George, The ANTENNA used the car as a ground plane, the phone did not - it was just expecting the same ol' 50ohm cable. If you get an ANTENNA designed for use NOT on a car roof, then the phone will work fine. I especially like those "rubber ducky" antennas with the 90deg bend right at the connector. About 8-10 inches long (1/2 wave, I think). They are real useful for bag phones that are not part of a permanent installation. Put a cig. lighter plug on the power connector and you've got a really powerful portable for belowdecks or up top! Regards, Ray Henry Tug O War thebilge.com

rlchenry@mindspring.com writes: >The ANTENNA used the car as a ground plane, the phone did not - it >was just >expecting the same ol' 50ohm cable. If you get an ANTENNA designed >for use >NOT on a car roof, then the phone will work fine. My phone is actually not a bag-phone, but an ex "built-in" car phone. I beleve they were jokingly referred to as "brick-phones". Its antennae is one of those through the glass (rear-window) type. Will try to get a clamp-on-the-rail type for cellulars. Trying to get maximum transmission power. With my current digital cellphone I lose contact about three miles from shore (but I can still see the CN Tower, where one of the transmitters is located). Portability is not an issue for me, power/range is. > > Thanks for your advise - George G.