The primary purpose of the magnet antenna mount is to allow the user the means to gain temporary or emergency
communications capability. The fact that the user does not need to drill holes in the vehicle should be of secondary
importance. Magnetic mounts should always be treated as a temporary solution to an immediate or short-term communications
need. If you do not plan to use your CB on a regular basis, do not want to drill holes in your vehicle for permanent mounts,
or do not expect the maximum performance from your equipment, than a magnetic mount may be all you need. But remember, in
spite of their convenience, a magnetic mount antenna will rarely meet the performance that is realized from a properly
installed permanent antenna. However, for short-range caravan type communications or emergency use, magnetic mount antennas
are sufficient.
GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS
- Like all other transmit antennas, those mounted on magnet mounts must be tuned on the vehicle in the location that it
will always be used. If you tune the antenna in the middle of the roof then decide to use it on the hood or truck, or a
different vehicle, it will require re-tuning at its new location.
- Always place your magnet on the flattest surface available.
- Do not abuse the coax cable. It is extremely important. Sharp bends, tight pinches and holes rubbed through outer
jacket will affect performance.
- Always place your magnet on a clean, dry surface.
- If avoidable, do not use on a vinyl roof. (Adds capacitance and diminishes holding strength).
- Never leave the mount in one location for extended periods of time. (The vehicle paint will fade at various rates
and moisture under mount can cause rust to form under the painted surface.)
- If you drop a ferrite magnet on a hard surface the magnetic strength may be reduced, or the material could shatter
into many pieces.
- Magnet mounts rely on high resistance, capacitance grounding. If you use power amplification, there is a good chance
that heat will discolor the vehicles paint. We do not recommend the use of amplifiers with any magnet-mounted antenna.
- At highway speeds there are considerable forces acting upon the mount. Even if the antenna is holding fast, a side
burst of air from a passing 18-wheeler can hit the antenna with a force from another direction causing it to loose its grip.
For that reason, it is always a good idea to have a spring between the antenna and the magnet mount.
- When removing the magnetic mount from the vehicle, do not slide it to the edge to make it more convenient. Dirt
between the magnet and the vehicle paint will surely leave scratches.
- Never place your magnet mount near your audio and/or video tapes, or computer disks of any type. The strong magnetic
field will destroy them. And, if you want to wreck the magnetic strip on your credit card, set them on the magnet for 1
second or more.
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