Great info! Getting back into the hobby. 25 years ago my buddies and I were in High School and installing cb’s on our vehicles. Thankfully we had a CB shop in town. Great guy, he helped us with installs. Sold us some great new and used stuff and we learned alot of do’s n don’ts. Learned more about particulars of antennas in this video than watching 100 others! Keep up the good work.
Thanks for watching, and that's great when you find a tech will to teach, and not just take your money, acting like it's a secret society you're not invited to.
When I had a 102" whip mounted on the back left corner of the pickup bed near the stake pocket on a custom made 6"X 8"X 1/4" L bracket with 18' of RG8 not RG8X for my President Lincoln back in the 80's, the SWR was 1.0-1.1 and I did DX world wide on SSB and people could hear me clear 15-20 miles away on just AM
I Have the SR A-10 Mag Mount set perfectly in the center of my 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee WK, (just ahead of the Sunroof). The antenna works great with my SR955HPC v2 radio. I bought that radio and antenna back in June of 2022. I used to drive a truck OTR/48 from '85 to '91. I had single Hot Rod mounted to the upper bracket of the driver's side mirror and back then, I had a Cobra 29 Peaked & Tuned. In the truck, I could get out about 6 or 7 miles with that radio and antenna. My SR955 is converted for 11 Meter radio and it's Peaked and Tuned as well. Of course, the SR955 and the SR A-10 are a lot more powerful than the setup I had back in my trucker days. That probably explains a lot for why I can easily get out 20 to 25 miles (not counting skip), with that radio setup. Then again, the SR955 and A-10 combined cost me well over $500 whereas the Cobra 29 and Hot Rod antenna didn't cost me more than about $60. Everything you said about the SR A-10 is flat out true, (including the ability to remove it for Car wash events). When I return the coil back to the Mag base, my SWR hasn't changed and is still spot on. OK, so I'm =just curious about a few things. First, what's the difference between an LMR-240 and a KMR-240 coax? Second; Is it 'risky' to replace the stock SR A-10's coax with an LMR or RG8x coax? Like I said, my setup is running great. I just wonder if it's hard or 'chancy' to change the coax in that antenna if one was inclined to try. I'm experienced with micro-electronics, (but only as a hobby), and I have a lot of experience with soldering. But I don't want to open up that A-10 to look at the way they've got the coax wired because I could screw it up just doing that. Before I bought the SR955 and SR A-10, I had a Wilson Trucker antenna and Cobra 29. The Wilson was easy to open and see how they wired the coax but that antenna can't touch the SR A-10. Thanks for the video! Rich
I haven't experienced KMR. I'm not a huge fan of the LMR because of the soft rubber coating. 8X will be ok for the power level. RG400 is a great double shielded but isn't as flexible as the LMR or 8X.. On another note your 955 would benefit from a power cord upgrade and wired directly to the battery. I have a video on that. But take the antenna to a good shop to upgrade the crap coax that comes with that antenna.
@@jrichtruckincbtips Thank you! I agree about a direct wiring to the battery. In fact, I already bought the fuse block & fuses. The power wire I presently have is not the stock wire. I replaced it with a much heavier gauge. Although I am using a Cig-Lighter power port at the moment, I'll be switching to the heavy-duty fuse block I bought for it real soon. However, I can't agree with you entirely regarding the stock SR A-10 Mag-Mount coax. The coax that came with the SR A-10 is a far better quality than the one that came with my old Wilson. Seriously, the Wilson's coax was what I would all "crappy". I think the Stryker's A-10 coax may be RG8 but I can't say for sure. Still, if I'm ever inclined to change out the Coax on the A-10, I certainly will take it to a pro shop rather than trying it myself. The length of the SR-A10 Coax was absolutely PERFECT for my 2022 Jeep GC. I mean, I have no excess coax coiled on the floor. It went all the way from the base, and neatly enters the back of the jeep. I have cable-manager clips that keep it in place throughout the path all the way to the front-passenger side of the vehicle. NO pinch points anywhere. Anyway, thanks for the reply & advice. Rich
@Rich Paul the coax on the a10 is not able to be coiled without it negatively effecting swr. Where as the Tram RG8X coax (which is not the best either) can be coiled and not effect swr. That's why I say the a10 coax is junk.
@@jondough4116 Yes, I finally double-checked my coax about a week ago, and it's an RG8X on my antenna too! I guess Stryker upgraded the coax since the last time J Rich saw one. It really does have a good coax on it now. I just finished making a 10GA power wire harness (25A fuse), and I'm attaching it to the battery now. I want to run a neat path to the radio so it'll be done in the next hour or so. Rich
As my wife says. I'm now hyper focusing on CB radios now. Little does she know, I want to hook her car up along with all the other cars as well. I love the content. Thanks for your knowledge.
Thanks. I was CBer in the late 70s early 80s . I haul hot rock (asphalt hauler ) in 2000s You are giving great advice and understanding to beginners A lot people not go over basic or think people should knows it Thank you
Had dual 102" whips on my car as a teen, I drove through a sonic type food place and they had open tube type fluorescent light bulbs back in the day. The metal balls at the top of the antennas just happened to be the right height. Busted every bulb on the way through. Fun times.....
I use a Wilson 1000 mag mount that i changed the coax on, switched from the rg58u to the rg8x mounted in the center of the roof of my 97 Honda Civic LX, with a Cobra 29LTD Classic and a Marko 100f amplifier which puts out 150watts and i talk from Southern California to Australia, Trinidad, Hawaii and most of the United States, i compared it against the Striker A10 mag mount and was told my signal was better on the Wilson 1000, i got the idea of changing the coax from the rg58u to the rg8x from one of your videos, thank you.
Hey J Rich. I appreciate the videos. 10yrs ago, I was running a tuned 29LTD on my Ram 1500 with a 102 on a ball mount that I put in the front, center of my bed. I could really reach out to people! Now, I travel around the country, working on satcomm antennas. Big ones. Sometimes I'm at a job site for 3 months, sometimes for over a year. So I have a 5th wheel that I tow with a Ram 3500 dually. Haven't settled on a radio yet; I'm only looking to make the miles go by a bit faster and find some good places to eat... and avoid traffic. That Stryker your latest video is about is really cool, but for my purposes, I'm leaning towards an ol' faithful 29LTD. What I'm stuck on, is my antenna system. I loved my 102 centered on the front of my bed, but I'm worried that my big ass trailer (41.5 x 8.5 x 13.5) would leave me deaf to the rear with that setup. I'm also worried about the whip hitting the nose cap of my trailer. So I'm thinking about 7' Skipshooter duals on stake hole mounts. I have the 8' bed, so I'm not worried about hitting the antennas during tight corners, but it is only a pickup, so they wouldn't be 9' apart and therefore, wouldn't give me the best benefit of running a dual system. Any ideas?
Me personally I wouldn't mess with duals. Just 1 well grounded, tall as possible, and give the coil a minimum of 18" clearance from the camper. I like the Skip Shooter antennas, just be sure to put 3' of 3/4" cpvc pipe over the base to keep the antenna from over flexing and eventually breaking or hitting the camper.
I’ve been like that wire on fire since the 1970s and I must say give them props to the one02 West Alisal like that you have actually got to see your spin went down the road every single antenna you’ve talked about and I have the same opinion so wherever you’re at and what I need your service where I know you do it right For them
I started with CB radios in high school back in the late 70s. I used the mag base antennas back then. About one year ago I installed a CB in my Ford Fusion and went with a mag base antenna in the center of the roof. It works great. I am wanting to install another CB in my Tacoma, I was thinking about a Firestick fiberglass antenna, but I think the mag base at the top of the cab is still the simplest and best option.
Definitely the mag base is simpler. However I find the coax with these are not of great quality. If a mag base is the only option, I believe it's Tram that makes a triple mag base that accepts a any standard 3/8" threaded antenna. Also I prefer the Skip Shooter over the Firestik.
@@jrichtruckincbtips Interesting, I am actually using a Tram mag base antenna on my Ford Fusion. I am not familiar with a skip shooter, I will check it out. I like your videos a great deal, thanks for the information.
We in america drive on the right side of the road... it is best to mount the antenna on the right side of the vehicle so the signal will follow the metal of the vehicle and into oncoming traffic... Otherwise...if you mount it on the drivers side of the vehicle...the signal will follow the metal of the vehicle and go off the road and into the trees...
I want a nice CB set up for my new 2020 F150. I am only going to be a hobbyist buy listening to your videos, I now feel I am much more prepared to get a quality set up from the start. I hate wasting money on junk but I also don't want the most expensive stuff if It doesn't work any better. So I don't mind spending the extra for quality. I am a new prescriber to your show and I intend to watch all of the videos. Thank you, Thank you. Thank you.
With your truck being aluminum mag mounts are almost eliminated unless you get the steel plate that bolts to the 3rd brake light, I don't remember the web site for that. Remember the radio is 25% the antenna, coax, placement, and grounding is the other 75%. For the radio shop, shop, and shop. Get the radio in a size, power, and features that fit your needs. Not just what everyone else has.
Watched your vid on grounding ,i managed to install my antenna on my Avalanche and got a good match on my antenna. I was into cb radio back in the 70s and 80s I find alot of the equipment isnt as good of quality as it was back in the day,especially the pl259 connectors. Buyer beware.
I believe K40 Uses Quality Mil-Spec Components and Material in Their Products and Production Standards . The Reason they Last for Years of Maintain Properly . I'm Going to Check my K40 Antenna SWR Reading Again after 42 Years of some use over Years , and See from SWR Meter if still in Spec ? At ( 1.1 ) ? Over the Channel Range ( 1-40-20 ) I have to get another Test Cable to Check , Misplace it , so get new one . If Stay the same Reading Over Forty Years with Midland Mini-CB and K40 Mic. Hats OFF to K40 Products . That Little Wil Antenna you where taking about . I bet if you Compared it to K30 Antenna it would Beat it at SWR Meter and Quality , that would even Surprise Even You . By the way I Worked At NASA for 15 Years Building Spacecraft for NASA Missions, Quite and Experience I must Say . I Remember Now How Play with them Again over Years .
I still have my K40 Antenna from 1980 . Still works Good Today 42 Years Later .With Midland Mini-CB 77-145 Model . I stored it will , a take it out when I need it . I wish K40 Bring back out the K40 Quick- Disconnect-Mount again for 48" Fiber-Glass K40 Antenna . I lost the Connector a Whip during a Move . I still have the Base a Cable . I would say K40 Products were Well Designed and Well Made CB Systems from 1980 to 1990's to 2000 time frame ..K40 Not Broke ...... They have to Make there Designs Again .....
Thanks for posting these videos with good information. I've got my cb in the rig but used the stock coax and antennas. Now I want to install a setup in my pickup and there is definitely a lack of newer videos on this and I appreciate your work
Coax has rules on bending it and coiling it, based on the diameter of the cable sheathing. For the good stuff stick to a 6"- 8" radius to keep in the safe zone. You can push 5" diameter but don't if you can avoid it. Just wanted to add that. I am sure if you search network cabling guys channels they have the deets on that. 👊🏻👨🏻🏭💥🇨🇦👍🏻
Great video! Thanks for the tips. I am a novice. Just bought a school bus looking for the right setup. What would you recommend? The uses purely entertainment want to travel across country and interact with other motorists
@@jrichtruckincbtips thanks for getting back to me. I tend to overdo things but I'm going to take your advice. I got to admit I am really confused about tuning in antenna and doing it the wrong way so that it could destroy the radio that completely has me baffled
@@GreenEstate make sure you have a good ground to the mount, adding a 1" flat braided ground strap maybe necessary. If you don't feel comfortable take it to a cb shop and let them do it for you. Whatever you do, don't trust the radios meter to tune the antenna. Even if it's a new radio.
Thank you for the advise. I am a little confused about antenna tuneing. How dose this harm the radio if not done correctly, but more important how do you tune an antenna. Thank you
@@jrichtruckincbtips Does the Stryker mag mount have the rubber pad? I have a 2 meter mag mount on my pick up that has one but that is the only one I have seen with the pad. The K40 mag I had years ago had a big base on it that peeled the paint off one time pulling off the roof and was a very strong magnet.
Hey, great video. Thanks for making these for us new guys.What do I need to do if I have continuity from my wip to my outer ring that screws to the CB and no continuity for the wip to my center pin on the connector. It is a mag base second-hand Tram 1140 1/4 wave base load antenna with a 48" wip. I do get stadic through the speaker when I key the mike. My SWR is super high on my cobra 29LTD no matter how I adjust SWR.
Been super inspired by your videos! Great information, look forward to more. Been slowly upgrading, bought a 6' SkipShooter to replace a broken antenna, used your idea on the cpvc pipe. The only problem I am running in to is lots of interference from accessories such as: light bars, wipers, even my stereo. Bought some shielded power wire which helped, but will most of this "static/interference" go away with RX8 coax cable? Currently have the RG-58A/U coax, didn't know any better when I started out several years ago. System is in a 80's Ford, just wanting to get the best without going crazy on price, keep up the videos!
Yes, definitely upgrade your coax. RG8X is good, but LMR 240 ultra flex is better, as it is double shielded. You can buy it by the foot from DX Engineering. Also look at my RF bonding video. It has eliminated most all interference from lights and accessories from the truck. I still get outside interference from traffic lights, stores, and other bad conditions. You can also buy the 1" flat braided bonding strap by the foot from DX Engineering a lot cheaper than Amazon and make to length as I did.
@@jrichtruckincbtips I've seen your RF bonding video a couple times before this one went live. I've done some of that already due to chasing ground issues, but I am going to do more where my antenna is mounted. Its good to know that there will be some interference that can't be controlled. I've decided to go with the LMR 240 ultra flex, a little gun shy since I don't have experience with crimping/soldering the PL 259 connectors. Might be something to show/explain in future videos?
Ughhhh, you're killing me Smalls. I can do 1, but it will be a few weeks out. And, it would be a mockup set up(not for real), but I think I could get the gist of it, so people would get it, and see why it's such a PITA for not much reward.
Thanks for the great videos. I'm a new comer and have been soaking in the information. I appreciate the comments regarding parking garage options. I have an aluminum super duty and I am most likely getting a 3d brake light mount from Bullet Proof Diesel. Still haven't found an NMO antenna that is flexible enough to mount that high that it won't get broken off if I forget to pull it down. I don't need super range as I mostly will be a "listener" on the air. I will most likely get one of the small Uniden, President, or Cobra model. Just want to hear the road updates from truckers, etc. Thanks again for the information.
@@jrichtruckincbtips I'm probably looking at less than two feet. I cold do a stake post holder but I have a BackFlip tonneau cover that might interfere with it. I would rather get it up high and out of the way if I could.
@@churchkeycowboy with less than 2 feet above the cab, the stake pocket or front fender would be the option. With a 4 foot antenna. A Hustler or Skip Shooter would be a good choice to get the coil above the roof. Be sure to ground the body to the frame. And, with a 2 foot roof mount antenna would be a waste of time and money. Height is might.
@@jrichtruckincbtips hey sorry to bother you my dual antennas the coils on them are above the cab swr look great used your grounding idea on the mounts works really well however I don't get out very far or get signal in very well lots of interference lots of static any ideas on curing that problem my 29 usually does a good job so I'm assuming it's in the coax or the connectors what's your take on that in any idea on curing the static and interference to where I can get out further and get better signal because I'm getting all kinds of signal I just can't understand anything the needle moves constantly day and night and you can tell there's people talking you just can't hear them because I'm not getting all the signal and then you've got the static interference sorry to have repeated the same thing four or five times I'm sure I'm just trying to get it set up and set up right and usually my 29 doesn't let me down I'm running two fire sticks if that helps
@@arvillenoe2542 I am assuming you had someone tune the antennas in properly, tuning duals is harder than tuning 1. If you're still on factory coax, then yes that could be a lot of the problem. However keep in mind that atmospheric conditions plays a lot and some days are worse than others. Also did you watch my RF bonding video? That help tremendously in cutting out interference, but I also use a quality single coax. If you want to stay with duals I would look in to a quality co-phase coax that's 75 ohm from a place like DX Engineering not off the shelf truck stop stuff.
The 102" SS is not the best antenna made. A few can just slightly beat it ..... However the gain on all of these maximum performing antennas are so close that price and convenience should be the deciding factor.
J. Great video. I have a ‘98 K2500 p/u I drive when I want. You said the 102” whip is the best. Please suggest best locations to mount on a p/u. I see some of these long whips mounted on the far ends of the bumpers with the antenna bent over and the end attached above the cab to reduce damage from trees etc. Does this lower height noticeable effect antenna performance? aLooking forward to the Little Will as it will go nicely on the SUV. Lol.
The 102" is probably the best with a 4"-6" spring for it to work properly for the 11 meter. You would bend the antenna over to go in to a garage, car port, ect. I doubt it works so great bent over.
The Francis antennas have a tight coiled conductor molded inside the fiberglass. This acts as a matching coil for SWR. It is not a whip. The antenna is tuned by cutting small amounts off the top. Remove the vinyl cap and you can see the coiled conductor😳
I have one more question. When you hooked up your external SWR meter. Your hooking up the antenna to it obviously but are you still tethered to the CB radio in order to use the Mic? I didn’t see how you hooked it up.
Okay, I could use a little help. My Cobra-25. Has been in storage for 8 years. Until last week. Can't find one anymore. Gonna try getting a proper ground first. I can hear, for I would guess a mile. Don't get out at all. Guessing ground, or my cable. Any tboughts?
@@jrichtruckincbtips thank you for your quick response! Easy enough for me to make a bracket. Another question if you don’t mind. Why are antennas mounted on the side like that as opposed to being mounted on the center line of the roof? Thank you Man!
@@johnemmons9087 center of the vehicle is more ideal if you don't mind a making a reinforcing plate for the inside of the roof or bolting a plate to the top for a mag mount.
Hey Jay. Very informative videos. I have two questions. Why do you need 18 feet of coax? I here that all the time but no one is able to give me an answer. I hope you can. Also. I would like to install my CB in my truck when I tow my fifth wheel camper trailer. Should I and also should I still go with a mag mount set up on the roof of the truck? According to your very informative videos. If I mount it on the bed rail I may not get the range. Thx.
There's a big long answer. But 50 ohm in mobile use should be in 3ft increments 12' 15' 18' 21' some antennas work good at 19'. You can ohm the coax and find the exact length that works with your setup.
I run a peterbilt 579. I have Wilson 2000 antennas on the stock coax and mounts. I will be getting power from the battery. But what is the most power to run through the stock coax? I wanna hook up a stryker 655. Thanks
You can probably get away with 100-150 watts on factory coax. However if possible I'd run 1 new quality coax to 1 antenna on the driver's side, and properly ground the antenna. You'll see better performance from your cb. To take it a step further watch my RF bonding video, this will provide better ground, send, receive, less static, lower SWR. Thanks for watching
I dont kno anything about cb radios, I have a cobra 29 Ltd classic and im driving a 2022 volvo vnl 760 thinking about grabbing a firestik antenna from pilot. I'm sure it won't be major league but can I expect any better reception from this ?
Great videos J. I want to get my first CB and install on my Toyota Tacoma. I have a bed cap on my truck so would you say that would interfere with a bumper mount fiberglass antenna? Would you recommend a mag base set-up on top (center) of cab instead? Appreciate any feedback. Thanks!
@@jrichtruckincbtips Thanks Mr. Rich. Looking forward to jumping into CB radio as a hobby. I've already learned a lot from you. So glad I found your channel. Much appreciated!
Hey bud im on a log truck with peterbilt truck i just got a 447 srtyker what antana do i need and where should i install it i would prefer in midle of my headrack to be safe with bushes..? Thanks
Okay, gotta ask. I have a Cobra 25. It worked better before being in my storage unit for 8 years. New coax and a better ground has helped. I can hear lots. Don't seem to get out. Well it's a 25... Gonna try a new location tomorrow. Any advice My antanna? Wilson 2000. Mirror mounted. Same antanna since the day I got, "ears", it doesn't get out. Any advice?
What setup would you recommend for a starting pilot car driver with an F350 power-stroke. II have a Uniden Bearcat 880 that was given to me as a present. I don’t know what antenna or coax to run.
This guy is cool! Couple questions for you, I have an AR3500 clear choice com 10 meter and a galaxy 98v I think 🤔 been a while since had it out. I'm looking for power supply to install in house what do you recommend? And antenna? I have the striker antenna ( not mag mount ) what are your thoughts for the home? Thank you for your help
It depends on whether you are going to use the radio as a 10 meter rig (ham) or 11 meter rig (CB), i would suggest a Sirio New Tornado Ground Plane Antenna which can be tuned for either Ham or CB, but if you tune it for one then you will have to take the antenna down to retune it for the other, or run 2 antennas, one tuned for 10 meter Ham and one tuned for CB, and they/it should be at least 36 feet high (from the ground to the bottom of the antenna) which is a full wavelength, use at least a 100 feet of RLM 400 Coax on each antenna depending on where you are going to put the antenna, a switch to go back and forth from the antennas and I would suggest at least a 50amp power supply that puts out a minimum of 13.8 volts (switchable).
Radio doesn't matter as much as the coax, antenna, and lot of grounding. I'd run a Predator, or skid shooter style antenna. The coil needs to up and away from the body.
I've got a Stryker 655 with the Stryker AR 10 using 20" shaft. My question is, will drilling a small hole in the shaft to attach a guide wire to antenna bracket or bird perch to stabilize the antenna, will this affect SWR or receive/transmit
If I'm hearing you right, you would be shorting out the antenna, and causing you more headaches. The better option is if you're using or can use a mirror mount with the 4 bolt holes. Use 4 1/4"-20 eye boltsto run the guide wire.
I'm just getting back into CB's. I purchased a Stryker magnet mount antenna, I have a full size van, what do you use to hold down the coax to the roof ???
You can look on Amazon they have these wire hook hold down thingys. It's a small square piece of plastic with a plastic hook on top, and double side tape on the bottom, they have white, black and clear.
i got a stryker 955 i watched one of you vids that you said you ran a 8 ga power wire straight from your battery, was wondering where i could find an 8 ga wire with the power end for the cb the biggest i can find so far is a 12ga
I don't think you'll be able to find what you're looking for, but here's what I did on mine. The quick disconnects and 8ga audio power wire can be found on Amazon. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-SUpiJ80gPJY.html
Would a hinge mount be a better option then a lower location, I was thinking of a Skip Shooter and hinge it so it can live on the roof and still hung out of the way when needed.
I've never used a Hinge mount, and I hear they effect SWRs. Keep in mind the Skip Shooter is a heavy antenna with a lot of flex, so depending on how you mount it it could stretch the roof skin.
If I was shooting for range on a 2009 Jeep Wrangler, is a whip mounted on the back or front bumper, and bent over/tied down when not in use a good idea? Jeep itself is quite tall and lifted as it is.
You think the mag mount is any good? What about for sideband use? How much power can I run on this before I rf burn the paint off my ride? (Mag mount) speaking of the a10 stryker antenna on my person vehicle
@@jrichtruckincbtips appreciate the reply. I'm told of you go maybe more then 150watts on a mag the rf burn from the power will cook ur paint off. Just found this 150watt number. Going to be running a 98vhp so ill just run half power and thx.
Whats your thought on the Stryker Mag mount on the roof of day cab Mack or international? I tend to get moved from one truck to another every six months. Was thinking of going with a mag mount to avoid moving mounts and coax from truck to truck.
Hi my friend! How do I win the antenna? I am very Interested on it since I am planning use CB after 30 years! I am on the 48 you mentioned! Hi from a Venezuelan follower!
First you need to subscribe to my channel now, if you haven't already. Because you have to already be subscriber before I publish the video. You have to be in the 48 states. And keep watching my upcoming videos, because I do not announce it.
Hi, friend ! What antenna do you recommend for a CB ROAD KING RKCBBT, I don't know much about this I don't know whether to put a short antenna or the longer Willson ones ", this radio is in a PETERBUILT 367
Well I have a question. I have pickup and want to install a CB. I also intend on using it more frequently when I have my slide in truck camper for NOAA and in case of emergencies - phones dead etc. The camper does go over the cab and is a popup, it does not really stick out the sides. Where would be the best place to permanent mount the antenna? Or is it possible to mount on the bumper and move it to the camper when its on the truck?
I've got a Cobra 29 tuned to a 150w kicker. Going to install on my pickup. Going to install the antenna driver side front. What antenna do you recommend?
I recommend mounting the antenna in the center of the vehicle, if possible. Sirio, Predator, Skip Shooter, Stryker, or a 102" whip with a 4" spring, are some of the best.
So I'm going to go with a K40/K30 magnetic base in the centre of the roof. Should be good but nothing compared to the Hustler Resonator and DX500 Texas Star I had in my transport truck.🤪
@@shawnrufus7579 read up on the reviews for the k40/k30 before you buy one , the Wilson 1000 or the Wilson 5000 mag mounts are better, just for your information.
So i have a 4ft top coil fiberglass antenna mounted on the bed rail just some cheap thing. I was wondering what would be proper placement for the frances hotrod antenna being that it doesn't have a distinct coil. And another question. You say 18ft of coax is best. When running dual antennas do you run 18ft to each antenna or is it 9ft to each antenna
The Francis should be fine where you have the other, I would go taller if you can. For a dual antenna setup you'll need 75 ohm co-phased coax those generally come 18' on each side. You can't use the coax you're currently using. You'll also need the antennas 8'-9' apart and someone who know what they're doing to tune the antennas for the system to work and as efficient as possible.
102" whip Very tall and inconvenient. Best performance to mount on top of vehicle not the trunk or lower on the bumper. I made a triangle out of angle iron or bed frame metal with 4" cup magnets on each corner and a piece on top to mount whip. Temporary and works great.
