Skip to main content ↑ ↓
Topic: Removing Sensar, installing Wilson 4G & Omni wide-band Antenna (Read 607 times) previous topic - next topic

Removing Sensar, installing Wilson 4G & Omni wide-band Antenna

We don't watch TV these days, getting our entertainment and news from the Internet, streaming video, etc., 86'ing Winegard Sensar antenna and putting on a wide band omni WireNG antenna for boosting 2g, 3g, and LTE Verizon just seemed like the logical thing to do. Since I had long ago chucked the old non relevant satellite dish to make the roof more open and solar friendly, removing the flopping Winegard Sensar has been on my list for a long time. I was pleased to be able to repurpose the mast and mechanism for a useful purpose.

The Winegard mast makes a perfect place to mount an antenna. I chose the BoatAnt Omni-directional wide band by WirENG (BoatAnt™ |). Modifying the intended pole mount of the BoatAnt to keep the antenna vertical in either the raised or lowered for travel position was a no brainer. Spring loading it so it can pivot backwards out of the way of an offending tree limb just seems to make sense. The antenna is Omni directional so there isn't really a need to rotate it (though it appears that rotating the mast can make a slight difference, it may be just psychological...). However, the rotation is critical for the wifi booster that I am going to put on the mast, or will be if I use a hi-gain directional antenna. It could use the BoatANT, but I would have to climb on the roof and switch the cable over from the Wilson at the mast (too bad they can't both be hooked up at the same time!). I will be mounting an Ubiquity Titanium Bullet and antenna laying down when the mast is lowered and vertical when raised. The mast can be rotated to aim the bullet combo at the WiFi access point without affecting (much) the WirENG omni, though it wouldn't be often that we will be using both. Suggestions for the directional antenna which wouldn't stick up too high when the mast is in the travel position would be appreciated.

The Titanium Bullet will be feeding the Cradle point router, and the BoatAnt will be hooked up to a Wilson Mobile 4G (does all the bands we are interested in) will normally be connected to the MiFi via one of its two external antenna ports for Verizon unlimited data, but could be connected instead to the close range indoor antenna (good for a couple of feet if we just need it to make phone calls or use tethering on the phones via T-Mobile, or to the MiFi. The MiFi can be the access point on its own (how we usually use currently) or we can use via USB as the WAN feed for the Cradlepoint router which enables us to hook up our lap tops and coach computers via ethernet cables when I get finished with the project (we prefer to minimize our exposure to WiFi radiation where practical). I bought a new old stock Winegard Sensor antenna from eBay just for the mast and cranking/rotating mechanism. The old one is pretty loosey goosey. I also came across a wedge shaped adapter made by Winegard to make the mast more vertical on radius roofs like ours, not critical, but since I will be putting the new mast on, I may as well keep its orientation as vertical as possible. The project isn't done yet, but has functionality as described in the first scenario. I still have yet to get the Titanium Bullet directional antenna combo and change out the old Winegard mast and crank up/rotating mechanism for the new one. At the moment, the inside cabinetry (new sideboard cabinet below the windows from the front entry all the way back to the pantry) is rising to the top of the project list. The booster works well, giving connectivity in otherwise unusable or non existent signal conditions. We haven't used the Mobile 4G short range indoor antenna except to test it, but there was no feedback loop oscillation during that test in very weak signal conditions. I redid the antenna passthrough using a 4"X6" or so piece of 16 gage stainless to cover the numerous holes from the factory installation of the antenna coax pass through plate. I used two Blue Sea Cable Clams from West Marine to provide cable passthrough (one for a Cat 6 cable for the Titanium Bullet combo, and one for both the BoatAnt antenna cable and the antenna up warning wire). Works nicely going down the road in the travel position, and when parked where the signal may be too weak, in the raised position. I am happy with the results so far.
Don
The selected media item is not currently available.
Don & Tys
1999 U270 3602 WTFE #5402
Xtreme Stage 1 w/Headlight, Step Conversion, etc.
2009 Honda Fit Sport with Navi
Freedom is NOT "just another word for nothing left to lose"... with apologies to Kris Kristofferson

Re: , installing Wilson 4G booster

Reply #1 –
What a neat installation. Especially thoughtful using the breakaway mechanism. I wonder if the 4g throttles back if it senses oscillation?
Dave W. (AKA Toyman )
'03, 270, 36', Build 6095, Pulling whatever I hook it to.

"Don't cry because it's over. Smile because it happened."
Dr Seuss

Re: Removing Sensar, installing Wilson 4G & Omni wide-band Antenna

Reply #2 –
Don, surgically clean install, as usual.  Pretty blue sky in photo #4, and nice looking camp.  Where you at?
1993 U280 SE 40' WTBI, Build: 4359
C8.3 300hp, 6-Speed, Exhaust Brake
960 watts on the roof (6 x 160)
Sorento (or BOLT) on a Kar Kaddy SS
"Nature abhors a vacuum"

Re: Removing Sensar, installing Wilson 4G & Omni wide-band Antenna

Reply #3 –
Thanks Chuck! The picture is of our current home base, Pio Pico Thousand Trails in San Diego. Agreed that it looks quite nice from that picture. Other views are arguably less flattering though :o It has been a good home base for us mainly due to its location. The park staff have always been helpful and do their best to make the park welcoming, but the aging infrastructure and overselling of memberships has taken it down a notch or two in recent years. They do continue to make improvements as much as they can within the corporate structure (Equity Lifestyles bought out TT about 6 years ago). We will continue to come back her from time to time once we have moved our home base to the Aguanga Escapees CoOp near Temecula (about 75 miles north of San Diego) because my Son and two of my grandkids are there. But truth is, the SKP's CoOp park where we are right now almost makes most Thousand Trails parks seem like third world by comparison.
Don
Quote from: cajk –
Don, surgically clean install, as usual.  Pretty blue sky in photo #4, and nice looking camp.  Where you at?
The selected media item is not currently available.
Don & Tys
1999 U270 3602 WTFE #5402
Xtreme Stage 1 w/Headlight, Step Conversion, etc.
2009 Honda Fit Sport with Navi
Freedom is NOT "just another word for nothing left to lose"... with apologies to Kris Kristofferson

Re: Removing Sensar, installing Wilson 4G & Omni wide-band Antenna

Reply #4 –
Thanks Dave. I don't think so... When I move the inside antenna close to the roof, I get a red light on one or more of the LED status lights. When I get some time I will experiment some more...
Don
Quote from: toyman –
What a neat installation. Especially thoughtful using the breakaway mechanism. I wonder if the 4g throttles back if it senses oscillation?
The selected media item is not currently available.
Don & Tys
1999 U270 3602 WTFE #5402
Xtreme Stage 1 w/Headlight, Step Conversion, etc.
2009 Honda Fit Sport with Navi
Freedom is NOT "just another word for nothing left to lose"... with apologies to Kris Kristofferson

Re: Removing Sensar, installing Wilson 4G & Omni wide-band Antenna

Reply #5 –
As mentioned in other threads about the Wilson 4G Mobile boost, it does get quite warm while powered on as does its power supply. I used some ¼" aluminum plate to mount i on to try and help dissipate some of the heat. The case of the Wilson unit is cast Aluminum and the mounting tabs are hold the unit proud of the surface by ⅜" or so to provide air for the cooling vents on the back of it. The aluminum plate underneath does get a bit warm while the unit is on and it seems to me that it runs a little cooler since I mounted it there. Something to be aware of if it is installed in a cabinet. I may yet at a fan and a thermo switch for added cooling.
Don
The selected media item is not currently available.
Don & Tys
1999 U270 3602 WTFE #5402
Xtreme Stage 1 w/Headlight, Step Conversion, etc.
2009 Honda Fit Sport with Navi
Freedom is NOT "just another word for nothing left to lose"... with apologies to Kris Kristofferson

Re: Removing Sensar, installing Wilson 4G & Omni wide-band Antenna

Reply #6 –
Quote from: acousticart –
At the moment, the inside cabinetry (new sideboard cabinet below the windows from the front entry all the way back to the pantry) is rising to the top of the project list.
Don,

This project sounds similar to one we would like to accomplish also. Do you have any drawings or sketches that show what you envision?

Would love to follow in your capable footsteps!

Thanks,

Trent

Trent and Jean Eyler
2000  U295  4003  WTFE  ISC  350
Build#5603 MC#17385

Re: Removing Sensar, installing Wilson 4G & Omni wide-band Antenna

Reply #7 –
Trent,
Right now the plans are in my head, but I will be drawing something up so I can generate a materials list etc. But I did plan for it when I was installing the bamboo floor forward of the bathroom by putting down a furring strip down on the sub floor about 7" away from the wall from the pantry forward. I do know that I will be removing the window sills and replacing them with the top of the side board cabinet. Currently, the plan is to have it be 9" deep to allow one of the commonly available shoe box sized plastic storage boxes to fit sideways (We have many of these in the upper cabinets currently). This project also involves making a desk just behind the co-pilot chair. I will be starting a new topic when I develop the plan further. It will be pretty involved, and will likely be done in a few stages. The desk will have a TV lift for a wide screen monitor will come up in front of the window at the back of the desk. It also involves the final bit of flooring in the very front of the coach, for which we have chosen some luxury vinyl tile. Come to think of it, there will probably more than one new topic out of this... ::)
Don
Quote from: TulsaTrent –
Don,

This project sounds similar to one we would like to accomplish also. Do you have any drawings or sketches that show what you envision?

Would love to follow in your capable footsteps!

Thanks,

Trent


The selected media item is not currently available.
Don & Tys
1999 U270 3602 WTFE #5402
Xtreme Stage 1 w/Headlight, Step Conversion, etc.
2009 Honda Fit Sport with Navi
Freedom is NOT "just another word for nothing left to lose"... with apologies to Kris Kristofferson

Re: Removing Sensar, installing Wilson 4G & Omni wide-band Antenna

Reply #8 –
I installed the Ubiquiti Titanium Bullet a year or so ago and it's doing fine. It and the outdoor antenna for the Wilson Sleek 4g LTE amplifier are mounted on the "luggage rack" at the back of the coach. I haven't really integrated the Bullet into my system because we have not really found any need for it yet (except between the house and the coach 2 blocks apart).

Took off the entire Wineguard assembly and installed a "Jack" on the mounting plate in its place last year. Much better local reception from the Jack and I don't have to worry about putting it down.

We spent a couple of weeks at the SKP Park Sierra up close to Yosemite last January and loved it. We hadn't planned to stay there but veered east from I-5 on a whim and, once there, we couldn't bring ourselves to leave. LOL. Next time south we'll try Aguanga.

Craig
1993 U225 36' Unihome GV with PACBRAKE exhaust retarder, Banks Stinger and Solar Panels.
Toad: 1999 Jeep Wrangler 2-door soft-top.

"No one has ever had to evacuate a city because the solar panels broke."

Re: Removing Sensar, installing Wilson 4G & Omni wide-band Antenna

Reply #9 –
Don,

Thanks for the detailed response.

Quote from: acousticart –
Currently, the plan is to have it be 9" deep to allow one of the commonly available shoe box sized plastic storage boxes to fit sideways (We have many of these in the upper cabinets currently).
Do you imagine cubbyholes, or just take advantage of their stackable nature?

Quote from: acousticart –
The desk will have a TV lift for a wide screen monitor will come up in front of the window at the back of the desk.
Have you selected a lifting device yet? I am planning to use the Whisper Ride 700. It is designed for screens from 26" - 47" and can hold up to 220 pounds. The important thing is it has a lift range of 27.5". A little 'spendy' at $500, but everything seems to be in the A/V arena.

What are you planning for the top surface? I'm thinking of Corian, but only if I can get it to match mine. BTW, If I can find a way to remove the thin Corian backsplashes beside and behind the stove, that would work for part of it. Unfortunately, most people seem to break it in the removal process. Thinking of using the music wire garrote from my previous career.  :)

Will share more info as I progress in my project.

Trent

Trent and Jean Eyler
2000  U295  4003  WTFE  ISC  350
Build#5603 MC#17385
 

Re: Removing Sensar, installing Wilson 4G & Omni wide-band Antenna

Reply #10 –
Quote from: TulsaTrent –
Do you imagine cubbyholes, or just take advantage of their stackable nature?
My present thinking is to install adjustable shelves and allow for stacking 2 high in some cases, and maybe just one in others. I don't plan on using those plastic boxes exclusively but I have found them handy as you can see some of what is in there and I like to label them as well. I have some cabinet doors that I bought from FOT (Dave F. gave me a great deal on a mess of oak cabinet doors and I will build the face frames and some permanent shelves to their sizes). I have the router bits to make new doors of the same style if necessary, and I will likely put a few shallow drawers in there to add some small item storage.
Quote from: TulsaTrent –
Have you selected a lifting device yet? I am planning to use the Whisper Ride 700. It is designed for screens from 26" - 47" and can hold up to 220 pounds. The important thing is it has a lift range of 27.5". A little 'spendy' at $500, but everything seems to be in the A/V arena.
That seems to be a pretty typical price for these TV lifts. I may roll my own using an electric actuator and some HD slide tracks... depends on time available. There are advantages (and disadvantages) to using the commercially available ones. I used to this type of thing at San Diego State in my working life.
Quote from: TulsaTrent –
What are you planning for the top surface? I'm thinking of Corian, but only if I can get it to match mine. BTW, If I can find a way to remove the thin Corian backsplashes beside and behind the stove, that would work for part of it. Unfortunately, most people seem to break it in the removal process. Thinking of using the music wire garrote from my previous career.  :)
The top will be ¾" solid oak to match the rest of the cabinetry and the desk top. I doubt I would be able to get a close enough match to the Corian already in our coach. I already have a solid oak desktop that came from the dining table I had in my S&B... in fact, it is in the coach now already acting as a desk in its assigned position, but won't really be a desk until I build a base for it, complete with drawers.
Don
The selected media item is not currently available.
Don & Tys
1999 U270 3602 WTFE #5402
Xtreme Stage 1 w/Headlight, Step Conversion, etc.
2009 Honda Fit Sport with Navi
Freedom is NOT "just another word for nothing left to lose"... with apologies to Kris Kristofferson