High quality NMO mounts

apco25 · Post by **apco25** » Fri Apr 18, 2003 11:01 am

Ok, who's got the best quality NMO mounts out there? I've used Motorola, Maxrad, Antenex and Larsen.

I need 10, prefer the wide contact pin and I'm thinking of using LMR-200 and make my own cables assemblies.

The mounts will used from low-band up to 900Mhz

Also, any thoughts on a super low loss cable for a GPS antenna on an NMO mount?

I have an antenex NMO GPS I picked up for a steal on ebay so I need a mount for it that won't waste all the signal.

NodrogCop · Post by **NodrogCop** » Fri Apr 18, 2003 2:26 pm

I've used Comtelco with Micro Loss 900 cable for the last couple of mobiles I did...very happy with them. They're being used for vhf and uhf radios...

Gordon

kurt meltzer · Post by **kurt meltzer** » Fri Apr 18, 2003 4:32 pm

My favorite high quality MNO mount is by Antenna Specialist, their P/N KSM-766. They were formerly sold under the Hirschmann brand name. It's a completely enclosed (shielded), nicely machined piece, which is threaded to accept a type FME female connector. (FME female connectors for LMR200 are offered by several vendors - one I've used is RF Industries, their P/N RFE-6050-C). These connectors go onto LMR200 with the same crimp tool you'd use for a mini-UHF or other similar connector. These mounts allow you to use premium feedline, of any continuous length you need. I once constructed a disguised antenna system for a surveillance van using these mounts - eight of them on a 6" wide by 8' long aluminum ground plane, slid into the end of a 10' PVC pipe on a roof rack, using MLPV series antennas by Maxrad. Regular NMO mounts with their typical 17' of coax would've been too short. These mounts allowed me to make the feedlines 24 feet long without any barrel connectors, etc. Worked out real nice. Not too many distributors stock them, though. Try Hutton, Tessco, Marketronics, AF Comm Supply, etc. They'll probably have to order them for you.

Alan · Post by **Alan** » Sat Apr 19, 2003 7:59 am

Note the "wide" contact pin are only for VHF/UHF. They will present high VSWR at 800/900.

I prefer the Larsem myself. We use about 150 a month and have had good success with them.

ASTROMODAT · Post by **ASTROMODAT** » Sat Apr 19, 2003 8:22 am

Radiall Larsen has a new NMO type mount available that has a removable center pin for supporting GPS and 802.11b frequencies. Put the pin in, and it's good for all freqs to 900 MHz. Pull it out, and it's good to go for 900+ MHz to 2.5 GHz antennae. We use them on our company vehilcles for mobile WiFi 802.11b. We were one of their Beta testers.

Larry

ASTROMODAT · Post by **ASTROMODAT** » Sat Apr 19, 2003 8:28 am

For clarifiicatiopn, when you pull the "normal" (VHF through 900 MHz) pin out, you replace it with a special pin that has a hole in the center of it, where the base of the actual antenna rod goes into (much like a coax connector). This allows for a good VSWR, even up to frequencies as high as 2.5 GHz.

Radiall Larsen has a 5 ddB gain antenna for 802.11b mobile applications, as does Cushcraft. We like the RL one better. Motorola uses the Cushcraft antgenna for their MW-800 new mobile computer when you option it out with the built-in 802.11b radio. We like the RL antenna a lot better.

Larry

apco25 · Post by **apco25** » Mon Apr 21, 2003 11:57 am

What's on the list so far

Lo-band antenna from CHILDS

CHILDS NMO mounts and VHF wideband whip antennas.

UHF, 800/900 all MAXRAD MLPV antennas

1 LARSEN GPS compatible mount NMO

Been suggested to use teflon based cables since these mounts are to be installed in the suburban roof and exposed to high heat.

Monty · Post by **Monty** » Mon Apr 21, 2003 12:54 pm

Hi:

Well, here is my 02 worth

The NMO Mounts come in [ 2 ] Varities, one with a small
contact for Freqs in the 800 / 900 Mhz Range , and one with a large
Contact for freqs in the VHF / UHF range ( 140-512Mhz )

You can get away with the Smaller contact so long as your
" Antenna " will mate properly, some Antennas have a wider
contact for use with the larger NMO Mount, and you need
to insure there is no possiblitiy for shorts.

If needed, I can make a photo.

The use of " teflon " Cable is Always a good idea, and I use
RG-142B/U on alot of my installations. Or RG-223 is a good
Second.

The use of RG-58A/U is up to the user, but if you should
decide to use that type of cable, make sure it a good brand
name like Belden, Times Wire, and forget Radio Shack, and cheap
cable........

I always use Premium cable when dealing with 100 Watt Radios, and Connectors can be easily found.

There is also some " White " Teflon " Cable Kits already made
up if you do not mind the Expense, but most all of them have the
Smaller contact.

Also, there is a " Gasket " Kit that one can buy to add to the
Antenna Base to prevent mosture damage, and Antenna Specialist
make the Kit, but does not advertise it,

DO NOT use Vasoline ! , use the seal that comes with the
Kit. ALL to often, I have seen Stereo techs just toss the small
tube of seal, and that can cause leaks in the roof if the rubber
becomes damaged in time.....Ever feel how hot a Roof can get?

You should see some of what was left of old gaskets that
were not lubricated properly, ( or what was left of them )

Anyhow, a good Antenna installation is worth every cent, and
will provide years of trouble free service and performance if
installed properly

Monty

nmfire10 · Post by **nmfire10** » Mon Apr 21, 2003 3:41 pm

I recently put in a Comtelco NMO with the Microloss 900 cable. It is working quite well with my CDM1250 on UHF. I have no complaints but then again, I don't have much to compare it too.

Being that this is my precious new truck, I went totally anal putting it in. There is silicone sealant on the the actual NMO mount where it contacts the roof. The antenna threads, gaskets, and seals have plenty of di-electric grease. There ain't no water getting in this thing anywhere and dripping in my pretty interior or coroding the inside of the antenna

April · Post by **April** » Mon Apr 21, 2003 8:44 pm

By far and away, the ComTelco SS mount with LMR240 for UHF or 800-900. I have used just about all of them and a call back due to a cold flowed center contact is a problem. CZL-NMO type or CEZL NMO with the shielded base/coax junction.

apco25 · Post by **apco25** » Tue Apr 22, 2003 8:35 am

OK all good ideas here. I am VERY careful about NMO installations - I make sure they are done correctly and fully good install practices with them.

Good info from everyone here, UPSS also gave me good ideas and people to contact. So here is my next question.

Who can give me the best deal on the parts?

I need the following parts

10 NMO mounts 5 of each large and small contact either CHILDS or COMTELCO brand

Cable Either LMR-200 LMR-240, Teflon, Comtelo Micro-loss or Cushcraft Ultra-link bulk per foot

ILuvXMRadio · Post by **ILuvXMRadio** » Sat Jul 23, 2011 8:13 pm

I think I'm on a roll here with reviving old threads.... but.....

Any changes in their thoughts in the 8-9 years since this thread has been talked about?

i'm looking for the best feed line / nmo mount for vhf uhf and 7/800. I'd like to pre wire all three, but install UHF/VHF first.

Cushcraft Ultralink RG-58 I hear is good...... What are you guys using as NMO mounts that have the least loss/least rf leakage, etc.....

tvsjr · Post by **tvsjr** » Sun Jul 24, 2011 12:14 pm

Larsen NMOKDS. Dual-shield RG-58, stranded center. Nice isolation without the pain in the ass of solid center...

High quality NMO mounts

High quality NMO mounts

High Quality NMO mounts

Re: High quality NMO mounts

Re: High quality NMO mounts