Power UP the MAG

[22racer]

Probably been covered before, but...
Whats the general agreement about the maximum amount of power that can be used with a Wilson 5000 MAGNET mount? That is before damage to paint finish, or to any equipment, or anything??
It's mounted to the center of the cab of an 2001 Ext. Cab GMC

 

[kor b]

Your paint well be effected without an amp eventually. With a 12 year old truck are you really concerned? If you can get over that, I would say a five pill is the upper limit. Some well disagree.

 

[MudDuck442]

I usually change the coax to RG-8x and have gone up to about 1500 watts without any issues. Haven't done more than that through a mag. I was never fond of the rg-58 they use and also the connector/adapter.

 

[psycho]

I usually change the coax to RG-8x and have gone up to about 1500 watts without any issues. Haven't done more than that through a mag. I was never fond of the rg-58 they use and also the connector/adapter.

The Wilson 5000 mag mounts already have 8x coax on them. The coax on my Wilson is some good quality stuff.
I know some operators who use 8 pill amps on them and do just fine.
As far as the paint goes....it's a truck.

 

[W5LZ]

There's no simple, definite, answer to that, it depends on a lot of things. A few of those things are how well the antenna is tuned, how well it's mechanically put together, where the thing is located (it's environment which means more than just where it's placed on a vehicle) and probably what color socks you're wearing. It's a very good idea not to take the advertised ratings for antenna power capability too seriously.
- 'Doc

 

[22racer]

OK, sounds good. I wasn't plannin on pushin more than 150 watts through it anyway. I kinda figured the 5000 Watt power handling was when the antenna was used in a hard mount situation anyway. When I fugure out how to drop the headliner and fish the coax through without breaking and snapping all those chincy little made in china clips that GM uses, a hard mount will be in the works...

 

[W5LZ]

Just as one option for that hard mount, placing the thing near the 3rd brake light gives you fairly easy access to the under-side of the roof without dropping that headliner. That doesn't mean it's always possible, or that 'easy' is very easy, but a possibility. I've also seen a mount for lights, antennas, etc, made to fit behind that 3rd brake light assembly. It used the mounting screws of the brake light for mounting. I haven't tried it though (WAY too @#$ expensive!). Also no idea if it's still offered. Just suggestions...
- 'Doc