Scanner with hidden antenna idea

I had a scanner in my previous vehicle, a Ford Explorer, and used THIS (http://www.universal-radio.com/catalog/scanants/4534.html) adapter to connect the scanner to the factory radio antenna. I would like to use this adapter on my Ridgeline, but the factory radio does not have the same antenna input as the Explorer.

After some research, I believe I have found two adapters which could make this work.

I would connect THIS (http://www.installer.com/item/display_item.php?it=40-hd10) to the factory antenna harness and connect THIS (http://www.installer.com/item/display_item.php?it=40-hd20) to the factory radio from the adapter.

Here is the catch, I have XM radio.

My first question is, will these antenna adapters work with a factory antenna harness set-up for XM radio?

Secondly, if the antenna adapters work, will the factory XM antenna still function?

The XM antenna and the AM/FM antennas are separate.

The factory AM/FM antenna is junk. I wouldn't spend a cent trying to make it work for anything.

The FM and XM antennas are separate if that helps any.

This should work, I am looking to do the same thing, but it would be nice if
we didnt have to spend $60+ to acomplish this.

Maybe someone makes a Honda to Scanner BNC adapter?


G

Probably easier to just get a Shark antenna and add it on to still keep it low profile. Total cost would be less then the adaptors only, and the bonus is it would work :)

A shark fin antenna wouldnt give you very good reception, it is so short it only has a very limited bandwidth, the factory Ridgeline antenna is quite a bit longer giving you much better reception, but still not quite as good as a full length scanner antenna.

Plus, I dont really feel like drilling a hole in the ridgeline roof and removing the headliner to route cables.

G

The SharkII antennas work. Ask anyone who has installed one. If you don't want to drill a hole in your roof, that's your decision, but don't try and tell me that the stock antenna is superior. It's not.

no need to get upset, its cool that they work for you but any antenna that is 2-3 inches tall cannot receive distant signals that an antenna that is 6-12 inches in length could receive.

Its pure science, ask any amateur radio operator that has passed his exam
about the antenna theory section and he will tell you the same thing.

Longer antenna just capture more signal.


G

I'm not upset...life is good :) Your theories are correct, it's just that you are ignoring the reality of the situation. Both the OEM Honda and SharkII antennas are amplified, engineered systems that can't be analyzed as simple antennas. One works well, the other does not.

Well I bought the adapters to hook my scanner to the AM/FM antenna. Let me tell you, the reception sucks. I have better reception from inside my house with a portable handheld scanner than the one in the car. When driving around, I am able to get local frequencies, if they are being transmitted from the area I am in. Other then that, I can't even get the next town over when driving in my town.

Other than drilling a hole on the roof, can anyone suggest a low profile scanner antenna?

Why not just go with a short antenna mounted somewhere unobtrusive like under the back seat, in the trunk, or under the hood? I have a handheld scanner that I use to listen to dispatch on the way to work in the mornings. The stubby antenna on it works just fine with it sitting on the floor.

Why not just go with a short antenna mounted somewhere unobtrusive like under the back seat, in the trunk, or under the hood? I have a handheld scanner that I use to listen to dispatch on the way to work in the mornings. The stubby antenna on it works just fine with it sitting on the floor.

That was my next idea...just taking an old scanner antenna and putting it behind the seat or attaching it to a hook in the bed.

One of the hams has done that with a firestick type of antenna. He made a bracket for one of the tiedowns. Search for ham radio.