i have a couple motorola 5/8 wave antennas. they seem to screw on to the NMO mount and does tighten up but it looks like the antenna has more threads than the nmo mount so it dont appear that the tab on the antenna is contacting the NMO contact.. Ill try getting pics, but for now the antenna has a grey base thats like 3 inches long or so and above that is a spring then the whip. by the contact tab under the antenna base it says 144-174 or whatever the vhf band is.. anyway does anyone know if this antenna uses NMO or another mount.
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antenna mount type?
- Thread starter billdozer
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NMO's are NMO's. It's a standard and I haven't seen much variation.
There are two types of base seals for the antenna itself. Some have a grove for an O-Ring and tighten right down against the mounting surface, others use a gasket between the base of the antenna and the surface. If there is a space at the bottom of the antenna it may need the gasket.
I have also seen the NMO mount threaded ring have damaged outer treads that prevent the antenna from screwing on fully. Have you checked the threads? Count the threads and confirm the antenna makes the same number of turns.
I usually bend the tab out a bit just to make sure it is making good contact. An ohmeter between the whip and the center of the radio connector will confirm good contact.
There are two types of base seals for the antenna itself. Some have a grove for an O-Ring and tighten right down against the mounting surface, others use a gasket between the base of the antenna and the surface. If there is a space at the bottom of the antenna it may need the gasket.
I have also seen the NMO mount threaded ring have damaged outer treads that prevent the antenna from screwing on fully. Have you checked the threads? Count the threads and confirm the antenna makes the same number of turns.
I usually bend the tab out a bit just to make sure it is making good contact. An ohmeter between the whip and the center of the radio connector will confirm good contact.
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i come up with about 6 threads on the antenna in question and only like 3 threads on a 1/4 wave nmo antenna. There is no gap with the motorola antenna,they both contact the mount surfface, i just dont think it can be making contact...It may be, but just dont understand the thread and highth differences... thanks for the reply
If you can't do a continuity check then set the antenna next to the mount, does the center 'pin' of the antenna look like it makes contact with the center contact of the mount? That continuity check is the surest method, but sometimes you can 'eye ball' it and get a fir guestimate.
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Drachen_Fire
Member
Here's a tip: The antenna you are describing is pretty old. Back in the day, some NMO mounts weren't truly NMO. They were the same size, thread pattern, etc, but the mounts were thicker. This was on the part of one manufacturer (can't remember which) to make certain you had to buy the antennas and mounts from the same company. If it is as you are describing, that antenna hasn't been manufactured since the early-mid 1980's. Modern antennas are better anyways, as old antennas of this model have oil-filled coils, and by now, that coil has likely leaked, and the conductors corroded.
drachen.. i belive your right. i got the antenna from my dads wrecker service. all the units had these on them for years. im pretty sure theyre motorola brand but its worn off.. it seemed to work ok on both rx and tx, but i replaced it temporary with a 1/4 wave til i find a 5/8 wave that i like. thanks for the info
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