Antenna mounting options for truck?

[WSHK260]

I have a 2006 F150 with super crew cab.  I recently bought a Midland MXT575 radio and am exploring different mount options.  If anyone has suggestions for mounting ideas, I'd appreciate any and all ideas!

[OffRoaderX]

My suggestion is mounting it top/center of the roof.

[WRYZ926]

Center of the cab roof is always going to be best.\

I don't know how thick the roof metal is on a 2006 F150. but the roof is pretty thin on my 2010 F150. A magnet mount does hold the antenna at highway speeds but it won't take much to knock the antenna off. I'm going to go with a permanent NMO mount as soon as I can find someone close to help with the install.

[WRDJ205]

I’m running with a Midland NMO and the ghost antenna in the center of the roof.  But, I’m looking at trying a window mount on the rear window (which has may have some issues due to the tent and defrost wires).  

[gortex2]

As said NMO mount dead NMO mount dead center of roof. I run 1/4 wave on mine but all depends on use case. 

[Lscott]

12 hours ago, WRYZ926 said:

Center of the cab roof is always going to be best.\

I don't know how thick the roof metal is on a 2006 F150. but the roof is pretty thin on my 2010 F150. A magnet mount does hold the antenna at highway speeds but it won't take much to knock the antenna off. I'm going to go with a permanent NMO mount as soon as I can find someone close to help with the install.

If the roof top metal is that thin then consider some kind of backing plate on the bottom side to distribute the bending moment created by wind resistance on the antenna at highway speeds. No use in seeing the roof buckle around the mount if you can avoid it.

I have a sun roof on my CX-5 so even if I wanted to drill a hole, which I don't anyway, there is precious little room. That's why I had the optional roof rack rails installed when I purchased it. The mount attaches to that. Even at highway speeds the 60 inch tall antenna isn't going to bend that wide rail.

https://forums.mygmrs.com/gallery/image/473-close-up-of-mobile-mount/?context=new

 

[WRUE951]

Yup,,  Center of the cab and don't waste your money on those third brake light mounts.   I got one on a deal on Ebay and after about a year it cracked at the antenna mount.  Worthless hunk of $hit...    

[WRYZ926]

20 minutes ago, Lscott said:

If the roof top metal is that thin then consider some kind of backing plate on the bottom side to distribute the bending moment created by wind resistance on the antenna at highway speeds. No use in seeing the roof buckle around the mount if you can avoid it.

That is the plan if/when I get the roof drilled for a NMO mount. I do plan on adding a backing plate to the underside of the cab roof.  I would not want the roof to tear if I hit something with the antenna.

[WSHH887]

I don't want to put holes in the roof of my pickup. I found a bracket they attached to the rear of my bed. I posted a video of it another fellow did earlier. It works great.
 

I do have a metal bedcover and I think that helps. I have used both the Midland MTX26 and a ghost antenna. Interestingly, the ghost antenna might be slightly better.