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Airnail1 · 09-08-2010, 09:42 PM

I finally installed an auto stereo in our Lance camper. Everything turned out fine except I'm not sure of the best way to install an antenna. My thought is to use the coaxial jack on the roof and get a Motorola plug to coaxial to connect the radio to the existing cable. I'm not sure which antenna to buy. The roof connection is a plate screwed to the roof with four screws with a coax female end in the center. This should support a small antenna The camper gets covered when not in use so the antenna needs to be removable or at least folding. I'm assuming the aluminum roof blocks too much of the signal to allow the use of an antenna inside the camper. What have the rest of you done? Thanks for your help. Yes, this does show as post one but I just reregistered as my email address changed. (Even though I was never a prolific poster, I have participated in the past.) Tony

TQ60 · 09-09-2010, 01:39 PM

Look in the yellow pages and find a Motorola two way radio dealer, others are fine, but they may not be able to convert this number that I hope I remember...

TAD-6113A, I think.

It is a kit 150 to 172 mhz with coax, mount and antenna.

The antenna is a stainless steel whip, cut the ball off the end and you are ready to go.

It unscrews easy and the mount is still sealed.

Replacement whips are a couple bucks.

FM is 88 to 108 but the antenna works fine, I used them in the past.

They can order the one for a lower portion of the spectrum that is closer and would work better.

The gotcha is the broadcast radio is 75 ohms and the two-way is 50 ohms but it does not matter much.

If you already ran you coax they can sell you the mount.

They go into a 3/4 inch hole and have o-ring seal, I have installed hundreds and they will work perfect for your application.

Airnail1 · 09-10-2010, 09:53 PM

Thanks for the reply. I've found a few sources for the antenna number you listed.

wa8yxm · 09-11-2010, 07:05 AM

How does that song go: "Rubber duckey, you'r the one, that makes bath time so much fun"....

Ok, there is a type of radio antenna that consists of a coil of wire covered in a rubber jacket,,, Though I think the name is trademarked most ham radio operators simply call it a "Rubber Ducky" If you are roof mounting.. I'd go with that kind. It is not by any means the best.. but it is the least likely to get "Bridged" when you go under a low overpass.

If you got one designed for a scanner.. It might even hae the right connector on it for the fitting. NOTE that this is not the proper length of wire either but it should work for most strong signal conditions.

That is also the type of antenna they put on my rig at the factory.

So I can tell you it's not that good.

Airnail1 · 09-12-2010, 10:30 AM

I'm thinking of a marine type mount that folds down when not in use. Since the radio would only be used when camped this arrangement is fine and would probably give me the best reception. Are all radio leads coaxial that can be cut and capped with an F-type connector that would let me connect to the connector Lance has placed on the roof?