I have a magnetic antenna I would like to use on my JK. I was thinking about riveting a metal plate onto my back bumper so the antenna would stick to that. Would that work? Does it need to be grounded? Thanks!

 

If I were doing that I would bond the metal plate to the frame.... it may work good enough for trail use. of course it won't be ideal... and it may wrack the back of the Jeep a lot when going over bumps/rocks.... etc.... and make sure you check your SWR...

let us know how it works out....etc.

 

It's just for trail use but it wouldn't hurt if it would get out at least a mile or so. I'm trying to make it very easy to put in and take out because the top is rarely on and water is rough on electronics. I'm planing on using rivets to attach the plate to the bumper and then ground it to the frame.

 

Cooltech has two nice mounts available and a quick disconnect for the antenna

 

Let me know how it works out i,m planning the same thing.

 

If you're talking plastic bumper, I did this for a recent trip; cut a 4.5" square plate of steel that I fixed to the bumper (temporarily) with velcro, then the magnetic antenna. It didn't work very well. I suspect that you need a ground to the plate if you go this route (as I did not ground).