2m/70cm optimal mounting?

[kogar]

I posted this on CoolTech's thread, but thought I'd start this one to see what other hams have done/are experiencing...

I have a nice Larsen 2/70B NMO that was on my truck's rooftop mount, but now that I own a Jeep (wife's jeep, actually), I'm concerned about ground plane issues. I'm curious what others have done (and observed) about a decent mounting point for a 1/2 wave 2/70 antenna? Is it ok to slap on a rear mount (elevated to mount is right at roofline) or would it be wiser to center mount on the hood? (I have no qualms about punching a hole in the hood of my wife's Jeep. My wife, on the other hand... :cwl . Are there any impedance issues for a 1/2 wave on hood vs your mount in the rear? Would a 5/8 be a better option?

Note: I'm a licensed ham (my username here is actually my callsign), but my Kenwood 710 unit has been collecting dust for a couple of years, so my practical knowledge of mobile antenna setups is crap right now.

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[W5MQS]

My suggestion is www.hamradio.com -- Ham Radio Outlet. They have a relatively new store that has all sorts of radios, antenna mounts and mounting options in Dallas if you feel like taking a road trip.

 

[kogar]

I'm familiar with them, but my concern is more with propagation optimization, not so much mounts and antennas. I have two antennas, a Larsen 2/70 and a Midland 70cm antenna. I'd like to just mount the Larsen in a place that will do the most good, so I'm hoping that other JL owners have already done the homework.

I'm going to check JK forums as well, since this dynamics are likely identical.

 

[W5MQS]

If I were you, I'd mount the antenna on the side of the hood...which is where I have mounted mine on my Ford. The hood can act as a bit of a reflector for your signal however; since you are talking about 2m/70cm, you're normally just accessing repeaters in the local area. I plan to mount an antenna on my JLUR in roughly the same location as my truck once I get around to purchasing a new radio and antenna for it. In the mean time, you really shouldn't have a problem with signal propagation. Most of the repeaters/repeater antennas in the Austin area are at considerable height and are easy to hit and/or "kerchunk" via "line of sight". Just an FYI -- I can hit one of the Austin repeaters from the rest area on I-35 that is just south of Salado. I'd be more concerned if you are wanting to do HF communications.

 

[kogar]

Thanks, Mitch. No, not doing HF comms while mobile. Maybe if I were overlanding, but I don't see myself doing that.

 

[Fuel Fire Desire]

Heres what I did with mine.

I ended up making a thread about it too.


https://www.jlwranglerforums.com/fo...f-uhf-ham-install-inexpensive-and-easy.11834/

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