Mobile antenna for homebase?

This may be a stupid question and I probably already know the answer but I am looking at options to fit my Sirio performer 5000 somehow to use it as a homebase, it is currently fitted to a standard roof mount not a mag mount, my question is : is there a way I can replicate the steel roof of the van with an earth cable or something similar,
One other thing is I do have is a 7m x 7m garage which is fitted with a steel box profile corrugated roof, can this be used with a standard roof mount drilled in the overhang.
I am unable at this point to mount a large antenna on the side of the house or the chimney so looking for an alternative option, also the loft area is I think too low to put anything in there, any help would be much appreciated TIA

Yes, you can use a mobile antenna that way, you simply need to make sure there is enough metal under the antenna it to properly act as a ground plane.


The DB

Back in the early days I remember many CB'ers using all sorts of metal bits to get mobile antennas working in bedrooms, flats etc etc. But the better the groundplane, the better the antenna will perform. 

The best mount would be in the centre of some metal, not at the end, as, at the end/edge of some metal. The antenna, would be more directional, than omni directional.

Seasick wrote:

Back in the early days I remember many CB'ers using all sorts of metal bits to get mobile antennas working in bedrooms, flats etc etc. But the better the groundplane, the better the antenna will perform. 

The best mount would be in the centre of some metal, not at the end, as, at the end/edge of some metal. The antenna, would be more directional, than omni directional.

Ok I think I get it noe, I guess I would be better using a mag mount in the centre of the roof rather than a roof mount near the gutter end, the garage is all fitted out inside so I am unable to get to fit a roof mount near the centre.

Sort of yes. A magmount in the middle of the roof, will give you a better compromise than a mount at the edge. But the mag mount needs to make good contact with the metal.

My first home base aerial back in the 70's was like many a DV27 on a biscuit tin worked ok i thought.
Then came the upgrade i put tin foil under it at the top of the stairs.
The good old day's.

yes been there Alan used all the great ideas that were out there and some times they were better then a big antenna i had a 6ft fire stick and on a very large steel plates out side and was some times better then the base antenna yes the good old days

You can buy ground plane kits for mobile antennas.