Perfect antenna location on big trucks?

No such thing as a perfect installation on a big truck and it will always be a compromise between performance and convenience.
I generally run two elements on tractor trailers to compensate for the lack of a ground plane and even out my radiation pattern although it's more complicated to do it that way. Different trucks have different nuances to the installation.

 

You coiled your coax at the top of the door for swr????? WTH is that supposed to mean!!

 

If the antenna works better when the mount is on metal,could I possibly ground the antenna mount with wire going to the frame?

 

I get a flat match using a 4' Firestick with my General Lee. Flames shoot out the antennae when I transmit. Opinions vary but I keep it simple

 

Nooooo...Thats not a ground plane......A thats gonna do is help with possible static build up,it also makes the antenna electrically longer...Not physically longer...
Basically a ground plane is the metal under the ant,the more the better...An antenna basically need to see a mirror image of itself..So some bonding will belp but not a replacement for ground plane..
Head over to a site called k0bg.org or is k0bg.com
It will help with the trucker storys about antennas and set up..

 

Flat match.....Get an analyzer on that nefore i would think i got a flat match...See what your resonance point is and what kinda resistance ya got....Might not be liken that pos franny anttnie..

 

Thanks for the input. You just saved me some time and work.

 

Craig, got to yank your chain on this one - "Basically a ground plane is the metal under the ant,the more the better."

You sure?

 

Basically yes.......from what i remember reading..