NMO Mounts

[BFIFM790]

I was hoping to get a suggestion from the group on a mount that I need.

I am looking for a 3" magnetic mount thats black with a rubber boot for scratch protection for a vehicle installation. I have an antennex mount now that I love but the problem is that the standard 12' of coax is not long enough.

Does anyone know of a different mount that is comparable that has a longer length of coax that they would recommend? It is for a Maxrad BMAX scan antenna.

Has anyone heard of gettting a longer length of cable attached to the mount aftermarket?

You help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

 

[RevGary]

Most popular NMO maga-mounts are EASY to modify yourself if you have basic hand tools and a soldering gun. Peel off the protective pad on the underside and you will see a cavity where the cable center and cable ground are attached to the underside of the NMO mount and where the cable is routed throuh a side opening and strain relief on the side of the magna-mount. Just unsolder the two connections and gently pull the cable out of the strain relief. Measure out whatever length of cable you need of the same type as it came with, thread the new cable through the strain relief and after trimming back the outer and inner conductors, attach them to the NMO disk terminals the same as the original. Some of these cables have a molded PL-259 on the end of the factory cable. Hold on to that cable with the connector for another usage later on, but use a good quality PL-259 (Amphenol makes good ones) and a cable adaptor on the end of your new cable, and follow the connector manufacturer's recommendations as printed on most packages. With NO antenna on the mount, there should be NO continuity from the center disk to the outer threaded part of the mount or from the PL-259 center pin to it's body. Also, when you are finished, use an Ohm Meter to test FOR continuity between the center pin of the PL-259 and the center contact disk on the NMO mount. Likewise, check for proper continuity from the body of the PL-259 to the magna-mount body and threaded portion of the NMO. Apply all-weater adhesive to the anti-scuff pad that you removed earlier and secure it back in place to keep the auto or truck from being scratched. If your original cable had a BNC connector, it gets a bit more involved, but is do-able by most scanner fans. Best of luck...

 

[fineshot1]

I dont think you will ever be happy with a mag mount. Not for performance reasons but due to the fact that there is no such thing as " scratch protection " with a mag mount. Years ago I used to use mag mounts and got so aggrevated with all the scratching of the paint on my nice new car(i tried everything to prevent scratches) that I decided to just punch the holes for nmo mounts and have never looked back.....