Antenna Specialists base broke

[buckbull]

Well went off roadin and the nipple that comes out of the hole that my antenna screws to broke . Is there a replacement I could buy or am I screwed ?

 

[Citywide173]

What A/S model is (was) the antenna? If it was the MON series, your best bet is to look in places like ebay, as they haven't been made in years.

 

[mmckenna]

Replace it with a modern antenna. Those bases were never impressive. Lots of good choices out there.

 

[cmdrwill]

Right, the older A/S mounts were not very good. Aluminum which corrodes.

Get a REAL NMO mount, and antenna.

 

[buckbull]

Ok I guess i will break down and get a good new one , What is a good NMO wide band antenna , Fire Dept is dispatched in 46.100 mhz and NJSP is on 800 mhz so I literally need a good wide range one. Thanks for the recommendations .

 

[Citywide173]

Others will call me crazy, but I've had good luck with the Austin Spectra. The key is learning the three step process to putting it on the mount.

If the low band signal is strong, you could probably get away with an NMO 150/450/800

 

[tede911]

Others will call me crazy, but I've had good luck with the Austin Spectra. The key is learning the three step process to putting it on the mount.

If the low band signal is strong, you could probably get away with an NMO 150/450/800

Ok, my friend, now you have me wondering.... "three step process"?

 

[GlobalNorth]

How old is that base??

It looks like a recovered flight tested nuclear warhead re-entry vehicle [ablated surface].

 

[Citywide173]

Ok, my friend, now you have me wondering.... "three step process"?

You have to loosen the spring, then completely remove the NMO nut. Put the NMO nut on to the NMO mount, screw the Austin into the NMO nut, which ensures contact to the center of the mount then lock it into place by tightening the spring back down.

Many people never read the instructions and just screwed the antenna on, but didn't get good connection with the center conductor and the antenna and as a result got bad reception, which resulted in a lot of people calling the antenna junk.

 

[cmdrwill]

How old is that base??

It looks like a recovered flight tested nuclear warhead re-entry vehicle [ablated surface].

That Antenna Specialists antenna and mount is REALLY OLD, very early 1970's. The A/S plastic did not do well in the sun, UV ect. Back then the mounts were just aluminum. And they corroded.
You may need to break the plastic to get the base off the mount. Then remove the mount, you will need a spaner tool to engage the two holes in the mount. Or like we had to do way back then, use a vise grip and lock it on the outer threads of the aluminum ring and unscrew it.

 

[tede911]

You have to loosen the spring, then completely remove the NMO nut. Put the NMO nut on to the NMO mount, screw the Austin into the NMO nut, which ensures contact to the center of the mount then lock it into place by tightening the spring back down.

Many people never read the instructions and just screwed the antenna on, but didn't get good connection with the center conductor and the antenna and as a result got bad reception, which resulted in a lot of people calling the antenna junk.

so I would definitely be one of those people that did not read the instructions. However, the antenna has worked just fine for me. I will have to run some more tests when I move it to the new place