TV Antenna

[carapr]

Has anyone installed a Winegard Sensar television antenna on your popup. I'm trying to figure out how to run the coax cable between the sandwiched roof panels. I don't want to surface mount the cable. My only guess is to angle drill a hole from inside the 1 3/4" main hole. I can get about 13" before I break through the bottom ceiling panel.  Any thoughts?

[sacrawf]

I considered all manner of antenna mounts, and have ended up staying with amplified rabbit ears on top of the TV.  (Philips MANT410)

First, we do use the TV at different locations at times in the camper depending upon whether we are watching a game, catching the news in the morning, or watching a DVD movie during a rainstorm, so there is no one best place for the coax input to be mounted. The amplified rabbit ears also facilitates using the tv and antenna to be used for tailgating without the camper.

Secondly, In different campgrounds the signal has been so variable, even from site to site, that the antenna location within the camper affects the quality of the signal. We can easily move about the antenna and set it on the bunkends or a table as the signals necessitate.

Locating the antenna on a removable mast on the side of the camper or awning seemed to me to be the best solution, using a Winegard "flying saucer" amplified antenna and a pvc or lightweight metal mast attached with velcro or bungee cord. However, the level of amplification included with these antenna is lower than the amplification on my currently used rabbit ears (45db), and then there is the storage of the antenna pole and the antenna to consider.  Alternatively, a seperate amplifier could be attached, but that is just something else to connect/disconnect/store, and plug in. The overall storage would  take more space than the small rabbit ears (still stored in their origianal manufacturer's cardboard box in the underseat storage when not in use).  

Third, I have read way too many discussions on this group about problems with roof leaks and sagging to ever want to put any additional holes in the roof, especially running a lateral drill for a wire that may create a weak spot.

Do you have a roof AC unit?  It may be possible to feed the coax through the AC unit housing and along the already surface-mounted factory AC wiring, although this may result in signal interferance during AC operation.

Let us know your decision and results!

[carapr]

I completed the installation of the antenna this weekend. The roof was only 1" thick, not the 2" I had guessed. This meant the straight hole would break through at 6" so I used a length of soft copper tubing I could bend and basically forced a hole through the styrofoam insulation. I was able to get the 12" distance I needed to get the coax behind the curtains. I ran the coax along the ceiling behind the curtains to the lifting post and inside the flap that covers the post. The wire is never visible and turned out very nice. My only concern is the thin aluminum roof skin. The base is screwed to the aluminum skin with sheet metal screws and I'm afraid it might pull out eventually. If so I will make a plate that fits inside and bolt all the way through.

I figured the this thread would open a can of worms of why anyone would want to watch TV while camping. Well my beloved OK Sooners play Texas Tech Saturday night while I'm deer hunting. I had already given my tickets away but could not stand to miss the game entirely.

Sacrawl, thanks for the reply. I tried the amplified rabbit ears and couldn't get any reception. I considered an antenna mounted on a mast but I am trying to consolidate the amount of loose stuff we take. I knew the Winegard antenna worked at my hunting ground because another family members trailer had one last year and the reception was great.

[WolfPack]

I have dune two the frist one wa on my 94 coleman it had the metal roof and the sec was my 05 coachmen it has the non metal roof you should be fine make sure you caulk it so it does not leak. :usflag:

[eanddrice]

:-()  Thanks for posting this.  I have been thinking of doing the same thing on my '05 Niagara.  The rabbit ears just don't seem to pick up anything, even with the amplifier on.  I know I'll have to get one of the converter boxes after February, but it will be worth it.

[4Campers]

Well, I've been wondering how to hook up our new TV next year. We just bought a 19" LCD HDTV for the bedroom which will come camping with us. We have rabbit ears and a convertor box, but I always thought that a roof mounted antenna would get better reception. It's frustrating to have to move the rabbit ears all around the camper to get good reception. Most of the time I place the rabbit ears up into the clothes hanger on the ceiling and spread the ears out to hold it in place. Sometimes this works, sometimes it does not work.
Will an antenna on the roof get better reception? Will I still need a convertor box if I install a roof antenna like the Weingard?

[carapr]

The antenna worked out great. The built in amplifier really helps pull in far away signals. Running the coax through the roof was a bit of a chore but worth it. You can purchase the antenna online for just over $100. If anyone is interested I will give all the advice I can. You shouldn't need a digital convertor box if you have a digital television. By the way the antenna, generator, and LCD TV were all worth it to see my OK Sooners beat Texas Tech on there way to a 8th National Championship. Boomer Sooner