Mag Mount Rubber

[samharding_21]

I have a browning mag mount antenna on the roof of my truck; this mound has a rubber protector over the magnet. Would I get better reception by removing this cover? I am monitoring the railroad band 160-161MHz. I understand it may scratch the roof.

Thanks
Sam

 

[K7MEM]

I understand it may scratch the roof.

It will scratch the roof whether you take off the rubber protector or not. The area under rubber protector may also discolor a bit. I had a mag mount on a rear spoiler once. When I finally removed it, the paint color difference was very noticeable. But I don't think it will provide any noticeable reception increase.

 

[dlwtrunked]

It will scratch the roof whether you take off the rubber protector or not. The area under rubber protector may also discolor a bit. I had a mag mount on a rear spoiler once. When I finally removed it, the paint color difference was very noticeable. But I don't think it will provide any noticeable reception increase.

I have had a magnetic mounts (Larsen) on the roof of my 2006 Toyota Corolla with over 500,000 mile now. It has not made a single scratch on the roof (the front hood has lots of dings from road thrown stuff as expected for over 500,000 miles. In fact, when I take it off at the car wash, I have trouble figuring out exactly where I put the mag-mount (there is no pain fade either). This has been the case for my past cars also. Many here claim mag-mounts will always scratch a roof. It is simply *not always true* if one uses good mag-mounts and keep their roof clean.
but I would leave the rubber protector on, take if off when you regularly wash the car and be sure to clean the rubber protector also.

 

[Ensnared]

I have a browning mag mount antenna on the roof of my truck; this mound has a rubber protector over the magnet. Would I get better reception by removing this cover? I am monitoring the railroad band 160-161MHz. I understand it may scratch the roof.

Thanks
Sam

I have been hearing folks say this and that about whether or not a rubber boot on the bottom of a magnetic antenna will scratch paint. I can tell you without a shadow of a doubt, it does not. I have photographs.

I use have been using TRAM rubber-booted antennas on my Toyota for quite a while.

 

[K7MEM]

Well, I am glad you fared better then I did. I lived and worked in the Phoenix area for over 40 years. Between the heat (110-120 summer), dust, and blowing sand, the paint faded and scratched from mag mounts. And, I wasn't just my car. Other hams had the same problem in that area. So I wish you better luck than I have seen.

 

[WA8ZTZ]

It will not affect your reception. Think about it... even without the protector you still do not have a direct metal to metal connection. There is a layer(s) of paint in between. The connection is capacitive. Have fun with your RR monitoring and worry about something else.