Been there done that.
On my 2001 Tiffin Allegro Bus, the antenna cable goes directly through the roof in the base of the antenna mount. The hole is about the same size as the cable.
Here is the antenna manual so you can see how it is made.
http://www.winegard.com/kbase/uploads/2451808.pdf
After much thought and many nights of worry, I chose the following plan.
1 - Make a right angle bracket from aluminum.
2 - Drill two holes in the vertical side to match the two pins that hold the bat wing to the square poles.
3 - Remove the c-clips, on the pins, pull the pins and install the bracket.
4 - Mount the antenna on the now horizontal portion of the bracket.
This arrangement leaves the new antenna in the correct orientation both when the batwing is up and when it is down.
Next I used tie wraps to route the new wire along the tv wire so it is out of the way of the rods when raising and lowering the antenna. Be sure to leave enough slack to allow for rotation of the antenna.
Now for the nerve wracking part.
I cleaned the roof carefully where the wire was to go and the spot where it would enter the roof. Silicone sealer holds better on a clean roof.
I selected a spot on the roof over the cabinet where i wanted to install my networking gear and drilled a 1/8 inch hole. Using a flashlight I inspected to see that the light went into the cabinet. Next, I carefully enlarged the hole to 1/4 inch and once again looked inside. Seeing nothing I increased the hole to 1/2 inch. Another examination - still nothing, I increased the hole to 3/4 inch. Whew! No wires, no main struts, just a clear hole into the correct cabinet. I figured it as safest just off the sidewall and a foot in front of the front A/C.
Next I acquired a cover plate that is normally used to mount flood lights under the eave of a house from my local hardware store. It is flat on the bottom, raised on the top and has three holes for wires with hole plugs and a gasket.
I carefully drilled two small holes in the roof for the screws and mounted the cover over the hole I drilled using the gasket to seal it.
I installed the cap on the top hole and ran my wires through the two side holes. (I installed both a cell booster antenna and a WIFI signal cable.)
Note: With your large connector you may find it easier to push the wire through the cover before you install the cover on the coach.)
Once that was in place, and everything tested for proper operation, I filled the inside of the cover with white silicons roof sealer until it came out the holes with the wires. Then I covered the cap with the white silicon roof sealer and using the same sealer made blobs each foot along each wire to hold it in place on the roof. (Note: I tried Scotch brand duct tape for the wire - it only lasted one trip in the rain Sigh...)
I chose the flood light mounting plate because it allowed the wires to enter with a gentle curve instead of a tight bend at the roof.
My installation has been in place for over 3 years and about 20,000 miles. I see no signs of a problem even though I have had to replace the antenna twice. Once due to low branches and once due to insufficient torque on the installation bolt.
I hope you have the the same or better luck with your installation.
Linear Mode
