Using a Magnet Mount Antenna

Tips on using a magnet mount antenna for ham and CB radio. #hamradio #cbradio #mobilehamradio

[@LWatsonIII]

Just for touch of clarity on "Clear Bra": Clear bra that was being referred to is NOT a product for women. Maybe that should have been made a little more clear in the email, my apologies. It is the same item they would sell you at the Porche dealership to protect the front edge of your painted bumper, hood\bonnet or behind the wheels on the side body work for rock chip protection. It's a common addon at car dealerships. "Clear bra 3m" or "Paint protection film" will certainly get you a better search result. If a mag mount is left on for a long time, at least here in the south, it seems to get a mold beneath it which can affect the paint as well. Luke\KM4MBF

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

Hahahahaha I googled it as well. Sorry for my senior moment. Well I think the woman version might work as well. I’ll clarify that in a future video and pin this comment. Thanks for clarifying Luke! 73 Walt

[@LWatsonIII]

@@COASTALWAVESWIRES Absolutely not a problem. I did get a nervous chuckle when you said that, wondering where this was going.

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

@@LWatsonIII I had an “oh no” moment when I read your comment. What’s so funny is I’m really into Porsches and owned a 986 for a while. I probably should have dug a little deeper. Thanks for laughing this off with me.

[@wb6msa]

More clear bra videos!

[@joekrepps]

For the past 21 months, I’ve been using a MFJ 3 magnet mount for my Yaesu ATAS-120A. It’s always on the roof, a little to the right side so I have clearance in drive-thru’s. Paired with my FT-891 at 5-70 watts, I’m at 61 different DX entities towards my goal of Mobile DXCC. (Prior to the 891/ATAS, I did QRP Mobile for about 6 years with a FT-817ND into a one-off Diamond antenna on a 4 magnet mount. Fun times!) QRZ Logbook current under WB3CFN, 100% mobile. Tnx for your great videos!! 73!

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

Thanks so much for watching my videos andcommenting! 73, Walt

[@redstickham6394]

I've used a 5/8 wave mobile magmount for 2 meters mounted on a metal panel on the wall that covered the A/C unit in my apartment and it worked pretty well. I've also used one on metal burglar bars with good results. File cabinets also well. I hammed from apartments and condos for several years so I had to improvise a little.

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

That's awesome, thanks for commenting and sharing!

[@johnmayer158]

Hey Walt! Just an idea for you, if you get that type of base, you can use a nmo mount on the antenna frame, then use various adapters for different antennas. They make uhf and 3/8x24 adapters. The only issue with mag mounts I've had issues with, is rusting under the magnet from moisture. So I've gone to trunk lip mounts nmo, and just un-screw the antenna, and put the plastic rain cap over the connection. Hope this helps, John, N8SGM.

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

Great information, thanks! 73, Walt

[@n1kkri]

That's the way I have gone the last 10-15 years using trunk lid mounts with a good ground strap. The moisture did create a stain on one of my cars back in the 80's with a magmount.

[@Sky1]

I used to have a 6' CB antenna on my company station wagon. That thing got out great, handled several hundred watts I was told.

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

I bet that big wagon was a great ground!

[@thormusique]

Great video, thanks! One additional thing I wanted to point out is all the increased signal mojo you get from your Secret Weapon: the Rubber Duck. Cheers! 🙂

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

Thanks! Yes the Jeep ducks, that’s a big thing here in the states. Cheers!

[@wildbill1]

I agree with the mag mount, I used one during winter field day and it worked fine. Thanks again for the video.

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

Thanks so much for watching my friend!

[@briansalsbery9968]

Triple mag mount with 17-ft whip is my most common Seattle area POTA setup. My transceiver is not mounted to the car or grounded and the mag mounts do not ground couple well with the roof, so I use either the MAT-50 magnet or radials draped down the side of the car to get low SWR with no tuner. The elevated feedpoint requires more whip, and I have to tune the radials for some bands by coiling the tips. Radials for 20m barely extend past the front and back of the car. This works great in busy parking lots or bad weather.

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

Great setup!

[@gaptastic]

Hey Walt, thanks for the video! I think it should be stated that anything being placed on your car has the potential of scratching it, including leaning and sitting on the car albeit the magnetic adds a bunch more force. I'm not sure the clear bra is anything better than a rubber gasket or thick plastic. In all cases wipe the car and the bottom of the mag mount of any dust and debris, and DEFINITELY don't drag the mount across the paint when putting on or pulling off. Walt, your method is good enough. Nothing is perfect. Peace!

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

Thanks for the great comment! 73

[@ScatManAust]

Great info Walt, my experience has showed me that no matter which way you go about this, there will always be some degradation in finish in the long term. like everything, common sense and being careful is the trick and I've usually found that the degradation in paint work is generally slower than the overall degradation of the car. At least here in the hot/cold dusty outback Australia. I've used a lot of mag mounts over the decades for antennas and other things as well. What I have found works well is a glass handling carry mount. Three suction cups in a triangle configuration works well, of course you have to mod it and make an attachment. It really sticks like the proverbial **** if you know what I mean. I also have a lead and alligator clip that I clamp on a decent ground on the car or even some other suitable structure that may be within reach. Also, one of the best things I have done is make straps from RG213 outer braid with soldered eyelets and bond all the doors, boot, bonnet etc. to the body of the car. Mostly to reduce noise from the cars electrics as some cars are shocking for noise.

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

Great info and a great idea. Thanks for the comment! 73, Walt

[@darylnd]

Great info as always, Walt! Many thanks. I have a tri-band (2m, 1.25m, 70cm) Compactenna on a Diamond magnetic mount. No problem with scratches on my Lexus GX 460, and the Lexus white paint is notoriously scratch-prone. It's my daily driver and occasional off-road vehicle so, like you with your Jeep, I don't worry about it anyway. I'm going to order one of these triple magnet mounts for HF. I'll be on the road in a few weeks: maybe I'll try some POTA activations.73 de AE6DD, Daryl, San Jose, CA

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

Thanks Daryl! These triple magnet mounts are great, you won't be disappointed.

[@brianfields4479]

Nice video walt. Also for some, a garden shed works well, or a rubbish or hand rail at the sea front works well. A 1/4 wave with radials on the beach will rock, no compromising . Still dead bands here, so i worked the xyl on the intercom hi. Cheers mate. 73.

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

Hihihi the XYL in the intercom, I snorted laughing

[@brianfields4479]

@@COASTALWAVESWIRES I worked her twice, once short path in the lounge and then long path from the garden hi

[@brianfields4479]

Hey hobby has to be fun eh hi

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

@@brianfields4479 hahahaha

[@Steve-GM0HUU]

👍Thanks for video Walt.

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

Thanks so much for watching and commenting!

[@paulsengupta971]

I've stuck some adhesive backed velvet type material on the bottom of my mag mounts. It means they're not as strongly attached as if I didn't have it on there, but it's a very thin material, and it does protect the paintwork in the way the rubber doesn't. I found the material on ebay.

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

Great idea, thanks for sharing!

[@dennisvaughn540]

Great ideals!

[@kennethblackwell1137]

Nice video. I've got a single mag mount that I've been using with ham sticks....that seem to work very well...

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

Thanks! been thing about a single mag and a HamStick on the old work car myself.

[@goodfriend6428]

Very helpful. Thank you.

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

Thanks for watching!

[@aramb]

I've got the mfj 3-magnet mount and it's a BEAR to get off the roof! I don't ever drive with an antenna on the roof, so have switched to the single magnet mount, and I just leave it on the roof and attach the ham stick whenever I want to operate. Never mind that I don't have the clearance to get into the garage with the antenna mounted 🙂

[@aramb]

Wish I'd known about the protection film when I first started using the mag-mount, but my car is now over 20 years old and I'm "less concerned" about the finish 😀

[@pasjeihobby]

That's a quite huge piece of magnet mount 😮

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

Yes it's big and heavy for sure!

[@allanjones4283]

Hi. THANKYOU for your review :-). I purchased a Diamond K3000 and love the thing. Cannot recommend highly enough the triple magnet mounts, they seem to just work. Again, thankyou for your vids. Cheers.

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

Thank you so much for watching! 73, Walt

[@LB0FI]

I have some rubber pads that slides on the magnets. Helps protect the car a little bit more.

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

Cool! I should probably look into that but so far so good.

[@migry]

The TRAM brand is better quality than any similar item I have bought in the UK. I bought one off Amazon US for use during my Florida vacation. You are not supposed to carry magnets onto an aeroplane, although ironically a friend and I did that back in 2011(*). Having said that the 3/8" type seemed rare on Ebay/Amazon US and were double the cost of similar items in the UK. (*) My friend and I used the triple mag-mount type on a rental vehicle during a round trip of the US. One of us operated whilst the other drove. It was very secure even at freeway speeds. We brought it over from the UK in hand carry luggage. Apparently you are not supposed to transport anything magnetic, but we didn't know and clearly neither did the people screening our hand carry luggage.

[@N2YTA]

Walt, thanks for the video. I just bought a roll of 3M clear paint protection film from Amazon. I've been getting away with an MFJ single magnet, only when stationary.

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

Thanks, great idea!

[@ths3900]

If you dont have the rubber part, any sticker should work. We used to use old baseball stickers on smaller mag mounts.

[@CamilleCullen-ow6qj]

Very informative video, thanks!! Robert K5TPC

[@MikeN2MAK]

I love my Tram triple mag mount.

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

Me too!

[@hamradioqrp-k0klb]

I love my Tri-magmount... but what about the tailpipe?.. LOLOLOL.. So funny, we must be on the same wavelength cause I just did a video about the magmount and tailpipe this past Sunday to be released later this week.. Keep up the great work and sharing your experience with the rest of us.. 73.. k0klb

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

Thank you Kevin! Looking forward to that video. 73 my friend!

[@Locksnut]

I’m confident Kevin did some exhaustive testing of the tailpipe ground! Lol! Looking forward to seeing it. I’m using a tri-mag mount that doesn’t have the rubber bottoms, not sure of the brand. What I use for cheap protection are the thin grocery bags. I keep the mag mount in the original thick bag it came in to keep it clean. I also use a little windex and paper towel to clean the mount spot. So far so good. 73 Bill N4WLC

[@hamradioqrp-k0klb]

@@Locksnut hahahahaha Bill... I see what you did there... "Exhaustive" testing.. Sooo Funny..

[@hamradioqrp-k0klb]

@@Locksnut BTW.. I might steal that for the video thumbnail, LOL...

[@Locksnut]

@@hamradioqrp-k0klb Steal away, my friend! I'm old enough to remember Milton Berle, LOL

[@n1kkri]

The clear bra would make the ground worst? had all kinds of antennas including screwdriver antennas on my 2003 Grand Marquis but the replacement car I bought in 2020, well I am just now thinking about putting an antenna on it. Its got few scratches already. From my experiences its hard to get a good SWR on 80 and 60m without a good ground. It just begins to get easier with 40m and above that not so much of a problem

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

I really haven’t used the clear bra but I assume it would probably reduce the capacitive coupling for sure.

[@dannyhensley8306]

I do have a question about mag mounts. I had a hard mounted coil whip on the headache rack of an old truck I had and had to make sure that the plastic separators were placed correctly to ensure proper grounding and all. Does the same principle apply to mag mounts or do you just screw the antenna on and go? Also, where do I run a ground for the mag mounts from? I always like to run an extra ground off my mount to the frame

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

I just screw in the antenna and go, the bond at the magnet to the body works fine for me as a ground. You could run a wire to the magnet's connection bolt to the frame.

[@CraigSotelo]

Is there any benefit to the tri mag mount than a single mag mount in capacitive to the car? or do they just hold better/stronger than a single ?

[@BobsSonSteve]

The places you set up I would worry about sand getting in there. Aha life is a beach!

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

I bet I could take my G90 apart and empty out a bunch of sand lol. No worries lol

[@RayDabkowski]

Great video, Walt. Question, when I use a magmount on 40m, the vehicle body doesn't seem sufficient enough to give a decent counterpoise (often high SWR). I wonder if a couple of 1/4 wave radials clipped to the bolts and draped off the vehicle would help? I only have the single magnet type -- no bolts

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

I’m sure that would help, something I meant to mention in the video as well is I make sure the coax comes off the vehicle and touches the ground before I bring it in. I don’t know how much it helps but the outer part of the coax on the ground might help for something. 73, Walt

[@Steve-GM0HUU]

Wonder what antenna you are using? On my car, I have a triple mag-mount. I ran several lengths of flex weave from one of the magnet bolts to my car's rear hatch mounting bolt. Makes removing the mag-mount a hassle but at least I know the ground side of the antenna is properly bonded to the chassis.

[@RayDabkowski]

@@Steve-GM0HUU Hi Steve. I'm using a Hustler 40m resonator and whip atop the standard Hustler 54-inch mast.

[@paulsengupta971]

@@RayDabkowskiApparently the triple mag mounts have better coupling than the single ones, to provide a better ground plane on the lower bands. But I don't think running some radials will do any harm.

[@dwightjones3305]

I have poor results using a single magnet on low bands. More capacitance is needed on low bands. A triple will help. Also, try to improvise and electric contact to the vehicle.

[@jimnelson726]

Well you touched on a subject that I have recently thought about. I was hoping you'd broach the subject of the single round mag mount which I have. I haven't tried it yet, however, I want to use it with my 17' whip. Stability wise on the vehicle, how do you think that would work? Kd9van

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

Honestly I would worry about the stability using a 17’ whip. The triple mount does a great job with the 17’, A single magnet may do ok with no wind. I think there is a very large single magnet mount that might do well

[@peterfrend5360]

Hi Walt. Many thanks for a very informative video. I have a cheapie Tri-Mag Mount that I haven't gotten round to trying yet, but I have wound a few turns of the coax around a toroid near the mag mount to maybe eliminate or decrease common mode currents, what is your experience on this? With a normal round mag mount, no problem with tuning antenna, ie Ampro 20m single band, but on Ampro 80m antenna, I had hand capacitance whilst checking SWR using a single mag mount without the coax wound around a toroid. I thought that if 80m antenna didn't work properly on Tri Mag Mount, it's easier to add radials? Where would you run the radials, clip to car body, or run along the ground? I would appreciate the benefit of your experience, Walt? Kind regards. 73 de Pete GI0FZT.

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

Hi Pete, I typically use a choke at the radio end of the coax on mine. My thought is that it is using the coax as a little more counterpoise to go along with the car body. Yes I have experienced a little common mode current but not anything horrible. I would experiment with it first without the toroid and see what happens. If you are adding radials I would absolutely put them along the ground, you're probably already getting an excellent connection with the three magnets. Hope that helps, all the best and 73! Walt K4OGO

[@peterfrend5360]

Many thank's Walt. You are a real gentleman. I much appreciate your advice. Kind regards. 73 de Pete GI0FZT.

[@bearwolf34]

Anybody have a link for this black tram magmount?

[@dslayer1169]

How do you run your coax to the inside of the vehicle without pinching it with mag mounts?

[@joewiehr1931]

Hey Walt. Thank You for all your videos. How do you run the coax into the car?? 73s from K8JCW

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

Thanks for watching! I just lower a window slightly and run it through a window

[@joewiehr1931]

TY @@COASTALWAVESWIRES

[@VictorJenks]

Are you keeping the rubber boots on it when placed on metal ? I took mine off thinking it wouldn’t ground enough . What are your thoughts? W3VIC

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

I keep mine on and it works great and couples to the body of the vehicle just fine for a ground. 73, Walt

[@kevinc9416]

How do I set my shark 10 meter to 29.6. How do I tune it?

[@AaronHuber]

Do you get a better ground plane by using 3 magnets over just one?

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

I've heard that there is not a noticeable difference. Just more stability holding the antenna with 3.

[@nr3rful]

If the magnets need to touch the body for ground plain than what good is the "clear bra" ?

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

It doesn’t have to touch the body completely, just have a magnetic pull to the body. That’s what I’m saying when I mention “Capacitive Coupling” in the video. I probably should have gone into more detail, sorry

[@markviers998]

I'm big fan of mag-mounts. The only problem I ever had with one wasn't the fault of the mount, some joker that walked through the parking lot at work thought it would be funny to drag it across my trunk. It didn't look like they were trying to steal the antenna, just being a jerk. 😡

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

I hate that happened to you. Sometimes I hate people. 73 my friend

[@jerryKB2GCG]

Hi Walt, would a faraday cloth under the magnet be helpful? KB2GCG

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

My first thought is that it would hurt the RF grounding more than helping it but I might be wrong. Interesting question.

[@jerryKB2GCG]

@@COASTALWAVESWIRES I was also thinking it might make it easier to remove the mag mount. I use a single magnet version and it’s hard to get off and there are a few scratches, I think I’ll try the hood approach. I’ve also seen some use cases where radials are added. KB2GCG

[@paulsengupta971]

@@jerryKB2GCGI use a stick on velvet type cloth which I've stuck under mine.

[@mediocreman2]

Would have been nice to know how you routed the cable.

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

Through the window, I use it as a temporary portable setup.

[@rockshelter]

I have drilled holes for antenna mounts in all my cars, never regretted that and never had any issue. It is not for everybody though, and one should be aware of possible consequences

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

I've thought about doing that in the old work car. 73

[@markwilliams6084]

Use a triple magmount on my Astra with a Sirio 5000. Brilliant. Simple.

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

Great setup!

[@ErikTheVikingMechanic]

The only thing I worry about when using a car mag mount is the RF being close to the antenna.

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

I’ve never had any issues or so it seems.

[@paulsengupta971]

Isn't the RF always close to the antenna?

[@ErikTheVikingMechanic]

@@paulsengupta971 link attached for EMF safe distance calculator.

[@coreydanos8258]

That mag mounts works great. Just don’t buy a truck that the body is made out of aluminum.

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

Roger that Corey! Or a Jeep with a fiberglass top haha

[@45auto]

​@@COASTALWAVESWIRESMy '17 JK agrees. If I already had one of those big roof racks I'd weld on a small plate for a mag mount.

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

@@45auto 17 JK all the way! That’s what mine is.

[@samallan6616]

Most new vehicles cannot accommodate mag mounts. In 1981, I used a single 6-inch 'Firestik' magnet mount on the roof of my old Buick with a 7-foot 'Firestik'. I almost couldn't get the mount off the car!!! I have used my tri-mag mount on my behind-the-cab steel toolbox with an old Hi-Q screwdriver antenna which is pretty massive. I have also used it with a 7-foot CB-tuned 'Firestik'. The built-in 'tuner' works the radio into the antenna on 10 and 12 meters really well. 73!

[@ryank5tar]

Easy as 01, 10, 11

[@G7KMT]

Warning ⚠ keep away from pace makers..

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

Thanks for the warning!