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NMO Mounts cost

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plankeye

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To the guys who paid a radio shop to drill a NMO mount in a roof, about how much do they charge for that?. I know itll probably vary, I just want to get an idea. All I need to know is the cost of the drilling of the hole thats it.


Thanks
 

pappy1

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If you have a tool rental store near you, you can rent a Greenlee 3/4 inch hole punch and it will be a perfect round hole. Do it yourself. You can buy one for around $40.00.
 

garys

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While Greenlee punches will work, they are not the optimal tool for doing this. Actually, that's probably beside the point, since the OP asked about having a shop do it.

I'd suggest calling some local radio shops and asking. The truth is that labor costs vary widely across the country. Do you just want the hole drilled or do you also want them to provide and install the mount and cable?

Gary
 

ScanDaBands

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Plankeye , where are you located , I do 5 - 6 of those a week....sometimes more....
 

N1GTL

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garys said:
While Greenlee punches will work, they are not the optimal tool for doing this....

I have put 15 NMO mount antennas in using a Greenlee 3/4" punch and they are, by far, the BEST way to make a perfect 3/4" hole with no burring. Sure you can use a drill with a stop and if you cannot get to both sides of what you are drilling, a Greenlee may not work; but if you have access, it is undoubtly the cleanest 3/4" hole you will ever make.
 
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You have got to be kidding, a Larson or Motorola 3/4 inch MNO mount hole saw with two groves across the face are the best thing. The thing that the hole punches do not do, and for that matter, most of the hole saw's do not (with out the groves), is to provide a good ground. No ground, no work. All law's of antenna's prove this. A typical NMO mount has some feet, but they do not penetrate the under side of a vehicles roof satisfactorily to provide a good ground. The grooves clear the paint around the brass and will make your antenna work very well. 100% automatic if after you make the hole, hold on the trigger for a few more seconds. You can also use the saw to clean a badly punched hole.

Make sure to be center…

Mike
 

n8emr

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To actually answer the guys questions. Cost is going to vary from area to area and shop to shop, figure $75-150/hr. A busy shop may not want to waste the time for just a hole and your going to be charge a minimum fee regardless if takes 10 minutes or an hour so get as much as your can done for your dollar. Let them route the cable down to your radio.


As others have noted, you can do it yourself, get a good NMO hole saw, yes the Greenlee will work but you can get an antenna X nmo hole saw for $25-30. Well worth it the firs time you slip and take out a headliner.
 

plankeye

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Thanks for the suggestions guys.
Id rather have a radio shop do it professionally or someone in my area (North Dakota) who has experience doing this. Its a new dodge ram pickup so thats why I want to take it to the pros, cuz if I did it, I would probably mess up. lol

Ill call around and get some quotes. If they charge hourly labor and it only takes a few minutes to drill the hole I spouse Ill have them route the coax to the dash too.

Thanks again!

Justin
KC0WFC
 

OpSec

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Get an Antenex hole saw, measure twice and save yourself a bunch of money. You'll be smarter for the experience and have the ability to say you've done it yourself.
 
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garys

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N1GTL said:
I have put 15 NMO mount antennas in using a Greenlee 3/4" punch and they are, by far, the BEST way to make a perfect 3/4" hole with no burring. Sure you can use a drill with a stop and if you cannot get to both sides of what you are drilling, a Greenlee may not work; but if you have access, it is undoubtly the cleanest 3/4" hole you will ever make.

I've done lots of holes with a Greenlee and they work well. However, a purpose made antenna hole saw works better and is faster.

Gary
 

plankeye

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Well I did some calling around today to some reputable radio shops and I was amazed, one wants only $40 and that includes routing the coax to the dash as well. The other shop wanted $30. So not to bad.
 
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