Antenna type and location on a Chevy Silverado.

[epijunkie67]

Hey guys, first time poster looking for some help. I drive a 2005 Chevy Silverado 4X4 Z71. I keep a rolling soft cover over the bed unless I'm hauling something but it doesn't cover the holes on the top of the bed. I want to install a CB radio for now but I'm working on my Ham license and expect to eventually install at the least a 10 meter rig and possiblly a full HF rig at some point.

My question is about antenna placement. I park in a garage when I'm at home. I realize the best place to put an antenna would be on top of the cab but I'd like to avoid a magnetic mount if possible. So for now, where is the best place to install the antenna and what kind should I get? I'm willing to drill if I have to to get the best possible reception. Is a magnetic mount the best for me? Looking forward to installing a HF rig, after I install the CB, then what? Two antennas?

Would installing a mount on the front edge of the truck bed work? Could I get something that would fold down over the top of the bed when I got home? Or should I go for a different location all togehter?

Oh, and I have OnStar and XM antennas mounted on the front edge of the cab already.

Thanks in anvance for any help.

D

[chuckhab]

I am an amateur radio installer...did my own on a 2003 Silverado with a couple of Spectras. I used NMO antenna mounts and put them on the roof. Best reception from a ground plane standpoint. A friend helped me drill the holes, but I was able to run the cable without any problem.

I removed the dome light and then we drilled the holes. We mounted the antennas and then ran the cables to the passenger side. I removed the B post moldings and ran the cables to the floor, and then ran them in the channels on the floor up under the dash where my radios are mounted. I haven't had any problems with this.

From other posts I have seen on this site, make sure you take your power cables through the fire wall and tap into power somewhere near the battery. Don't just tap into the fusebox or something like that. You'll limit the amount of power you can draw.

For all you experts out there reading along, correct any mistakes I have made, or add appropriate comments!