From my own logic, I might suggest an aerial is for receiving only, like a radio. Antenna transmit and receive. I didn't read this, just my thoughts.
As for length and mounting position, I won't have a roof or rack mounted, because I know it will be ripped off in no time.
The shorter one I have on the bull bar now, has survived all sorts of abuse, so I imagine a longer one mounted in the same place has a better chance at survival there, than on the roof.
The 80 as we all know, has a huge bonnet, perfect for ground plane, despite the shadow of the higher roof behind it. On the logic that's buzzing around, it stands to reason that a longer (taller) antennae will not only get ground plane from the bonnet, but some advantage from the roof as well.
So after all that, I'm quite happy to pay for a long one, I can take it off if it's in danger of damage when not using it, and when we're all together, I'm hoping at the least, that we can talk amongst ourselves when tootling along.
There's often times in transit when I'd like to point something out en-route, "
Tom Jones' house on the hill on the left" and "
Barbra Windsor used to live in the village on the right", you know the kind of stuff. It would be great to have that at hand.
So it's a go on the 5m whip, I'll put a red LED on the top if it's too long, just to be safe from low flying aircraft, and I'll take my chances whether it works or not.
I'll even buy you guys an ice cream.
