I'm finally getting around to installing a proper CB and am trying to figure out the best way to set up my antenna. I'd really like to not have to take it off to get the truck in my garage, but am also aware that mounting up high will result in lower SWR. My main use will be communication on trail runs. I had planned on mounting it low on my tire carrier, but am reconsidering after talking to the guy at Summit Radio (which was only sort of helpful). I know almost nothing about antenna setup, so any help is appreciated.

You can always move it if it doesn't work well enough on the trail. I say mount it low enough to fit in the garage first.

I good quality setup with your antenna mounted low enough to get into the garage will allow you to talk to those on the trail ride with you. It doesn't hurt the antenna to hit the garage door frame as you enter and exit as long as it has enough flex.

That's where I'd start!

Thanks. Am I better off with a 4' antenna that is mounted below the top of my tailgate, or a 3' that is mounted even with it?

You want it to stick above the cab as much as you can tolerate (or how much the antenna can bend getting into your garage).

The ideal situation is to mount it to the center of your hard top, but that's no possible for most of us.

http://www.rightchannelradios.com/choos ... cb-antenna

I was thinking some sort of a swivel base mount. Antenna down in the garage. Antenna up on the trail. For those with aftermarket bumpers with spare tire carrier, possibly mounted to the top of the spare tire supports. For those without, get out the drill. I already have some mysterious holes drilled in the sides of my hard top, so I was just going to repurpose those.

That's a great idea. If you can maintain a ground. But you could have the mount off to one side, lay it down for the garage and around town, flip it up for trail use. I might have to revamp my system when I get back.

I might have to look at Mcmaster for some sort of hinge...

Here's one I found, doing some very quick Google action.

Yeah, something like that..

Or maybe:

If you could put a lock washer and wing nut so it's easy to loosen and tighten.

Ah-ha...this!

Or Follow Viper's advice:

I'd thought about that, might go that route. The hinged mounts really have me thinking about doing a top loaded antenna in the 5 foot range that I can just fold down against my rear bumper when not in use.

I run the quick disconnect on mine. Booger does too. They work pretty good.

my antenna threads into it's mount, so I just remove it if I don't want it on for some reason