mag mount cable runs?

[Russell Senior]

I recently had a coax failure (at least it sure looks like one) on a
vehicle magnetic-mounted antennas cable run (the 10 foot LMR-195 or
whatever it is between the magnetic base and the N-connector). One
day it was fine, then next I noticed about a 20 dB attenuation. It
looks like the failure was due to being pinched in the trunk lid for
an extended period of time (I left it on the car for about a week).
Btw, for comparison, I tested my "backup" mag mount I had purchased
from Scott Brown some time ago and discovered it too had a substantial
attenuation (that's okay, i got a good deal anyway ... i think).

I have googled around and not found any specific advice about how to
protect coax from these pinch failures while maintaining a reasonable
seal between inside and outside the car. I'd rather not ruin more of
these things. Knowledgable and/or experienced advice, please?
--
Russell Senior, Secretary
russell-LS+HbC+***@public.gmane.org

[Tyler Booth]

Drill a hole in the trunk :)

Post by Russell Senior
I recently had a coax failure (at least it sure looks like one) on a
vehicle magnetic-mounted antennas cable run (the 10 foot LMR-195 or
whatever it is between the magnetic base and the N-connector). One
day it was fine, then next I noticed about a 20 dB attenuation. It
looks like the failure was due to being pinched in the trunk lid for
an extended period of time (I left it on the car for about a week).
Btw, for comparison, I tested my "backup" mag mount I had purchased
from Scott Brown some time ago and discovered it too had a substantial
attenuation (that's okay, i got a good deal anyway ... i think).
I have googled around and not found any specific advice about how to
protect coax from these pinch failures while maintaining a reasonable
seal between inside and outside the car. I'd rather not ruin more of
these things. Knowledgable and/or experienced advice, please?
--
Russell Senior, Secretary
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[Russell Senior]

Russell> I recently had a coax failure (at least it sure looks like
Russell> one) on a vehicle magnetic-mounted antennas cable run (the 10
Russell> foot LMR-195 or whatever it is between the magnetic base and
Russell> the N-connector). One day it was fine, then next I noticed
Russell> about a 20 dB attenuation. It looks like the failure was due
Russell> to being pinched in the trunk lid for an extended period of
Russell> time (I left it on the car for about a week). Btw, for
Russell> comparison, I tested my "backup" mag mount I had purchased
Russell> from Scott Brown some time ago and discovered it too had a
Russell> substantial attenuation (that's okay, i got a good deal
Russell> anyway ... i think).

Russell> I have googled around and not found any specific advice about
Russell> how to protect coax from these pinch failures while
Russell> maintaining a reasonable seal between inside and outside the
Russell> car. I'd rather not ruin more of these things. Knowledgable
Russell> and/or experienced advice, please?

Tyler> Drill a hole in the trunk :)

Follow up. I bought a couple more mag mounts and to my stunned
surprise, they sucked too. Lots of head scratching later, I tried a
new pigtail (u.fl to n-female) and the big 20 dB attenuation went
away. Weirdly, if I connected the antenna directly to the pigtail, it
worked fine, but if I connected pretty much anything else, it was as
if it wasn't making contact or something. Luckily, I could "hear" the
difference during stumbling. Long pauses with no traffic in Portland
are very odd, and I noticed it right away.

So, looks like the coax is fine and I can slam it in doors all I want.
--
Russell Senior, Secretary
russell-LS+HbC+***@public.gmane.org