I'm getting ready for communication. Plans are a Cobra 29 LX with a Arizona RockyRoad overhead radio mount and plan to wire directly to the battery. I was originally planning on mounting the antenna to the top mast of my High Rock tire carrier but put that plan down for two reasons. One: clearance from trees. Two: the cable would constantly bend with the rear door and over time that's not a good thing. If I get this right, other than the cowl dead center, on the JK the ideal location would be roofless and mount the antenna on the overhead roll cage above the rear speakers.

So I'm looking at the drivers side rear corner between the light and rear door jam. I understand that even a bonded chassis will not give even radiation to the rear due to lack of metal for the ground plane, where the vehicle is more of a capacitor to the ground that is the actual ground plane. Looking at the radiation pattern of a rear corner mount, my transmissions would be strong forward and to the right and weak to the rear right.

That leads me to considering a NO Ground Plane system. I understand that there is ~15% less performance than a Ground Plane antenna. But the radiation should be even around the mast since my placement would be above the fender line. Any fellow jeepers running a NGP antenna comments are welcome.

Firestik has a package with a mount that routes the cable internally for a very clean install. I'll use a medium spring and quick disconnect with a NGP 3' antenna. The mount uses two vertical bolts, the top bolt connects the center cable braided wire, and should NOT be grounded. The bottom bolt is a bit short and can only mount on a thickness of about a quarter inch. Here's the thing, the out side rear sheet metal is attached to the inside structure where that short bolt goes. I'm not sure if it is more than a quarter inch thick at that lower bolt. Any one use this mount?



Edit: with better light I got a better look at the location for the install. It's two sheets of metal thick so I'm sure it's less than a quarter inch thick.

My second choice for mount is the Firestik mirror mount in the same location. Either routing the cable thru a notch in the rear tail light for an exposed install, or drilling a 3/8" hole at the base of the bracket and the rear fender along with a grommet. I would use a Firestik FireRing FME cable.

 

I went with GP set up using a 3' Firestik Firefly antenna. Had to do a little internal tub trim for this location. My SWR is 1.2 across all channels.

 

That looks great. Do you have any pictures during the install?

 

Thanks. I was too exited to take pictures, like playing with a new toy Christmas morning. But I have another thread that explains the mount install. It's inside of the tub behind the tail light, so it's hard to take pics. Must use a Dremel tool with a flexible extension and a few cut-off wheels to trim the internal brace. Not hard but tricky due to confined work space.

"Ground Plane vs. No Ground Plane"

https://www.jk-forum.com/forums/jk-c...-plane-269622/

 

homemade tailgate antenna mount..

 

I like the looks of this mount however it will not work on a 2012. The rear window is wider than the tail gate door.
Mike

 

The M2 mount location can move closer towards the taillight, allowing more room for the window to clear the antenna. Not sure if it's enough to clear though.

 

If you run a strait edge from the rear window down to the level of the tail light there is about 1/2" space, close to the same as a fire stick antenna. I don't know what year the window size changed.
Mike

 

I think '11 was the change

 

Firestik makes a folding adaptor. Fold the antenna down to clear the hatch glass, then bring the antenna up.