Radio Antenna - Fiberglass RV
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Old 06-23-2003, 01:10 PM   #1
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Radio Antenna

I'm trying to install a car CD/AM/FM unit in my 17' Boler. I'm having problems finding a suitable antenna for an outside mount. Everyone refers me to Canadian Tire but the attachment mechanism on theirs would need significant alteration. Has anyone else tried this and would you please refer me to alternative sources for the antenna. Thanks.



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Old 06-23-2003, 02:45 PM   #2
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Hi
You do not need to put your radio antena out side.Just leave it in side in back of radio.Just buy one of those 14 inch rubber antenia.Don't make holes unless you have too.Radio waves go through fiberglass.:wave



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Old 06-23-2003, 02:55 PM   #3
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Radio Antenna

Thanks for that quick reply. I hadn't really thought of an inside mount due the the fact we camp in the forestry preserve where
reception is limited. In this case I'm not sure if an inside mount would impede the reception or not.



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Old 06-23-2003, 02:57 PM   #4
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Yes radio waves go through fiberglass....but....
sometimes we are out in the boonies and reception needs a little help.
In that case an external antenna that is made to work on fiberglass items such as boats and motorhomes etc help to bring "Prairie Home companion" on NPR or the baseball game etc.
Do a search on Google for a
"4350 AM/FM Marine Antenna from Shakespeare
This 3' combination antenna features Shakespeare's exclusive distributive load for super signal ".......also the model 4351.....
prices run $35-40 on the internet.



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Old 06-23-2003, 05:18 PM   #5
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Insulation

FYI

Some Scamps have aluminum backed insulation which will impede radio reception.

I plan on someday installing a radio in my Scamp, and am not at all worried about the hole drilled for the antenna leaking water.

-- Dan Meyer



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Old 06-23-2003, 05:46 PM   #6
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Quote:
Orginally posted by Tamid

Thanks for that quick reply. I hadn't really thought of an inside mount due the the fact we camp in the forestry preserve where
reception is limited. In this case I'm not sure if an inside mount would impede the reception or not.
Hi
I live and camp in the Fernie BC area.I am in the mountains so radio stations are sometimes hard to find.I have always found a station.



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Old 06-24-2003, 08:02 AM   #7
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Noel,

Checked out the Shakespeare antenna. Exactly what I am looking for. However, here in Calgary they are asking $90CAN. Not exactly
a cheap item. Might beable to get it out of the US for around $70.



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Old 06-25-2003, 04:34 PM   #8
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Antenna

Hi!

Do you think that a VW Bus antenna could be a solution?

<img src=http://www.fiberglassrv.com/board/uploads/3efa232006ae4antenna.jpg/>

http://www.bus-boys.com/antenna.html

Alain



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Old 06-25-2003, 04:42 PM   #9
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Lightning?

:o

I gotta ask. Is an external metal antenna a concern with Lightning? I remember quite a thread on Lightning on one of these forums and I think Augie B. had quite a lot of good info on it. I know the Fiberglass Body is not like a metal body in terms of protection. In fact, the next time I'm out and one of those ''tunderboomers'' comes up, we're getting in the car. I was in one over memorial day in Colorado at about 9500 feet and was quite concerned. I don't want to be a crispy critter. I can't stand the smell of fat burning.

I'm concerned because I too am planning on installing a radio in the Egg.

Thanks,



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Old 06-25-2003, 08:55 PM   #10
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Keith,
Fiberglass is an insulator not a conductor, without an antenna the chances of a direct hit are pretty slim. With an antenna, slightly higher. I think you need to worry more about the big tree next to you falling on the trailer when it gets hit.

Since most times I find myself next to some behemoth bus or trailer I figure the lightning will get him first.



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Old 06-25-2003, 10:18 PM   #11
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radio

I take a CC Radio along on trips. It has the best AM antenna in the business and with AM, antenna is everything. I listen to distant AM stuff and this radio works great for me. Its sound quality is designed to enhance the spoken word. It does have FM, TV, and WX bands also.

Jim



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Old 06-25-2003, 11:28 PM   #12
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radio antenna

My Trillium 4500 came with a Realistic AM/FM casette stereo, with an external antenna. It is similar to the single mount VW antenna, and mounts on the front surface of the trailer. If you like I can post a photo. I have very good reception, and I live in a mountain/valley area of central Interior British Columbia

Rick B



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Old 06-26-2003, 06:12 AM   #13
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Did anyone ever think of a power antenna from a car. The one on our Olds goes up when the radio is turned on and down when turned off. (maybe they all do) Could be mounted in one of the cupboards and just the little tip would show above the roof when not extended.
Nancy



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Old 06-26-2003, 09:34 AM   #14
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I checked out the Shakespeare antenna model 4350 and it fits the bill. It has a lift and lay mount so when travelling or in a thunderstorm it can be laid down, but I really don't think that is a concern since it is made of fiberglass.

Calgary prices are high, $91.50 at Renfrew Marine. I've checked around and you can't get it out of the States any cheaper once you consider postage, GST and exchange rate. Try Popeye's Marine Store in Vancouver. $67 plus $10 flat rate for postage.

For those of you looking at car antennas I've found the mounting system is designed for the sheet metal a car is made of, not the fiberglass of our trailers. Major alterations would be required.



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Old 06-26-2003, 10:09 AM   #15
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FYI

for the lower 48 group.............

<img src=http://www.fiberglassrv.com/board/uploads/3efb1a9ab9f8c4350.jpg/>

http://www.valcoelectronics.com/marine/4350.htm

"This 3' combination antenna features Shakespeare's exclusive distributive load for super signal pulling power. The coil is permanently sealed in Shakespeare's white fiberglass. A polycarbonate Lift and Lay mount is included. Includes 10' RG-62 coax with Motorola plug Mount: Integrated Lift and Lay mount with hardware is supplied. One section, 39" overall length" from their ad...



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Old 07-02-2003, 08:57 PM   #16
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Different am/fm antenna

Found this antenna at AutoZone for about $10 while I was shopping locally for one of the rubber antennas like Ches mentioned above. Metra Model #UA200 adheres to the fiberglass--I put it inside a cabinet. It is for use with an automobile style am/fm radio. It has a built in amplifier, so you must connect to a ground and a hot wire to the ''power antenna'' wire on the am/fm radio. So far it works great. Probably won't be as good as a large external antenna, but seems adequate and it's a cinch to install!

The web link is to Lafayette Radio, but it is half their price at AutoZone, if you have a store in your area.

http://www.lafayetteradio.com/universal_antennas.htm

Scroll down to 44-UA200



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Old 07-10-2003, 09:33 AM   #17
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Antenna

I just installed a car radio/cassettes in my trailer. I am using the alluminium frame of the small overhead cabinet as an antenna. Just bought the male plug part of the antenna, solder a wire with an aligator clip to connect to the frame.

So far, so good. AM or FM.

But I did not try it far from transmitters.

Alain



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Old 07-10-2003, 09:50 AM   #18
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Stuff it in

I installed a CD deck in the upper portion of my tall cabinet.
Although I've drilled many holes into my fiberglass during the restoration, I didn't want to put one in for the antenna.
I just left it extended and stuffed in the corner standing up in the back of the cabinet. It works very well.

I have a photograph of the stereo placement as the tenth photo down on this link:

http://www.fiberglassrv.com/board/read.php?TID=3011



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Old 07-10-2003, 10:03 AM   #19
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yes, the folks who suggested a marine application are right. The big problem with "auto" antenni on fiberglass is that you are dealing with a situation in that the surface does not produce a sufficient "ground plane" for the antenna. Unless you want to fool around with metal mesh (and mess) to adapt an auto antenna, go the marine application route.



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