Radio Antenna

[Sebastian H]

Anyone install a 12V radio (from a car) in your trailer? What did you use for an antenna? Is there one that can be used inside so I don’t have to drill another hole through the shell? Thanks.
Sebastian

[Kevin K]

I have one in my scamp mounted under rear shelf and AM/FM radio on right side.
Works perfect.

[Rick kl]

I mounted a radio cd player over my sink and then mounted one of these inside my cabinet, you have to run 12volt to it but its works really well even at the lake I can pick up stations.


http://cgi.ebay.ca/Hidden-Antenna-Am-Fm-Fi...=item3caa0da9f5

[Kevin K]

Nice idea.

[peterh]

I have an AM/FM/TV unit and antennas inside my 2005 Scamp. Newer Scamps use mylar-coated Reflectix insulation, and I've fond that blocks most radio signals, so I have to come up with an external mount of some sort.

[Larry C Hanson]

Hello Sebastian,
Having had much experience with antennae as a lifelong ham radio operator
let me add my opinion, please. Most antennae have two parts. The one on your car has the
car body and the whip that sticks up. You can duplicate this on your trailer by installing a
car type antenna on the body of the trailer just above the aluminum strip that goes around it.
Connect the shield side of the antenna cable to the strip to provide a balance (counterpoise) to the
whip antenna sticking up. If you buy a car antenna the base contacts the body of the car to
provide a balance to the part sticking up. Make sure that the base part is connected/bonded
to the aluminum strip around the trailer.
I hope this helps. Good Luck, Larry H.

[Raya]

I know of boaters who have used this type of stick-on antenna that usually goes on a window. The antenna part on the window is a sort of clear and flat tape.

This is not really a recommendation, since I have no direct experience, but just something for possible consideration.

Here's a link to one, which is Shakespeare model #SHA4353 It's around $25

http://www.boatersland.com/sha4353.html

Photo:





Raya

[Dave Chatham]

Larry,
Can we mount the antenna to the bumper and get the same effect or is it too low? Would it work if raised up but still attached to the bumper, This makes the frame the reference ground then right?
Dave

[Larry C Hanson]

Larry,
Can we mount the antenna to the bumper and get the same effect or is it too low? Would it work if raised up but still attached to the bumper, This makes the frame the reference ground then right?
Dave

Hi Dave,

Your bumper mount would work OK. However, the higher up it is mounted the
better it will work, especially on FM. For fringe area reception that exists in most
camping areas the antenna elevation is important. Are you thinking of some sort
of mast on the bumper to elevate the antenna?

Which is more important to you, AM or FM?
Did you already purchase the antenna you intend to use? Photo?

Larry H

[Dave Chatham]

Larry,
Sorry for the slow response, apparently I am still on probation here! I quit posting here so long ago, my avatar is for a trailer I sold 4 years ago!
I am just trying to figure out if the bumper mount would work, and you say yes. I am looking to get better AM reception, haven't looked at any antenna yet. I would probably construct some kind of mast to get more air, but would like to make it removable. I know AM works good on a long wire, but that can get messy in camp. Looking for a semi permanent setup, and from the suggestion you made to the original poster, I thought it would be difficult to make an edge band attachment look good. With the bumper one could bring the wire in below the rig out of sight.
Dave

[Sebastian H]

Thanks for the antenna tips. Now I have some ideas to play with.
I'm back to web access only once every 1 - 3 weeks so I'm not real quick with my responses.

Sebastian

[Larry C Hanson]

Hello Sebastian,

There are a couple of good routes to go for better AM Broadcast reception.

1. You could buy a quality AM portable such as the GE Superadio II on Ebay
for $50 > $80. Use a 12V DC adapter so you can run off the trailer battery.
http://mysite.verizon.net/vze20h45/radio/s...r_tech.html#N5A
There is a current Superadio III but its performance is slightly inferior to the
previous model.

Almost forgot about the C.Crane CC Radio Plus. It is a good radio with pretty good sensitivity on AM.
I have one, but the tuning mechanism went out after about a year and will only tune down now.
That is why I am not too anxious to recommend it.

2. Get a good car radio and put up a good antenna. I have found that the
older (early 80s) car radios with analog tuning make a better radio for tuning around
finding weak stations because you can tune slightly off the station. I like the old analog radios from Toyota which are
quite sensitive, AM/FM Stereo and cost $10-20 when they come up occasionally on Ebay. For
an antenna you might consider a bumper mount 8' CB whip with a quick coupling
to remove it for travel.

Hope this helps you. Larry H







Larry .

[Sebastian H]

A few years ago I installed a car radio/CD player in my trailer but have just been using it as a CD player. The reason I'm looking into an antenna is because I want to use my Sirius Starmate 5 in the trailer and I need fm reception. Sure would like a quick fix.

[Alan #1119]

I have a Sirius Starmate which was a birthday present several years ago. It came with an antenna which I intalled on the roof of the truck and snaked the lead to come up by the console. I use the radio while traveling, but bought “Home kits” which allowed me to play the Starmate in the house or in the Casita. When I called Sirius to register the radio they gave me an fm frequency to tune the truck radio to and the Starmate transmitted to that frequency. At home or in the Casita I connect the Starmate output to my tuner/amplifier and play through that system. The home kit included and ac power supply for the radio and an antenna. At home I mounted the antenna on top of a 10' pvc mast and in the Casita I placed the antenna in one of the overhead cabinets.

Recently I was looking at the Sirius systems available and think the Stratus 5 is the closest to my radio. I believe the system operates differently now, but the home kit is available for the Stratus 5 radio.

I found both at Radio Shack, the radio was on sale at $59.99 and its home kit was $50.