I'm sure I'll get a variety of answers, who make the best quality NMO coax assembly for mobile installation? TIA
Best mobile NMO coax assembly?
- Thread starter djpaulino
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mmckenna
I ♥ Ø
Larsen NMO.
There are several options, and getting the correct one for the task will depend on -exactly- what you are using it for. If you can elaborate on the application/mounting location, we could give you some better direction.
Skip the cheap Chinese, ham/hobby grade, Tram/Browning crap. The few bucks you save isn't worth it. If you are going to do a proper install, use the right parts the first time. It saves money in the long run.
There are several options, and getting the correct one for the task will depend on -exactly- what you are using it for. If you can elaborate on the application/mounting location, we could give you some better direction.
Skip the cheap Chinese, ham/hobby grade, Tram/Browning crap. The few bucks you save isn't worth it. If you are going to do a proper install, use the right parts the first time. It saves money in the long run.
Mostly for HAM vhf/uhf , using a dual band antenna. Also will be monitoring CalFire .
ind224
Member
Your caption was going to have me say "a free one" but since you asked who makes I'll go with Laird. Used to be you could get a bag of 5 800 Phantoms w coax and mount for about $50 on ebay.
I have tried everyone around. For the price I feel this is the best on the market.
Larsen NMOKHFCX
Switched all my SAR stuff to these.
Larsen NMOKHFCX
Switched all my SAR stuff to these.
mmckenna
I ♥ Ø
The standard Larsen NMOK with RG-58 cable will do everything you need.
If you plan to experiment down the road, the NMO-HF allows for installing higher frequency antennas (+1GHz), and it doesn't cost much more.
Installation also plays into this.
If you are installing through the roof of a vehicle, then either of those will work just fine.
If you are going to be installing on a bracket or other mount where the underside of the NMO mount is exposed to the elements, then you absolutely want the NMO-HF style mount. Those have an enclosed connection where the coaxial cable attaches to the mount. The standard NMOK style mounts have the coax connection fully exposed to the elements. That's fine if the underside in inside the vehicle, but really bad if it's exposed to rain, and all the crap that gets kicked up off the road (oil, road salts, etc). If you do mount it with the underside exposed, make sure you install a length of adhesive lined heat shrink to fully seal up the coax entry to the NMO-HF mounts.
Laird makes similar mounts that are just as good.
Don't get hung up on RG-58. For such a short run, there isn't enough loss to be concerned with. RG-58 is flexible and much easier to route through a vehicle. I'm running a bunch of them on 800MHz and the loss of RG-58 isn't an issue.
I buy Larsen NMOKHFUD mounts w/ double shield coax, which I cut to length and install my own connector for whatever radio it will serve. Standard RG58 connectors work.
The mount itself is nickel (?) plated and the coax is crimped and swaged into the mount. Underside therefore is quite weatherproof so won't corrode / weather away if used on a fender mount installation; in that case I also seal the crimp ferrule with 3:1 shrink tubing w/ adhesive liner. Roof/body mounts may not require the shrink sealing step (if they actually do, you got a problem)!
The mount itself is nickel (?) plated and the coax is crimped and swaged into the mount. Underside therefore is quite weatherproof so won't corrode / weather away if used on a fender mount installation; in that case I also seal the crimp ferrule with 3:1 shrink tubing w/ adhesive liner. Roof/body mounts may not require the shrink sealing step (if they actually do, you got a problem)!
W0JOG
Member
When I was doing my own installations, I used supplies from The Wireman.com. If they are still in business, start there. They stocked a RG8X M/M (Marine/Mobile) coax that was a once-in-a-lifetime installation due to its sturdiness and shielding. Owner, Press Jones, N8UG, also had written the best handbook to answer all such questions as yours and a lot more. He called it "The Wirebook" and edition V was the last I have on my shelf.
That's for those of us who would rather do-it-yourself than throw money at everything.
de W0JOG
That's for those of us who would rather do-it-yourself than throw money at everything.
de W0JOG
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Fast1eddie
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Larsen!
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