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niftypkg · 08-15-2002, 08:11 PM

Been here before. Got a rubber antenna mounting block about 2" OD AND three screws holding it to the skin. Turn the screws and apparently they are stripped on the other side?? Only solution I see is "cut the rubber" Anyone done that?? Suggestions??

Inland RV Center, In · 08-16-2002, 09:31 AM

Machine screws were used to mount that antenna, that have nuts on the back side.

Andy
inlandrv.com
airstreamparts.com

davidz71 · 08-16-2002, 12:02 PM

niftypkg,
I know we discussed this before on my '77 with the small ball mount and spring but no antenna. I saw a ball mount at an Advanced auto parts store here in Tullahoma. It looks like the same mount and everything. I am going to take measurements over the weekend and see if I am right. If so, all I will have to do is loosen the side screw holding 1/2 the ball mount to the other and replace the other side with the new 1/2 ball, spring and antenna shaft. Naw, it can't be that easy can it? I'll let you know.

dienst1 · 08-16-2002, 12:08 PM

Yes it is that easy. I had a damaged antenna mast on my 1981 Excella motorhome. I replaced the mast with one from a local auto parts store. The half ball mated with the one on the side of the motorhome exactly, even used the screw from the new one.

Dick

davidz71 · 08-16-2002, 12:27 PM

Great, something easy for a change.

davidz71 · 08-16-2002, 01:35 PM

niftypkg,
This is what my antenna mount looks like.

niftypkg · 08-16-2002, 02:00 PM

Thanks for all the help. Andy says that the antenna is held in place with three manchine screws. Which means that the nuts are turning on the inside when I turn the screws and they won't turn out. I bought an antenna mount at RS, but it's for a CB-don't know the difference! The only one I could find with a side ball mount. Not keen on removing the panel on the inside to get at the nuts. Oh! Happy days.

**Action** · 08-16-2002, 02:17 PM

Hey guys,

I have the same antenna, and it is in one piece. (not broken However it is loose between the antenna base and the body of the coach.

So I get from your posts that I have to remove an interior panel to gain access to tighten the mount?

>>>>>>>>>Action

Inland RV Center, In · 08-16-2002, 04:52 PM

That antenna is still available from Airstream.

Andy
inlandrv.com
airstreamparts.com

**Action** · 08-16-2002, 05:13 PM

That's awesome.

How do I remove it?

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Action

davidz71 · 08-16-2002, 05:13 PM

Success guys and it was simple, at least for my application since there were no nuts on the inside.

davidz71 · 08-16-2002, 05:15 PM

I used the old base, new phillips screw, new ball/spring and mast.

Inland RV Center, In · 08-16-2002, 05:38 PM

If the base still looks good, I would replace the mast only. That should take about 2 minutes, unless you want to partly remove an interior panel.
Then you should have a couple of beers handy, you know, just for moral support.

Andy
inlandrv.com
airstreamparts.com

davidz71 · 08-16-2002, 05:43 PM

Andy,
That is why I crossed my fingers that I could find a match for my antenna. It sounds like niftypkg has a different antenna than mine. Action, does yours look like mine or does it have 3 screws like a mini CB ball mount?

**Action** · 08-16-2002, 05:45 PM

Actually the base and the mast are OK. Just loose on the body of the trailer. The entire mast and base will pivot around in a circle.

If I have to remove the interior panel to tighten it. I am going into uncharted waters. Then I prefer them (beers) real cold.

Is that the needed step? Or when I remove the mast will it expose a screw head?

>>>>>>>>>Action

**Action** · 08-16-2002, 05:49 PM

My antenna mast is like the picture(s) above.

>>>>>>>>>>Action

davidz71 · 08-16-2002, 05:50 PM

Action,
If your mount is like mine in the pictures, loosen the screw horizontal to the ground that goes through the ball. Take the ball and mast off. You will see another screw that screws toward the inside of the coach. It is an easy job if the first screw comes out easily.

**Action** · 08-16-2002, 05:56 PM

Thanks,

That screw was corroded and I sprayed rust penetrant to it a couple of months ago and then other things on the trailer got my attention. So I'll check it this weekend. Maybe with a little luck I can get that mast off. It's only 36 years old.

What I have been doing when I travel is to tuck the mast under the rock shield. This keeps the antenna from flopping around. The rubber is a little cracked.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Action

davidz71 · 08-16-2002, 06:08 PM

Good luck. Believe it or not, the rubber on the new mount could be slipped over my new mast and slipped into position after cutting off the old rubber. Maybe the company listed on my packaging or Airstream has the replacement rubber part by itself?

niftypkg · 08-17-2002, 03:21 PM

The antenna I have is just a block of round rubber. Like a gromett. With 3 machine screws through it. I'll cut it open. I may need those beers. David I assume that you made that rock shield, looks good. How did you fasten it to the window frame??