so what antenna and wire do I buy?
IMHO, get a center load antenna.
Where is the best antenna placement?
If it’s on the 62, the best place is the center of the roof.
Can I hook this directly to the battery or is there a better mode?
Hook directly to the battery with proper fuses in both the neg. and pos. leads as close to the battery as possible.
Now, real world. You would probably be better off to compromise and mount the center load antenna to the rear upper panel near the rear window. Keeps it out of the way for most trail grabbing items like trees, branches. Most center loads antennas do not have a spring base, as the antenna will flex some, but a short spring base may be helpful. Some put the antenna on the hood, if you do, make sure to add a couple of ground straps from the hood back to the frame, the painted hinges don’t make a good ground path. Make sure the antenna mount is well grounded to the frame of the truck as well. For the ground connections use a braid type line, not a #12 wire.
Don’t use standard Radio Shack coax, get the best quality coax you can find with 100% shielding, in the RG8X size.
Make sure the radio is well grounded also, not just a screw through the base into the floor pan. Get someone with a GOOD antenna analyzer/matcher to tune the antenna after all installation.
Good luck,
Jerry D.
