NMO Mobil permanent mount

Status
Not open for further replies.

KO4IPV

Member
Joined
Jun 16, 2020
Messages
368
What is the best and most efficient way to tighten the NMO permanent Mobil Mount ? Having a hard time getting it tight enough so it doesn’t come loose! Tried a long nose plyers but can’t seem to get a good hold on the very thin part of the mount that is setting on top of the car roof , then there is the threaded part of the mount on top of that .
 

mmckenna

I ♥ Ø
Joined
Jul 27, 2005
Messages
23,617
Location
Hiding in a coffee shop.
They make overpriced tools that will work:

But you don't need one of those. Never seen anyone use one before...

I use a small pair of needle nose pliers. One pair I have has them at a 90º angle. The two tips of the pliers go in the two recessed holes in the center part of the mount. That'll keep the center part from turning.
Then use a wrench to tighten the outer ring.

Make sure you have the silicone lube on the O-ring before doing this or it can bind up and tear. And it doesn't need to be 'white knuckle" tight, just snug is good.
 

KO4IPV

Member
Joined
Jun 16, 2020
Messages
368
They make overpriced tools that will work:

But you don't need one of those. Never seen anyone use one before...

I use a small pair of needle nose pliers. One pair I have has them at a 90º angle. The two tips of the pliers go in the two recessed holes in the center part of the mount. That'll keep the center part from turning.
Then use a wrench to tighten the outer ring.

Make sure you have the silicone lube on the O-ring before doing this or it can bind up and tear. And it doesn't need to be 'white knuckle" tight, just snug is good.
Great info so those 2 little holes you put a needle nose in and then you tighten the but correct ? And put silicone were ?
 

mmckenna

I ♥ Ø
Joined
Jul 27, 2005
Messages
23,617
Location
Hiding in a coffee shop.
Great info so those 2 little holes you put a needle nose in and then you tighten the but correct ? And put silicone were ?

Yes, you can tighten the nut or the butt, it's up to you….

There should be an O-ring on the underside of the nut. Before you assemble the NMO mount, make sure the O-ring is properly in place. A bit of silicone grease on the O-ring does two things:
1. It'll hold the O-ring in place while you assemble the mount.
2. It'll lube the O-ring and keep it from binding up as you tighten the nut.

Some manufacturers include a small blister tube of the grease in the kit, some do not.
 

KO4IPV

Member
Joined
Jun 16, 2020
Messages
368
Yes, you can tighten the nut or the butt, it's up to you….

There should be an O-ring on the underside of the nut. Before you assemble the NMO mount, make sure the O-ring is properly in place. A bit of silicone grease on the O-ring does two things:
1. It'll hold the O-ring in place while you assemble the mount.
2. It'll lube the O-ring and keep it from binding up as you tighten the nut.

Some manufacturers include a small blister tube of the grease in the kit, some do not.
Thankyou
 

ladn

Explorer of the Frequency Spectrum
Premium Subscriber
Joined
Oct 25, 2008
Messages
1,284
Location
Southern California and sometimes Owens Valley
Antenna Specialists used to include the "tool" with their antenna mounts. It basically amounted to a bent, heavy springy wire.
Another manufacturer's (maybe Motorola) mount was flat on opposite sides so you could hold it with a Crescent wrench.
I've pretty much just used the 90 degree needle nose pliers trick.
 

R8000

Low Battery
Premium Subscriber
Joined
Dec 19, 2002
Messages
1,009
I have always just finger tightned the brass ring while pulling upwards until I can't turn it anymore. Then a snug with a wrench. I haven't had issues with the mount turning and haven't needed a tool. The pulling upwards thing allowed the teeth on the bottom to grip just enough to keep the mount from turning. By the time I am ready for the wrench, the teeth have already bitten and good to go :)
 

mmckenna

I ♥ Ø
Joined
Jul 27, 2005
Messages
23,617
Location
Hiding in a coffee shop.
Antenna Specialists used to include the "tool" with their antenna mounts. It basically amounted to a bent, heavy springy wire.


At one point I had one of those, but not sure what happened to it. I keep thinking of making a new one, but I always forget. I've got to install an NMO in my brother in laws new truck today, so maybe I'll see if I have some rod stock that is the right size.
 

mmckenna

I ♥ Ø
Joined
Jul 27, 2005
Messages
23,617
Location
Hiding in a coffee shop.
At one point I had one of those, but not sure what happened to it. I keep thinking of making a new one, but I always forget. I've got to install an NMO in my brother in laws new truck today, so maybe I'll see if I have some rod stock that is the right size.

3/32" rod works. Found an old antenna whip that was 3/32nd's and just rolled a couple of my own.
But the needle nose plier trick works just fine.

 

KK6ZTE

Member
Premium Subscriber
Joined
Mar 27, 2016
Messages
895
Location
California
Antenna Specialists used to include the "tool" with their antenna mounts. It basically amounted to a bent, heavy springy wire.
Another manufacturer's (maybe Motorola) mount was flat on opposite sides so you could hold it with a Crescent wrench.
I've pretty much just used the 90 degree needle nose pliers trick.

The K794 thick roof mounts still include the tool. Have lots of them laying around
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Top