Mobile Radio Antenna Mount Installation 2015 Nissan Frontier 

We did NMO mounts in 9 of our trucks. We found that by using a star washer under the NMO mount, before the brass teeth of the NMO, where it meets the inside of the cab to get a bite through the zinc coating and through the paint gave us a more solid ground. We were experiencing tons of static, assuming ground loop noise was the culprit. Granted, now all our trucks are also tinned copper braid strapped to death. Cab to bed, bed to frame, cab to frame, both hood hinges and other places are bonded. No doubt we are using every last horizontal surface to provide us with a larger ground plane. Truly gave us optimal performance we actually noticed in areas where usually we had trouble. Sometimes the brass teeth on the NMO mounts don't quite get through the paint. At least not the Laird MB8X, RG8X coax assembly from Antennex, or Arcadia. We opted out of, and completely removed all of our original RG58/u and RG58-A/U assemblies completely. Theyre in the trash. We found those were susceptible to noise. A solid copper core coax was ideal, for us at least. Not the easiest to fish because its much stiffer than a braided center, but seeing as we were only going from dead center of our F150s, 4 door, rooftops down the middle pillar to center consoles. It wasn't that tough. It's when we had our old coax assemblies running down the front pillars that were the pain and crossing through noisy areas just above the fuse block passenger side kick plate... The fun part was taking out 9 old coax assemblies to re-install the MB8X RG8x Laird coax assemblies. All is quiet and much better. But thats just us. ALSO HOT TIP:: we were told by an Antennex/laird tech to put a very small dot of Dielectric grease on the center tip of the NMO where the center core of the antenna meets the small center in the middle of NMO mount. We never knew this was even necessary and it's not, he says, but we work ay 9000 ft in the rockies and snow just sets on our roofs daily and for hours. He says what it does is keeps moisture from getting between that connection, the ground part, not a big deal. Honestly, if its sealed like I assume it should be, we felt that was a but redundant but hey, ya never know. We did it anyway with dielectric grease leftovers from our grounding/bonding fiasco. Bu radios for us are CRITCAL. When youre at 9,000 ft, and blowing 70 mph at -17 getting caught out there at 6 am all alone and having to walk for help with no comms can kill ya. We went with radios after an incident that nearly took a man's life. He thought for sure he was a goner. Whilst walking, in a rural mountain area with zero traffic he was actually making peace with god with every step. Lukcily! A sheriff was patrolling at that time, had he not, we would have lost that man. Hes now our Foreman and sits in dispatch, we love that guy.

This is one of the most informative videos I've seen yet on NMO mounting in a vehicle. I've seen so many other install videos where no one has touched on there being a specific drill bit for an NMO mount, a plug to cover it up if it's removed and a cap to cover it for car washes and such.Very good info to have, thank you.

Good video, couple of things, first, don't rock the drill bit, that's a good way to get an oval hole, (I'm an ex aircraft structural mechanic) I've drilled hundreds of thousands of holes, and yes, the tape is a good idea... Second, always check the underlying structure first, you got lucky with being able to Dremel... I generally take the coax down the pillar to the rear of the door, then either forward along the threshold, or cross at the back of the seat under the carpet and then forward, it helps sometimes preventing rfi from other car systems, also try not to run the power parallel to car harness in close proximity, and leave enough in a coil to install a choke near the radio. Lastly, why even go through the trouble of removing an NMO mount when you sell a vehicle? Take the antenna, install the rain cap yes, just tuck the cabling back out of the way as much as possible...

1. Drill a 3/4" hole in the vehicle with antenna hole cutting saw, Motorola part # RPX-4378A, and remove all burrs. The antenna hole saw will remove paint in a narrow ring around hole to assure good metal contact between vehicle and mount.

You took the time to remove the trim on the A pillar and such, take a few more minutes and pull the headliner down to see where the cross braces are. You got off easily, sometimes, when you drill into them, you can't fish a cable through. Also, as other folks have said, try to refrain from brushing the metal shavings across the roof. A vacuum or even a magnet wrap in a piece of cloth works.

Looks good and clean. I wouldn't worry about those rubber gaskets that goes around the outside of the mount. I have found sometimes it creates contact issues with the antenna and mount so I normally just toss them in the parts box :)

Very nicely done! I'm nervous to put in my first mag-mount antenna on my '03 clunker and your drilling holes in your '15 roof :-)

They issued us these isolation VDC probes so we don't inadvertently set off an airbag while probing for 12 vdc. These newer vehicles is becoming a bit harder to find ignition switched vdc. I sorta didn't want to watch this vid because it reminds me of work, but I bit the bullet for the cause. Great presentation..

Nice. Considering that on my 2018 Frontier. Currently my VHF-UHF antenna is on the left cowl.

Nice installation job. The only thing I see wrong is your using a dust broom to clean the filings.. use compressed air so you don't leave scratches.

I just bought the same truck, 2012, contemplating my radio and antenna install

Another great video. I've always liked the NMO antenna mounts, but they never really took off here in Australia.

great job . I did the same method mounting / wiring for light bar on xterra

I have had issues with the filings sticking to the clearcoat finish, I cover the area now to catch the filings.

Instead of silicone, you can use Vaseline. I use Vaseline on bulk head fittings in large aquariums, has never leaked. It's easier to work with when you have to take a cap off, no fighting with difficult to remove silicone.

Nice clean and thorough install....well documented too. I just put an Icom IC-2730a in my truck, didn't drill the roof as I found a really neat hood lip mount made specifically for my vehicle. There's a video on my channel. Anyways, good stuff....I always look forward to your uploads.

i finally got around to doing this with the "help" of my neighbor. holes seem to be just a tad too large, to the point where the inner thread can actually fall in the hole. once i put on the outer thread portion of the nmo mount, it seemed like the finger grabbed, and the mount seems nice and tight. i was going to purchase the nmo l brackets, cut off the l portion, and use them like reinforcement plates. i went with pulse/larsen dual band vhf/uhf antenna. i like the way they use the nmo oring, and an additional seal for the antenna base.

Nice clean installation looks good with good grounding.

How long does the greese last for? Is that a biannual maintenance?

Yet another great video. How long did it take you to do the actual work? I know it is a little slower due to commentary, but just curious on how much time I should budget for my install. I know the true answer is 'it depends' but I wasn't sure if this is an evening project or if I should just set aside a Saturday morning/early afternoon.

Very nice, have you or did you consider the Tram 1180? Twice as tall and tuned a little tighter for Ham.

The antenna mount should be grounded. Need to grind off some paint on the underside. Install with some anti-ox to prevent oxidation.

Where did you get the cable. You didn't mention that. I need to get the cable with the connector.

Very well done. About the band aids, we used to call that "Comms by Gillette" when I was in the service.

What is the benefit of the NMO mount over my mag mount I have? I've been thinking of getting the NMO but not sure. I also noticed you put your dual band antenna closer to the front of the cab. Is there benefit to that? I currently have my mag mount towards the back by the cargo light. Thanks for the great videos.

Hope they have revised the bit to have a Teflon stop ring since this. Maybe place a magnet in a plastic bag near by to catch the metal chips.

Doesn't the Icom pick up GMRS Freqs too? Why do you need two antennas or two radios? Did you install another radio or a switch for the antennas? I have a TYT-9800 that is quad band and the quad Antenna is really tall. I'm thinking about installing two antennas for it instead.

I found out Harbor Freight makes a unibit that goes from 1/8 to 3/4 inch and deburrs- it has a apex shank so and cordless drive works.Stuff a roll of duct tape between the roof and headliner so you dont drill into the headliner.

It would have been really helpful if you'd showed the process of getting the cable down into the car and along the headliner from the back to front...

Great video, only thing I have a question about is about not wanting to remove paint. Wouldn't you want some exposed sheet metal around the hole to prove a good ground? just curious. as always thank you for all videos

Jesús i have a NF 2006, and I don't want made a hold in the midel uf the top of the roof, is there any other place to put the antenna

I read somewhere years ago to use dielectric grease on the antenna mount. Does anyone use that? I don't hear much about it.

I use 2 NMO mounts for my antennas as well lucky for me i Bought a Used 2010 Crown Vic Police Interceptor and the holes were already drilled and has coax clips all along both sides of car under the trim pieces. Good looking install

I use a cold chisel of the correct diameter than give it a really sharp whack with a 5 pound hammer. Makes a hole every time. Oh, I crack me up! The sign of a >real< ham, one who isn't afraid to solidly mount an antenna to the roof of his/her vehicle. Good job!

What about the rear antenna? You didn't really show anything other than drilling the hole. So far as I know you have to drop the headliner to get back there yet you seemed to have a hand inside holding the NMO connector. I have a Frontier so I am curious about that.

I've got a 2013 Frontier and am going to be doing exactly what you've done, so thanks for the well-done video. One question: How did you determine where to drill the holes? I assume my roof will be fairly similar to yours, with cross-bracing that I'd like to avoid if at all possible, so I don't end up having to Dremel out a notch or worse so the NMO mounts fits properly. I've tried using a big magnet on the headliner, but I can't seem to find any metal that way. Can you give me some measurements relative to the roof ribs that run from about halfway back on the roof back to the third brakelight. Any other tips that might make it possible for me to drill it right the first time? BTW, at this point I'm only drilling one hole, hopefully somewhere near the "RF center" of the roof. Thanks! Mike

Great job ... it takes some blls to drill into your vehicle .....

Excellent, very good clean job on video & truck

2 thumbs up can't wait til next video 😎

5:44 Scratches paint using the broom

Thanks for sharing ! I posted a video on this a week or so back using a chassis punch and a unibit. How do you like the antennex saw ? Many of the installs I have done require thick materials mounts and the shouldered hole saw wouldn't work. Thanks again !

i am just getting into ham. i am debating if i want to do this exact type of instalation on my 2013 tacoma

I'm having SWR issues with a quad band antenna on a trunk lip. I've always been against drilling holes in my car, but I've begun to realize it's part of the hobby and I'm not keeping the forever anyway. That being said Im hinking of using seperate NMO antennas. Are NMO mounts usually good for keeping SWRs down?

Dude! Wish you could have recorded the actual removal of panels. Good vid. Hope I don't screw up my car! LOL

I was watching your video trying to figure out why you needed two antennas. After watching you did say this one is for the ID 5100. What’s the other antenna for. Is it for another Radio.? Thanks for making the video. I hope you have a blessed week sir. Dale. KI5ARH.

help. uniden 880 bear cat. antenna is failing. no coms. only weather channel. adjustable tip, aluminum L-bracket. mounted RR body of jeep wrangler.

Fine business. Thanks for the tutorial.

Is the rubber gasket that fits in between the mount and antenna really needed? My antenna didn't come with it

Cant seem to find an NMO mount kit like yours. Help please?

Do you hear much on the GMRS frequencies?

This is an excellent video, thank you very much!

Chassis punch makes the worlds cleanest hole. Most don't like to use them because it requires access to both sides of the roof.

Very nice!

Looks good, Hank! I always get nervous when I think about punching holes in my roof!

Hi Hank, is PCTel your go-to vendor for nmo mounts? 73, de kk4zuu (david)

very nice man . well done.

Where can you buy the rubber plugs?

for those paranoid about drilling holes and resale of the vehicles don't worry, ive sold around 20 different cars/trucks in 40 years and never lost a dime due to a hole some times 3 holes in the top or trunk or sides.(jeeps)

Of course I use mag and trunk/lip mounts only, I just don't like to drill holes. Just in case you don't get a good seal or it loses it seal. KA9WLU Nice installation though.

You need some Husky floor liners in that truck..

good job

Nice job !

Nylon brush, metal shavings, and Windex....what did your paint ever do to you ? :P

5:45 nice scratch on the paint.very nice!

Something you don't want to hear: "Wait, what this isn't your pickup, it's the red one?

WHOA! You have to back me up, I get band aids on just about anything I do and my wife makes fun of me. This is NORMAL when you do things yourself! Anyway, nice video, I need to do this to my truck. I'm just nervous about taking down the headliner inside.

why not use a 3/8" nmo mount vs the 3/4"? use a smaller hole and the mount with never pull through the hole.

WHERE IS THE NYLON WASHER THAT GOES IN THE MIDDLE???

Metal filings brushed against the paint. Ouch!

I'm trying to remove them antennas off my car... Amd they hard to take off

You might want to disconnect the battery cable to reduce the possibility of accidental air bag deployment.

Measure twice drill once - what if you hit wires up there airbag wires? Boom! Vacuum cleaner while drilling please.

5:28 "Do this gently so they don't scratch the finish". 5:45 *scratch*

Maybe it is just me but I cringe at the sight of drilling a hole into that shiny roof... I would prefer a simple mag mount for antenna mounts.

Hole punch is much cleaner. That’s what professional installers use.

you really need to put some rust treatment on that bare metal.

It's an O-ring, not a "grommet"

YOU MUST LAY IT OUT BEFORE YOU START DAHHHH

I'd be pissed if I purchased a truck someone drilled a damn hole in then just put a plug in its place.

That must be a Harbor Freight drill or something. It wasn't very good. But, I already cringe when seeing you drill a hole in a truck.

I would never drill a freaking hole in my 06 Silverado like that,a bull bar with a bracket is going to work for me.