Community Forums

vblarry · 10-16-2008, 04:14 PM

I would like to install an exterior antenna for better am/fm reception on my 33RSO. I thinking putting it on the side of the slide-out would be the easiest. Any thoughts, pro/con please? Is there a particular antenna that would be better than most. And, just curious. Is there a reason why PI doesn't install them to begin with? If I missed anything when I did my search, point me please.

Larry B

vblarry · 10-16-2008, 04:14 PM

I would like to install an exterior antenna for better am/fm reception on my 33RSO. I thinking putting it on the side of the slide-out would be the easiest. Any thoughts, pro/con please? Is there a particular antenna that would be better than most. And, just curious. Is there a reason why PI doesn't install them to begin with? If I missed anything when I did my search, point me please.

Larry B

rockintom · 10-16-2008, 06:04 PM

Hey Larry,
I'm not much help, but will tell you the older Excels like Workshop has (AKA, the "Beast"-an antique

) ....has the manual antenna mounted on the roof! Our '05s have that "halo" antenna in the entertainment center...which in my opinion..doesn't work all that great. We just aren't into the radio all that much (we still play the 45s

) so I haven't done anything with it. rockintom'

Jim & Bona · 10-16-2008, 11:50 PM

Tom,

I'm surprised that you haven't graduated to Eight Track technology by now. There are some great deals to be found at small town garage sales.

Workshop · 10-17-2008, 03:39 AM

Larry, Tom is correct my '01 does have a roof mounted antenna. Best of the web searches would indicate this is the closes MATCH.

My prior unit also had a simular antenna but instead of the High end audio unit I now have, it had a nice 'car' type AM/FM/CD radio mounted in a panel. I liked it because it had great sound but it was also simpler to setup and use. Plus it operated on 12v for those times. Will possibly install one in the Excel.

Haven't determined if the roof mount antenna is connected or operating correctly because of the weak at times reception. There is another wire type antenna also attached to the receiver that picks up better reception if you move it around or stand in a certain location with your arm in the air.

Haven't moved this project up the list of 'things to do' yet. With an 8 year old system, the CD player and dual Cassette player has been removed as well as the VCR deck. Replaced with a digital DVD/VCR recorder. A month after purchase, Blu-ray became the standard, go figure.

Back to the question, don't know why PI decided to not install antennas on the roof on current models. Would guess its a progressive thing, meaning there not mounted on the outside of most cars anymore an rely on windshield an other sources.

If mine wasn't on the roof and was installing one, the slide where the equipment is installed would be my first choice. Would be easier to route wires and don't feel reception would be hurt that much. I have seen other 5'er with the antenna mounted on the slide's sidewall near the top of the wall.

Hope something helped.

MakinSmoke · 10-17-2008, 06:06 AM

Workshop,
We should all be sending you a monthly stipend for all the work you do on this forum.

THANKS!

rockintom · 10-17-2008, 06:27 AM

Virg,
You're right he deserves a nice sum from us for all he does here....but if you saw his crib in FL you'd change your mind. This guy lives in a 100 story mansion built in the heart of town, so he can do what ever he wants, drink when dry and have salvation when he dies! (it's an old jingle)

Don't let the "do it yourself" fix-'um-up-old Excel fool ya....it's all a front.

Sorry Chris...it's been way too long since I've picked on you!!!

Workshop · 10-17-2008, 03:39 PM

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by MakinSmoke:
Workshop,
We should all be sending you a monthly stipend for all the work you do on this forum.

THANKS! </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Thanks for the idea Virg, but I'm thinkin' that having an income isn't something that might benefit someone in the future!

I'm thinkin' about downsizing come Jan 09 and growing my own food and exchange service for service to make a living rather than rely on the Excel rebuild business. Stock market and taxes you know. The thought of earning less money and making more is hard to figure out the concept? Go figure.

Rockin'___already downsized the 'crib'. Hangin' out in a one story since your last visit and plowing up the 'South Forty'. Spent part of the proceeds of the sell on the 'Beast'.

In fact the 'Beast' has a new 'House' and is living large these days. It's starting to enjoy more fun stuff. One more___'I don't want to know'___thing to do before the majors are complete. Until I 'Look'__it will be smaller and fun stuff on the list.

ALSO__"drink when dry and have salvation when he dies!" Consume before dry and kicked to the curb on the other.

Not to be

. With all the radio waves out there I'm surprised my dental fillin' aren't playing more songs than they do! Reception should be better.

Workhorse