Anyone with a roof NMO?

7wt

7wt

Expedition Leader
Anybody have a through the roof NMO that wishes they did something easier like a channel mount? I am thinking about joining the hole in the roof gang but I am still a little uneasy about it mostly because of the tight New England tree coverage. I was thinking about a long antenna for road use and a short flexible one for offroad use, sound like a plan or am I over thinking it? Or would I just be better off with a channel mount and call it a day?
 
Chazz Layne

Chazz Layne

Administrator
Nope, not at all. I love my through-roof NMO on our truck... but I live in the desert. :D

I'd have to say you might be underthinking it actually. If I had to worry about trees/garages/etc frequently I would probably pick up the Diamond 9000 mount so I could just run a good antenna, and push a button to lower it as needed:

https://www.hamcity.com/store/pc/viewCategories.asp?idCategory=142

Channel mount, or roof mount if you already have "luggage" bars up there.
 
S

SunTzuNephew

Explorer
I've got 4 NMO mounts in each of the trucks (2-meter, 440, aircraft, cell) and wouldn't do it any other way....they're good (probably the best) antenna mounts, in the best locations.
 
PhulesAU

PhulesAU

Explorer
I use the NMO's specifically because they are so flexable. If I had a roof, my concern would be snagging the loading coil at the base.
 
HenryJ

HenryJ

Expedition Leader
I put the holes under the endcaps for my roof rack. One on each side.

antennas.jpg


If I decide to remove them I have an unaltered set of rack end caps as repacements. No one will ever know ;)
 
rambrush

rambrush

Adventurer
NMO mounts are the way to go I am using the diamond NR770H breakdown for 2 Meter and a 120" whip for hf. switching to a Hi-Q setup next week to be have better 160 40 band coverage. Use the antenex hole saw and the headliner does not need to come down, drill hole fish the cable over and done deal.
 
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DaveInDenver

DaveInDenver

Middle Income Semi-Redneck
A pair of NMO holes in my roof, no regrets. The only pain might be if you park in a garage routinely, but my rolling tetanus experiment sits on the street in front of the house so no worries. Off highway I pretty much let the antenna ********** whatever without much thought.

I did move the CB antenna back to the bull bar so that I could run a taller whip. The problem was that I placed the hole in a bad spot too far from a rib and the sheet metal would flex with anything other than a Larsen NMO27. Whenever I get the money for an HF rig this will morph into the mount for that antenna. Someday, someday. Then I'll just move the CB antenna back to the roof and be happy with a NMO27.
 
G

gary in ohio

Explorer
NMO's are great, in an expo rig just make sure you get an antenna with a spring on it to absorb some of the shock if a branch hits the antenna.

Make sure you get the correct depth NMO mount for your roof. While the NMO antenna side connector are standard. the mounting side does vary..
 
7wt

7wt

Expedition Leader
Cool thanks guys. I am not worried about knocking a hole in the roof at all, I am just worried about bending the roof if I hit a over-hanging limb.
 
rambrush

rambrush

Adventurer
That is why I like my Diamond I can reach up and fold it over for tite spots or if its ugly just unscrew it.
 
Borrego60

Borrego60

Rendezvous Conspiracy
Point if you go with a nmo mount start with a new hole saw not a dull one and make sure nothing is in the way underneath where you are drilling,and do not press real hard. Remember you are drilling into sheet metal,let the drill do the work.
 
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