Radio Shack Mag Mount question

[Llwellyn]

Does anyone have the "all-band" RS mag-mount antenna for their vehicle?
I bought one about three weeks ago, and I've been noticing increased noise from the roof as I've been driving. I took it down and took a detailed look at it, and the metal piece at the top of the base is pulled away from the black base by a bit. This is letting the antenna flop around like a fish with about a 40-50 degree swing.

Is it supposed to be like this? Did it break in the wind, or did I manage to hit something with it and not notice? I've been really careful...

It was a TINY bit loose when I first unpacked it and assembled it but not enough to worry me... now, it's worrying me quite a bit.

 

[K5MAR]

Take it back. These are not the best antennas around, unless you are in a strong RF area, where their deafness is an asset. Look for a Antenna Specialists mag mount scanner antenna, MON-751, or something like that. A MUCH better antenna.

Mark S.

 

[Llwellyn]

Well, it's only temporary for lack of having a better solution at the moment (read: Can't afford a decent one yet).

I drive a 2000 Ford Taurus station wagon, and there is practically NO place to mount one except mag mount on the roof. I'd rather have a better antenna mounted lower on the vehicle so I don't have to worry about clearance, but I don't think you could get one mounted anywhere but the roof.

Eventually I'll get a better antenna, I'm just worried... is this gonna fly apart and embed itself in someone's radiator :shock: before I replace it...

 

[K5MAR]

Well, obviously, there is something wrong with it mechanically, so you need to take it back during the 30 day period. I did the same as you, bought one as a cheap make-do when I changed vehicles. I'd been using a Larsen Dualband commercial NMO antenna on my previous vehicle, and I was extremely disappointed in the performance of the R/S antenna, so much so I was sure it was defective and exchanged it. But the second was no better, reception-wise, so I returned it and bought a NMO mag-mount for my Larsen.

If I were you, I'd have that Taurus in the local radio shop having a couple of NMO mounts installed in the roof. Then you have plenty of options as to antennas. For instance, Larsen makes a triband scanner antenna, I believe it's about 18" tall, or thereabouts. I've never tried it, but Larsen's mobile antennas have never let me down.

If you do exchange the RS magmount, then you can (allegedly) fine-tune it for better performance. Here's a link to the mod, it's on the StrongSignals website:
http://www.strongsignals.net/access/image/antennas/bearwires.gif
I've not tried it, but others say it works better with the mod.

Mark S.

 

[HamSexy007]

The reason the whip is loose, is due to the horrible design of the antenna.

The threaded rod that protrudes from the base is actually a bolt that has another nut/washer going thru a metal bracket inside the base. The only way to tighten it is to dissassemble the entire base and tighten all the loose hardware.

Of note, the coax is terminated into an eyelet, which is inserted onto the bolt and held in place between the nut and the bracket. There is also no weather-proofing to speak of.

Do yourself a favor and get rid of that POS immediately. Either get some NMO mounts and a 3/4" hole saw, or find someone else to do it...but regardless, ditch the mag mount and install a real antenna. Depending on what you want to listen to, and how close to the systems you are, a simple 19" VHF 1/4w antenna will fill the bill to listen from 118 MHz AM aircraft thru 800 MHz TRS use.

Good luck.

 

[Llwellyn]

Hmm, I did a search of the forums looking for a link to the Larsen products and saw the Waltel link. I checked out an Antenex NMO Mag-base and their NMO Scanner antenna. Elsewhere in the forums, it's mentioned to only be 16.5" in height, and their base is less than 3". That would leave me with a clearance of just under 7'. Still not gonna fit in the parking garages but also no worries about ever hitting anything up above.

The best part is, it would only come to about $10 more shipped and fitted with connectors than the RS antenna cost in person. Now, to find the @#(*$!@# receipt.

 

[SCPD]

I'm using the Larsen tri-band scanner antenna. I use it primarily for VHF stuff and I can monitor a TRS from 20 miles away. I've been satisfied with it especially for the price. If I remember correctly I bought it at Ham Radio Outlet for about $20. It uses an NMO mount so you can use it with a permanent or mag mount.

 

[K5MAR]

Here's the Antenna Specialists website:
http://www.radioreference.com/index.php

The Larsen website:
http://www.radialllarsen.com/

There are lots of places to buy antennas, Waltel is a possibility, and he is a regular poster here, Other places include AES, HRO, Ham Station Online, etc. You can select the antenna(s) you want and do a Google.

Mark S.

 

[JohnWayne]

Llwellyn:

The Antenex scanners work pretty well. I use one with my 2067 in my truck, and I am pleased with it. I actually just measured one, and they are actually a hair over 18" in length. I have updated my website to reflect that information as well.

I don't know if you took this in to account or not when coming to your $10 difference figure, but we have just launched the new version of our online ordering website , and you get a $10 coupon just for creating an account.

Let me know if you have any questions about anything.

Thanks!
Jeff

 

[Llwellyn]

Thanks for the heads up! I signed up and I'll be purchasing the Antenex mount and antenna as soon as I can get the Shack POS returned and the credit posts. I found the receipt 8)