Replacing Antennas

September 01, 2019, 12:56:47 pm

I need to run new antenna wires from the roof to the dash as both antennas have snapped off.

Can I access the inside of the roof from the area where the TV and audio stuff is?

Do I need to remove the cover on the windshield post?

How do I access the different areas? I don't want to just try the pulling and prying routine as I usually break stuff that way.

Thanks

Re: Replacing Antennas

Reply #1 – September 01, 2019, 05:36:08 pm

I bought the pepwave and need to run the cellular/gps antenna to the roof.. was thinking the fridge vent to the front entertainment area would work.. kinda hang back and see what others say

Re: Replacing Antennas

Reply #2 – September 01, 2019, 05:40:42 pm

Quote from: DavidS – September 01, 2019, 05:36:08 pm

I bought the pepwave and need to run the cellular/gos antenna to the roof.. was thinking the fridge vent to the front entertainment area would work.. kinda hang back and see what others say

Both of mine had broken off and I have one for the am/fm radio to replace and the one for the CB I am going to use a dual band ham radio antenna

Re: Replacing Antennas

Reply #3 – September 01, 2019, 08:46:51 pm

Quote from: Super8mm – September 01, 2019, 05:40:42 pm

Both of mine had broken off and I have one for the am/fm radio to replace and the one for the CB I am going to use a dual band ham radio antenna

Check with an auto stereo shop. They have powered antennas for the am/fm units now that are hidden in the dash. Easy peasy and eliminates one potential leak area and the hassle of chasing wires.

Re: Replacing Antennas

Reply #4 – September 01, 2019, 08:58:08 pm

Quote from: bigdog – September 01, 2019, 08:46:51 pm

Check with an auto stereo shop. They have powered antennas for the am/fm units now that are hidden in the dash. Easy peasy and eliminates one potential leak area and the hassle of chasing wires.

Thanks bigdog, I already have a replacement antenna for the am/fm radio that has the same hold pattern, but I will keep that in mind if I knock this one off

Re: Replacing Antennas

Reply #5 – September 02, 2019, 01:01:09 am

Quote from: Super8mm – September 01, 2019, 05:40:42 pm

Both of mine had broken off and I have one for the am/fm radio to replace and the one for the CB I am going to use a dual band ham radio antenna

Of course the fiberglass body creates additional issues for Ham antennas. I used to run a 5/8 wave antenna setup on my Kenworth semi with a 100 Watt Yeasu 144/430Mhz mobile.

Re: Replacing Antennas

Reply #6 – September 02, 2019, 01:10:46 am

Quote from: bigdog – September 02, 2019, 01:01:09 am

Of course the fiberglass body creates additional issues for Ham antennas. I used to run a 5/8 wave antenna setup on my Kenworth semi with a 100 Watt Yeasu 144/430Mhz mobile.

I asked about that and if I needed a steel plate for a ground plane and they said there should not be any issues. for the Ham I am going to use a steel plate anyway and use a mag mount

Re: Replacing Antennas

Reply #7 – September 02, 2019, 01:33:06 am

Quote from: Super8mm – September 02, 2019, 01:10:46 am

I asked about that and if I needed a steel plate for a ground plane and they said there should not be any issues. for the Ham I am going to use a steel plate anyway and use a mag mount

Or you could insert a tuner into the ham antenna circuit to adjust the feedback from a Standing Wave to a minimum.

Re: Replacing Antennas

Reply #8 – September 02, 2019, 08:42:06 am

Quote from: Super8mm – September 01, 2019, 12:56:47 pm

...
Can I access the inside of the roof from the area where the TV and audio stuff is?
...
How do I access the different areas? I don't want to just try the pulling and prying routine as I usually break stuff that way.

Yes, you have enough room in the TV and audio area (if yours id like my '96)

The panels that the coax switch box and the DVD/VCR stick through are screwed in at the corners
Also the panels lining the side cabinets are removable to access some more wiring.

Re: Replacing Antennas

Reply #9 – September 02, 2019, 08:47:50 am

Quote from: TheBrays – September 02, 2019, 08:42:06 am

Yes, you have enough room in the TV and audio area (if yours id like my '96)

The panels that the coax switch box and the DVD/VCR stick through are screwed in at the corners
Also the panels lining the side cabinets are removable to access some more wiring.

Thanks, I guess this would be a good time to remove the VCR too :-).

I found the panels covering the horizontal wire runs inside the cabinets but was not sure about coming down the windshield post.

Re: Replacing Antennas

Reply #10 – September 02, 2019, 08:59:47 am

Quote from: Super8mm – September 02, 2019, 01:10:46 am

I asked about that and if I needed a steel plate for a ground plane and they said there should not be any issues. for the Ham I am going to use a steel plate anyway and use a mag mount

You might ping our old neighbor, Rob Rumsey, at Balun Designs. He and Dee were long-time RVers and he has personal Ham experience with that application. About Us & Contact

Re: Replacing Antennas

Reply #11 – September 02, 2019, 09:19:54 am

Quote from: Michelle – September 02, 2019, 08:59:47 am

You might ping our old neighbor, Rob Rumsey, at Balun Designs. He and Dee were long-time RVers and he has personal Ham experience with that application. About Us & Contact

Thanks, I will contact later this week.

He is closer to my coach than I am "LOL"

Re: Replacing Antennas

Reply #12 – September 02, 2019, 10:27:39 am

David, I have the Pepwave Max BR1. Been using it for 3 months now. Unit sits up against the front cap in front of the TV. No external antenna...just the blade antennae for Cel and WiFi. Works great w/ TMobile sim. Adding a Verizon sim for the winter travels. Unless you're wanting folks to track your location, don't see the need for the GPS antenna, but...my Pioneer in dash GPS antenna sits on the front of the dash next to the windshield...never lost signal yet in a year of driving.
Woody.

Quote from: DavidS – September 01, 2019, 05:36:08 pm

I bought the pepwave and need to run the cellular/gps antenna to the roof.. was thinking the fridge vent to the front entertainment area would work.. kinda hang back and see what others say

Re: Replacing Antennas

Reply #13 – September 02, 2019, 12:10:17 pm

Quote from: Super8mm – September 02, 2019, 09:19:54 am

Thanks, I will contact later this week.

He is closer to my coach than I am "LOL"

In the meantime, here's his response from years ago when I asked about this

where to install an HF antenna?

Re: Replacing Antennas

Reply #14 – September 02, 2019, 12:56:43 pm

Quote from: Michelle – September 02, 2019, 12:10:17 pm

In the meantime, here's his response from years ago when I asked about this

where to install an HF antenna?

Thanks great link. For starters I am just going 70cm and 2 meter but later on after I go to a General license I will but putting a shack in a box. then I will need to add another HF antenna.

Re: Replacing Antennas

Reply #15 – September 03, 2019, 10:36:13 pm

Quote from: Super8mm – September 02, 2019, 08:47:50 am

Thanks, I guess this would be a good time to remove the VCR too :-).

I found the panels covering the horizontal wire runs inside the cabinets but was not sure about coming down the windshield post.

The vertical wiring chase is in the box just to the left of the drivers shoulder
I haven't seen anything coming down the center or immediately to the sides of the windshields

hth

Re: Replacing Antennas

Reply #16 – September 03, 2019, 10:44:26 pm

Quote from: TheBrays – September 03, 2019, 10:36:13 pm

The vertical wiring chase is in the box just to the left of the drivers shoulder
I haven't seen anything coming down the center or immediately to the sides of the windshields
hth

Oh So it is aft of the drivers window?

Re: Replacing Antennas

Reply #17 – September 04, 2019, 09:08:19 pm

For simplicity, I suggest that you take a look at a few (thru the glass) antennas as they work quite well for on-the-road communications.
Mine is stuck on the glass at the very top of the drivers side window toward the front. The wire antenna sticks up about 2.5 feet above the roof line. Works great. When you are stopped, you can tell how the wind is outdoors by the singing of the antenna. They are fairly cheap too.
If you are careful you can take apart the 4x4 post beside the drivers seat and bring wires down through the post and then forward under the dash.
When I am stopped, I utilize a Diamond X700HNA antenna attached to a device that allows you to easily hit a button and Te antenna goes up. Push the button down and the antenna goes back down. I have never tested the survivability of the antenna, but it is rated for 90mph. My coach does not go that fast, I don't think. Haven't tested that either. I use a Scorpion SA-680 which is also mounted on a retractable mount.
Full time life on the road is fantastic. This will be our 20th year.
Regards,

Re: Replacing Antennas

Reply #18 – September 04, 2019, 10:38:25 pm

Quote from: Jon Twork – September 04, 2019, 09:08:19 pm

For simplicity, I suggest that you take a look at a few (thru the glass) antennas as they work quite well for on-the-road communications.
If you are careful you can take apart the 4x4 post beside the drivers seat and bring wires down through the post and then forward under the dash.
Regards,

Thanks, are you talking about the post between the windshield and drivers window or behind the drivers window. How is the covering held in place?

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