Should I replace my radio antenna? - Page 2

**JohnB** · 12-19-2019, 05:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MikeW

Thanks for sharing some great photos of the roof structure without the roofing material on. I can clearly see what I will be dealing with when I replace my compromised roof before springtime 2020. I was never able to find very detailed photos of a Sunline's construction. I feel better about tackling my progect.

Hi Mike,

We have many threads with the campers all apart with pics to show a roof project. If you want to start researching this, create a post any time and list the year and model of your Sunline and what you want to do. Folks can join in on what they have done on roof repair/replacements.

We have lots to share and glad too. Just need to know more about your situation, repair a section or a whole new roof etc.

Ketchakah · 12-22-2019, 05:17 AM

On this note,
Anyone need a TV antenna ? I removed mine as i dont watch TV and did not want the hazard of it bouncing on the roof.
Mounts are still up there, but could probably remove them too.

Hate to throw it away, so been saving it.

awellis3 · 12-26-2019, 01:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tinstaafl

Thoughts on what a good replacement might be?

Well, I went a different route. I teed my radio to the television antenna coax and use the signal booster/amp to pull in FM radio signals. It's a bonus now to have a directional radio antenna, too.

Tinstaafl · 12-26-2019, 05:17 PM

That's a good solution, and I would have done it if the TV and radio were anywhere near each other. Unfortunately, routing coax between the two locations just isn't practical.

**Sunline Fan** · 01-16-2020, 11:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JohnB

Also just noticed this,

Your front top cabinet is down from the ceiling more than mine. Make sure if you do mount on the side of the camper, to be down the wall far enough to get into that cabinet

Yours, 1999 T1950 : Look at the angled ceiling board width

Mine, 2004 T1950

Never realized Sunline made the cabinets and the front window larger between 99 and 04. I know the 2004 model year was a design change year. Many things became larger. Entry doors, cargo hole doors, maybe even some inside cabinets and window sizes.

Hi John,

I think there may be a little bit of front end design in play here too. Sunline changed with the angles of the fronts every year around this time it seemed, I'm not sure why. So that would determine how a cabinet could fit up to it.

**JohnB** · 01-18-2020, 09:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sunline Fan

Hi John,

I think there may be a little bit of front end design in play here too. Sunline changed with the angles of the fronts every year around this time it seemed, I'm not sure why. So that would determine how a cabinet could fit up to it.

OK, Yet, another Sunline factoid going on...changing the front angle of the camper.

Torskdoc423 · 03-08-2020, 01:13 PM

The biggest problem I've seen with AM/FM antenna's on rubber roofs is the lack of a Ground Plane, same as a car with a fiberglass body. The antenna needs a body ground plane and the outer shield on the coax isn't designed for ground plane.

Horizontal Ground planes work better than vertical. If you have the roof off, a 3'x3' sheet of thin sheet metal or aluminum mounted in the area of the antenna, and attached to the roof joists (grounded to the frame or body) will suffice. Mount the antenna normally thru the ground plane (preferably the center of the sheet, making sure the mounting screws make good contact.) Your reception should improve in Distance FM with less hiss overall in MPX.

Tinstaafl · 03-08-2020, 07:07 PM

Good point. In one of my previous lives, I spent a good chunk of time as a two-way radio tech and became well acquainted with the need for a decent ground plane for transmitting antennas. Of course once we solved that for transmitting, reception just came along for the ride. Never had occasion to deal with it for receive-only.

Hopefully though, I won't have occasion to give that solution an empirical test any time soon. Rubber is in good shape, though due for a coating when the weather warms up a bit more. No way I'm opening it up just for that.

mainah · 03-08-2020, 07:16 PM

Well ground planes on a receive antenna are not super important the antenna coax is grounded through the braid to the radio, in turn it is grounded to the frame and wiring even the ac ground, and when it is plugged in it is even greater. TX without a ground plane is a little more problematic but doable I use walkie talkie ham radios and I'm not a real good ground plane. I guess what I'm saying don't sweat the details whatever works best for you it's sort of hard to mount one on a rubber roof any way. My camper FM/AM antenna is mounted on the side of the camper. Most FM stations TX in a sort of circular type pattern both horizontal and vertical to cover all bases on AM they just use a lot of power!

Torskdoc423 · 03-08-2020, 08:55 PM

Circular polarization.

mainah · 03-09-2020, 07:27 AM

Yeah they are becoming more popular as the technology improves. Most of the circular stuff is used in the gigahertz range (phones, sats etc) and their antennas are electronic using diodes while the FM stuff is still basically metal. There is a FM broadcast antenna on top of the tower that our radio gear is on that I am very curious about it is a strange looking affair. Here is a good little site on FM broadcast antennas https://www.fmbroadcastantenna.com/r...arization.html