount a sheet of metal under the antenna mount for better performance. And that would mean removing the headliner if putting the antenna on top of the car. Again, I personally wouldn't want to take the chance of messing the headliner up on an expensive sports car.

Like I said, it's all perspective. I'm on a fixed income and can't even afford something like a Corvette or even a big fancy SUV or some of the bigger trucks and Jeeps. 

[WRUE951]

58 minutes ago, tcp2525 said:

I stand corrected for calling them junk when the proper term is scrap. If a manufacturer can't use stainless steel set screws to hold the whip in, they are substandard scrap.

appositely no problems with the set screws,, Zero, nada...  Have you had problems with set screws.  please explain..   

[tcp2525]

18 minutes ago, WRUE951 said:

appositely no problems with the set screws,, Zero, nada...  Have you had problems with set screws.  please explain..   

When it rusts it's a problem. Laird, Larsen and other reputable companies use stainless steel. Of course I resolved the problem for 10 cents by going to Ace and buying two stainless steel ones. Not cool for a company to put the burden on the consumer to fix substandard scrap. Don't get me wrong, I support your effort to buy scap just as long as it's makes you happy. That's what it's all about, be happy. 

[WRUE951]

24 minutes ago, tcp2525 said:

When it rusts it's a problem. Laird, Larsen and other reputable companies use stainless steel. Of course I resolved the problem for 10 cents by going to Ace and buying two stainless steel ones. Not cool for a company to put the burden on the consumer to fix substandard scrap. Don't get me wrong, I support your effort to buy scap just as long as it's makes you happy. That's what it's all about, be happy. 

 

On 4/30/2025 at 2:04 PM, tcp2525 said:

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.

you are funny,,  inventing a problem that doesn't exist.        

[tcp2525]

6 minutes ago, WRUE951 said:

 

you are funny,,  inventing a problem that doesn't exist.        

And what else is the internet for?

[Wheaticus]

On 4/30/2025 at 3:39 PM, nokones said:

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.

Went with the phantom antenna you suggested it will be here Monday. I appreciate all of the helpful suggestions. 

[WRTC928]

13 hours ago, WRYZ926 said:

I guess it's all in perspective to each individual. I personally would not want to go drilling into any Corvette  for a NMO mount. The bodies are still primarily made for either fiberglass or carbon fiber or a mix of the two. 

My concern would be that the flexing of the antenna would cause the composite material to crack over time. Personally, I wouldn't do it. Metal is a lot more forgiving than either fiberglass or carbon fiber.