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Topsy NMO Mount

DansJT

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For those who have used the Topsy NMO fender mount, I’m having an issue getting normal NMO assemblies to go through the hole. It’s cut at 3/4” diameter which is correct, but most NMO mounts are meant for the thin metal thickness of a vehicle roof. This mount is much thicker and doesn’t allow an NMO to angle in and mount in the hole. Has anyone else ran into this? I assume a thick-mount NMO is required?
Jeep Gladiator Topsy NMO Mount 2DAC8B87-0A83-4654-A614-C9C78D4C663F
Jeep Gladiator Topsy NMO Mount 863452C1-D823-43A9-804C-9470850872CE
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DougM55

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I had the same problem. I ended up buying a reaming bit for my dremel to make it a little larger.
 

LostWoods

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This might be a cable/mount issue because I have two brackets from Topsy on the Jeep and they're both fine with standard thickness Larsen NMOs.

I'd suggest one of those because not only do I know they work, they're also sealed so you don't have to deal with water and corrosion working its way into your feed line. You'll be running that cable again in a year or two if you don't seal off the bottom properly.
 

radioinstl

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This might be a cable/mount issue because I have two brackets from Topsy on the Jeep and they're both fine with standard thickness Larsen NMOs.

I'd suggest one of those because not only do I know they work, they're also sealed so you don't have to deal with water and corrosion working its way into your feed line. You'll be running that cable again in a year or two if you don't seal off the bottom properly.
For those who have used the Topsy NMO fender mount, I’m having an issue getting normal NMO assemblies to go through the hole. It’s cut at 3/4” diameter which is correct, but most NMO mounts are meant for the thin metal thickness of a vehicle roof. This mount is much thicker and doesn’t allow an NMO to angle in and mount in the hole. Has anyone else ran into this? I assume a thick-mount NMO is required?
Jeep Gladiator Topsy NMO Mount 863452C1-D823-43A9-804C-9470850872CE
Jeep Gladiator Topsy NMO Mount 863452C1-D823-43A9-804C-9470850872CE
They make a thick panel NMO mount that would work. To add to that, keep in mind that you VSWR and performance with that mount will suck. It will not provide enough ground plane for any real application.
 

LostWoods

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They make a thick panel NMO mount that would work. To add to that, keep in mind that you VSWR and performance with that mount will suck. It will not provide enough ground plane for any real application.
Works better than you'd think but unfortunately, there's just no good options on the truck aside from doing a roof rack with an aluminum plate on it or a dedicated HF mast. Fiberglass roof problems I guess because I'd much rather just drill the hole.
 

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DansJT

DansJT

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That’s too bad. I’m doing quite the radio install.
Jeep Gladiator Topsy NMO Mount A7C189B6-86B1-4B8D-BB41-7A0DBF1A6C59
 
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DansJT

DansJT

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Good news, I found a Larsen NMO and it worked. The space intended for the thin metal car roof was much more wider than the Laird and it fit the mount perfectly. The Larsen part number is NMOKHFUD25.
Jeep Gladiator Topsy NMO Mount C569D38B-C2A9-4D4B-95D5-FAA1A5F62FBE
 

LostWoods

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Totally forgot the side of the larsen was notched... that's exactly why it worked vs the others I'd bet.

I'd recommend some shrink tubing with the adhesive inside over that end. It will help reinforce and weather seal it.
 

sarguy1941

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Dan which radio ? I have run all the cables for my 8500 in my JT but trying to find/build a mount to hold both the O3 and the CMX control heads.
 
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DansJT

DansJT

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I wish my radio was an APX! It’s just an XTL5000. I volunteer with a SAR team and we use VHF. Our county has a 700MHz phase II system and they’ve patched a talk group to our analog repeater. So it’s kinda like being on an APX :)
 

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radioinstl

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Dan which radio ? I have run all the cables for my 8500 in my JT but trying to find/build a mount to hold both the O3 and the CMX control heads.
I am currently running a dual radio O7 with a VHF APX4500 as the primary and a all band APX8500 as the secondary in a HRR set up. I will post pics for you next week
 

sarguy1941

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I am currently running a dual radio O7 with a VHF APX4500 as the primary and a all band APX8500 as the secondary in a HRR set up. I will post pics for you next week
Id like to see where you mounted the O7 head. I have a dual deck 7500 in my JK but couldn't find anyplace to put the head in the JT. Would rather have a full function head but its not critical.
 

radioinstl

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Id like to see where you mounted the O7 head. I have a dual deck 7500 in my JK but couldn't find anyplace to put the head in the JT. Would rather have a full function head but its not critical.
FB5BFA65-8E8F-4894-A314-86BE643AC885.jpeg


21E0749A-3DCA-455C-995B-770ABF1293C8.jpeg


EF27C5C9-0CCD-4F15-942B-6D9D5D291B6E.jpeg


B37BF6E3-D88F-45F1-9A64-178FE161C30C.jpeg


095B0663-06A9-40FF-976F-E9E3D82CEF06.jpeg


B0EDF5BD-2753-41F1-B47F-7E2B8FCDD217.jpeg
 

sarguy1941

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Is that the motorcycle cover on the head ? I had thought to mount mine there but wasn't a fan of it right on top center.
 

radioinstl

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Is that the motorcycle cover on the head ? I had thought to mount mine there but wasn't a fan of it right on top center.
67 designs rail with standard mounting bracket and motorcycle sun shield
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