Help with mag mount antennas
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I've got an old Pontiac Trans-Am that's in minty car show condition. I had an urge to use 2 meters in the car, so I once stuck a wide piece of duct tape on the magnet and trimmed it with a razor blade so it was even with the border before I placed the mount.
I was concerned that it might introduce some sort of capacitance between the magnetic base and the car sheet metal, but it didn't seem to make any difference.
Since then, I've found that if you're really careful you can pry off the magnet without causing damage.
I don't know about HF though.. You need some pretty hefty magnets for that.
I was concerned that it might introduce some sort of capacitance between the magnetic base and the car sheet metal, but it didn't seem to make any difference.
Since then, I've found that if you're really careful you can pry off the magnet without causing damage.
I don't know about HF though.. You need some pretty hefty magnets for that.
W8RMH
Feed Provider Since 2012
N1GJB
Member
The mag mount antenna on the roof of my leased Honda Accord may end up costing me more than just drilling a proper NMO mount. There are plenty of deep scratches mostly from the New England winter leaving all sorts of garbage on the surface of the magnet base/my roof. I need to have the car buffed out professionally before I turn it in a few months from now for who knows how much money.
Cool! First time I've come across that style of mount. Thanks for the link. (I might just order one
)(Note that even with the rubber boot... Sliding it, even slightly when applying or removing it will still leave marks if there is any dust on the paint).
Can you say "microscopic grit"? Your car will know.
DJ11DLN
Member
There is an almost-clear adhesive material you can get in sheets at your local auto parts place that is intended to be applied to rocker panels to prevent rock chips. It will stick well and not cause problems, and can be removed later using a hair dryer or heat guy. Cut a piece, prep the paint on the area where you want to put the mag mount as per the instructions, and stick it on. When you need to turn the car in, get a hair dryer out and remove it. It should not damage the paint at all.:wink:
Pop a hole
I know two hams who went ahead and put a hole in the lease, and when they turned the car in, put one of those $2 plastic caps on the NMO mount, and nothing was said when they turned it in. Perhaps the people looking it over thought they were gps antennas.
I know two hams who went ahead and put a hole in the lease, and when they turned the car in, put one of those $2 plastic caps on the NMO mount, and nothing was said when they turned it in. Perhaps the people looking it over thought they were gps antennas.
mmckenna
I ♥ Ø
I concur. We've done this with several leased pickups. Never an issue. The dealers who take the lease turn-ins often turn them over to a broker who auctions them off. The dealers don't need large stocks of similar brand used cars on the lots, they want variety.
Doing a proper antenna install will work a lot better and will look a lot better. Cap off the mount when you turn it in or install a "cellular" looking antenna. Other option is to remove the mount and install a plug painted roughly the same color as your car.
Mag mounts do too much damage to the paint, the look amateurish and don't work as well. Dealing with properly routing the coax adds to the misery.
Just drill it.
W8RMH
Feed Provider Since 2012
Your best bet is a trunk mount which I upgraded to and am very happy with. I use a Phantom antenna and don't even need to remove it when going through the car wash.
No, it is applied to the vehicles painted surface to protect it from dirt and grit being ground into the paint by the magnet mounts bottom surface of the base. If it were applied to the magnet magnet mount, it would protect the bottom surface of the mount. Think about it for a second.
Not worth discussing any further.
DJ11DLN
Member
Absolutely incorrect. Do it that way and you'll still wind up with scratched paint. Don't ask me how I know this, but I do know it for a fact.
I've used the material I described above. If applied to the vehicle as described, and the antenna is placed on it, no paint damage will occur. It will come off cleanly when you need to turn the car in; at most a little wax will render it impossible to tell that it was ever there. Stick it on the antenna and it still leaves a surface subject to picking up grit...which you will apply to your car with predictable results (scratched paint). Personally I'd rather just drill a hole and NMO it but the OP had a valid question and I tried to help with some advice based on personal experience. Hopefully the OP has drawn the correct conclusions from this train wreck.:roll:
When I used magnet mounts, I went to Michael's arts & crafts supply store and bought felt with adhesive backing. I trimmed the felt material to the same size of the magnet and used it. Worked like a charm at protecting the paint.
One thing with magnet mounts even with protective material being used, is to remove the magnet several times a month, wipe down the car surface and the bottom of the magnet/protective material. This keeps the area between the car and the magnet mount clean.
One thing with magnet mounts even with protective material being used, is to remove the magnet several times a month, wipe down the car surface and the bottom of the magnet/protective material. This keeps the area between the car and the magnet mount clean.
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