Mushroom antenna is very loose

[Airdream99]

I was on the roof of my 2018 27 FB today and noticed that the mushroom/flying saucer TV antenna is very loose and shaky in the connection between the short mast and the white disk. Has anyone noticed this on theirs? Is it normal? I am afraid this thing will shake itself loose and turn into a real flying saucer while on the road.

[uncle_bob]

Hi

No it's not normal. The base of the antenna screws into a fitting. One way or another, yours has come loose,. You need to tighten it down.

Bob

[Airdream99]

Bob, Do you happen to know how to tighten it down? The four bolts that connect it to the roof and tight and well sealed. It is where the base/mast meets the plastic disc that is loose. I cannot see any way to tighten it. Also, any idea who makes this antenna?

Thanks,

[uncle_bob]

Originally Posted by Airdream99

Bob, Do you happen to know how to tighten it down? The four bolts that connect it to the roof and tight and well sealed. It is where the base/mast meets the plastic disc that is loose. I cannot see any way to tighten it. Also, any idea who makes this antenna?

Thanks,

Hi

I always *assumed* it was made by Winegard. The Roadstar 3000 is fairly similar. There are a lot of outfits that make similar units. No idea how it is put together.

Bob

[coasttocoast]

My mushroom antenna does the same thing and has always been loose. I remember calling someone at one point who told me it was normal.

[jcwall]

And I too don’t see any way to tighten it. Feel like i’m going to snap it off when I wash it. Hope someone has the answer

[Lag323]

Originally Posted by Airdream99

I was on the roof of my 2018 27 FB today and noticed that the mushroom/flying saucer TV antenna is very loose and shaky in the connection between the short mast and the white disk. Has anyone noticed this on theirs? Is it normal? I am afraid this thing will shake itself loose and turn into a real flying saucer while on the road.

I have the same issue. The base/stem is well secured to the roof but the saucer is very loose. I didn't want to mess with it when I was up there, plus I was focused on resolving a solar issue. Nonetheless, TV signal is fine and I've put nearly 1000 miles of travel on it since I noticed.

[silverlabs]

That is normal for those antennas. In assembly, the top (mushroom part) merely presses down onto the stem until it snaps into place. The base is secured to the roof first. Not sure about you but I hate this antenna. Gets very poor reception. I have had others right next to me get twice the number of channels than this one does with another brand of antenna.

[robertwarren]

Is there a way to use hardening marine silicon are the connection to reintegrate the parts? When I had my boat it was useful in many similar applications. We have the same unit. Safe travels from 6955.

[1919]

I have at 19' that had the same issue. A Winegard.
The black plastic part has a slip ring in it, that slips in a groove of the metal mast. Can't be tightened.
BUT what I did was drill two small holes, 90 degrees to one another through the plastic into the metal mast. Use a blunt nosed screw, and screw into each hole. I also used plastic washers. You don't have to use much torque to keep it tight. You don't want to crush the antenna. Do not use a sharp pointed screw, as it may chafe the cable.

No more movement!

[AIRTRVL]

I replaced mine with a King Jack directional antenna. It works much better. The disk antenna appears to be factory sealed. Mine was a little loose too.

[rbs]

I don't even know why they bothered to put the thing on, they are worthless, you would be better off with "rabbit ears"

[Cirrusaly]

Similar issue. The mushroom spins freely on the mounting post. TV reception seems reasonably adequate, though, so hoping - as others have said - "it's normal."

[mv1jrb]

I have a 2018 16 sport and also notice my mushroom antenna is loose.. That was about two weeks ago on our last trip. Getting ready for another trip and no antenna. Must had blown off.

[Lag323]

The base should be tight on the rood. The mushroom (at least on mine) and from what I've read on this thread, has always been "loose". It feels wobbly but I haven't had any issues with reception and it has flown off into space. I just think that's the way it is.

[1919]

I drilled and screwed the base of the plastic into the alum base, two screws 90 degrees to each other.

It is attached via round spring clip, that fits into a groove in the alum base.
That is why it is loose.

Use small screws, blunt nosed, and pre drill the holes.
I used a fiber washer to seal.

Solid as a rock.

[BayouBiker]

The white mushroom head is for weather protection. It is designed loose fitting to provide some electrical isolation from the antenna since having it accidentally hard touching and well "grounded" to the trailer will affect the impedance and frequency attenuation of the antenna degrading signal quality slightly. The manufacturer decided the best way to address this is to make the weather guard loose fitting. Best not to mess with it.

[1919]

No offense but I kindly disagree, Bayou Biker. Where my antenna is mounted on my Interstate 19', I could see it from the roof fan while driving. It was so loose, it was vibrating about a 2" inch oscillating motion. It was getting worse. Totally unacceptable. The screws stopped it and made it solid. Zero reception issues. The antenna cable is shielded, after all. There is no signal interference. The manufacturer used a groove and ring set up because it is CHEAP.

[PB_NB]

I was looking at my parts book for my 2019 and it looks like Airstream changed the model in Dec 2018 early from part number: 513594-01 to current part number: 512657-01.

I had a look at mine, It is tight and secure and I did notice what appears to be a screw just below the joint under the saucer. Perhaps this is what was changed after too many complaints about a flying saucer!