Just to give you an idea on what the truck is it is a 2003 Dodge but the problem is I have an all aluminum security box that is just over 8ft high.
Woody at Hi-Q says that because the coil if mounted correctly above the top of the truck would make the antenna and top hat portion way to high. His suggestion is I would need to mount it at least 12" away from the body and that cant happen. A Scorpion antenna would be even worse. I am confident I could mount a smaller Tarheel on a mount that can be placed on the top of a rear door so the coil would at least be above the cabin portion of the truck.
Here is the picture of my truck.
http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i115/71GTXD21/Truck800.jpgI can see where mounting a large antenna such as the Hi-Q could be a problem!
As mentioned, the Little Tarheel II might be the better solution. (or something
similar) The one I use on the 2007 Kenworth is mounted on the driver's side mirrror
and works pretty good 40-10 meters. And that is with the 32" whip that is supplied
with the antenna. If you get their 54" whip, it will tune as low as 80 meters. But, is
very narrow (bandwidth) on 80. Performance 40-10 meters is better. And as M6GOM
stated, you will loose 6 meters with the longer whip. Their 54" whip (I have one too)
is much more flexible than a 102" whip. And gives better when it strikes overhead
objects. (and it WILL strike overheard objects!)
Too bad you cannot easily install the Hi-Q as it would be much better than the Little Tarheel II,
or something similar. I did meet one ham that works on a drilling rig that had a Hi-Q mounted
on his Dodge pickup on the front bumper! Looks kind of weird, but, it does work. And he mounted
it in such a way that it was not really that much in his line of vision while driving.
I've seen a couple of truckers with them mounted on the front bumper like that too. But, building
a mount that will swivel the antenna with the hood when it is pulled over for servicing (conventional cab trucks) would be a pain.
james
WD5GWY