Mounting WiFiRanger and Cell Booster to 2014 Entegra Anthem Roof OTA Antenna

[bremde]

We want to install WiFi Ranger and Cell Booster Antennas to the OTA Antenna on our 2014 Anthem 42 DEQ. Does anyone have ideas on how best to run the cabling back into the coach to avoid leaks?

Is this best left to professionals?

[Johnontheroad]

I mounted mine on my Monaco on the OTA antenna, brought the cable down, then on the roof to the front of the coach, right above the equipment cabinet. I drilled a 3/4” hole, fed the cable through, making sure the cable went past the hole, then a U turn, before going in the hole. That way the cable ran uphill before the opening. I then sealed the opening with Eternabond, two layers worth. Never leaked on me.

I probably will do the same on my Aspire once I check out under the cap to make sure I have room and don’t run into any obstacle.

Hope this helps in some way.

[pallencollin]

I cannot help help with your installation BREMED, but I believe many on this forum would benefit from a follow-up post on your installation and a user review of your WiFi Ranger.

[rbr]

This can be done by most. I saw a photo in a post on Eternabond roof sealing by Fattman-Litlboy (Jim & Deb) that showed a wire going into the back side of the front cap and asked him about it. Here's his response:

"Simple...that's my Ethernet cable for my Wi-Fi. Drill a 1in hole in the cap and using 3/4 in pex tubing (approx 5ft long) with string inside it, push the tubing directly to the front cabinet. Pull out the liner from the cabinet (p/s), find the end of the pex and string, and run your cable through the pex. When you are done, remove the pex, and plug the hole. PJ at Entegra taught me this."

As long as you're willing to use the cabinet in the front cap above the passenger side windshield as your tech cabinet it's pretty easy and this approach has worked well for me. I've seen many installs from the ground with the WifiRanger unit on the batwing antenna mast so that's not a problem. Must use the size PEX specified by Jim for the ethernet plug to go thru, the size used in the coach won't work for this. The way I sealed around the cable entry was inelegant but has worked so far (sealant covered by eternabond tape), but others found a special piece designed for such things (sorry, don't remember where I saw it here). A few photos of my install attached - (Jim's was much neater):

(Click on photos to enlarge)

[rbr]

Found a note I kept on that cable entry plate someone (sorry, don't know who) posted here after I'd already installed:

"This is what I used to route the WiFi cables into the back of the vertical wall of the front cap. Liberally sealed with sealant. The plate is called a "cable entry plate". Cost about $5"

If I ever have an issue with my install, I'll find one of these and re-do.



[hogdriver]

I posted that article about my RFMogul install. I found those cable entry plates on RVUpgrades.com for about $5.

[Johnontheroad]

Originally Posted by rbr

Found a note I kept on that cable entry plate someone (sorry, don't know who) posted here after I'd already installed:

"This is what I used to route the WiFi cables into the back of the vertical wall of the front cap. Liberally sealed with sealant. The plate is called a "cable entry plate". Cost about $5"

If I ever have an issue with my install, I'll find one of these and re-do.

Attachment 203466

There’s also a plate that has slots for 5 cables. That’s what I used originally since I had multiple coax entries with two satellite feeds and my WFRanger.

I did some original testing of the early WFRanger and wrote a web site about it, WFRanger.wordpress.com. That shows some of my installation but it has been seriously updated since then. No longer use the bullet but have a roof top mounted device.

[rbr]

Originally Posted by hogdriver

I posted that article about my RFMogul install. I found those cable entry plates on RVUpgrades.com for about $5.

Thanks for updating that Dave - I'll update my notes with that credit. I'm not the best about keeping things neat and professional looking so I need to steal good ideas like these when I can.

[bremde]

Those are great solutions and I think I can do it myself now.

Thanks to all

Buzz and Robin