Radio antenna

[Whitewolf]

Has anyone install an outside radio antenna? Last year I dug out the stock antenna wires from behind the radio and spread them out and remounted them. It helped a little.

Now I'm wondering about installing a small whip antenna on the roof.

Anyone do this? If so what were your results?

 

[Gemstone]

Yes, I mounted conduit, zip tied to the ladder on the rear of the 5th wheel, then an FM antenna on the conduit, easy to install and re-install. Coax was run inside the conduit, and in through a gap in one of the slides. Worked great.

 

[mtntrek]

You might improve signal strength with a simple "T" dipole inside, or a 1/4 wave auto rod type (30.5") outside. Be careful of overall height so it doesn't hit anything. Obviously the higher the better for reception. Perhaps a small rubber-duck could help, they tend to be marginal.

 

[Whitewolf]

Mtntrek-
What language are you talking? You want me to take my rubber duckie from my bathtub and use it for an antenna?

 

[mtntrek]

Teehee, caution: rubber duckies that fly upside down, might quack up^^.

Seriously: a rubber duck is common on walkie - talkies, durable but kind of poor performance.

 

[Whitewolf]

Teehee, caution: rubber duckies that fly upside down, might quack up^^.

 

[pterrydactyl]

I have looked at my antenna but it’s a single wire. Did yours have 2 wires? Did yours have a single wire and did you attach it to the copper core wire in the coaxial cable?

 

[Gemstone]

I assume you are talking about the FM antenna, which should be coax. This is what I used: https://www.amazon.com/Stellar-Labs-30-2435-Outdoor-OMNIDIRECTIONAL/dp/B00DHHOZBI, coax from the antenna to the coax connector on the rear of the receiver.

Regards
Gemstone