Vehicle Antenna Placement??

[HHD1]

Where is the best location to mount a vehicle antenna for optimum performance?  It probably depends on the type of antenna.  The type of vehicle.  I'm not sure so that's why I'm asking.

My circumstances are on a 2024 Bronco Sport and I was looking at this antenna. 

 Amazon.com: HYS Amateur Dual-Band VHF & UHF Magnet Base Antenna for 2m/70cm Motorola Mobile Ham Radios & Repeaters with 3.5inchs Magnetic Mount, W/13ft RG58 Cable PL-259 UHF Male Mag Mount (Black) : Electronics

What are your thoughts.

P.S. SoCal, give me your best shot. 

[Lscott]

10 hours ago, SteveShannon said:

Make it yours! Of course I haven’t gotten around to cutting a hole in my 4Runner but I find myself wishing I had done it years ago. 

Modern vehicles use thinner sheet metal to save weight for improved fuel economy. What might have been in the past a minor adrenaline surge when the antenna whacked a tree branch now may result in some real damage to body sheet around the antenna mount. I would think a bit more about the usual advise to "just drill the hole" and mount the antenna.

[gortex2]

Day the truck got dropped off at my house it had 5 holes in it....

[tcp2525]

2 hours ago, Lscott said:

Modern vehicles use thinner sheet metal to save weight for improved fuel economy. What might have been in the past a minor adrenaline surge when the antenna whacked a tree branch now may result in some real damage to body sheet around the antenna mount. I would think a bit more about the usual advise to "just drill the hole" and mount the antenna.

Agree, but this is why I follow up with a nice thin fender washer on the inside of the roof to distribute the force more evenly when the antenna hits something. I never had any bent sheet metal or antennas ripped out of the roof.

[tcp2525]

1 hour ago, gortex2 said:

Day the truck got dropped off at my house it had 5 holes in it....

Sweet!! Looks like you have some unused real estate that can accommodate 5 more.

[SteveShannon]

7 minutes ago, tcp2525 said:

Sweet!! Looks like you have some unused real estate that can accommodate 5 more.

[HHD1]

20 hours ago, WRYZ926 said:

I have a height restriction since I park in the garage so I run a Tram 1174 tuned for GMRS on my Ford Escape.

That seems like a very affordable option to me. I wish it came in black.  

[HHD1]

6 minutes ago, Lscott said:

This guy has a few more.

 

I imagine every hair on my head would stand straight up if I keyed up in that thing...

[HHD1]

I found this vehicle specific option.  Is this a fair price?

Ghost GMRS Antenna Kit for Ford Bronco Sport (2021 - 2025)

[WRUU653]

6 minutes ago, HHD1 said:

I found this vehicle specific option.  Is this a fair price?

Ghost GMRS Antenna Kit for Ford Bronco Sport (2021 - 2025)

I saw that too. I think I would prefer using a Midland MXTA26 antenna if using that mount to get it up higher from the hood but lots of jeeps use a similar mounting. 

[SteveShannon]

10 minutes ago, HHD1 said:

I found this vehicle specific option.  Is this a fair price?

Ghost GMRS Antenna Kit for Ford Bronco Sport (2021 - 2025)

It’s within reason. The Midland ghost antenna sells for $50.  A fender mount bracket for a 21-24 ford bronco goes for $30.  An NMO mount and cable to fit that bracket goes for about $20-30. But you might enjoy the convenience of ordering a proven combination from a single place.

[HHD1]

1 minute ago, WRUU653 said:

I saw that too. I think I would prefer using a Midland MXTA26 antenna if using that mount to get it up higher from the hood but lots of jeeps use a similar mounting. 

I see that they also have the option to buy just the mount and coax for $60.  

[Lscott]

1 hour ago, HHD1 said:

I imagine every hair on my head would stand straight up if I keyed up in that thing...

Just think about what the INSIDE of that car must look like!

[Socalgmrs]

In the middle    Kidna obvious.   That antenna is going to stink on gmrs 462/467 but hey go for it.  Most likely it will kill your radio.  You’re spending how much on a nearly new bronco () and want to skimp on the most important part of a radio set up? The antenna needs to be where the most money is spent.  A radio is a radio but it’s the antenna that matters. A $20 5w radio with a good antenna can easily do 60 plus miles but a 50w radio with a junky antenna might not get 2 miles.