Hi, Larry,
Note that measurements with a VNA will examine the impedance presented by the antenna as a source but not its efficiency at receiving signals. If you compare two antennas, you might see a better impedance match with one, but a higher level incoming signal from the other.
If you have the ability to connect an external radio with an S-meter or signal level indication of some kind (maybe a spectrum analyzer), you might try that with both vehicles to see how much signal is arriving via each antenna. That, combined with the VNA readings, might give you some idea of how each antenna is performing.
Note that short receiving antennas are often not impedance matched to their receivers. Even if they are, the impedances of the antenna and the receiver may be much higher than 50 ohms so you might see a really high SWR, against 50 ohms, from a properly operating antenna.
73,
Maynard
W6PAP
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On 8/26/23 06:22, Lawrance A. Schneider wrote:
Enclosed is the photo of a car antenna's mounting. Note it is a single pin. Also enclosed is a picture of my Baofeng's antenna post. Note that the car antenna is a single post/pin. The Baofeng's antenna has a pin inside a mounting. Thus, to measure the Baofeng's antenna you simply connect it to the nanavna. How to do the car antenna???
The reason I ask is experience with my old Toyota 4Runner's radio and my new Ford Lightning's radio. The 4Runner radio would work 50 to 80 miles from a tower. The Lightning will start to fade 20 miles from the same towers. Is the fault with the antenna or the radio???
Thank you for any cogent answer. larry
