Cooltech cowl antenna mount

[Sandevino]

I’m using a Diamond K400 mount and have zero issues. My antenna is an NGP antenna but I grounded the mount and push 50 - 100 watts without issue.

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[CrazyCooter]

I have a Topsy mount on each side for HAM and CB antenna. It does move them out a bit where you can see them, but I don't even notice anymore. My thought was to get the antenna away from the winshield frame since this location already gives up much in performance. I'm sure there's less EMF radiated into my dome as well.

https://topsyproducts.com/products/jl-fender-mount-nmo-antenna-bracket

 

[Bobba]

b-roc, Your experience with the Midland nmo/ cable is disappointing to hear. If I were to buy just the bracket and source an nmo mount and cable elsewhere how do you know what size to buy and what does the little round black thing do? A spacer or seal I would guess. I would also have to solder the coax to the nmo then find somebody with the right crimp tool for the PL259. The crimp tools are pretty expensive for a one time job, so it gets a little complicated not using the Midland from Cooltech. Your input is appreciated!

 

[b-roc]

b-roc, Your experience with the Midland nmo/ cable is disappointing to hear. If I were to buy just the bracket and source an nmo mount and cable elsewhere how do you know what size to buy and what does the little round black thing do? A spacer or seal I would guess. I would also have to solder the coax to the nmo then find somebody with the right crimp tool for the PL259. The crimp tools are pretty expensive for a one time job, so it gets a little complicated not using the Midland from Cooltech. Your input is appreciated!

I am happy withe the nmo that I linked above.

For my application, I purchased some rg58 with fme ends from a highly rated e-bay seller ... that made running the cable super easy ... that said, I already had an fme to pl259 adapter ... you could either do this or purchase pre-assembled cable with pl259 on one end and fme on the other ... looks like it's available in 1 foot increments from 1ft to 30ft ... from $8 to $30

https://www.ebay.com/itm/1415586862...ldIntuQShW&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY

As far as the black parts of Midland... yep a plastic spacer and an o-ring for mounts through the body ... so not necessary here ... I did use a step drill bit to increase the hole size on the bracket

Hope this helps


Edit: forgot to mention that I used heat shrink at the cable to nmo connector

 

[CrazyCooter]

b-roc, Your experience with the Midland nmo/ cable is disappointing to hear. If I were to buy just the bracket and source an nmo mount and cable elsewhere how do you know what size to buy and what does the little round black thing do? A spacer or seal I would guess. I would also have to solder the coax to the nmo then find somebody with the right crimp tool for the PL259. The crimp tools are pretty expensive for a one time job, so it gets a little complicated not using the Midland from Cooltech. Your input is appreciated!

You can get NMO cable assemblies pre-crimped in your choice of coax and connectors. You might consider stepping up to LMR-240 coax when doing this for a huge gain in signal for a couple bucks more?

 

[b-roc]

Looks like somebody else had the same failure with the Midland cable that I did ... see the first review on their site for pictures
https://midlandusa.com/products/mic...0soE5DhMOtMZW9NnQlMTxlH5n7rLZmYBoCHV0QAvD_BwE

 

[Bobba]

Sounds like several people had failures of the Midland nmo/cable and that's reviews on their own website! So, after watching a couple YT videos about attaching connectors it seems a crimp tool isn't really necessary. Couldn't find any videos of attaching the coax to an nmo though. Would you happen to know the size of the nmo hole in the Cooltech bracket and what size you drilled it out to? Will probably take the same route as you vs taking a risk on the Midland.

 

[b-roc]

I don't remember the exact size that I drilled to ... I literally just used the larger of my 2 Milwaukee step bits and went until it fit ... I can put my calipers on it later today ... this is super simple and easy

 

[Bobba]

Appreciate everyone's help and advice here! I did see the stock hole diameter on Cooltechs site is 1/2" and it seems most of the 90 degree/ low profile nmo mounts for sale are for a 3/4" hole. Since you were able to drill it out, I assume there is enough metal there not to weaken it. Seams like RG58 is standard for nmo mounts and going to something like LMR240 would not be a huge improvement due to the short length. The gap between the cowl and the fender is 5mm, same as RG58. LMr240 is 6mm, so a pretty tight fit as well depending how you run the cable.

 

[sarguy1941]

the Larsen NMO is the best for this application. Antenna Farm has them terminated with a Mini-UHF HERE

Buy a PL259-Mini UHF Adapter for your radio (if it requires PL259) and its a simple install. I used the Rugged Radio Mount and drilled it out to 3/4.

 

[Radio Guy]

If you use a trunk lip mount on the hood near the hinges there is no drilling and the antenna sits up higher with less interference from the hood. Here is a big Larsen dual band amateur 2m/70cm on my hood mount.

 

[Bobba]

So, in my previous jeep (14 JK Rubicon RIP) all I ever used was an FT60 handheld with a Diamond NGP antenna on a spare tire carrier mount. Worked great mostly because there are so many ham repeaters in this area. But, for as many repeaters there is, there is very little radio traffic during the day. So after a little GRMS research, I programmed the Ft60 and my FTM400 (base) to receive the GRMS channels. Wow, what a difference! Constant chatter and not just businesses and little kids but conversations about everything under the sun. So, I ordered a Wouxon UV9G Pro (handheld) that should be arriving any day now. I'll be ordering a NGP GRMS antenna for the Gladiator ( the reason for all my stupid questions in this thread) and seeing how I like GRMS overall. Then possibley a real mobile radio. I'll still be able to switch antennas and talk on 2M/440 whenever.

 

[CrazyCooter]

Have a look at this antenna that claims to cover all uhf/vhf bands. I have yet to check mine with the antenna analyzer, but the local radio shop owner swears by them. https://www.dxengineering.com/parts/cma-ca-2x4sr

 

[Radio Guy]

Have a look at this antenna that claims to cover all uhf/vhf bands. I have yet to check mine with the antenna analyzer, but the local radio shop owner swears by them. https://www.dxengineering.com/parts/cma-ca-2x4sr

I know a few serious radio guys who have tried these and while they do match ok over a wide range, the performance is not that great. On the amateur bands a Larsen NMO2/70B works noticeably better. I guess you give a little here to get more there.....

 

[CrazyCooter]

I know a few serious radio guys who have tried these and while they do match ok over a wide range, the performance is not that great. On the amateur bands a Larsen NMO2/70B works noticeably better. I guess you give a little here to get more there.....

Ya, I've got just about every imaginable NMO mobile antenna for what I do, but this one lives on the JT as an all around compact solution. No free lunch for sure!

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