Changeing antenna masts for use

[akaCP]

I have installed the Wilson 5000 mag mount on the roof of my 4Runner for off-road comms. I'm currently running the full 62" whip and it is SWR tuned. This works well, but I want to try something to customize the antenna configuration depending on the environment where I travel off road. When I'm running in the desert, or on the road to the trail, I prefer to run the full 62" whip since I assume it will give me the best performance. When I am in areas with low overhangs (forest) the full mast is too tall (mast tops out at about 12.5'). I was wondering if there is any reason, (other than the performance benefit of the taller whip) that I couldn't change the whip and run a shorter one like the Wilson short-load adapter. The idea is that I would initially install and tune each one. Then, when needed I would just remove the "62 whip" and place the short load in the 5000. I would carefully tune and then mark the placement in the "chrome mast" of each whip in advance, and simply while on the trail be able to choose which one to run hopefully without the need to re-tune each time. Is this possible, reasonable, will SWR be good changing back and forth if initially tuned and then carefully reseated each time in the chrome mast?

Another idea is to actually run two antenna choices. Leave the 5000 as is on the mag mount and run that whenever possible. Then, run a second complete set-up installed on my front bumper (see avatar picture for sense of the bumper installed). The second antenna choice would be a Wilson fiberglass whip that would be 4' or 5' (now top of mast only a few inches above roof line) and the base would be permanently attached and coax run. I would either have to then switch coax inputs at the radio to choose which to run or if possible install an antenna switch (if available) to make the choice. In this scenario I would run the 5000 on the roof whenever possible. When clearance is an issue, I would pull the mast from the 5000, place the cap on the mount, put the Wilson FG whip on the front installed mount and switch coax choice to run it.

I'd like input from the experts on this one. I'm certainly not an expert, I'm barley a rookie. Which if either would be a better option in your opinions? Most of the time the CB is only needed for car-to-car communication while off-roading with a group, but I also have it since most "recreational" off-roaders still run CB as their primary comm choice. It's nice to be able to reach out longer distances for help, and to be able to respond to those that might be reaching out in the wilderness. FYI - my primary comm for solo expedition and for off-roading with a more serious group of vehicles is all 2m/70cm. The CB is necessary however due to the larger community of recreational users.

[jessejamesdallas]

I would rather opt. for having a second antenna for off-road use...And then it would be a 102" Whip with the spring, or a 108" Whip...These antenna's are allot more "forgiving" when used "Off-Road" than anything else out there, and still have decent receive and transmit capabilitys...

You could have two separate coax runs, and either have a "Antenna Switch" hooked up so you could select which antenna your wanting to use, or just have two different coaxs ran, and just hook up the antenna your wanting to use at the time...

Or, ditch the Wilson all together and run a Whip type antenna "Full-Time"...

['Doc]

I'm not going to debate which antenna would be better than another, but switching antennas for some particular use is certainly possible. The best mounting place for an antenna that will typically get 'hit' a lot is where it will get 'hit' the least! 'Genius' level thinking, right? (Yeah...right.) Would having it on the back end mean it would get 'hit' less than on the front end? Beats me.
- 'Doc