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Old 08-12-2017, 03:47 PM   #1
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1977 31' Sovereign
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Antenna modification - any ideas?

Hey gang,

I'm looking for input and ideas for what to do with the antenna. On the whole, we don't watch tv much, if at all and certainly not while camping. So there's this unused apparatus on my trailer (actually on two of my trailers) and I've narrowed it down to these options:

1) remove completely and patch. Surely someone else will get some use out of it. Maybe I'll pick up 1/10th of a MPG?
2) leave it alone and forget about it. Raise it only to wash or maintain the roof.
3) come up with a really cool idea like an adjustable solar panel/wifi booster/clothes drying rack/flag pole/water balloon launcher...

I've already been doing option 2, but options 1 & 3 have been on my mind.
The aerial on my Avion is one of those old timey ones with all the spines and such and would maybe benefit the aerodynamics if removed more so than the one on the AS.
I'm open to thoughts, suggestions and ideas no matter how crazy or boring.

Ian
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Old 08-12-2017, 04:21 PM   #2
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Hi

A cell phone booster would be another option. That or a cellular modem hooked to a directional cell antenna.

Bob
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Old 08-12-2017, 04:31 PM   #3
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Uncle Bob,

Interesting idea, I'm not well versed in all that voodoo. Is there a specific box/apparatus you were thinking of?

I try to leave work while out on the road but being that I am freelance, I'm never really off. A booster of some sort (cell/wifi) would certainly come in handy.

Thank you,
Ian
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Old 08-12-2017, 05:00 PM   #4
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I saw this thread and liked the idea of attaching a weBoost Antenna to the bat wing antenna. I'm like you in that most of this stuff is voodoo but I've been investigating adding a 4G boost system to our 25' AS.

Maybe it will be of some help!
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Old 08-12-2017, 05:11 PM   #5
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Hans,
Thanks for the link. I'll read through it in depth.

Ian
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Old 08-13-2017, 11:36 AM   #6
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Hi Ian-

WeBoost directional antenna sounds like a great idea.

If you're interested in weather, affixing weather station instruments can also work. We're windsurfers, and onsite local accurate wind velocity readings are very helpful for us. I cut down the top half of an extremely lightweight carbon fiber mast and hose clamped it to the vertical part of the antenna and affixed the wind vane and cups to the top of the mast. It's a neat rig, and stores flat on the roof for towing. The directional adjustment lets us orient it properly for each new camping spot.

I can tell you definitively that you do not want to use your antenna as a flagpole! Wind pressure is significant and increases with the square of velocity. The base of your antenna is not reinforced nearly enough to support a whipping flag in any serious wind without a strong possibility of tearing the whole rig out of your roof--so please abandon that particular idea!
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Old 08-13-2017, 03:22 PM   #7
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I like to stay on top of the local weather so we have a weather radio that can accept an external antenna. If you change out the TV antenna for an antenna in the NOAA frequency range you will be able to get a much stronger signal while being able to stay inside the Airstream. Here is what I am using:


http://www.amazon.com/Reecom-RA-1601...ilpage_o01_s00
Unique Reecom RA-1601 Weather Alert Radio External Antenna $42


DHT Electronics RF coaxial coax adapter SMA male to F female
https://www.amazon.com/DHT-Electroni...659036&sr=8-14


Here is the weather radio we are using:

ICOM M-73
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1
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Old 08-13-2017, 06:07 PM   #8
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I put a wifi booster antenna and the weboost directional antenna on mine. You can see pictures on tinyshinyhouseonwheels.com. I plan on taking off the tv antenna but need to get a part to keep the mast working without it. To keep some access to tv broadcast, I'm using a King antenna[1], but since we use it minimally I don't feel I need the directional.



[1] https://www.amazon.com/KING-OA1000-O.../dp/B01MTF8NKO
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Old 09-15-2017, 06:27 AM   #9
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Just a heads up. This looks like a series of product promitional postings. Just saying...
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Old 09-16-2017, 08:51 AM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Jack Moore View Post
Just a heads up. This looks like a series of product promitional postings. Just saying...
Hi

Well, that's sort of what was asked for ....

Bob
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