Replacement radio antenna... December 23, 2023, 07:26:37 pm On our '04, the original LD installed radio antenna on the roof broke - part of the mount at the base of the antenna made of pot metal disintegrated, and the mast broke free. After much research I determined that the Magnadyne RV70 antenna was functionally identical, and was able to simply screw the mast/connector portion directly into the existing base unit, once various remaining bits had been removed and the base cleaned up. Finished with some Loctite PL3x sealant as needed.Steve 1 Likes
Re: Replacement radio antenna... Reply #1 – December 24, 2023, 02:07:58 am Thanks Steve; I haven't looked at mine recently. While the mast is stainless steel, the spring and base is 'plated'. I'm going to guess chrome plated. https://magnadyne.com/collections/rv-antennas/products/magnadyne-rv70-recreational-vehicle-stainless-steel-31-antenna The RV70-96 has a 96" cable which isn't needed. I don't want to think what it would take to re-route a new cable! (gracefully). Possibly so called 'pot metal', usually zinc based would 'rot' in air to become zinc oxide! Just a scratch in the chrome would do it. They could of course make one out of brass, copper or stainless steel. Thanks for finding this one. Lasting another 25 years would be good enough for me. RonB
Re: Replacement radio antenna... Reply #2 – December 24, 2023, 10:31:20 am I'm glad the repair went well without tearing into the roof or ceiling to make the connection. I had never had to fix a broken antenna, but now I know.Larry
Re: Replacement radio antenna... Reply #3 – December 24, 2023, 02:27:53 pm "I determined that the Magnadyne RV70 antenna was functionally identical,..."Now that you have replaced the old antenna how is your reception, better, same or worse?You may be able to get better reception by 'tuning' the antenna for minimal SWR.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sVPBnf01hw4
Re: Replacement radio antenna... Reply #4 – December 24, 2023, 11:25:05 pm [quote ]You may be able to get better reception by 'tuning' the antenna for minimal SWR.[/quote]Not much of a need to tune the AM/FM antenna with a SWR meter, nothing is being transmitted.Larrry
Re: Replacement radio antenna... Reply #5 – December 25, 2023, 03:12:27 am As a side note, when I went up to do the antenna repair, I discovered the setscrew for my Lil Wil magnetic CB antenna had loosened, and now IT'S mast was bye-bye. I cut off the old radio antenna mast at the spring and ground the bottom section of the rod to fit the CB antenna base. That should allow me to get the NOAA broadcasts at least until I get back from our next trip and order a new mast...Steve 1 Likes
Re: Replacement radio antenna... Reply #6 – December 25, 2023, 03:24:38 pm "...nothing is being transmitted."That is, of course, quite true, Larry! But I was harking back to the Citizens Band (CB) days when I tuned many whip antennas. If an antenna is tuned for min. SWR on transmit it will be optimum on receive.Reception is no different, the frequency spectrum for AM and FM are quite disparate. Manufacturers cut and tune their antennas for the optimum average. You can always improve upon mediocracy!
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