Looking for some advice on what antenna to use and where to mount it. Installing a Motorola CM300D for VHF use in a rural area. My vehicle is a 2022 F-150 with the panoramic sunroof and I would like to still pull it in my garage. Will a no ground plane antenna on a fender mount work ok or what are my options? Thanks in advance, not super knowledgeable with antennas. I would be transmitting up to 20-25 miles to towers or other vehicles mostly.
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VHF Antenna Selection and Install Location
- Thread starter Ryno4503
- Start date
Id drop a 1/4 wave on the roof. Still room behind the sunroof for a NMO. If your worried about the antenna grab a stico whip. They are super flexible.
mmckenna
I ♥ Ø
1/4 wave on the roof, give it as much ground plane as you can.
If roof clearance is an issue, use a StiCo whip. If you've got a foot or more of clearance, a standard 1/4 wave is fine. That's what's on my wife's truck and it goes in/out of the garage almost every day of the week.
1/2 wave antenna does not require a ground plane, but it works better with one. Mounting it on the side of the front fender is going to result in it being directional away from the hood. Unless the radio system you are trying to talk into has really good coverage, I'd not expect 25 miles of range from it.
Plus, putting the antenna down below the cab line will result in shadowing behind the cab.
It'll work, but it may not work well enough.
A 1/4 wave on the roof is a known good performer.
But don't fall for those 3rd brake light brackets, those don't supply a good ground plane, and they put the antenna right up against the noisy LED brake lights, which might drive you to insanity.
If roof clearance is an issue, use a StiCo whip. If you've got a foot or more of clearance, a standard 1/4 wave is fine. That's what's on my wife's truck and it goes in/out of the garage almost every day of the week.
1/2 wave antenna does not require a ground plane, but it works better with one. Mounting it on the side of the front fender is going to result in it being directional away from the hood. Unless the radio system you are trying to talk into has really good coverage, I'd not expect 25 miles of range from it.
Plus, putting the antenna down below the cab line will result in shadowing behind the cab.
It'll work, but it may not work well enough.
A 1/4 wave on the roof is a known good performer.
But don't fall for those 3rd brake light brackets, those don't supply a good ground plane, and they put the antenna right up against the noisy LED brake lights, which might drive you to insanity.
mmckenna
I ♥ Ø
I installed my first permanent NMO back in 1990. I did not regret it then, and I certainly have not regretted it on all my other vehicles I've done since then.
Don't let any ham lid tell you that it reduces resale value or it will leak.
