This weekend I'm going to be installing my 102" whip antenna, and could use a little guidance to help find the best location.

I already have the mounting base, spring, whip, and coax. Now I just need to find the best location. The two places I'm considering are the rear bumper on the passenger side. The other place I'm thinking is the front bumper on the passenger side.

I think the front bumper would be a better option since it's clear of the roof line. I think it would be more difficult to tie it down to the roof rack, but doable. The problem that I see with the rear is the lack of roof line clearance.

Any thoughts? Am I missing another possible location?

 

I've always mounted mine to the rear passenger side bumper and used a piece of paracord as as an extension to tie it down. I do this because I like having the truck in front of it when I'm going through the woods. I've seen a couple of mounting brackets destroyed by small trees when mounted on the front.

 

My antenna is only 48" but it's mounted to the spare tire holder. Ends up putting it about 16" above my SD rack

 

How much range do you get with that short of an antenna?

 

Base loaded (coil) shorter antennas actually have better range than a tied down 102" antenna given the same mount/ground plane.

The longer antenna radiates vertically (up and downward defeating the purpose of the length) when tied down to the other end of the truck. To actually get the benefit of it you of course have to untie it... which is fine off road. With it tied down you would be ok if you were within a mile of who you were talking to. If you want range you would have to untie it.

If you go with the shorter loaded antenna you can use it all the time, not just when it is untied. full 1/4 wave antennas for a CB are of course for show, not go, as a properly installed loaded and tuned antenna will perform just as well.

You are more likely to have decreased performance due to an improper ground or mounting point. The best ground plane is impractical as that would mean mounting your antenna square in the middle of the roof. Antennas mounted for instance on a bumper corner or spare tire holder will favor the direction that has the most car in front of it... in the case of the rear passenger corner, signal would be best out over the front drivers side corner. A mounting point in the center of the car on a square roof would be the most omni directional. So you choose your weak point when deciding where to put the antenna as the center of the roof is actually impractical... every other mounting point is a compromise.

Just in case anyone didn't know antenna basics.