Shortest 2-meter 70 cm mobile Antenna?

[RIPPER238]

Love monitoring these bands but my GMRS ghost antenna (or mini Midland) just doesn't hack it and the few i have seen that can do 2m & 70cm aren't rated well. My garage really only has enough clearance for a ghost antenna so maybe there is another option that's super short? 

I would rather not have to fold or remove since i do have a CA-2X4SR when i don't need my garage.  

[tcp2525]

2 hours ago, RIPPER238 said:

 

Got the Comet SBB-1 NMO and a RB-700N NMO mount so i can mount on my hatch so it will clear the garage, but the antenna doesn't screw all the way down. 

 

There is a washer inside the antenna mount part that i think is supposed to be their:

 

And the antenna tightened all the way has a little space:

 

Is that a problem? 

 

No, not an issue as it's partly the design of the Comet antenna as it has a very short threaded section. And the magnet mount has higher threads than what a Comet  mount would supply. You have the rubber gasket inside the comet antenna to protect from getting water into the antenna base. And threaded part has an O-ring underneath the threaded section to prevent water getting into the coax of the magnet mount. That said, water will only get on the threads on the base and the antenna, but not into the parts that matter.

[RIPPER238]

2 minutes ago, tcp2525 said:

No, not an issue as it's partly the design of the Comet antenna as it has a very short threaded section. And the magnet mount has higher threads than what a Comet  mount would supply. You have the rubber gasket inside the comet antenna to protect from getting water into the antenna base. And threaded part has an O-ring underneath the threaded section to prevent water getting into the coax of the magnet mount. That said, water will only get on the threads on the base and the antenna, but not into the parts that matter.

Okay, i'll switch it back the way it came. Kind of what i thought initially but was not sure since the gap was big. I have some rubber grommets coming so ill throw one on. 

Should i throw on some Dielectric grease for good measure? 

[tcp2525]

15 minutes ago, RIPPER238 said:

Okay, i'll switch it back the way it came. Kind of what i thought initially but was not sure since the gap was big. I have some rubber grommets coming so ill throw one on. 

Should i throw on some Dielectric grease for good measure? 

I would not add any more rubber grommets as you're looking for trouble. The Nagoya mount, which is crap, will work as is and prevent water getting in, but it is more ideal to have it seat properly. If you can return the Nagoya for a refund and get an original Comet mount as it will mate up perfectly.

Oops, brain fart. I meant trunk lip mount.

https://www.dxengineering.com/parts/cma-cp-5nmo

[WRYZ926]

But is the center conductor of the antenna making good contact with the center of the NMO mount?

[RIPPER238]

Just now, WRYZ926 said:

But is the center conductor of the antenna making good contact with the center of the NMO mount?

Yes, definitely as it came. Just didn't screw down all the way.  

[RIPPER238]

10 minutes ago, tcp2525 said:

I would not add any more rubber grommets as you're looking for trouble. The Nagoya mount, which is crap, will work as is and prevent water getting in, but it is more ideal to have it seat properly. If you can return the Nagoya for a refund and get an original Comet mount as it will mate up perfectly.

Oops, brain fart. I meant trunk lip mount.

https://www.dxengineering.com/parts/cma-cp-5nmo

That's the mount i initially looked at. Technically there are no rubber grommets on the Nagoya mount. But i think returning may be a better idea. 

[tcp2525]

23 minutes ago, RIPPER238 said:

That's the mount i initially looked at. Technically there are no rubber grommets on the Nagoya mount. But i think returning may be a better idea. 

The O-ring that I am talking about is a standard design of the NMO mount as it seals between the mount and the sheet metal of the vehicle when you punch a 3/4" hole in your roof.. You just don't see it. The problem I see with the Nagoya is the mount in your picture looks like it is taller by one thread count compared to the Comet. It's best to stick with Comet as there products are top notch.

[RIPPER238]

Ordered the Comet CP-5NMO!

Thanks for not letting me totally fail guys! 

 

On a side note are Tram mag mounts any good? 

[tcp2525]

8 minutes ago, RIPPER238 said:

On a side note are Tram mag mounts any good? 

I don't know as I never used one. You will be happy with the Comet mount. Let us know when you get it installed. 

[Raybestos]

My favorite low-profile antenna has always been the Comet B-10 NMO.  It is about 12" tall and performs very well on 2m and 70cm.

[RIPPER238]

Just received Comet CP-5NMO from DX and this is so well made and so well thought out. Should be a breeze to install especially with the thinner gauge at the mount end. Bummer it's going to be in the teens for the next few weeks, way too cold for an install, but will give me plenty of time to plan. 

 

 

DX sent me some cool stickers too. Happy about that as well. lol