groundless antenna???

[wood eye]

I have a older friend that has lost some of his mobility. He lives in a second floor apt with a balcony. although he can still walk he will likely be in a chair soon.
I have a stock cobra 18wxstII, a pyramid 15 amp p/s with a cig lighter port and a groundless window mount antenna. I can put a cig adapter with 15 amp in line fuse on the radio so he doesn't have to mess with it. I want to give this setup to him to play with but I am not sure about the antenna. I know it worked in the car as I ran it for a while. SWR was about 1.3 on a uniden 520xl. He lives about a mile from I39 and I29 here in Wausau so I am sure he can get some truckers. He used to be a trucker and then a big truck mech. Here's the question. Have any of you ever mounted a groundless antenna on a cast iron rail, and do you think this will work for him. I want to get some ideas before I make the offer. I know he is bored and I think he might like the radio. I did do a search on the groundless antenna but the ones I read never said if or how it worked. I know the WX part will work, it works without the antenna attached.
Thanks for reading this and for any help you might have
wood eye

[treetall]

yep should work fine. perfect for him ger him on airwaves and give him something to do. yep i say go for it and he will probably apreciate it. might be surprised how far he will be able to get out since you stated he lived in a apartment and had a balcony take it it is pretty high up in the air. alright then have fun and i think he will greatly appreciate it. alright im gone

[4 cycle]

Nice of you to do that for a friend Wood Eye!!

[4 cycle]

I have never used a groundless antenna but I have used a small mag mount [LIL WILL] stuck to a refrigerator air conditioner or large cookie sheet for ground plain and it worked fine!!

[Night Crawler]

The antenna will work fine just don't shorten or lengthen the coax going to it. That's what being used as your counterpoise. If you have to make it longer do it in multiples of 9ft.

[wood eye]

Hi Guys,
Just got home and read the replies. Thanks so much for the info. I know the setup isn't much but I am hoping he can make some contacts and maybe some new CB friends. Other than some visits from his daughter and once in a while me he really doesn't have much contact with anyone.
Thanks again
wood eye

[4 cycle]

YOU ARE A GOOD AND DECENT MAN!!!! :D

[treetall]

yep should keep him busy. i used to have that radio and i liked it for a everyday just regular old cb nothing wrong with it what so ever. plus i like the weather on it. he might find that useful