Antenna location - roof rack interferance?

[cbbr]

I am seting up my antenna (Wilson 5000) on the center of my Burb's roof. Problem is that I am also soon to mount the roof rack that I have fabricated - 120" X 50" X 7" deep - made out of mild steel square tube (1/2" & 1/4").

So here's the question - If I mount the antenna in the middie of the roof, to the roof, inside the rack, will it cause interferance of swr problems?

 

[Z3PR]

Mount it to the roof rack. Get it as high as possible.

 

[cbbr]

What about the need for a ground plane? I really am new to all of this, but am told that the roof will act as a ground plane which is necessary.

I have considered mounting it to a steel plate on top of a spare (the rack will hold two) and simply running the cable through the roof. Any suggestions?

 

[Z3PR]

[ QUOTE ]
What about the need for a ground plane? I really am new to all of this, but am told that the roof will act as a ground plane which is necessary.

I have considered mounting it to a steel plate on top of a spare (the rack will hold two) and simply running the cable through the roof. Any suggestions?

[/ QUOTE ] All I can say is try different locations on the roof rack, check the SWR's. Every vichile is different, but normally the center of the roof is best. The roof will act as a ground plain regaurdless if the antenna is mounted a directly to the roof or a foot above it. A good solid ground is the key in my opinion.