Phantom Antennas

Cable Assemblies

Mount Kits

Most people are still using the same type of mobile antennas that were in use fifty or sixty years ago.  As a matter of fact, the standard mount for mobile antennas remains virtually unchanged from the design of a half century ago!  Cables have improved and materials have improved, but the standard mount used today is a three-quarter inch NMO type.  By the way, NMO stands for New Motorola type.  It's not so new, but it is still the standard.  The three quarter inch refers to the size of the hole required to mount the antenna on the roof of a vehicle.  So much for the mount, how about the antenna itself?

In general, the most common mobile antenna is known as a quarter wave whip. This means the length of the antenna is one-fourth a full wave length.  Electrically, the larger the antenna, the better it performs.  However, for the sake of keeping the antennas from chopping off tree limbs, the industry decided to settle on a shortened version (approximately 17 inches for VHF or 7 inches for UHF).  The antennas look something like a piano wire and were originally designed for single frequency operation.  This means they have very narrow bandwidth and are totally unsuited for modern radios that may be operating over a frequency range of 10 megahertz or more.  Some users have found that using an antenna with a thicker shaft will increase the bandwidth problem, but because of the added weight, a flexible spring is generally added which adds ever more weight.  As you add weight, you also increase the potential for damage to your vehicle if your strike a limb or other object.  Others have chosen to use a gain type antenna (generally limited to a 2X power gain (3 dB) for VHF or 4X gain (5 dB) for UHF).  This antennas work well, but they have an even narrower bandwidth than the quarter wave whips.  In addition, their increased height (up to 30 inches) make them poorly suited for busses, pickups, vans and SUV's that are garaged.

Then along came the Phantom^® from Antenex, a low profile advanced design antenna measuring less than 4 inches high for VHF (even less for UHF and higher and bands).  The Phantom has good bandwidth, unity gain in VHF and 3 dB (2X) power gain in the UHF and higher frequency 700, 800, 900, 1900, 2100, and 2400 MHz bands.

The price is comparable to standard antennas, less than some of the gain type antennas with springs, and it fits a standard 3/4" NMO mount commonly in use.  Replacing your old whip antenna can be as simple as removing your old whip and screwing on the Phantom^®.  It is pre-tuned for center frequency operation in the band range ordered.  If you need a mount kit, we have standard rooftop mounts, magnetic, trunk lip, "L" type, even mirror mounts with your choice of connectors.

At the top of this page, you will see a task bar for selecting your antenna, cable kit, or special mount as required.  Just click on the applicable task bar for additional information and special discounted on-line pricing.  You can charge to your American Express, Discover, MasterCard or VISA.  Purchase orders are acceptable from approved accounts.

You may be wondering why we strongly encourage the Phantom^® over other antennas.  The fact is that we offer conventional antennas as well as the Phantom^®.  For more information on our other antennas, click here.  However, the reason we favor the Phantom^® is a semi technical term called field diversity.  Field diversity means that the antenna is simultaneously sensitive to both the electric and magnetic fields of the signal, like having two antennas. Field diversity makes the antenna resistant to the picket-fence fading and multipath nulls that are found in urban operation and undulating mobile environments.  In plain talk the simply works better!  In addition, the patented whipless design of our Phantom^® antenna allows car washes without removing the antenna. The Phantom^® is also less susceptible to damage by trees, garages or other obstructions.  There is nothing else quite like the Phantom^®.  Give it a try - you'll see!