Help with my set up

[T-I-N-Y34]

Yes. The op was speaking about a mobile antenna on the roof of his house. A base antenna is a better option for this.

I think he's talking about like a camper at a job site. Not a House trailer. While a base antenna would be best. He could use a 102" mobile whip with ground plane wires running across the roof. This way it's not as difficult to set up and take down.

[222DBFL]

Totally agree. A 102” whip and stud or stuff spring and some ground redials should work for his needs.

[sonoma]

you could look into a no ground plane base type antenna made by tram. it is about 1 inch in diameter and 39 inches long. a buddy of mine has one on his fiberglass mobile home and it talks just fine. swr about 1.5 and he made a mount while mobile he can lower it by tilting it over with the mount he made.
there is a lot of options out there just take a look. 102 inch whip would work just fine also.this will mget you out about 5 to 10 miles depending on condditions and 600 or more with skip rolling good. so just take your choise.

[BOOTY MONSTER]

if he does well with a 39 inch antenna good for him . but no way will that highly compromised little coil of wire perform comparably to how a full 1/4 wavelength will let alone what a 1/2 wave or 5/8 base antenna will . different strokes for different folks , the final determining factor is if the user is happy with the performance they get . some folks are happy with anything ... some enjoy splitting hairs for best performance . what makes one happy can make the other miserable . cost , performance and complexity of assembly and install play a huge part in what each may perceive as just fine or best performing antenna . but efficiency and lobe placement are what really tells the tale .

i had a 36 inch lil will mobile at first and it did ok and with a pair of 1446's behind the radio it got a little respect and talked skip . a simple swap to a predator 10k showed a obvious difference in both tx and rx . i'm a big believer in a properly designed longer antenna have better POTENTIAL performance than a than a shorter one . but nearby structures and terrain as well as a persons preference for local vs DX contacts will be determining factors in what works best for them .

[222DBFL]

AMEN Booty Monster! I love my vector 4k. Wish it was a bit better built, but that can be accomplished with some modding. Height is might and man I will say this, being able to talk 30-60 miles consistently is very nice for local stuff, let alone all the DX I am able to get!! Just wish it was a bit better in bad weather. But like you said, different strokes for different folks.

[white knite]

I second that on the Vector 4K. I can consistently talk to folks barefoot who are running power to put a similar reading on my meyrt that I am to them. That being said, he'll have to choose something that will perform to his satisfaction within his restrictions.