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run Coax into TAB 400

JeffroNCJeffroNC Member Posts: 366
in Battery/Electrical & Solar
I have  cell booster that I want to mount on a mast when we get to the campsite so it is not permanent. I need to run the cable into the Tab on a temporary basis and I am looking for bug-free, leak-free ideas. Has anybody done this? I know I can crack a window and run it through the bottom but that doesn't get me past the shade/screen.

Thanks
2019 T@B 400 BDL 2017 F150 3.5L Ecoboost
Jeff & Amy
Now in Manistee, MI

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Comments

  • N7SHG_HamN7SHG_Ham Member Posts: 1,261
    Maybe though the outside Alde access door. Not exactly bug proof.

    One owner has put permanent coax bulkhead coax ports through the door for use with Amateur radio equipment, a bit more permanent. If you are really concerned, you could buy a spare door to have on hand if you ever wanted to remove the mod.
    2019 T@B 400 Boondock Lite
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  • jkjennjkjenn Member Posts: 6,398
    I have wondered if you could use one of the coax ports in the nautilus for that.

    2021 T@b 320 Boondock "Mattie Ross" | 2021 T@b Nights: 239 | Total nights in a T@b 455 | 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L Overland | T@b owner since 2014

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  • VernaVerna Member Posts: 6,878
    @JeffroNC, believe it or not, I use a horseshoe to attach to the magnetic antenna, and I just keep it close to a window. When I first tried it, I tried a mast, antenna on my truck roof, then I tried my tongue and a tire wheel. The horseshoe (or similar metal inject) had results identical to all of the other locations. 

    @jkjenn, @JeffroNC has a 2019 400 without the Nautilus. 
    Verna, Columbus, IN
    2021 T@B 320S  Boondock “The T@B”
    Towed by a white 2019 Ford F-150 4x4 Supercab, 3.5L V6 Ecoboost “The Truck”
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  • JeffroNCJeffroNC Member Posts: 366
    This system has a large antenna that I put on a painters pole.
    https://www.weboost.com/products/drive-x-rv
    I like the idea of a fitting style passthrough. The Aldi door is a good idea.
    2019 T@B 400 BDL 2017 F150 3.5L Ecoboost
    Jeff & Amy
    Now in Manistee, MI

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  • MouseketabMouseketab Member Posts: 1,230
    Before I ran my XM antenna wire through the roof with a proper connector, I ran it through the "top" corner of the window behind the screen, and put a little dab of caulk where it was near the rubber molding.
    Carol
    MOUSE-KE-T@B
    2007 Dutchmen T@B Clamshell #2741
    2022 nuCamp T@B 320 CS-S
    2021 F-150 502A Lariat SuperCrew, 3.5 EcoBoost 4x2
    Harvest, AL
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  • pthomas745pthomas745 Moderator Posts: 3,989
    edited June 2020
    There is a co-ax connector on the side of the trailer for cable/tv.  Is it possible to attach the cell booster at the outside port and split it out inside the trailer? 
    Edit:  the kits come with RG-6 cable, which is probably the cable that is used in the trailer.  Adapters are available to connect the outside antenna to the coax connector on the trailer, and another adapter would be used for the end of the cable inside the trailer.  The very short cable run should minimize signal loss on the booster.
    There may be no need to drill at all with the proper adapters.
    2017 Outback
    Towed by 2014 Touareg TDi
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  • Denny16Denny16 Member Posts: 5,431
    edited October 2020
    Yes, I would also use the external coax connector, it terminates inside the TaB behind the TV, easy to access, just swing the TV free, and disconnect it (if it is connected, mine wasn’t.  You may need an adapter to go from the F type connector to. SMB or other adapter on both ends.
    cheers
    2018 TaB400 Custom Boondock,  Jeep Gladiator truck, Northern California Coast.
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  • TNOutbackTNOutback Member Posts: 633
    @JeffroNC, what about going through the battery vent cover?  That’s already a wall penetration, and I assume you could fish some coax down that tube to the battery compartment and pick it up from there.
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  • N7SHG_HamN7SHG_Ham Member Posts: 1,261
    A word on coax. There are different impedance cables and connectors, they MUST match for all components in a cable system. Unless the TV coax and connectors are the same impedance as the cell booster components it isn't just a matter of re-purposing the existing coax.

    It looks like the WeBoost may be 75 ohm the same as TV cables typically, BUT I don't have one to know for sure, point is know before you just connect it up.

    https://www.wilsonamplifiers.com/blog/50-ohm-vs-75-ohm-which-is-best-for-you/
    2019 T@B 400 Boondock Lite
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  • JeffroNCJeffroNC Member Posts: 366
    Great input all. I will update when I get it done.
    2019 T@B 400 BDL 2017 F150 3.5L Ecoboost
    Jeff & Amy
    Now in Manistee, MI

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  • GatorEggGatorEgg Member Posts: 482
    Doesn’t the 400s have a cable input on the side for cable?
    2022 TAB 400 Boondock, 2019 Toyota Tacoma Sport 4x4
    2018 TAB 320 Boondock (previous)
    Odessa, Fl.  

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  • Denny16Denny16 Member Posts: 5,431
    yes, yes it does, which is what I pointed out in my earlier post.
    cheers
    2018 TaB400 Custom Boondock,  Jeep Gladiator truck, Northern California Coast.
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  • idacamperidacamper Member Posts: 9
    Updates on this thread?
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