Is it not possible to mechanically remove the magnet? I know on the XM
radio antenna, you simply peel back the plastic film cover on the bottom and
pry the magnet out. It is simply held in place by a small steel plate
screwed to the antenna housing; the magnet's attraction to the steel is the
only thing holding it in place.

However, as to the degaussing coil, I'd probably start off looking for an
old model train "variac" type AC power supply. I know S gauge ran on a
variac supply; I'm not sure about Lionel or HO. I know N and TT use DC
motors. Figure how much current the sucker will put out before the breaker
pops (use a calibrated wirewound load) and then size the wire of the
degaussing coil to suck 75% of that amount of current at max power.

If you are SERIOUS about a degaussing coil, I'll do the math. I know a
thousand feet of #30 wire wound on a toilet paper cardboard center roll can
be plugged directly into the 110 wall power without disintegrating (temp
rise is about 10°C). If you have a variac or want to tear apart a rat shack
filament transformer, remove the iron EI laminations and unwind the
secondary, the primary should be a good degaussing coil.

Jim



"john smith" wrote in message
. ..
Jay Honeck wrote:
Didja figure out a work-around to the magnet-in-the-antenna problem?
That one has got my friend buffaloed, too. It's sending his compass all
over the place.

Calling Dr Weir, calling Dr Weir!
These folks need a good degaussing coil.
What is your recipe for a homebrew device?