NMO ground plane DIY

[nick1427d]

Anyone know where I can get this style NMO connectors, the ones where the radials can be inserted?

Trying to build by own ground plane without soldering and all that mess.

New Tram 1465 Land Mobile Base Ground Plane Kit NMO to UHF So 239 Same Day SH | eBay

[W2NJS]

That NMO connector shown is a pretty specialized unit and won't be easy to find. If you take a regular mobile NMO connector and put it on a piece aluminum you can then add the radials by looping their ends and screwing them to the plate. You can buy the NMO with the coax already atttached, probably in a 20-foot length.

[LtDoc]

I just 'googled' it and there were a number of 'hits' where you could buy it. Try it for your self.
- 'Doc

[nick1427d]

Originally Posted by LtDoc

I just 'googled' it and there were a number of 'hits' where you could buy it. Try it for your self.
- 'Doc

I did but a few I found were quite expensive ($50). I assume I could just screw some copper weld rods into the aluminum bracket? I wanted to solder but I was told you can't solder copper to aluminum.

[mmckenna]

Right, you won't be able to solder that.

What you can do, is get some copper rod. Get some crimp ring lugs the right size and solder those on. Then use a stainless steel sheet metal screw or machine screw and nut along with a star washer to attach the ring lug to the aluminum mount. Ideally you'd want to cover the connection. A glob of silicon would likely do the trick for a while, but over time it'll deteriorate. Aluminum will oxidize, and the dissimlar metals will corrode, so it might not be a good long term solution.

Another choice would be to get a sheet metal disk and punch a 3/4 inch hole in it and sandwich it in the NMO mount. The diameter of that disk will be frequency dependent, sort of. For VHF, you'd want about 19 inches out from the center all around.

If you can't find a disk like that. any shape will work. Even a baking pan or pie pan will work.

[nick1427d]

Thanks guys!

Ok new route maybe as I'm not wanting to mount anything outside at the moment. A little undecided on my final shack location in the home and want to minimize coax runs.

For VHF (150-160), would mounting an nmo ground plane, either premade or diy, outside on my gutter or in my attic at about the same height make much difference on my reception? This is a two story house no nearby obstructions outside. Coax run would be about the same.

I'm feeling that the gutters are effecting my current setup which is a simple "mobile" gutter mount nmo with no radials. Thinking that the attic might be a better route especially because it's out of the elements for long term. Also it's not visible.

Thoughts?

[jhooten]

eBay?

[nick1427d]

Yeah I looked and they are fairly cheap on there. Almost the same if I bought the supplies separately and made myself. Also don't have to go through the hassle.

[jhooten]

For the attic a Mag mount and the biggest thrift store pizza pan you can find.