TV Antenna

JPT · Joined: 13 Dec 2007 Posts: 4

Inside my RV is a handle to crank up the TV antenna. After using it on our last trip, I cranked the handle and brought the antenna to rest in its proper place on the roof. After driving over some rather bumpy terrain, the handle shot off, and the plastic disc and spring went flying.

I wonder if the plastic disc is sheared off from a much longer tube up inside the hole in the ceiling. Never having seen the inner workings before, I don't know if I am missing a part or not.

Camper Cat

utmtman · Posted: Mon Sep 15, 2008 1:03 pm Post subject:

Mine did that once but it was the hex screw in the handle that vibrated loose and caused it to fall off along with the spring.
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porscheracer · Posted: Mon Sep 15, 2008 6:50 pm Post subject:

Same here, the screw fell out that held the handle on.
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Norm & Janet
'08 Winnebago View 24H / '09 Escape XLT AWD toad
'05 Winnebago Vectra 36RD / '03 Dakota QC 4x4 toad, or a 24' trailer with another car;
Probably somewhere in NA - or maybe on another continent.

Motor31 · Posted: Tue Sep 16, 2008 5:21 am Post subject:

The only part that really goes from the antenna on the roof to the inside is the long metal shaft. The plastic tube is a liner and helps keep the rod from wobbling too much while being cranked. The spring is used to hold the plate with the indentations under tension so it keeps the antenna from rotating. The handle holds it all together. There is a hex tension nut inside the handle that clamps to the metal rod. All of the parts can be purchased at a well-stocked RV parts store if you need to replace anything. I had to replace the elevation gears on ours a few months ago. They swapped out and was much cheaper than buying a whole new antenna.
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Mike, Nancy and the Fuzzies
2005 MS 38 RL3
2001 Volvo MH (HDT)
2004 R1150RT (piggyback)
1996 Jeep Cherokee (toad)

tantamount · Joined: 15 Apr 2007 Posts: 211 Location: roaming

Something I've never given much thought to. Checked mine and all is tight and well.

.\\ark

dave n · Joined: 07 Nov 2005 Posts: 43 Location: Easley SC

While on this antenna post, let me remind all to check the C clamp rings holding the pins in place on the antenna base. Mine were rusted and came apart in 2 pieces while I was checking things on roof.
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Dustytuu · Joined: 07 Nov 2005 Posts: 145 Location: Colorado

Our handle came off too. Ours tightens with an allen wrench.
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BlueSkyChili · Joined: 07 Feb 2007 Posts: 13

After mine came off twice, I drilled a slight cavity into the side of the vertical metal rod at the location where the hex screw meets the rod. Tighten down with allen wrench and it will not easily come off again.

otrider · Posted: Fri Oct 31, 2008 5:42 pm Post subject: Antenna

Make sure to check the handle for the set screw. I looked all over the place for mine, finally went and bought a new handle then found the "missing" screw still in the handle!

I read the reply about replacing the individual parts and like that it's cheaper than replacing the entire antenna. I'm having a problem with mine not wanting to go up unless someone is on the roof to assist. Any suggestions? It sure ain't gonna be me!

Thanks.
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Pam
'06 F250 V10 Alas No More Choc Mousse has gone to it's new home in Port Clinton, Ohio
New Addition to the Family
2010 F350 V10 4x4 430
'99 30' New Vision Ultra

porscheracer · Posted: Fri Oct 31, 2008 9:38 pm Post subject:

Sounds like it needs lubricating.
_________________
Norm & Janet
'08 Winnebago View 24H / '09 Escape XLT AWD toad
'05 Winnebago Vectra 36RD / '03 Dakota QC 4x4 toad, or a 24' trailer with another car;
Probably somewhere in NA - or maybe on another continent.

Motor31 · Posted: Sat Nov 01, 2008 6:38 am Post subject:

Pam,

That is the same symptom mine had. I went up on the roof and looked at the lifting mechanism. There is a worm gear on the rod and a quarter circle gear on the arm. In mine the quarter circle gear had fractured. I went to an RV parts store and bought a new set of gears. It took all of about 10 minutes to swap them out and that included climbing up on the roof. It's difficult to explain online, but the job is very simple and easy once you go up and look how they are assembled. The gears are held in by pins with horseshoe clips so you need very little in the way of tools.

The quarter circle gear is inserted into the lower antenna arm and both are held in place by the pin. You will need to remove the top arm, also held by a simple pin, to get to the lower one. It's easier to do the job with the antenna down but not hard against the roof. Crank it down but don't crank it so there is pressure against the roof. Then you can manipulate the antenna a bit to get the pins out and swap out the gears. As long as the worm drive gear on the rod is OK, the one quarter circle gear on the arm is all you have to change. Rub a wax candle on the gears before you assemble the whole thing and it will travel very smoothly.
_________________
Mike, Nancy and the Fuzzies
2005 MS 38 RL3
2001 Volvo MH (HDT)
2004 R1150RT (piggyback)
1996 Jeep Cherokee (toad)

otrider · Posted: Sat Nov 01, 2008 7:50 am Post subject: Worms in the Antenna

Mike, you are my hero!
_________________
Pam
'06 F250 V10 Alas No More Choc Mousse has gone to it's new home in Port Clinton, Ohio
New Addition to the Family
2010 F350 V10 4x4 430
'99 30' New Vision Ultra

bandit1538 · Joined: 28 Jan 2008 Posts: 403 Location: Skamokawa Wa

As Bluesky said, drilling a small indent in the shaft will help, plus put a dab of "Lock Tite" on the set screw to keep it from backing out. You can use the "Lock Tite" on other screws or bolts that tend to work loose.