LMR200 cable vs. PL-259 connector?

[James Barron]

Background:

I am looking to install a 15W GMRS radio in my wife’s car.  Because the radio is only 15W, I’m concerned about loss in the NMO magnetic-mount I need to purchase.  All models seem to use Rg58 cabling, which seems pretty “lossy”, and come with more cable length than I need.  Found a Browning mount using BR-195 cabling, but I couldn’t determine if this is equivalent or the same as LMR195.  Did find a Pulse-Larson model using LMR200 which seems to have about 40% less loss than Rg58, and a shorter cable length, which is adequate for my mounting application.  As this radio is only 15W, when 50W versions are available, I’m fighting for every bit of power I can retain.  It has another feature which is integral to me, hence the decision to purchase the lower wattage radio.

Here’s the rub:

A Pulse-Larson NMO mag-mount is available with cabling that terminates as SMA or “raw”, with no connector.  The radio needs a PL-259 connector.  I do have a PL-259 to SMA adaptor in the house.

Questions: Which is a better way to go?  Just buying the SMA version and using my PL-259 adaptor, which may re-introduce a little loss, or buying the raw-cable version and adding a PL-259 connector.  Never done that before and read online that it can be tricky because the center conductor of the LMR200 is a little thick for this connector.  Read that the center conductor of the cable needs to be “rounded out” at the tip to get it in.  I also don’t have the tool for this connection, but could purchase it and figure it out.

Or, am I making too big a deal out of this?  Loads of NMO mag-mounts for sale out there all with longer lengths of RG58 and available at lower pricing than this Pulse-Larson model, especially if I end up buying new crimping tools and such.

First post (I think) in the NARS forums – hope it’s appropriate.  Thanks for any elmering!

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