Help me choose a NMO base and antenna.

[JoshuaHufford]

I recently bought a 2015 Ford Transit Connect to work out of, I want to have an NMO base installed, and I'm not quite sure what would be my best choice as there are so many options. I spend a lot of time in the Vehicle and I want to get good quality and get the best reception possible. I have the ability to put my own connectors on the coax, and will probably prefer this so I can keep the length as short as possible. I'm also going to have the base installed by a local radio company, it should be pretty easy for them to do considering there is no headliner in the way.

Here is the criteria for the antenna,

My primary interest is the Railband 160-162MHz, but I do listen to EMS, Fire, and other stuff down in the 140-155MHz range. I also want to be able to receive DPU and ETO transmissions from trains which are 452-457MHZ so I'm thinking a dual band would be best.

I'd like it to be able to tilt over, sometimes I have to go into parking garages, or customers might have low branches over their driveway. Perhaps having a spring mount also would be good?

Thanks!

 

[IdleMonitor]

The comtelco vhf/uhf/800 nmo antennas are a good choice. I've been using one for a few years now and it works great. Only about 11 inches in height as well.

 

[JoshuaHufford]

The comtelco vhf/uhf/800 nmo antennas are a good choice. I've been using one for a few years now and it works great. Only about 11 inches in height as well.

Do you have a link to this? I'm not finding what you describe.

Thanks

 

[mmckenna]

As for the base:
The shop that you have do the installation will stock those. They may buy them in bulk and may offer you a better price than you can get by purchasing one on your own.
If you do choose to buy your own mount, steer clear of the Chinese stuff (Tram, Browning, and any name you can't easily pronounce)
Stick with the brand names, Larsen, Comtelco, Laird, Antenex, etc.

As for the antenna, I've heard good things about the Comtelco's.
Also, you can take a look at these:
https://www.theantennafarm.com/catalog/larsen-nmo150-450-800-1050 Doesn't have a spring base, but unscrews easily. Or, you can add your own spring:
https://www.theantennafarm.com/catalog/larsen-spring-3877

A bit more gain, and a taller...
https://www.theantennafarm.com/catalog/laird-technologies-c150-450cs-5582

Consider adding an additional mount for future use. Adding amateur radio gear might be something you'll want to do later on. Getting the labor all done at once will probably save you some money. Have them cap it off with an NMO rain cap.
Also, consider having them run a dedicated power feed off your battery. Clean power directly off the vehicle battery can help prevent a lot of interference issues.

 

[IdleMonitor]

Do you have a link to this? I'm not finding what you describe.

Thanks

The one I use is very similar to this one. Works quite well for me across vhf uhf and 800 mhz

Comtelco All-Band Low-Profile Scanner Antenna | Scanner Master

 

[JoshuaHufford]

As for the base:
The shop that you have do the installation will stock those. They may buy them in bulk and may offer you a better price than you can get by purchasing one on your own.
If you do choose to buy your own mount, steer clear of the Chinese stuff (Tram, Browning, and any name you can't easily pronounce)
Stick with the brand names, Larsen, Comtelco, Laird, Antenex, etc.

As for the antenna, I've heard good things about the Comtelco's.
Also, you can take a look at these:
https://www.theantennafarm.com/catalog/larsen-nmo150-450-800-1050 Doesn't have a spring base, but unscrews easily. Or, you can add your own spring:
https://www.theantennafarm.com/catalog/larsen-spring-3877

A bit more gain, and a taller...
https://www.theantennafarm.com/catalog/laird-technologies-c150-450cs-5582

Consider adding an additional mount for future use. Adding amateur radio gear might be something you'll want to do later on. Getting the labor all done at once will probably save you some money. Have them cap it off with an NMO rain cap.
Also, consider having them run a dedicated power feed off your battery. Clean power directly off the vehicle battery can help prevent a lot of interference issues.

Thanks for the input. I thought about adding a second mount, I just didn't know that I would ever use it. If I do a second do you have a suggestion on location? Obviously I had planned on dead center for the first.

I can handle a battery feed myself, good idea.

 

[mmckenna]

Ideally you want 1/4 wavelength around the base of the antenna.
I'd put an antenna about 2 or 3 feet back from the front edge of the roof and another 3 feet behind that.

 

[mmckenna]

Here's the one we have at work. RF decks are behind the rearmost seat, so putting the antennas towards the rear saved some cable loss. Left side is a VHF quarter wave, right side is 800MHz.

 

[JoshuaHufford]

Thanks for the picture.