Has anyone mounted an HDTV antenna on the roof of their T@B?

[Deleted User]

Obviously it would need to be the smallest one you can find so it won't topple over the T@B (haha)...has anyone mounted an antenna on their roof?  I have the floppy wingard one that you stick in the window with suction cups but that was no good to me on my trip last weekend down by the Chesapeake Bay.  I got nothing with that. I'm thinking of trying their Rayzar z1 model but if its not going to give me a better chance at a signal, I'm not going to put a hole in my roof for nothing. Any suggestions on a roof mount?

Nomad

Antenna Pole... http://tab-rv.vanillaforums.com/discussion/2164/antenna-pole/p1

With digital TV it's sometimes hard to get reception in many areas no matter the antenna. A powered antenna is best.

Tabaz

I found TV reception is hit-or-miss at best when camping.  I personally would never drill a hole in the TAB for an antennae that may prove inadequate 80% of the time.  However, I do bring along my $16 Walmart HD rabbit ears and use this handy little device from Harbor Freight ($3) to place the rabbit ears on top of the trailer.  I also use the picker-upper to police the campsite of any trash (a "two-fer" as they might say).

[Deleted User]

thanks for the helpful suggestions.  You both have confirmed my fear of making a hole in the T@B for an antenna that might not even work, so I will rule that out.  This helps me to refocus my plans to either a long pole with the anteanna mounted on it, or the rabbit ears.

lapowers57

My solution is to use a Channel Master omni direction outdoor antenna.  It has the option of 4 feet or mast mounting.  I have put on the 4 feet and I am tall enough to reach up and put it on the roof of the camper.  I will carry a 2 lb scuba weight to keep it in place in light wind but in really windy conditions I will place it inside and run the wire through the window.  They make a less expensive shorter range indoor version as well.
If you opt to use an antenna don't forget to change your TV settings from Cable to Antenna.

[Deleted User]

Hum, I like this option. I like being able to place it on top of the T@B.  I wonder if it could somehow be secured to the vent pipe instead of needing to put a weight on top of it. I will look into this one.

IrishCamper74

Here's a discussion I started a few weeks back about this same topic:

http://tab-rv.vanillaforums.com/discussion/2832/hd-antenna/p1

Take a look at this website for antennas. Good quality gear & relatively inexpensive.

http://www.monoprice.com/

Nomad

I'm too short to put anything on the roof - hence the poll :-)
The pole also lets me rotate the antenna.

lapowers57

I have tried to think of a way to hold the antenna down rather then a weight.  My one thought was a couple of suction cups and a bungee cord.  Next time I am near Harbor Freight I might give this a try.  Not sure I am tall enough for all that without a step.  

FYI the Channel Master antenna I posted a picture of is omni directional, no need to rotate it.

Verna

lapowers57 said:

I have tried to think of a way to hold the antenna down rather then a weight.  My one thought was a couple of suction cups and a bungee cord.  Next time I am near Harbor Freight I might give this a try.  Not sure I am tall enough for all that without a step.  

FYI the Channel Master antenna I posted a picture of is omni directional, no need to rotate it.

Being a lifelong member of the vertically challenged club....how's about taking the coax around the front of the T@B, stepping inside the door and flipping the coax over the roof and use the doorway to allow you extra height to put the antenna on the passenger side of the roof. 

JackPack

No I haven't tried this but I betcha it'll work. Take the saw part off a telescoping pruner. Mount the antenna to the top of the pruner. Place your unused Christmas tree stand under the trailer tongue..  in a small piece of plywood or 2 x 4, drill a hole big enough for the base of the pruner to go through. 

Clamp the piece of wood to the trailer tongue at a place where you can run the pruner pole through it and down into the Christmas tree stand. Use the 3 thumbscrews on the stand to lock the pruner pole in place. Viola! You can run that antenna 10 feet or more up and not have to climb onto anything. 

Nomad

JackPack - I did similar with a painters poll - there's a thread showing pics.

Nomad

JackPack - Did similar with a painters pole...
http://tab-rv.vanillaforums.com/discussion/2164/antenna-pole#latest

Ramrod

Ramrod

Tekey amplified antenna mounted on a 12 inch wooden ruler with velcro.