frig.... lost my post. I'll summarize
Thank You Rockintoy, Tempster, AD, everyone.. Perhaps you can send me bigger pictures, the picture is too small.
The current roof rack / roof rail configuration for an ATAS120A is not practical for off road, or even back roads, as it sticks up too high and will be damaged.
To that end I bought a stainless license plate antenna mount. This is not idea, but will give me some flexibility, though I'll still have to use a hinged mount in order to open the boot.
Here is a picture of the current configuration, and some other Ham install pictures. I have to run a ground strap to a body ground, because the roof is glass, and there is no ground to the roof rail.
As far as costs, I don't care about the cost so much, but I don't want to have to worry about tuning antennas and mucking about. I would even run two antenna's if needed. I want decent performance, yet some durability. This will not be the case with the Tarheel or Yaesu Antennas. If I have all band radios, I want to be able to use them, as needed.
Antenna / Anderson installation
http://www.disco3.co.uk/gallery/thumbnails.php?album=26194Antenna Install
http://www.disco3.co.uk/gallery/displayimage.php?album=26194&pos=1This is the license plate mount I picked up, but have not yet installed. You could also flip it over, which probably would be my intention.
http://www.mfjenterprises.com/Product.php?productid=MFJ-2820This is what I'm trying to mount it on;
http://nwoods.smugmug.com/photos/211888803-L.jpgAdmittedly I got into HAM because of AD and AA, and I am not as up to speed as many others. I'm trying.
With the addition of the FT857, I'll be able to set up the 897 in the office, and begin to practice more in earnest. I will of course need an antenna solution for the Base as well. I live in a neighborhood, so I will be limited as to what I can use. A buddipole type setup comes to mind, that I can stick in the back yard. The Chameleon I got absolutely did not work at all well compared to the ATAS, I am not sure why, it could be a combination of the slope I am on, and the thousands of houses all around.