Coast Resorts Open Roads Forum: Tech Issues: Satellite Radio Antenna


	Already a member? Login here. If not, Register Today! \| Help

Newest | Active | Popular | RVing FAQ

Forum Rules | Forum Help and Support | Contact

Open Roads Forum > Tech Issues

This Topic Is Closed | Print Topic | Post New Topic |

CliffordG

Central Wyoming

Senior Member

Joined: 10/01/2009

View Profile

Good Sam RV Club Member

Offline

Posted: 07/15/10 02:53pm

Link | Print | Notify Moderator

I'd really rather not poke a hole in the roof of my trailer in order to route the satellite radio cable but I'd really like to have an antenna up there.

So, does anyone have a nifty way to get a satellite antenna up on the roof of their rig and route the antenna cable down to the satellite radio?

2005 Silverado 2500HD with 8.1L/Allison pulling a 2007 WW FSW 2800.

Wayne Dohnal

Bend, OR.

Senior Member

Joined: 03/09/2003

View Profile

Offline

Posted: 07/15/10 02:59pm

Link | Print | Notify Moderator

I routed my cable up and out the refrigerator vent, and glued a small metal plate to the top of the vent for the antenna's magnet.

2009 Fleetwood Icon 24A
Honda Fit dinghy with US Gear brake system
LinkPro battery monitor - EU2000i generator

Canuck1

Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada

Full Member

Joined: 09/12/2003

View Profile

Good Sam RV Club Member

Posted: 07/15/10 04:12pm

Link | Print | Notify Moderator

The antenna actually doesn't need to be outside the rig unless the roof is made of metal. If it is rubber or fiberglass just mount it to the underside and you'll get excellent reception.

I have a moho and like you I didn't want to punch a hole through the roof so after consulting with the manufacturer I located mine on the underside of the ceiling inside of an overhead cabinet about mid-way between the two sides of the rig. Just make sure that you have the antenna "face up" exactly as it would if it were sitting on the roof.
Canuck1

2002 Triple E Signature A3607GW
300HP Cat, Allison MH3000
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada

Klueck

Florida

Senior Member

Joined: 11/15/2008

View Profile

Offline

Posted: 07/15/10 06:00pm

Link | Print | Notify Moderator

Ours just sits on the dash. That way we can take it between the toad and the MH. It works fine on the dash of both.

rvten

Crossville,TN

Senior Member

Joined: 11/30/2000

View Profile

Good Sam RV Club Member

Posted: 07/15/10 06:31pm

Link | Print | Notify Moderator

Same here just on the dash.

Tom & Bonnie
Crossville, TN.
Aspect 29H 2008 Type C
Ford Flex SEL 2010
There is no B+

johnbhicks

Cherry Pocket, Fla.

Senior Member

Joined: 07/25/2009

View Profile

Offline

Posted: 07/15/10 11:22pm

Link | Print | Notify Moderator

I stuck it to the steel hardware under a plastic roof vent, then led the thin wire across the ceiling (hidden by white tape) and down to the receiver.

An alternative is a rail-mount antenna.
http://www.myradiostore.com/sirius/sirius-antennas/sirius-truck/sirxm01.html

-C&J-
www.fugawetribe.com

RedRollingRoadblock

Oregon

Senior Member

Joined: 11/26/2007

View Profile

Offline

Posted: 07/16/10 12:07pm

Link | Print | Notify Moderator

I ran mine through a roof vent and tucked the wire under the trim piece to the cabinet. Double sided tape works fine for attaching the antenna on the roof,

CliffordG

Central Wyoming

Senior Member

Joined: 10/01/2009

View Profile

Good Sam RV Club Member

Offline

Posted: 07/16/10 08:34am

Link | Print | Notify Moderator

Klueck wrote:

Ours just sits on the dash. That way we can take it between the toad and the MH. It works fine on the dash of both.

Like you I have a portable unit. I'm going to purchase a second antenna and permanently mount it in the TH. Then all I have to do is move the power cord and radio from TV to TH.

The fridge vent pipe idea is a good one but how did you get the little bugger through there? Drill a hole in the side of the vent pipe and then seal it?

I hadn't thought of the putting it on the hardware of a skylight. That would work pretty well I think. That removes the need to get the wire outside at all!

I like the rail mounted antenna idea too, but again, how do you get the cable to it?

Wayne Dohnal

Bend, OR.

Senior Member

Joined: 03/09/2003

View Profile

Offline

Posted: 07/16/10 09:48am

Link | Print | Notify Moderator

The fridge vent isn't a pipe, it's a whole big compartment behind the fridge. I removed the top of the vent, and had to do some manipulating to get the wire through the screen, which I assume is to keep critters out. Reading another post jogged my memory that in a previous rig I made a small metal bracket to hold the antenna below one of the plastic ceiling vent domes. That worked well, too. In both cases, it was a spot convenient to where I wanted to fish the wire to the radio.