I will be installing a 50 watt GMRS mobile radio on a side-by-side. The antenna is a Midland 6db unit. I plan to use RG-8X for a 10' run. Been reading about the importance of using quality coax and to beware of some of the Chinese crap that will rob power from the radio.
What retailers to you guys use to insure that you are getting quality coax and connectors? I've gone to a few online retailers but I haven't been in the hobby that long and stiil am not aware of who sells quality products and who doesn't.
Thanks
It's a lot easier than you are making it.
NMO mounts can be purchased with and without coax. It's much easier to buy one with the coaxial cable you want already installed. You can always "roll your own" if you want, but there's really no benefit, unless you just want the challenge.
It's your install, you do it the way you want. The fraction of a Decibel difference you'd see by using RG-8X over standard RG-58 is so small neither you or your radio is going to know the difference. Seriously, I run an 800MHz system at work, and even for that, I run RG-58 in the mobile installs.
A standard Larsen NMO mount with RG-58 and the suitable connector for your radio will work just fine:
High Frequency, Dual Shielded, 0-6000 MHz. 3/4" NMO Permanent Hole Mount. For standard vehicle roof mount antenna installation.
theantennafarm.com
If you want to get fancy, LMR-200:
0-6 GHz 3/4" hole mount, includes 17ft LMR200 cable and installed SMA Male connector installed.
theantennafarm.com
But no way I'd pay $60 for that, it's not worth it unless you are running really high frequency stuff (think 5.8GHz WiFi)
The more important part about these two mounts is the way the coax enters the bottom of the mount.
Since UTV's/Side by Sides can get exposed to a lot of mud, rain, snow, water, and dust, you want to make sure the underside of the antenna mount is well sealed. Anywhere the underside is exposed, I always use these mounts. To make them even better, slide some marine grade heat shrink tubing over the cable where it enters the mount.
