[Antennas] Mobile Antenna Height

[Art Clemons]

Ray Brown:
>   I think, as a practical limit, I wouldn't go much above 10', or 
>you'd risk hitting overhead tree branches.

On bands like 75 & 40, there is a point of diminishing returns on this 
issue.  The shorter the antenna, the more likely it is to be even less 
efficient an already has to be inefficient antenna just to allow use on 
a mobile.  Let's also note that operating under trees with an HF mobile 
antenna or indeed even a two meter or 440 antenna is asking to not be 
heard and not to hear well.  Yes, there are short stubby HF mobile 
antennas, but not one works worth a pitcher of warm spit to paraphrase 
what a certain vice president once said about the vice-presidency.  I'ld 
suggest 13feet 5 inches if one is going to be interstate traveling, and 
giving up trying drive throughs.  I also suggest that a whip with some 
give is a necessity to survive occasionally hitting trees, but I also 
note in many locales that driving down tree lined streets that large 
trucks use, there aren't many branches below 13'5" because the trucks 
act as a tree trimming service.  Reliable heavy duty quick disconnects 
are your friend when you operate HF mobile too, since they allow you to 
quickly stop and remove an antenna likely to hit trees or 7 foot roofs 
in some parking garages.