Not sure which mobile antenna.

[Av8r1]

Do you guys know which would work best for a Grand Cherokee. I mean a roof mount or a rear corner side mounted whip? Really not sure which way to go.

This is the side mounted whip. [Please login or register to view this link]
Either 3 or 4 ft. whip.


Been looking at a side mounted Firestick II or a roof mount or some sort. Do roof mounted(non magnet mountes) antennas come off for car washes?

Any recommendations?

Thanks much.

[rayray1963]

You could use a quick disconect or or one that folds 180 degrees. I'm not fond of them but might work for you.

[5H Outlaw]

1/4 turn and a k40 is off for the car wash.

[crazymikey555]

i have some fire stik 11 and discontects just let me know if ya want them but they work good but my 102 works better to be honnest

[231]

Well to me the biggest question would be do you wheel your rig? I still don't understand why most Jeep owners believe the Firestik antennas are so good. I've compared them to other manufacturers and they don't even come close to performing as well. Given the weight and narrow banded performance of the Firestik antenna(s), I believe you'd be much better served with a Wilson base load on the roof (either rack or magnet mount).

On the wife's XJ I have a SS fender mount with HD spring and quick disconnect. I can run whatever antenna I have (which at last count was somewhere around 20 of them?) on there in seconds...and it works well. Typically when she wheels her XJ I use one of my Tiger 4' Superflex (TSM series).

If it were me I'd consider using a Wilson 2k or 5k base load on the roof. It'll handle low foliage hits to the stinger just fine, and you'll be out performing your friends with the Firestiks. :D

Just my $.02

[Av8r1]

Yes I was looking at the Wilson also. Do they disconnect for car washes and such?


Thanks much!

[231]

Yes I was looking at the Wilson also. Do they disconnect for car washes and such?


Thanks much!

Depends on the model you end up with. Obviously if you get a magnet mount you can simply pull it inside. With a hard mount though such as a shorty trucker sieries you could do a quick disconnect and have it off in seconds (literally). So no, neither the FS set you first mentioned nor the hard mount Wilson would come set up for something like that, but could easily be upgraded.

Given the info' I'd probably consider checking out the mag mount Wilson 2k or 5k though (5k being the best of the two). You could simply run it toward the back of the rig and install it when you want...or leave it. It should handle most car washes (if I'm not mistaken). The roof rack on your ZJ/WJ rig wouldn't be a problem either unless you put the loading coil right up against the cross bar.

Hope that helps a bit more.

[Falkon MX-5]

[231]

He has a ZJ or WJ Falkon, not a TJ (as your pic shows).

Here's my TJ's set up with a flush ball mount & quick disconnect. The antenna is the 4' TSM Tiger Superflex...which has handled my wheelin' (and others I've set up with it) very well.




And the fender mounted set up I installed in the wife's XJ about 11 years ago...which has also worked well. Same antenna & quick disconnect BTW;



I'm not a big fan of magnet mounts...but they do work (especially the Wilsons).

[Av8r1]

Actually I have a Grand Cherokee. I never off road it. Now that fender mount seems good too. Do you know who makes a good one?

And that Wilson roof mount seems very good too. How does the fender mount hook on the car.

Which would out perform the other. Or would it not be a noticeable difference.

Thanks for the help guys.

[Falkon MX-5]

The mount I pictured is a trunk lip mount that will also mount in the hatch, door jamb, etc. I had the cheap MFJ version and it just crapped out on me.

[Av8r1]

Okay I see.

Thanks !

[231]

Depending on the year, your Grand Cherokee is either a WJ or ZJ (Jeep Code). And yes, you can do a fender mount as I've done. They work great. If you don't offroad your rig though, then you have many more choices actually. The best place to mount the antenna for the best overall performance is right smack in the middle of the roof. So for that purpose, the magnet mount Wilson 2k or 5k would probably work better than the fender mount.

However, with the fender mount I can run most any antenna I want. Top loaded antennas (such as the Tigers) work pretty well there. So there are trade offs you might say.

The fender mount is a standard 316SS mount that bolts to the fender. You'll probably need to drill a hole or two to insure a good quality ground on it. But it's nothing out of the ordinary. With a hard mount you'll want to make sure it has a quality RF ground anyway. With the magnet mount, it's a bit less complicated. You basically place it, adjust the SWR's (i.e. tune the length) and away you go placed on the roof.

So if you are looking for decent looks, performance, and ease of installation than the Wilson 2k or 5k mag is the way to go.

Hope that helps.

[Av8r1]

Yes it does sound like like the Wilsons the way to go. Thanks for the well explained options.


Thanks

[Looney]

thats a strong antenna to bend it that far over

[Junk Box]

Just my .02. I just installed (couple weeks ago) a roof mounted Wilson 1K on my 95 GC (ZJ). I was VERY PLEASED on the FLAT SWRs across the 40 channels. I had to go down 120, then up 80 to see it come up some. I could not believe it. We NEVER did that good 20 years ago. Wilson ROCKS!

When I pull in the garage, or need to do the car wash thing, I unscrew it, and put the little cap on. Works for me.

YMMV,

Jerry