HT in the Truck: Mag Mount, NMO, or Relocation?
You want to use your handheld radio in the truck, but leaving the antenna attached means it is constantly poking the headliner or getting in the way of your cup holders. We are going to look at three ways to solve this: magnetic mounts, drilled NMO mounts, and relocation kits. Built for hard work.
Three ways to get your handheld into the vehicle
Magnetic mounts A magnetic mount is a temporary base with a coax cable running to your handheld or mobile radio. It is great for rental cars, borrowed trucks, or if you just want to test things out before drilling a hole. You do need to watch out for paint damage, poor ground-plane connections, and the coax cable getting messy. Wind and trail brush can also knock them loose.
Drilled NMO mounts This is a permanent vehicle mount that gives you a proper ground plane. It is the best choice for your own truck, daily driving, and long miles on the trail. You need to take your time during installation, and you should always verify the SWR on your specific roof.
Relocation kits A relocation kit lets you keep the radio exactly where you want it while moving the antenna to your backpack, shoulder, or the vehicle's grab handle. It is ideal if you still want the flexibility of carrying the radio with you on foot. You will need to figure out how to route the cable and make sure you have the correct adapters to fit your radio.
Magnetic mounts and their limits
Magnetic mounts are popular because you can easily take them off. They work fine for temporary use, but they have some real limits. How well they connect to your vehicle's ground plane depends on the shape of your roof, your paint, and exactly where you place the magnet. Plus, tree branches, car washes, and highway speeds can easily push a light mount around.
You also still have to make sure the coax cable and connectors actually fit your handheld radio. It does not get you out of figuring out your SMA and BNC adapter situation. Treat a magnetic mount as a temporary fix, and then decide if you want a permanent NMO installation or a relocation cable for carrying on your pack.
NMO mounts and the Maximus Mobile
Our Maximus Mobile is an NMO dual-band 2m/70cm vehicle antenna. We build these by hand in Idaho using heavy-duty 3mm NiTi wire. If you want to use a magnetic base, you will need to buy that separately. Please note that this is a vehicle antenna, not a handheld BNC antenna. If you need a BNC antenna for your handheld radio, you will want to look at our Maximus, Guardian, or Minimus models.
Maximus Mobile for NMO dual-band
The 3mm NiTi wire gives you plenty of spring-back when you hit branches on the trail. We pre-tune these for dual-band use on a standard center-roof ground plane, but you should always verify the SWR on your own installation. If you want to learn more about roof setups, check out our offroad and overland NMO guide.
Relocating your antenna
Sometimes you want to keep the radio on your belt or your dash, but you need the antenna to sit higher up on your pack, shoulder, or a headrest. A relocation cable is a great way to do this without forcing a permanent roof antenna before you are ready for one.
If you want to read more about this setup, take a look at our antenna relocation kit for handheld radios article. Just remember that you still need to match your SMA and BNC connections, which you can figure out using our adapter guide.
A quick way to decide
- If you just want to test things out temporarily, go with a magnetic mount. Just accept the limitations and be sure to verify your SWR.
- If you own the truck and want a permanent setup, go with an NMO installation and the Maximus Mobile.
- If you mainly carry your radio by hand, pick up a Relocation Kit and use a handheld antenna like our Maximus for dual-band amateur frequencies.
Common questions
Can I put the Maximus Mobile directly on my handheld radio? No. The Maximus Mobile is designed for NMO vehicle mounts. If you need a BNC connection for your handheld, you should look at the Maximus, the Guardian (155/465), or the Minimus.
Does a magnetic mount work just as well as a drilled NMO mount? Not if you want a permanent, equal connection. Magnetic mounts are definitely convenient, but a drilled NMO mount gives you a proper ground plane and is the most durable choice for a vehicle you drive every day.
Can I just put my handheld in the cup holder with the stock antenna? That works fine for short trips around town. However, if you are spending miles out on the trail, using a relocation kit or a vehicle NMO mount is usually a lot better than having a long antenna constantly rubbing against your interior trim.
When you are ready to set up your vehicle, grab the Maximus Mobile for your NMO mount, or pick up a Relocation Kit if your radio still leaves the truck with you.