Stick on glass antennas

[WRYQ857]

Can anyone assist with reviews on glass mount antennas and their performance? I work in the radio/IT industry and one of my Reps recommended an antenna after me asking about a hidden antenna to use on my truck with GMRS. I'm not wanting to draw attention that I may have a radio in my truck while unattended in parking lots. The one that was recommended is a inside only stick on antenna. We use these in 800 MHz on our fleet units with no issues but not sure about UHF GMRS? Thanks in advance for any input. 

 

Wide-Band Adhesive Glass Mount Antenna | 400-470MHz Frequency Range | Taoglas

[SteveShannon]

10 minutes ago, WRYQ857 said:

Can anyone assist with reviews on glass mount antennas and their performance? I work in the radio/IT industry and one of my Reps recommended an antenna after me asking about a hidden antenna to use on my truck with GMRS. I'm not wanting to draw attention that I may have a radio in my truck while unattended in parking lots. The one that was recommended is a inside only stick on antenna. We use these in 800 MHz on our fleet units with no issues but not sure about UHF GMRS? Thanks in advance for any input. 

 

Wide-Band Adhesive Glass Mount Antenna | 400-470MHz Frequency Range | Taoglas

I haven’t seen any reports on this forum. I think you’ll have to try it and let us know what you think. Keep in mind that most GMRS antennas are vertically polarized. 

[gortex2]

I have used the Laird/Larsen version of that antenna in the past for investigators cars as well as my wifes vehicle. All use was on TLMR and not on conventional simplex stuff. On scene of an incident it worked ok (should I can see all the FF's from my windshield). Larsen still sells this antenna - SB450FME12 for 450-470. So depending on your use case its a good antenna. If you can't talk on a HT from inside your car with rubber duck this wont help. Works very well for close by or good repeaters.

 

 

[Radioguy7268]

Glass mount antennas suck for UHF. They are marginally better than using a portable inside a vehicle, and I do mean marginally. 800 & 900 MHz work better, but still not ideal.

I'd tell you to look for other options before spending money on a glass mount. A 6" UHF hatpin can be mounted in plenty of locations where it's barely noticed. Shark fin antennas made by Stico & others mimic factory FM antennas for the entertainment radio.

[wayoverthere]

while there's been lots of valid points raised already, I'll mention something I noticed looking at the specs for that glass mount...wouldn't 1.5dBi effectively be negative gain antenna in the real world? (dBi vs dBd and all)

that aside, I've absolutely run into auto glass on newer cars impeding the signal, which would be an issue with that glass mount inside as well.  aside from the mentioned "hatpin" (uhf 1/4 wave, which are quite inexpensive), Midland's "ghost" (MXTA25) antennas seem to get decent reviews, and that would be fairly unnoticeable hard mounted on the roof without compromising ground clearance (they're less than 4" tall).

[SteveShannon]

Just use a magnetic mount and whatever reasonable antenna you want. Whenever wanting it to be unseen take the mag mount off and put it and the antenna in the trunk or back seat out of sight. Mount the radio under the seat with a separate faceplate in a discreet location where it’s not easily visible to people outside the car.

[nokones]

I have the Larsen Glassmount on the rear glass of my 23 Wrangler Rubi 2 Dr. and I have had and continue to have great success with it for my UHF radio. I can hit repeaters well over 50+ miles and I can definitely hear FRS traffic at least the 5 miles away as a desert buzzard would fly. 

I really don't have a need to talk simplex except when I am wheeling on the Trail and those distances normally don't exceed a mile, but on one occasion I did communicate simplex and I estimate the distance with a Midland MXT275 that is a 15 watt mobile clearly, about 10 and maybe 15 miles away.

My VSWR on 467 Megs is 1.5 - 1.6:1 and on 462 Megs the VSWR is a good 1.2:1 and that is without any trimming. I decided to leave the antenna as is and not trim it.

I personally don't see anything wrong with using a glassmount antenna. Decades ago, I have had great success with the Antenna Specialist Cellular Look-A-Likes on both VHF and UHF Fun & Non-Fun Bands. Also, I have used a glassmount Antenna for a CB radio, but the measuring the effective Farz accurately was somewhat difficult and it did depend on conditions.

I have never tried using the rear windows defrost to see if it affects the reception performance. We don't get those types of conditions here in the greater Valley of the Sun in sunny Sun City West, Arizona.

For my VHF Radio I am using a non-Ground Plane Laird B1442N Base Load antenna on a side fender mount. I was surprised with the performance of this Antenna. I was able to hear a repeater on the roof of a 5 story building about 30 miles away over and around a tall hill. I'm seeing about 1.2:1 with this antenna on 154 Megs.

For my UHF DMR radio I am using the Midland MXTA25 Phantom Antenna and I am seeing about 1.4:1 VSWR on 464 Megs transmitting analog emissions.

For my Cobra 29 LTD Classic CB radio I am using the Firestik II 3 foot antenna while on the trail and a 5 foot Firestik II antenna for the Highways and Byways with a spring and quick disconnect. I'm seeing less than 1.1:1 with the 5 ft antenna and less than 1.2:1 with the 3 ft antenna. The CB Antenna is mounted in the usual Wrangler JL location.

[WRYZ926]

8 hours ago, wayoverthere said:

I've absolutely run into auto glass on newer cars impeding the signal, which would be an issue with that glass mount inside as well.

That has to do with the tint that is built into factory windows. Some tint has enough metal in them to mess with reception. I have even seen people have problems with the glass mount antennas like what nokones posted. Granted not everyone has had reception issues with these type of antennas but some have. It depends on the tint used and how much metal is in it.

[WRYQ857]

On 2/7/2025 at 11:28 AM, SteveShannon said:

I haven’t seen any reports on this forum. I think you’ll have to try it and let us know what you think. Keep in mind that most GMRS antennas are vertically polarized. 

10/4, I think I will...lol