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Antenna pucks? What are and what are their use?
- Thread starter CrashRecovery
- Start date
Mr Coily makes a 4" http://mrcoilycom1.ipower.com/id29.htm
6" http://mrcoilycom1.ipower.com/id21.htm
Motorized with mag mounts rippoff http://mrcoilycom1.ipower.com/id15.htm
Stargun made some nice pucks I have 2 I am not using that I removed like 6 years ago when I got rid of my mini van
6" http://mrcoilycom1.ipower.com/id21.htm
Motorized with mag mounts rippoff http://mrcoilycom1.ipower.com/id15.htm
Stargun made some nice pucks I have 2 I am not using that I removed like 6 years ago when I got rid of my mini van
There’s a fair amount of what appears to be well-made items.
The 102” (9”) whip adjustable riser, though, only shows (1) set screw. (2) would be seem to be better given forces acting at highway speeds (this is a question).
Continual, warping, 100-mph winds aren’t uncommon on some long days at the wheel (road speed plus Great Plains climate). Areas with windmill electricity.
The PROCOMM Quad Wrap pair I own feature (2) set screws for a top-load antenna stinger of just a few inches.
Maybe one set screw is enough. Just doesn’t seem so.
Remember that you posted this is CB antennas, don't get too many inquires for NMO mounts for CB radios...
But since you brought up LARSEN - are you using one for 10 meter or CB?
NMO is low loss mount designed by Motorola for their part in making antenna systems and mounts for effective connections in which to BROADEN the surface area that will bear loads - like wind - overhangs - typical abuse antennas get in mobile environments. There are other factors like insulator spacing and lifetime connection losses incurred thru quick disconnects versus permanent thru shaft mounts.
You may have already experienced the "broken bolt" from a 3/8-24" stud snapping off or have a big hole torn into your roofline or the Mag mount magnet "cracking" in two because of the stress and torque you get from the whipping effects of motion...
So if they are recommending you to use an NMO - that's good question as to the why - for most of the CB realm has used, as far as most effective, not necessarily efficient - mounts have been to use the 3/8-24" approach.
When it comes to LARSEN, they don't normally cater to the 11 meter crowd - but I imagine they had a good reason to tell you to switch to an NMO mount...if your an Amateur looking for low-loss swappable mounts.
So I'm curious as to what you told them in what you wanted to install?
But since you brought up LARSEN - are you using one for 10 meter or CB?
NMO is low loss mount designed by Motorola for their part in making antenna systems and mounts for effective connections in which to BROADEN the surface area that will bear loads - like wind - overhangs - typical abuse antennas get in mobile environments. There are other factors like insulator spacing and lifetime connection losses incurred thru quick disconnects versus permanent thru shaft mounts.
You may have already experienced the "broken bolt" from a 3/8-24" stud snapping off or have a big hole torn into your roofline or the Mag mount magnet "cracking" in two because of the stress and torque you get from the whipping effects of motion...
So if they are recommending you to use an NMO - that's good question as to the why - for most of the CB realm has used, as far as most effective, not necessarily efficient - mounts have been to use the 3/8-24" approach.
When it comes to LARSEN, they don't normally cater to the 11 meter crowd - but I imagine they had a good reason to tell you to switch to an NMO mount...if your an Amateur looking for low-loss swappable mounts.
So I'm curious as to what you told them in what you wanted to install?
HA, I’d recommend (and did) an NMO roof mount for the simplicity of a “short” antenna (NMO27 @ 49”), and the well-understood quality of LARSEN products. (Or LAIRD).
At the outset, I believe it a (relative) better choice than trying to hang a 3/8 on the side of a pickup truck cab protector. Or even a stake pocket mount with a 102”.
An NMO Mount covers a pretty good range of other radios besides CB.
There’s the potential of “better” performance with taller antennas, but a base-load with flexible whip is pretty much king for typical family or business use in a metro area on the roof of a pickup.
My pickup (SRW) is maybe 5’8”’tall. So, 68”. If I added the 51” LAIRD C27S, I’m at ten feet for all real purposes.
One can — in my experience — get around pretty well with that, avoiding some drive-thrus, and removing it at a parking garage.
If a taller antenna is desired, there are adaptors. (Key to the choice).
The radio that gets used is the one where the antenna remains mounted. Always ready.
If you (anyone) think the adaptor should be done from the other direction (3/8 mount with an adaptor fitting an NMO antenna ), I’d be all ears.
.
At the outset, I believe it a (relative) better choice than trying to hang a 3/8 on the side of a pickup truck cab protector. Or even a stake pocket mount with a 102”.
An NMO Mount covers a pretty good range of other radios besides CB.
There’s the potential of “better” performance with taller antennas, but a base-load with flexible whip is pretty much king for typical family or business use in a metro area on the roof of a pickup.
My pickup (SRW) is maybe 5’8”’tall. So, 68”. If I added the 51” LAIRD C27S, I’m at ten feet for all real purposes.
One can — in my experience — get around pretty well with that, avoiding some drive-thrus, and removing it at a parking garage.
If a taller antenna is desired, there are adaptors. (Key to the choice).
The radio that gets used is the one where the antenna remains mounted. Always ready.
If you (anyone) think the adaptor should be done from the other direction (3/8 mount with an adaptor fitting an NMO antenna ), I’d be all ears.
.
Slowmover replied so that answered your question about recommendations.
The other parts to this equation is I have accessories that I have added and or on the wish list for the truck that have limited the options for antenna mounting options. I also have a 2019 ford superduty so no mag mounts for me. I know it's been suggested that magnets could be glued to the underside of the roof to assist the mag mount to stick to the truck. I look at it in a few different ways. First the Larsen and the NMO mount can be placed dead center of my cab. Second thing is I have one more emergency light setup that I need to mount. The whelen liberty light bar will fit perfectly on the top of my Magnum Headache rack. Moving the antenna from the rack will prevent me from having to bond all the body panels together and adding an bunch of unnecessary grounding straps to the truck.
The Larsen can be used for both 10 and 11 meter bands. It just needs to be tuned properly. Also if I'm pulling the headliner to glue a magnet on the roof, I might as well drill the hole in the roof and install some higher quality coax.
Wow, ok, two birds, and didn't even need the stone!
Ok, so the NMO is viable for you.
Also good to know about the mounting - at least you know where you're headed...
As far as NMO mounts and "plate thickness" if you can spare any extra metal up there of 22AWG thickness or greater, that goes a long way is beefing up the mount the larger the sheet you can fit in between the NMO's top and your trucks finish metal (internally) - to the NMO ring that "screws in and bites metal" will help immensely.
A Punch as per @Slowmover - is a necessity to get a clean cut without too many burrs.
Ok, guys, I'll be back in the bushes - with the birds...
Ok, so the NMO is viable for you.
Also good to know about the mounting - at least you know where you're headed...
As far as NMO mounts and "plate thickness" if you can spare any extra metal up there of 22AWG thickness or greater, that goes a long way is beefing up the mount the larger the sheet you can fit in between the NMO's top and your trucks finish metal (internally) - to the NMO ring that "screws in and bites metal" will help immensely.
A Punch as per @Slowmover - is a necessity to get a clean cut without too many burrs.
Ok, guys, I'll be back in the bushes - with the birds...
I had originally started with a thread about adding a grounding strap to the current setup. And things ballooned from there. And I started a side conversation with slowmover asking questions and what not. Like your signature says this has been all about the research and to gain knowledge. 18 year old me didn't have much back then. My wiser older coworker spoon fed me everything I needed to get up and running. He wrote the list I took to the radio shop in Newington Ct, i grew up outside of Hartford Ct, handed it to the guy and said "my buddy Dirty Harry" said to ask for you and to hand you this list. I hooked everything up and went about my business. I didn't ask questions back then, I should have. Now at 42 I've learned and I am able to wait and prepare for a project.
I had read thru that thread and to see the Segue over to NMO mounts...it's not often do you spoon feed a baby into a child and suddenly they're demanding WIKI and a set of Britannica's and are receiving Interests from Harvard.
I'm quite honored that you didn't scoff or even show any tendency of anger towards me for myself being the odd-man out - in more ways than usual...rare treat amongst the crew we have here.
I believe that @Slowmover m his efforts are taking you in the right direction. I'm glad to know that we have people like him, and you, posting out here willing to share your efforts and progress no matter the stakes.
It's definitely a win-win situation!
I'll be here to help pick up any pieces or 'spack any holes that may form...
I've been around Forums since my 20s. Started with my full size Bronco and processed to get worse when I bought my first superduty. I've seen the attacks and nastiness on the forums, it's not what I joined a forum for. I join a forum to have the ability to learn, share my knowledge and share projects. The latest forum that I have been involved with the longest is the one for Flite Test. It's an RC aircraft company that started in the basement/garage of a guys house doing silly rc plane stuff and reviews to now designing epp foam planes and other designs, their own brand of rc electronics, and the best part is they bought a golf course and half of it is going to be turned into a rc aircraft recreational location. The people on that forum are the nicest people you will ever meet. It's rare for anger to show up, and someone is always willing to help.
Oh and forgot to mention the event that is held annually in Ohio. One of the senior members of the company convinced his parents to host the event on their personal property. Every year around 5,000 people invade these kind hearted peoples property to fly rc planes. Except for the minor grass damage from driving cars on the grass that is on either side of the owners grass runway, there isnt a speck of trash left when everyone leaves. It's the most amazing thing I have ever been involved in. Not to mention the event is mainly run by an army of volunteers who take care of everything. From setting up the electrical infrastructure to running the registration system, it's all volunteer run. We even have people come from other countries. Australia, Japan, Germany, Norway just to name a few.
But I digress. I come looking for knowledge, if I didn't take the time to understand what is being told or suggested, it's no different then never joining the site.
Oh and forgot to mention the event that is held annually in Ohio. One of the senior members of the company convinced his parents to host the event on their personal property. Every year around 5,000 people invade these kind hearted peoples property to fly rc planes. Except for the minor grass damage from driving cars on the grass that is on either side of the owners grass runway, there isnt a speck of trash left when everyone leaves. It's the most amazing thing I have ever been involved in. Not to mention the event is mainly run by an army of volunteers who take care of everything. From setting up the electrical infrastructure to running the registration system, it's all volunteer run. We even have people come from other countries. Australia, Japan, Germany, Norway just to name a few.
But I digress. I come looking for knowledge, if I didn't take the time to understand what is being told or suggested, it's no different then never joining the site.