Magnetic Mount Ground Questions

I have a Cobra 29LX and Cobra 42" 300 watt antenna. Dont ask why, but I punctured the foil thats between the magnet and rubber protector.



My SWR is decent. It fluctuates, but its decent. But I have to turn the squelch nearly all the way to the left to even get static. When testing the radio (just a stones throw away) with a handheld Cobra cb - I can barely be heard. Its very muffled.




I have a few questions.

1) what issues can this foil puncture cause? I understand it acts as a capacitor. But I am getting continuity between the bottom stud (only exposed because I punctured the foil) and the chasis, as well as the outer shield of the coax at the radio. I get continuity on the bottom stud and chasis no matter where the antenna is Even if I hold it.

There is no continuity with the broken foil and any part of the antenna. Which leads me to my next question...



2) if i have continuity and a ground on the bottom stud, why is the foil even necessary? Is there another ground required? The base of the mount has no ground. No continuity. Is it supposed to?

3) when removed from the mount, my antenna has 2 studs. They do not have continuity with eachother. This is where I get confused. Is the lower stud for ground and top stud for power or another ground?

I have no available coax nut or pin to test on the antenna side, just the radio side. And what about the mount itself? Is that grounded?


Someone suggested i should short out the studs and test for something. Can someone expand on that? Where would i need to place my multimeter leads? Whats meter setting?

4) i have a few ground straps. Would adding that anywhere help? Like at the stud or outter mount? Any benefits to that?

Can the foil be replaced? Or something else used?

5) is it normal for static sounds to greatly change depending on where the mic is. Just moving it a few inches makes static sound much different.

6) i have Yule Areoblade roof rails on my roof. Its aluminum. Cant find any continuity in it. Can that cause problems? The antenna is not touching them. Maybe 8-9 inches away.

7) is there any diagram of what should have continuity with what, and not with, on the Cobra magnetic mount antenna?

My main confusion is the diference in the truck ground and what the antenna needs to work properly.

Thanks guys!

 

Ever try getting them on the phone? Youd have better luck getting Trump to answer (800) WHITEHOUSE.

 

Sorta. It was more of an SWR issue I was having, but got that worked out. Now just wondering what I can do with the foil.