The Complete Guide to Choosing the Right Tetra Antenna

23 Sep 2026

⭐ 1. What Is TETRA and Why the Antenna Matters

• TETRA (Terrestrial Trunked Radio) is the UK’s mission‑critical communications standard used by:
• Police
• Fire & Rescue
• Ambulance
• Local authorities
• Utilities & critical infrastructure
• Transport fleets
• A TETRA radio is only as good as its antenna. The right antenna ensures:
• Strong, reliable coverage
• Clear voice communication
• Fast call setup
• Stable data performance
• Compliance with emergency‑service requirements

 

🚗 2. Step‑by‑Step: How to Choose the Right TETRA Antenna

 

Step 1 — Identify Your Vehicle or Installation Type

Vehicle / Use Case	Recommended Antenna Types
Car / Van	Roof‑mount, low‑profile, combination TETRA+GPS
HGV / Specialist Vehicle	Heavy‑duty roof‑mount, bumper‑mount
Motorcycle	Compact, rugged, flexible whip
Covert / Unmarked	Internal, glass‑mount, strip antennas
Static / Infrastructure	High‑gain external antennas

 

Step 2 — Choose the Mounting Style

1. Roof‑Mount (Permanent)

• Best performance
• Most common for emergency fleets
• Requires drilling or existing mount
• Works with GPS combination antennas

Ideal for: Police, ambulance, fire, utilities

2. Magnetic Mount

• No drilling
• Quick installation
• Good for temporary or leased vehicles

Ideal for: Short‑term deployments, rental fleets

3. Bumper / Bracket Mount

• Used when roof mounting isn’t possible
• Good for HGVs, plant machinery, buses

Ideal for: Specialist vehicles

4. Internal / Covert Antennas

• Hidden installation
• No external visibility
• Reduced performance vs roof‑mount

Ideal for: Covert operations, unmarked vehicles

5. Combination TETRA + GPS Antennas

• One housing for multiple systems
• Cleaner installation
• Reduces drilling and cabling

Ideal for: Vehicles using TETRA + telematics / AVL

Step 3 — Select the Correct Frequency Band

Most UK emergency‑service radios use:

• 380–400 MHz (Standard UK TETRA band)

Step 4 — Choose Cable Length & Connector

Cable Length

• 0.5m — roof mount with radio nearby
• 3m — typical car/van installation
• 5m–7m — HGVs, buses, specialist vehicles

Connector Type

• FME — most common for vehicle installs
• SMA / TNC / BNC — depends on radio model

If you don’t know the connector, check the radio or ask your installer.

🛰️ 3. Types of TETRA Antennas Explained

1. Low‑Profile Antennas

• Discreet
• Rugged
• Ideal for emergency fleets
• Often available with GPS/GNSS options

Pros: Durable, unobtrusive Cons: Slightly lower gain than whip antennas

2. Whip Antennas

• Highest performance
• Flexible or rigid options
• Best for rural or fringe coverage

Pros: Best range Cons: More visible, can be damaged

3. Covert / Internal Antennas

• Hidden behind trim, dashboard, or glass
• Used by police and security services

Pros: Invisible Cons: Reduced performance

4. Magnetic‑Mount Antennas

• Fast installation
• No drilling
• Good for temporary vehicles

Pros: Easy to deploy Cons: Can be knocked off in harsh environments

5. Combination Antennas (TETRA + GPS/GNSS)

• One housing for multiple systems
• Cleaner installation
• Less cabling

Pros: Professional, efficient Cons: Slightly higher cost

🧰 4. Installation Tips (Installer‑Friendly)

• Mount as high as possible on the vehicle
• Keep the antenna clear of roof bars, beacons, and metal obstructions
• Avoid routing cables near high‑current wiring
• Ensure a good ground plane for best performance
• Use approved connectors to avoid signal loss

🛡️ 5. Why Quality Matters

Cheap antennas cause:

• Poor coverage
• Missed calls
• Slow data
• Interference
• Shorter lifespan

Professional‑grade antennas (like Panorama) offer:

• Better gain
• Rugged construction
• Certified performance
• Long‑term reliability

• Bumper‑mount options

📞 8. Need Help Choosing?

                Call our friendly experts at Co-Star on 01423 340066 for advice you can trust.

 

TETRA Antennas – Comparison Table
Vehicle & External Antennas
Model	Frequency Range	Mounting Style	Key Features	Ideal For
CD390	390 MHz	Clip‑mount	Compact half‑wave coax antenna	Specialist or temporary installations
BMP2‑DPD‑S15F	380–470 MHz	Bumper mount	Dual bumper mount, integrated power divider	Emergency vehicles, covert installs
HM‑S1	390 MHz	Motorcycle mount	Vibration‑resistant, compact	Police / emergency motorcycles
Low‑Profile & Covert Antennas
Model	Frequency Range	Mounting Style	Key Features	Ideal For
LG390	380–430 MHz	Low‑profile roof	TETRA + GPS, aerodynamic, rugged	Emergency services, high‑speed fleets
LP390	380–400 MHz	Low‑profile roof	Compact, discreet, high efficiency	Covert or aesthetic‑sensitive vehicles
A.4937.01	380–470 MHz	Covert / hidden	Fully concealed design	Undercover operations, unmarked vehicles
Internal / Adhesive Antennas
Model	Frequency Range	Mounting Style	Key Features	Ideal For
EF-TET-3F	380–430 MHz	Internal adhesive strip	Slim, flexible, easy install	Vehicles where drilling is not allowed
EF‑442‑3F	420–465 MHz	Internal adhesive strip	Slim, flexible, easy install	Vehicles where drilling is not allowed
Combination (TETRA + GPS) Antennas
Model	Frequency Range	Mounting Style	Key Features	Ideal For
GPSKM‑3FS‑TET	TETRA + GPS	Roof mount	High‑performance dual‑system antenna	Fleet tracking + TETRA comms
LG390	380–430 MHz + GPS	Low‑profile roof	Rugged, aerodynamic, dual‑function	Emergency services, rapid‑response fleets

 

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