purpose of two holes on either side of n female connector

[joeydizzle28]

Anyone have any tips on how to install a Tram Browning Omni Directional Base Antenna?

It has female N connection but I've notice tram antennas sell flat plate type connectors that cover the whole base of the antenna. (pictured above)

My antenna will accept a n female connector but i noticed there are two screw holes at the bottom that wont be covered by the n style connection. should I cover these with electrical tape or silicone to cover the holes from moisture?



Antenna Omnidirectional Base 806-866 MHz.

 

[WA0CBW]

This appears to be a mobile mount (trunk lip?). Can't tell from the picture if it is an "N" connector.
Bb

 

[mmckenna]

Yeah, two separate products there.
The top one is an NMO trunk lip mount.
The bottom one is a base station adapter.

Per the OP's question, plugging the holes would depend on if they go all the way through the NMO mount or not. If they do not go all the way through, it won't matter.
If they do, you might want to plug them, but make sure the gasket between the antenna base and the NMO mount are intact. Sometimes base antennas will have "weep holes" that allow condensed moisture to escape. The manufacturer will be pretty clear about no blocking them. Since this is the base, and I think they are holes for keeping the base from turning while tightening down the outer nut.

 

[joeydizzle28]

I received my Browning BR 6286 today, I noticed there are two small holes at the bottom on either side of the N female connector.

At first I thought maybe i needed an MNO connector but the packaging states it is a N female (no instructions included)

Do i need to tape over these holes or fill them in with silicone. It seems like water or bugs would be able to get into these holes unless covered.

there is a picture below.

https://www.amazon.com/Fiberglass-Omidirectional-No-Ground-Repeater-Browning/dp/B07CWWBGQF

 

[joeydizzle28]

Thanks for the response

the first picture is a NRO mobile mount, I was thinking maybe I needed an NMO connector to block these holes and fill in the base of the antenna.

It is defiantly a base antenna, it did not come with any guides or instructions. The N male connector on my coax fits fine, but the two holes are exposed underneath even with the N male connector in place.

 

[KevinC]

I would vote for drain holes, so I wouldn't seal them up.

 

[buddrousa]

I would bet if you have an adjustable spanner wrench that is threaded and is how the connector it attached to the case of the antenna.

 

[joeydizzle28]

Thank you for the response, I'll leave them open, I am excited to get this in the air over the weekend.

 

[KevinC]

I merged the two threads discussing this.

 

[iMONITOR]

Possibly for a spanner wrench during assembly of the antenna?

 

[Citywide173]

Years ago, Antenna Specialists included a small spanner that fit in these holes to hold it in place while you tightened the outer nut with the 7/8" wrench fitting to prevent the center from spinning. I haven't seen one in years, but they were not threaded and there is no need to cover/fill the holes.

 

[mmckenna]

Years ago, Antenna Specialists included a small spanner that fit in these holes to hold it in place while you tightened the outer nut with the 7/8" wrench fitting to prevent the center from spinning. I haven't seen one in years, but they were not threaded and there is no need to cover/fill the holes.

Pulse/Larsen Part Number is "SPANNER" https://www.protelecomsupply.com/3-4-mt-spanner-wrench-spanner

Personally, I just use a pair of needle nose pliers.

And then there's this overpriced tool: NMO Antenna Mount Install Tool - Pair | eBay

 

[ladn]

Antenna Specialists used to include a spanner made out of heavy steel wire with each NMO mount. I still use them.

 

[troubleshooter1]

I just made my own using a wire coat hanger bent into the shape of the Pulse/Larsen SPANNER tool.

 

[N4GIX]

Over the nearly two decades of owning a GESS in South Texas, my shop installed well over 10,000 NMO antennas. All of them included the spanner tool with the antennas, NMO mounts, and coax. However, just as mmckenna wrote, often the guys in the install shop would simply grab needlenose pliers...