NICE ! Glad you are getting into ham. Bottom line it has been and will be a very reliable means of communication in emergency’s...Ask Jeff[emoji16]
I did exactly as Jeff said. Started with the fender mount as pictured. Think I installed that the last week of may and by December had a 3/4” hole in my roof for an NMO antenna mount.
Your radio and antenna are using your entire vehicle as an antenna. So if you think about it like this with the antenna off to the side and upfront on the vehicle (fender mount) will actually be a very uneven ground plane for your antenna. That will absolutely reduced its potential.
Your ground plain regardless of where the antenna is mounted on the vehicle will be a reflective surface for RF. Transmiting and receiving.
Now this is my opinion, I would think you’re getting a much better ground for your antenna when doing the NMO directly in the sheet-metal of the truck.
My only reason for moving the antenna to the roof was I figured as much money as I put into the truck radio I want to get maximum potential for that investment. Im super glade i did it. Thanks jeff[emoji3526][emoji3526]
Good luck OP and remember, we are not telling you what to do. Just giving our advice. Rock the fender mount if it tickles your fancy. It worked great when i had it.
Post pictures of your final setup!!
Here is mine
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