Magnetic effects on a radio

[RIPPER238]

Curious. I have a TID H3 and was wondering if using a magnetic mount would be an issue for the radio?

Will it affect it permanently or just in use? 

 

[Lscott]

This is a technical question. The answer is a very qualified “maybe” and it will be specific to a particular model radio. 
 

Now for the technical dive into why it might be an issue. Some of the more expensive radios, commercial grade, use a type of electronically tuned filter on the radio’s receiver section for better selectivity. That could be a variable capacitance diode fed with a variable DC voltage output by the microprocessor. That’s how the filter is tuned when the RX frequency is changed. That component would be OK. However I have spotted what appears to be a variable inductor, again using a variable voltage/current, to adjust the filter frequency. If it has a magnetic core the inductance could be affected by a very strong magnetic field in close proximity to the radio. That would bugger up the filter frequency and thus the receiver performance. 
 

I think for the vast majority of radios people use a strong magnet isn’t an issue. It’s usually the high end commercial radios that use the tunable receiver input filters. And just about all of them typically use the variable capacitance diode in that circuit. Which are not affected.

[TrikeRadio]

5 minutes ago, RIPPER238 said:

Curious. I have a TID H3 and was wondering if using a magnetic mount would be an issue for the radio?

Will it affect it permanently or just in use?

Not sure I understand the question or reason for the question.

A magnetic mount antenna is usually mounted to a car roof... or used on a metal plate for a minimal "base station" antenna and connected to your HT via a coax cable and adapter.

It is not mounted TO the radio magnetically if that is what you mean.

Please explain what you are wanting to try if I have misinterpreted your question.

I have a TD-H3 and I use my mag mount mobile antenna all the time with it on my car and at home.

 

[RIPPER238]

11 minutes ago, TrikeRadio said:

Not sure I understand the question or reason for the question.

A magnetic mount antenna is usually mounted to a car roof... or used on a metal plate for a minimal "base station" antenna and connected to your HT via a coax cable and adapter.

It is not mounted TO the radio magnetically if that is what you mean.

Please explain what you are wanting to try if I have misinterpreted your question.

I have a TD-H3 and I use my mag mount mobile antenna all the time with it on my car and at home.

 

Sorry, should have been more specific. A strong magnet to mount the H3 to my dash. Its a pretty strong magnet to hold the radio with a metal plate attached to the battery. More specifically a Scoshe mount.

I was thinking the magnet may mess with the H3, or any radio. 

[SteveShannon]

8 minutes ago, RIPPER238 said:

Sorry, should have been more specific. A strong magnet to mount the H3 to my dash. Its a pretty strong magnet to hold the radio with a metal plate attached to the battery. More specifically a Scoshe mount.

I was thinking the magnet may mess with the H3, or any radio. 

Try it, but I have no idea how a stationary permanent magnet could affect a radio. 

[TrikeRadio]

22 minutes ago, RIPPER238 said:

...A strong magnet to mount the H3 to my dash. Its a pretty strong magnet to hold the radio with a metal plate attached to the battery. More specifically a Scoshe mount.

I was thinking the magnet may mess with the H3, or any radio. 

Hmm, Yeah I am not really sure how a strong magnet would affect the radio itself over time. I guess those are made to attach cell phones too? So... I mean a cell phone is really just a radio with a computer in it and a battery like a radio. Cell phone put out 0.6 to 3 watts of power, the TD-H3 can put out 5... but maybe that has no bearing on anything.

 

If you are mounting it in your car, know that an on-radio antenna inside your car will not perform all that well. Better to connect it to an external antenna anyway, if that influences anything regarding mounting it on a mag mount for easy access.

Personally I mount or put the radio in a cupholder... and have a hand / lapel mic plugged in with the radio plugged into the antenna on the roof of the car so I can just grab the mic.

 

 

[TrikeRadio]

From a quick google search, it seems that magnets will not affect radio waves... and it won't harm electronics in small items like radios and cell phones. It can disturb some "magnetic storage devices" but I don't think that applies to anything in the radio really. The memory in the radios is solid state electronics ... But again just speculating. no real experience or definite conclusions.

[amaff]

I'd be more worried about any vibration causing the thing to hit the floor (...and end up wedged under my brake pedal, knowing my luck)

For my money, velcro and a radio box or pouch is the move.

https://shop.sidebysidefury.com/products/rbox-xl

https://a.co/d/j6uq8bc

https://a.co/d/5kK3JM0

Well, really the move is an inexpensive mobile setup semi-permanently mounted in the truck. But barring that...

[RIPPER238]

12 hours ago, Lscott said:

This is a technical question. The answer is a very qualified “maybe” and it will be specific to a particular model radio. 
 

Now for the technical dive into why it might be an issue. Some of the more expensive radios, commercial grade, use a type of electronically tuned filter on the radio’s receiver section for better selectivity. That could be a variable capacitance diode fed with a variable DC voltage output by the microprocessor. That’s how the filter is tuned when the RX frequency is changed. That component would be OK. However I have spotted what appears to be a variable inductor, again using a variable voltage/current, to adjust the filter frequency. If it has a magnetic core the inductance could be affected by a very strong magnetic field in close proximity to the radio. That would bugger up the filter frequency and thus the receiver performance. 
 

I think for the vast majority of radios people use a strong magnet isn’t an issue. It’s usually the high end commercial radios that use the tunable receiver input filters. And just about all of them typically use the variable capacitance diode in that circuit. Which are not affected.

Thank you. I knew there can be some issue with very strong magnets on some electronics but wasn't sure to what level. 

Like others have said cell phones can mount with a magnet mount without issue. 

[RIPPER238]

12 hours ago, amaff said:

I'd be more worried about any vibration causing the thing to hit the floor (...and end up wedged under my brake pedal, knowing my luck)

For my money, velcro and a radio box or pouch is the move.

https://shop.sidebysidefury.com/products/rbox-xl

https://a.co/d/j6uq8bc

https://a.co/d/5kK3JM0

Well, really the move is an inexpensive mobile setup semi-permanently mounted in the truck. But barring that...

This magnet is super strong, i have a hard time removing the radio. lol

But yeah, i was looking for pouches and other mounting options too. Especially for carrying since these are not water resistant. 

[Guest]

Just now, RIPPER238 said:

This magnet is super strang, i have a hard time removing the radio. lol

But yeah, i was looking for pouches and other mounting options too. Especially for carrying since these are not water resistant. 

For $30 you can get very nice problem free water proof radios that are the same size and the h3 and have the same bands and all the other stuff.   But I guess you have them now.
 

id say get a proper mobile radio in the truck  with Atleast a cheap mag mount a good water proof 20w mobile unit runs $130.  And a decent mount is $30 or so.   Then just leave the hts on your belt.   

[RIPPER238]

2 minutes ago, Socalgmrs said:

For $30 you can get very nice problem free water proof radios that are the same size and the h3 and have the same bands and all the other stuff.   But I guess you have them now.
 

id say get a proper mobile radio in the truck  with Atleast a cheap mag mount a good water proof 20w mobile unit runs $130.  And a decent mount is $30 or so.   Then just leave the hts on your belt.   

I do have a Midland MXT275 radio for the truck but this new H3 is so much more capable.

Ultimately I wanted to expand my knowledge and fermilyerise myself with a more capable cheap radio before i go for a top tire radio. A waterproof 20w+ mobile unit will definitely be my next purchase, just so many out there to choose from. Though i am a little worried ill be spoiled with this H3 with all it can do compared to a quality radio. 

[AdmiralCochrane]

I didn't know there were waterproof mobiles. Handy for open vehicles like Jeeps I guess

[WRXB215]

49 minutes ago, AdmiralCochrane said:

I didn't know there were waterproof mobiles. Handy for open vehicles like Jeeps I guess

Also for side-by-sides.

[TrikeRadio]

4 hours ago, AdmiralCochrane said:

I didn't know there were waterproof mobiles. Handy for open vehicles like Jeeps I guess

"also for playing with... in the bathtub."