Good NMO Gasket?

[Motofanatic]

I'm having to replace the gaskets around my NMO mounts about every two years. Now I realize that's not bad, but there is one NMO antenna I have which has not started to crack or fall apart.

I believe that good one was off a an extra Maxrad NMO kit I had lying around but I have no way of finding out just the part # for the gasket. The gaskets I have that are cracked and falling apart are from Larsen believe it or not.

Does anyone have any suggestions on who makes some decent gaskets and what the part # might be? BTW, the gasket I'm talking about is a flat ring type gasket that sits around the outer edge of the NMO (not the o-ring under the NMO) and gets "sandwiched" in between the car body and the part which screws on when you attach the antenna.

Thanks.

[chpalmer]

We've had the same problems with Larsen gaskets!! I like the gaskets that come with the Antenex 1/4 wave's. They seem to last a long time....

[K2XM]

I've got a 3db UHF A/S ,with NMO mount, on my wagon that has been there
for 6 years now with no leakage at all!!

[Monty]

HI:

You really should have very little problems
if you use the Gasket Lube Kit that comes
with the antenna....Feel free to be liberal
with it, and the seal should last many years

Vasoline sometimes is OK, but IS NOT the same
as comes in that small tube with the Antenna Kit.

Monty

[KitN1MCC]

i alsways use the goop makes the gasket last longer. you might want to try a silicone one

[FireCpt809]

I know what you are talking about. We use them at the shop on all the squad cars. I dont have the Maxrad p/n in front of me. I know they come in a bag of about 10.

Monty is correct about the silicone grease( dielectric}. It works great to keep that thin rubber gasket in the brass ring. We add a dab just on the contact under the base. It seems to keep the moisture down and reduce the amount of RF loss.

[FireCpt809]

maxrad P/N for the gasket MMGSK 6 to a bag.

[Motofanatic]

Thanks FireCpt809, those are probably the ones. Appreciate your help and looking up the part #.

[apco25]

Something I have noticed about the dieletric grease and silicone that comes with NMO mounts is that its often over used. I just used a tiny amount to seat the gasket in the locking ring. Otherwise I leave the rest of the threads bare. I've noticed the installs that use the grease just attract a lot more dirt leaving you with a gummed up, sticky and filthy mount with crud in all the threads.So on my personal vehicle I just take the antennas off after the car wash and dry each mount out. Also I replace my NMO mounts ever few years even though they don't need it.