On-glass Antenna & UHF

[rufusking]

I'be decided to install a on-glass antenna (Laser 472) for my UHF 2-way for use while driving around town instead of leaving the large antenna poking out the front of the D4. Initially I planned to stick the antenna on the windscreen (passanger side) but now am thinking about placing it on the passanger rear quarter window between two of the LR antenna. The questions I have and hopefully someone out there has a better understanding of these things than I do can shed some light are:

Firstly there are 3 existing LR on-glass antenna on each of the rear quarter windows and on my standard MY12 HSE (no TV, digital radio etc) only the centre antenna on each side is connected. I'm guessing that the shorter one on the pasanger side is for FM and the longer one on the driver side is AM. Is this correct? Does anyone actually know what all these antenna are for?

Secondly, is ther any issue with placing a UHF 2-way on-glass antenna between these?

Lastly, I do have factory privacy glass (Sundym) on the glass rear of the B pillar. Will this cause any issues?

Look forward to any feedback. I'll also post this in the Comm's forum.

[wrinklearthur]

I would be interested in trying one of these antennas as well.

The only way that I could find out if there is any problem with the impregnated glass interfering with the signal, would be to use a SWR meter that is designed for the 477MHz UHF band.

To do this, you compare the power reflected from the on glass aerial with the results from a independent ground plane aerial.
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[Landover]

We use the on glass UHF antenna on our work cars for testing train radios and work great. I can talk clearly over 40Kms. I've mounted them on the rear tinted glass of a Triton and VSWR reading does not change. I've Also put them on my other 4wd (Name can't be said on this forum) as I had no where else to mount them and don't stand out.

[rufusking]

In the documentation that came with the Laser 472 is states that "This antenna WILL NOT work unless it is actually mounted onto glass" which makes it difficult to test plain glass vs windscreen vs Sundym.

[jspyle]

How did the installation go?
are you satisfied with the signal/reception quality?
where did you finally decide to mount the antenna?
can we have a picture?
Were the side curtain airbags a problem?
I am agonising over this, glass mount or exterior mount, issue at the moment.

[rufusking]

Hi jspyle, the antenna install went well. It is mounted on the inside of the rear passanger (left) side cargo area glass (see pic's). I am happy with the reception and transmission capabilities. The UHF is generally used when travelling with others and preforms well keeping in mind the characteristics of a 3dB antenna.

The one I fitted is the Laser 472 which is tuned for 460-480MHz and my two-way is a GME TX3820 with frequencies programmed in from 420 up into the 500's (which are generally RX only) and receive well although they are generally transmitting at great wattage from ideal fixed tower locations.

As far as the in vehicle install went it was very straight forward. From the antenna mounting postion the thin RG174 tucks up easly in the roof lining above the window then removing the "C" pillar cover it was threaded behind all the necessary bits and joined to a RG?? (can't remember what I used). A bit of foam tape to stop the joint connectors from rattling then down behind the trim following the door opening to the carpet. The radio is mounted under the drivers seat so the coax just follows a line in the floor pan then along the drivers side of the tunnel to the radio.

My D4 has factory privacy glass so the outside photo's only show my reflection and haven't bothered posting. Then antenna is only noticable from outside if you look for it.

Hope that helps.