For scanner enthusiasts on the move, a reliable car antenna is essential for picking up transmissions clearly. If you’re looking to upgrade your mobile scanning setup, finding the Best Police Scanner Antenna For Car use is a key step. Many users, like yourself, prefer to avoid drilling holes in their vehicles but still want optimal performance. Let’s explore some top antenna recommendations and mounting options that cater to different needs and preferences.
One highly recommended option, mentioned in the original discussion, is the Larsen Tri-Band antenna. This antenna is designed to cover the crucial bands for public safety scanning: 150 MHz, 450 MHz, and 800 MHz, without needing coverage for lower bands. Standing under 17 inches tall, it’s a compact yet effective solution. The Larsen Tri-Band utilizes the standard NMO mount, which offers versatility in choosing your mounting method.
While a permanent NMO mount, requiring a drilled hole, can offer the best long-term performance and signal grounding, it’s understandable to want to avoid vehicle modifications. Fortunately, there are several excellent no-drill mounting alternatives available.
Magnetic Mounts (Mag Mounts) present a straightforward, non-permanent solution. NMO magnetic mounts are readily available and allow you to easily attach and remove your antenna.
However, mag mounts do come with some drawbacks. They can be susceptible to theft, and even small particles of dirt trapped underneath the mount can scratch your vehicle’s paint. The antenna cable, especially if not carefully routed, can also cause scratches as it moves in the wind or gets pinched in door frames. Furthermore, cables pinched in frequently used doors are prone to damage over time, leading to signal degradation or failure.
For a more secure and paint-friendlier temporary option, consider Trunk Lip Mounts. These NMO mounts clamp onto the edge of your trunk lid, requiring no drilling.
While trunk lip mounts avoid drilling, they may still cause wear to your vehicle’s paint where the cable rubs against the car body when the trunk is opened and closed. Careful cable routing is crucial to minimize this potential issue.
Finally, L-Bracket Mounts offer a more discreet and semi-permanent no-drill solution. These brackets utilize an L-shape to mount an NMO antenna inside your trunk or hood.
L-brackets do require drilling a few small holes, but these are typically located in less visible areas inside the trunk or under the hood. The small screw holes are much less intrusive than a large NMO mount hole and are easily overlooked, preserving the vehicle’s aesthetics and resale value.
In conclusion, selecting the best police scanner antenna for your car involves considering both antenna performance and mounting practicality. The Larsen Tri-Band antenna is a solid performer for the common scanner bands. For mounting, while permanent NMO mounts offer optimal grounding, magnetic mounts, trunk lip mounts, and L-brackets provide viable no-drill or minimal-drill alternatives, each with its own set of pros and cons to weigh based on your specific needs and vehicle.
