magnetic to nmo question

[roggom]

I have a Midland MXT275 with a magnetic mount. I have it sitting on a ditch light bracket on my hood and I get pretty good range. It uses the stock magnetic antenna, I have it RTV'd to the base to secure it a bit better. I was thinking to convert it to NMO for a more permanent mount, I have a Midland 3db ghost antenna and have a base. The coax is 1/8 from the factory at about 14' that I have payed out back and forth in the trimwell. 

 

Can I just cut the cable and solder in the new NMO mount. or does it require a certain thickness/ impedance cable for NMO. The current configuration gives me enough range for my purposes, but I would like something that is fastened to the bracket. 

 

Also If I do cut the cable, should I reduce the length? I currently only have a SWR meter that I used with my CB's back in the day. Not sure if I need another type of meter. 

 

Thanks

[mbrun]

Yes, you may cut the cable and solder it to a new mount. Yes, you may reduce the length of the cable to suit your needs. You merely need to make sure are properly terminated and the end of the coax is adequately protected from moisture ingress.

 

Michael

WRHS965

KE8PLM

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[gortex2]

Or just order an nmo mount with the cable. You will spend almost as much just for the mount

[n4gix]

Not mentioned yet, but you cannot use a "CB" meter for a UHF radio!

[Jones]

Just buy an NMO mount with pre-installed RG-58u coax cable. You would be surprised at how much power you are losing in that cheap 1/8 inch coax from Midland.

 

...and as N4GIX just said, don't try to use a CB type SWR meter on UHF.  1/4 wave antennas and "ghost" style antennas aren't tunable anyway, so you won't need a meter.

[roggom]

Thanks everyone for the responses.