Hello all, I got my ticket over 10 years ago but until recently never
started to take things seriously. A no-code tech, I'm now studying for
my 5wpm test and hoping that I can expand past my SW radio over time.
For now, I'd like to move past my old Alinco DJ-580, and get myself
something mobile for the around town communications during drive time.


Here's where I sit - I wanted a dual band radio that I would also equip
as an alphanumeric scanner - I didnt' want to end up with 5 full size
radios strapped across the underside of my dash, but instead a simple
mount of a detachable face that could be easily read. I think I've
found this in the Icom IC-208H, it can hold a lot of memories, and has
an alpha display so I can easily view who I'm listening too. I've seen
some good reviews on eHam.net, so unless someone has other ideas, I
think thats where I'm headed.

Next - and what appears to be the bigger problem - the antenna. At
first I was thinking I'd just go glass mount, but since then I've read
articles about their poor performance and concerns about their
operation through modern car windows that are often tinted with metal.
I was unable to find any information on the 02 Cherokee to see if it
had the bad kind of tint, but other postings I read about guys who
notice no change in results after losing the glass-mount whip, and the
208h's 55w output (and my being unable to find a glass mount that could
handle more than 50w) cause me to think that wasn't the best route.

From there I thought about Comet's EX104B, rated at 100w it was small
and could do the job - then the mounting became the issue. The 02
Cherokee is SEVERELY lacking in 'lip' locations to mount an antenna.
The rear door opens and its top side folds inward in a way making a lip
mount impossible, and the body/roof side has no lip at all. I thought
about using the lip along the side edge of the rear door with a Comet
CP-5m mount, but the way the rear window glass sits over it, there's
really no way I can see to attach a mount to it.

So, I'm back to glass mount (and hoping the extra 5w doesnt kill it)
---- unless I want to go with a mount for a luggage rail, or drill
holes.

No holes.

And I'm not wanting to the the luggage mount because I don't want 18
inches of exposed wire out side my car - which is why we're also not
going mag mount.

I had thoguht of the 'window clip' that I saw at Universal Radio, as it
seems like a good way to get an antenna into a location where you'd use
a glass mount, but has an actual wire - however I havent been able to
find any opinions on it. I also found what I thought was a Larsen
mount that was adhesive, but haven't found much info on that either.

So, I'm looking for suggestions on mounts and antennas - heh, and if
any of you have put a remote head radio in your 02 Grand Cherokee, send
me a pic of where you mounted that head! Any suggestions on any of
this are appreciated, and info on posted pics of installs encouraged -
thanks again.

Richard
N0TZC