I am studying for my ham test. Going well, excited to move to that communication medium. I bought a Yeasu 2900R since it's on sale at HRO for $119 (and free shipping). I've read through a bunch of threads on here and on expo, and the obvious antenna choice is a 1/2 wave larsen whip (150B hw) mounted on the back of the truck, just above the tail-lights. Cable routing is easy, reports are that reception is great.
I have also read that a 5/8 wave antenna performs better, but requires a ground plane...for example NMO mount on the roof. I have a roof rack, with an expanded steel floor. Does the expanded steel floor function as a ground plane, because if it does I could easily install an NMO mount in the middle of the rack floor, enabling me to run a 5/8 antenna.
I have also read that a 5/8 wave antenna performs better, but requires a ground plane...for example NMO mount on the roof. I have a roof rack, with an expanded steel floor. Does the expanded steel floor function as a ground plane, because if it does I could easily install an NMO mount in the middle of the rack floor, enabling me to run a 5/8 antenna.