NMO Woes

[mrweather]

Where else is the NMO2/70 coil cheaper?

 

[jwt873]

Kinda late now.. But I'm interested too

 

[CanesFan95]

Yeah, one of the known weaknesses with the spring tab contacts. Do it enough and that will happen. Metal fatigue.

Soldering wouldn't fix it for long. On it's own it would be a good electrical connection, but not a good mechanical connection.

I did have it happen with one antenna that I removed a lot, probably 25 years ago. It was not a issue limited to Larsen antennas, I've seen it happen on other brands.

The newer Larsen antenna designs use a 'pogo' pin. Basically a spring loaded pin that maintains contact. The older style antennas haven't adapted this, however. I have seen the old Motorola antennas that used the pogo spring contact fail also, so they are not a perfect solution. This is one of those places were paying attention to maintenance is important.

Just get a new coil if that's the issue (if you can find them).

Never did like Larsen's flimsy metal tabs. So they've actually changed to a push-pin now?

 

[mmckenna]

Never did like Larsen's flimsy metal tabs. So they've actually changed to a push-pin now?

On some of the newer antennas they have.

As for the tabs, I only ever had one break, and it was because I was messing with it. Normally they don't need to be adjusted or bent.
As for the 'pogo-pins', I'm not convinced they are any better. Other manufacturers use them. I had some old Motorola antennas, and had a few fail.

 

[jwt873]

Just as an update... The new 2/70 coil I purchased has the same flimsy tab. On the sealed plastic bag it came in it has a manufacture date of 11/02/20.

If I get 20 years out of this one, I won't be complaining

 

[kf8yk]

Never did like Larsen's flimsy metal tabs. So they've actually changed to a push-pin now?

Only the 'short' 2/70 is available with a pogo pin base, part # NMOP2/70SH. The original tab base version of the short antenna is still available, part # NMO2/70SH.

The full length 2/70 is only available with the tab base.