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Topic: Cellular Antenna mount type (Read 676 times) previous topic - next topic

Cellular Antenna mount type

Can someone tell me what antenna type mounting system this attaches to???  I know it isn't nmo.  Want to attach a Wilson cell booster antenna when this attaches on front center of coach.  Something like their Sleek optional antenna.  Did Foretravel build in a metal ground plane where this attaches?
1994 U225
build #4514

Re: Cellular Antenna mount type

Reply #1 –
if it's not NMO, and it's  ~.56" id, maybe it's PL-259.  The male mount on the roof would be an SO-239.  Sometimes used for CB antennas (and for most ham radio antennas), but it's not at all the ideal connector for cell phone frequencies.

The cell antenna mount that came with our rig has an NMO connector, and the shield is connected by a small braid to one of the roof ribs, so not a great ground plane, but it seems to work with my 2M/440 mhz antenna.
Dave and Nancy
1999/2013 U270 36' Xtreme
Motorcade # 16774
2013 Subaru Outback
KD0NIM

Re: Cellular Antenna mount type

Reply #2 –
Quote from: Dave Katsuki –
if it's not NMO, and it's  ~.56" id, maybe it's PL-259.  The male mount on the roof would be an SO-239.  Sometimes used for CB antennas (and for most ham radio antennas), but it's not at all the ideal connector for cell phone frequencies.
.
It is way smaller that a PL259.  The female threaded opening at the antenna base is only 1/8".  Measures 12 7/8" overall.  The other end of  coax at the inside the cockpit has a BNC connector.
1994 U225
build #4514

Re: Cellular Antenna mount type

Reply #3 –
               Pat ; we got our booster at Verizon , cost less than $30.00 , sticks on inside of window with a suction cup . Works great , is very small and easy to hide .                Brad Metzger
Brad Metzger
2010 Phenix 45'

Re: Cellular Antenna mount type

Reply #4 –
I can do that, but was looking to replace the antenna on the roof with a better one, and hook to that for better range.
1994 U225
build #4514

Re: Cellular Antenna mount type

Reply #5 –
That was my idea too, Pat, on our 95. I gave up on that and then moved on to replacing it with a Wilson using the same roof hole. I gave up on that when I couldn't access it from inside. Pulled down the ceiling cover in the front area expecting to get access but found only solid fiberglass. Ended up removing the cell antenna from the rear, enlarging the hole and installing a Wilson Shorty. Good luck.
jor
93 225
95 300
97 270
99 320

Re: Cellular Antenna mount type

Reply #6 –
Good Morning Pat,

Check out the solutions at the 3G Store.  This one in particular is for RVs.

Wilson SOHO All-In-One RV Repeater Kit [800/1900mhz] : 3Gstore.com

I used these components bought from Amazon for well over $100 less.  Installation was a bit challenging.  The internal repeater antenna needs to be at least 10 ft from the external antenna.  Works on 3G and less.  There are 4G solutions but much more expensive.  When we need this there is no 4G anywhere near.  Works on ATT and Verizon frequencies.  Verizon has much wider coverage in general, it seems to us.  Verizon 3G is a bit slower than ATT 3G.  If here is no signal than nothing will help.  We can easily go from 1 bar to 3 or 4.

They have lots of other solutions as well and are pretty helpful on the phone.  Ask at you phone service provider store as well.  Unfortunately these are hard to test until you get far enough away that you need them.

Roger
Roger Engdahl and Susan Green
2001 U320 3610 #5879 (Home2) - 2014 Jeep Cherokee or 2018 F150
Hastings, MN

Re: Cellular Antenna mount type

Reply #7 –
Jor,
Yep, I can't find access from the inside either!  Thought maybe it was inside the old TV cabinet, but no luck there either.  Was so hoping for a screw on replacement.  Have e-mailed Wilson and maybe they will come up with something.  Could try to use the old antenna and see what happens.  Don't know if the Sleek booster could handle that long of a coaxial run over 50 ohm coax. Certainly should not have any standing wave ratio problems the way the Sleek is set up.

Roger,
Was trying to avoid that high of expense of the repeater, and hook up to a closer antenna.  The Sleek gives me very decent signal amplification.
1994 U225
build #4514

Re: Cellular Antenna mount type

Reply #8 –
Usually, simpler is better.  Somehow we find ourselves at the edges of the cell phone world more often than not and this setup helps with data links which I need for my mostly-retired work.  That's what I tell myself anyway..  Voice usually works where data seems to be impossible.  Text messages seem to work where calls rarely do. 

When it all fails there is a bit of anguish and the I go find a book to read.

Roger
Roger Engdahl and Susan Green
2001 U320 3610 #5879 (Home2) - 2014 Jeep Cherokee or 2018 F150
Hastings, MN

Re: Cellular Antenna mount type

Reply #9 –
Am looking at Rt 90 between San Antonio and El Paso.  Looks like pretty much a dead area.  But if one can get any kind of a signal off a tower, it looks as if a external roof mounted antenna would be needed.
1994 U225
build #4514

Re: Cellular Antenna mount type

Reply #10 –
West TX was pretty poor for cell service last winter.  From Big Bend NP (none) west toward Guadalupe Mtns NP (almost none) it was pretty thin.  As soon as we moved north into NM from Carlsbad Caverns things improved quickly.

Roger
Roger Engdahl and Susan Green
2001 U320 3610 #5879 (Home2) - 2014 Jeep Cherokee or 2018 F150
Hastings, MN

Re: Cellular Antenna mount type

Reply #11 –
Dave:
I have found that the aluminum roof framing in a Foretravel makes an excellent ground plane for a CB radio antenna.
The problem is maintaining good electrical contact with the aluminum. I clean and reconnect the ground strap (with dielectric grease) annually and also clean the antennna/mast connections. I find that when I use the SWR meter, the antenna efficiency has reduced after a year.

PatC & jor
The CB antenna in my 1996 U320 was mounted close to the AM/FM antenna,on the driver side of the roof, which made tuning the CB antenna impossible. I moved the CB antenna to the passenger side of the roof by determining where the roof rafters were with a stud sensor and drilling holes close to the rafter to allow a short ground plain strap. I do not understand why the CB and AM/FM antennae were so close together because I have never seen this on another Foretravel.

All three antennae leads on my roof are visible inside the cabinets which go across the front (top) of the coach. There were thin wood panels inside these cabinets which I removed to provide access to the inside ceiling. I did have difficulty locating the leads inside until I followed the air hoses to the horns and measured distances from them. If you are not looking at the ceiling rug inside the front cabinets, you are probably looking at a false ceiling.






   
Wyatt
96 U320 40 WTFE, build 4943
84 Toyota Supra towd
2015 Jeep Wrangler towd
Victoria, BC, Canada

Re: Cellular Antenna mount type

Reply #13 –
Quote
All three antennae leads on my roof are visible inside the cabinets which go across the front (top) of the coach.
Wyatt, it's different for Pat and me. On the GV they aren't visible up front. They are covered by a fiberglass panel. If I decide to put an antenna up front I think I'll just hole that thing to gain access. It's covered by material anyhow so the hole wouldn't show.
jor
93 225
95 300
97 270
99 320