Airstream Chat Room Airstream Links Campground & Product Reviews Airstream Classifieds Airstream Articles Blogs Photo Gallery Forum Listings Portal - Home Page

Go Back   Airstream Forums > Airstream Restoration, Repair & Parts Forums > Electronics & Connectivity




Find out what's going on and meet up with other Airstreamers in your area through our Clubs & Groups Directory.

Quick Links
- Forum Listings
- Register - it's FREE!
- View Member's Map
- Airstream Articles
- "Live" Chat Room
- View Classifieds
- Post a Classified
- Airstream @ eBay
- Upcoming Rallies
   - Add A Rally
- Rally Discussions
- Repair Discussions
- Search Forums
- Member List
- AIR # Directory
- Member Search
- Profile Photos
- Airstream Photo
- Airstream Links
- Fun & Games
- WBCCI Websites
- WBCCI Unit Forums
- Courtesy Parking
- Campgrounds
- Support & FAQs
- Community Policies
- Helpers Needed




Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 03-08-2009, 02:15 PM   #1
3 Rivet Member

 
atobols's Avatar

Profile:  1974 27' Overlander
Jeromesville , Ohio
Posts: 197
Images: 23

Antenna, TV, radio, lots of stuff...

So it appears after the deluge that we received last night that I have a huge issue with the TV antenna leaking into the 'stream and leaking at the antenna crank, then into the interior shell until it runs down to the seam in the ceiling and drips down, as well as further to the vista-view block outs where it further drips. Nice, eh? We're new to airstreams and new to camping and have yet to camp with our stream. I am contemplating removing the antenna altogether because I don't like the non-streamlined look that it adds to the 'stream. I am thinking of the same for the CB/radio antenna at the front/street corner since the CB is no longer connected and the old radio just adds weight and [crappy] sound in comparison to the Bose Wave radio that we put in the 'stream. So a few questions for y'all:

1. how much time do you (non-fulltimers) really use your TV for watching broadcast TV (in other words, don't include time spend watching DVDs / playing video games, and the like that don't require the antenna)?

2. is there generally over-the-air reception available where you're camping?

3. is there a majority population of hook-up campsites with cable already there?

4. anyone using a "small" indoor antenna (rabbit ears, hoop, etc.) and getting decent results for reception?

5. the AS is one big aluminum shell...anyone ever try attaching an antenna wire directly to the exterior shell and seeing if the shell itself will receive a signal? I'm no electrical guru so I'm not about to try this.

6. does anyone still use the CB? Is this some old-fashioned but still used method of communication at rally sites?

My ultimate goal here is to determine if I should A) remove the TV, radio, and/or CB antennas and patch over w/ a flat piece of aluminum & some Vulkem or B) repair & seal all antenna & wire entrances.

Thanks in advance for your opinions and input
__________________
Jason & Andrea
atobols is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-08-2009, 02:18 PM   #2
Rivet Master
Commercial Vendor

 
Inland RV Center, In's Avatar
Profile:  Corona , California
Posts: 8,344
Images: 1

Quote:
Originally Posted by atobols View Post

5. the AS is one big aluminum shell...anyone ever try attaching an antenna wire directly to the exterior shell and seeing if the shell itself will receive a signal? I'm no electrical guru so I'm not about to try this.

Thanks in advance for your opinions and input
The shell will not work as an antenna, since it's grounded when you plug into city power.

Andy
__________________
Andy Rogozinski
Inland RV Center
Corona, CA
Inland RV Center, In is online now   Reply With Quote
Old 03-08-2009, 02:44 PM   #3
Rivet Master

Profile:  2008 25' Safari FB SE
Crawford , Colorado
Posts: 2,953

Our experience except when boondocking and then you'd need a 12v TV, is that usually there's either cable or broadcast TV. When it comes from a translator in a more remote area, often the reception is poor. I doubt a rabbit ears would work well inside.

Radio (which is 12v.) can often pickup something and we look for PBS stations because we are into the news. When we have cable, we also look for news channels. We have rarely seen newspapers (except sometimes some very local ones in which we have no interest) at campgrounds unlike motels which often have USA Today. TV and radio is the only source of what's going on.

Whatever you do, leave the wires as you may be using them in the future for satellite connections for internet or radio or TV. You can't know what you (or the next owner) will want in a few years. If you can't use the old wires for that, if you're very lucky you may be able to use them to fish through newer wires, although from what I understand that's very difficult.

I think the day of non truckers using CB is long gone. Walkie talkies are now easily available.

Sorry to hear about your leaks and hope you get them solved soon.

Gene
CrawfordGene is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-08-2009, 02:46 PM   #4
Rivet Master

 
Lumatic's Avatar

Profile:  1971 25' Tradewind
Currently Looking...
Estancia , New Mexico
Posts: 2,467
Images: 3

After removing my external antenna several years ago. I'm replacing it. I don't expect to get reception all the time but the new digital quatilty is worth it. Rabbit ears, they don't work inside an Airstream even when they work right next door in my house. Some campsites are cable ready some are not. I don't find much use for a CB, but folks do still use them for caravans.
__________________
Pay no attention to the man behind the curtain- WoZ
Lumatic is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-08-2009, 04:42 PM   #5
Rivet Master

 
Tom Nugler's Avatar

Profile:  1972 25' Tradewind
Currently Looking...
McHenry County , Illinois
Posts: 557
Images: 2

Depending on your view of Newton Minow’s "vast wasteland" of television, removing the tube might not be a bad thing.
We usually are able to find a few broadcast stations while camping. While the content might be predictable there is one thing that I’ve found to be their saving grace.
It seems many of the stations that have switched to DTV have a full time weather channel, many with radar and severe weather warnings.
As far as the old fold, up crank around, leaker goes, there are a number of omni-directional antennas designed for trailers. RoadStar Omnidirectional TV Antennas - Winegard You only need to seal a grommet for the lead-in.
I have a mast mounted omni on the tongue that works fairly well. If I should ever find myself at a park with cable the input is right there by the tanks.
I guess until Wi-Fi is readily available in the boonies I'll be keeping the tube.

Just My 2 Cents,
Tom.
__________________
Airstream Forums Member # 2806
WBCCI # 6411
Not All Who Wander Are Lost.
Tom Nugler is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Radio Antenna sovereignrwe Audio, Video & TV 8 12-15-2008 03:21 PM
Winegard Antenna for FM Radio cooney Audio, Video & TV 3 10-12-2008 01:15 PM
Radio Antenna rochar3 Exterior Restoration Forum 2 09-22-2008 10:53 AM
Radio Antenna smcpheters 1962 Flying Cloud 7 06-18-2008 08:40 AM
Radio Antenna niftypkg Phone, CB & Ham Radio 5 02-17-2007 04:20 PM

Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v3.0.1

All times are GMT -6. The time now is 09:14 PM.

Other Social Knowledge forum communities:
Cooking Forum - Sailing Forum - Early Retirement - Airstream Trailer - Aquarium Forum - Royal Forum - Book Forum - Volkswagen Touareg Forum - Jeep Wrangler Forum - Whitewater Kayaking & Rafting Forum - Fiberglass RV Forum - RV Forum - Truck Conversion - U2 Music Forum
Social Knowledge Networks
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.4
Copyright ©2000 - 2009, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Search Engine Friendly URLs by vBSEO 3.3.0

Airstream is a registered trademark of Airstream Inc. All rights reserved. Airstream trademark used under license to Social Knowledge LLC.

eXTReMe Tracker

Other recommended RV/Travel Trailer sites:
Airstream Classifieds - Airstream Central - Airstream Photos - Fiberglass RV Forum - iRV2 RV Forum

© copyright 2002-2009 Social Knowledge, LLC All Rights Reserved.