Difference in reception from mag mount to roof mount

[gmclam]

mag mount vs NMO

Im just sick of the mount banging and constantly getting knocked off the roof, falling over the side doors and scratching the paint.

I have never had a mag mount come off, even in high winds and highway speed. Plus I like being able to manually take it off, for example, when parking in a structure with low clearance. After 10 years I did have to replace the coax from where it comes through a back door so I can understand that issue.

 

[12dbsinad]

I have never had a mag mount come off, even in high winds and highway speed.

Apparently you don't live in a state that gets ice and snow! I can assure you, they move around and fly off.. along with magnetic light bars..

 

[mmckenna]

I've seen two come off.
One was a random guy going down the highway.

The other was a friend who'd just picked up a 4 magnet jumbo mount with a "I am the channel master super high gain monster" 2 meter whip. Did quite a number on his paint job, the whole contraption got dragged along the highway at 65 mph.

.. along with magnetic light bars..

Mmmmmm, nothing say hamsexy like mag mount light bars!

 

[12dbsinad]

Mmmmmm, nothing say hamsexy like mag mount light bars!

Hey, you leave Sky Warn out of this! So what if these people have Magnetic light bars and "emergency weather vehicle" stickers plastered all over their 1980 Ford escort..

 

[gmclam]

Mag mounts work for me

Apparently you don't live in a state that gets ice and snow! I can assure you, they move around and fly off.. along with magnetic light bars..

Actually I am in California and drive CA, OR, WA and NV quite a bit. I have the antenna on top of a RAM 2500. No problems. Plus I need a fairly "large" antenna to get great reception of CHP, which is on low band VHF.

 

[STEVE392]

The magnet stays on the roof but the round metal collar that the nmo mount is part of has rusted off or the glue/adhesive stopped working. If i go into a parking garage it will get banged off, carwash samething. I can remove the antenna quickly and the round magnet stays on teh roof.

 

[STEVE392]

Is there any real difference in NMO mounts for the roof? I've seen ones as cheap as 10 bucks and as much as 50.

 

[Project25_MASTR]

Is there any real difference in NMO mounts for the roof? I've seen ones as cheap as 10 bucks and as much as 50.

Mainly, different materials and different types of mount. Your generic mount is brass and utilizes a 3/4” hole. It’s is designed to be mounted blind (from the top into the vehicle). Then there are the 3/8” (sometimes 1/2”) hole mounts. These are not designed to be mounted blind but are often offered in what is known as thick surface since thicker surfaces are difficult to drill with hole saws compared to standard bits.

Then there is the specialty mounts. Some are offered with a bayonet type threading for a specific antenna. Others are designed for higher than normal frequency ranges.

Actually I am in California and drive CA, OR, WA and NV quite a bit. I have the antenna on top of a RAM 2500. No problems. Plus I need a fairly "large" antenna to get great reception of CHP, which is on low band VHF.

Know a friend who used to lock his mag-mount off his Ram 2500 at least once a week (75 MPH fighting 45 MPH gusts will do it in a hurry). After heavily scratching up three roofs on two trucks in 4 years (which were named RAMbo 2.0 and RAMbo 3.0), RAMbo 4.0 went straight from the dealership to the two-way shop 8 months ago. Haven’t heard of him having any antenna issues since.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[mmckenna]

Is there any real difference in NMO mounts for the roof? I've seen ones as cheap as 10 bucks and as much as 50.

What MCore25 said, plus…
Coaxial cable quality. Not all coaxial cable is created equal.

Like Cheap Chinese Radios, you can find Cheap Chinese Antenna parts. Cheap coax, cheap connectors, etc. Cheap connectors are a big issue. Cheap coax isn't worth the effort to install.

For something that is going to be installed on a vehicle through it's life, I've never seen the point in going with the Chinese junk to save a few bucks. Wether it's a mount or an antenna, getting good stuff will pay off. I've got Larsen antennas that are at or near 30 years old and still working fine. I know I can pick up the phone and talk to them. I've talked to their guys at trade shows. Can't say the same for Tram, Browning, or any of the cheap stuff on e-Bay. But, I know, the hams love 'em.

Most often, though, a standard Larsen NMO mount with RG-58 is my own personal choice. You can get them for less than $15.00 and you have a known good brand. Sometimes, depending on the application or possible future need, the NMOHF mounts are used.

 

[AC5PS]

I haven’t been through a car wash in decades ��

 

[cmdrwill]

I haven’t been through a car wash in decades ��

I have not been thru a car wash either, but my car has... And the mag mount stayed right where it is.

 

[STEVE392]

I spoke to someone who works with me at our center who does installs. im going to find out what kind of products he uses for installs.