Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×
 

Go Back   Thor Forums > Thor Tech Forums > Motorhome Tech Topics
Click Here to Login
Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
 
Old 11-27-2019, 03:47 PM   #1
Senior Member
 
WearyTraveler's Avatar
 
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Thor Outlaw 38RE
State: West Virginia
Posts: 304
THOR #17154
Broken antenna on top

I've got a Thor Outlaw 38RE. There's a small whip (?) antenna on the roof above the driver.


It's about a foot tall and black rubber coated. The rubber near the bottom (above the threaded screw on connection) is cracked and the top half of the antenna wobbles freely.


I put some silicon in the crack just to temporarily keep it from moving.


What is this antenna? Is it for the radio?



I can unscrew the broken part and replace it. What kind of antenna is it? Need to know what to order...

__________________
Charlie and my pup Hans
2017 Thor Outlaw 38RE
Maysville, West (by God) Virginia
Good Sam member
FMCA member
WearyTraveler is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-27-2019, 04:33 PM   #2
Senior Member
 
PictureTheSouth's Avatar
 
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Windsport 27K
State: North Carolina
Posts: 343
THOR #11007
Yes, that is the antenna for the dash radio. Ours was broken when we first got our rig home. You can replace it with practically any stubby antenna from Wally's or Amazon that includes universal mount adapters. Just don't expect a lot of improvement in reception if your dash radio is an Axxera. On those, I think the antenna is just for show.
__________________
PictureTheSouth is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-01-2019, 02:19 PM   #3
Senior Member
 
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: 2013 ACE 30.1
State: Alberta
Posts: 1,410
THOR #2631
The antenna is called a rubber ducky.....by Ham radio folks and you could try the following replacement from Amazon......but I don't know if it will fit your coach antenna base or not. A small cost gamble......getting up there to replace the old one is more risky IMO.


https://www.amazon.com/Metra-44-RM1R.../dp/B000K50HAI
__________________
javelin is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-01-2019, 03:08 PM   #4
I Think We're Lost!
 
Bob Denman's Avatar
 
Brand: Still Looking
Model: Tiffin Wayfarer 24 BW
State: New York
Posts: 22,195
THOR #8860
I would really like to see the Manufacturers re-think these antennas...
Our RV is listed at kist 11'4" in height...
But with our antenna up on top: it's just over 13'!
I wonder if some sort of "antenna grid" could be put down on the roof?
(I'm probably bucking some MAJOR rule of antenna design... )
__________________
"What: me worry?"
Good Sam Member 843599689
Current coach: Tiffin Wayfarer 24 BW
Bob Denman is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-02-2019, 01:42 PM   #5
Senior Member
 
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Four Winds 31W
State: Michigan
Posts: 542
THOR #9522
We tried as composites researchers at GM to use grid antennas on the back side of a composite roof. But the expense and difficulty in painting separately was too much to absorb compared to the steel roof which was painted with the rest of the body.
__________________
Pete and Carolynn Foss from Oxford, MI
2018 Four Winds 31W
1999 Aero Cub F-21 trailer
1977 Tioga 24 foot RV
petefoss is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-02-2019, 01:57 PM   #6
I Think We're Lost!
 
Bob Denman's Avatar
 
Brand: Still Looking
Model: Tiffin Wayfarer 24 BW
State: New York
Posts: 22,195
THOR #8860
Thanks for that info... I just knew that somebody could clear up that confusion of mine!
__________________
"What: me worry?"
Good Sam Member 843599689
Current coach: Tiffin Wayfarer 24 BW
Bob Denman is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-02-2019, 02:33 PM   #7
Site Team
 
16ACE27's Avatar
 
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: ACE 27.1
State: Florida
Posts: 14,046
THOR #7035
This is the one I replaced mine with - fit perfectly without using the adapters. Unfortunately it is no longer available.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1
__________________
Ted & Melinda
2016 ACE 27.1
2016 Chevy Sonic Toad - Selling
2020 Chevy Colorado Z71 Trail Runner Toad
2024 Chevrolet Trax 2RS - Soon 2B TOAD
16ACE27 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-02-2019, 03:01 PM   #8
I Think We're Lost!
 
Bob Denman's Avatar
 
Brand: Still Looking
Model: Tiffin Wayfarer 24 BW
State: New York
Posts: 22,195
THOR #8860
How does it work compared to your original antenna?
__________________
"What: me worry?"
Good Sam Member 843599689
Current coach: Tiffin Wayfarer 24 BW
Bob Denman is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-02-2019, 04:04 PM   #9
Site Team
 
16ACE27's Avatar
 
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: ACE 27.1
State: Florida
Posts: 14,046
THOR #7035
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bob Denman View Post
How does it work compared to your original antenna?
It worked better, but nowhere near as good as any car installation.
__________________
Ted & Melinda
2016 ACE 27.1
2016 Chevy Sonic Toad - Selling
2020 Chevy Colorado Z71 Trail Runner Toad
2024 Chevrolet Trax 2RS - Soon 2B TOAD
16ACE27 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-02-2019, 04:21 PM   #10
I Think We're Lost!
 
Bob Denman's Avatar
 
Brand: Still Looking
Model: Tiffin Wayfarer 24 BW
State: New York
Posts: 22,195
THOR #8860
Thanks!
__________________
"What: me worry?"
Good Sam Member 843599689
Current coach: Tiffin Wayfarer 24 BW
Bob Denman is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-03-2019, 12:58 AM   #11
Senior Member
 
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Windsport 27K
State: Ohio
Posts: 262
THOR #989
When I was getting ready to put the winter cover on a few weeks ago I discovered the rubber on our antenna was also cracked in many places. I found a replacement that worked perfectly at the local NAPA auto parts store for about $10.00. The antenna came with a few adapters but I didn't need to use any of them.
__________________
John & Diane is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-03-2019, 03:43 AM   #12
Senior Member
 
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Hurricane 29M
State: Texas
Posts: 2,667
THOR #11781
Do the cracks in the rubber reduce the antennas effectiveness?
__________________
Lt Keefer
2018 Hurricane 29M
CHF, Saf-T-Plus, SumoSprings
Lt Keefer is online now   Reply With Quote
Old 12-03-2019, 12:18 PM   #13
Senior Member
 
ArrrV's Avatar
 
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: 2015 ACE 30.2
State: Florida
Posts: 262
THOR #1287
Ours was a Magnadyne RV71, ask Thor your brand and model

I replaced ours a month or two ago. Called Thor as I wanted a direct replacement and Thor not only told me which brand and model but gave me the manufacturers contact info. Mine was a Magnadyne RV71 and easily available on Ebay, Amazon, and other sites. Thor can usually provide the details for me on replacement parts, but not always.
__________________
ArrrV is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-03-2019, 12:27 PM   #14
Senior Member
 
Brand: Keystone
Model: Sprinter
State: Florida
Posts: 1,422
THOR #15553
Quote:
Originally Posted by Lt Keefer View Post
Do the cracks in the rubber reduce the antennas effectiveness?
The rubber pieces are just for support. No effect on reception just like a car.
__________________
2011 Keystone Sprinter 323BHS. Retired Master Electrician. All Motor Homes are RV's. All RV's are not Motor Homes.
cavie is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-07-2019, 07:46 PM   #15
Senior Member
 
TerryJames's Avatar
 
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: 2017 Axis 25.2 E-450
State: Texas
Posts: 142
THOR #4181
Shark fin antenna?

Hi Folks, We found the original Axis antenna “troublesome” when putting a cover on and off. And since it was a little “loose” anyway, we unscrewed the antenna and put a small plastic tube on covering the stub. Made no difference to the radio reception. Anyway, we’re looking for a shark fin replacement antenna that will fit.
Has anyone put a shark-fin antenna on as a replacement? (And do you need to get into the roof line inside to replace and/or tighten the radio antenna?)
Thank you, James
__________________
2017 Axis 25.2 on E-450
Sugar Land, (Houston) Texas
https://www.pinnacleresults.com/
TerryJames is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-08-2019, 12:10 AM   #16
Senior Member
 
DogLovers's Avatar
 
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Thor Tuscany 36 MQ
State: Indiana
Posts: 935
THOR #6280
Quote:
Originally Posted by PictureTheSouth View Post
Yes, that is the antenna for the dash radio. Ours was broken when we first got our rig home. You can replace it with practically any stubby antenna from Wally's or Amazon that includes universal mount adapters. Just don't expect a lot of improvement in reception if your dash radio is an Axxera. On those, I think the antenna is just for show.
Yep that is absolutely true. I attached a wire to a kite and flew it up 5,500 feet but the Axxera radio reception was still terrible.
__________________
Bill & Martha more than 46 years.
Traveling with Shih Tzu's Baily, Bella and Maltese Buster. Towing, Golf Cart, Harley or Polaris RZR. 3 of our darling Shih Tzu's passed away recently and I just can't take them off of here. RIP Baxter, Baili & sweet sweet Bella. Buster is our little rock.
DogLovers is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-08-2019, 02:22 AM   #17
Site Team
 
16ACE27's Avatar
 
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: ACE 27.1
State: Florida
Posts: 14,046
THOR #7035
Quote:
Originally Posted by DogLovers View Post
Yep that is absolutely true. I attached a wire to a kite and flew it up 5,500 feet but the Axxera radio reception was still terrible.
Did you tune that antenna to the proper wavelength?


__________________
Ted & Melinda
2016 ACE 27.1
2016 Chevy Sonic Toad - Selling
2020 Chevy Colorado Z71 Trail Runner Toad
2024 Chevrolet Trax 2RS - Soon 2B TOAD
16ACE27 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-08-2019, 12:04 PM   #18
Member
 
MichFigs's Avatar
 
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Vegas 24.1
State: Michigan
Posts: 96
THOR #9701
Quote:
Originally Posted by TerryJames View Post
Hi Folks, We found the original Axis antenna “troublesome” when putting a cover on and off. And since it was a little “loose” anyway, we unscrewed the antenna and put a small plastic tube on covering the stub. Made no difference to the radio reception. Anyway, we’re looking for a shark fin replacement antenna that will fit.
Has anyone put a shark-fin antenna on as a replacement? (And do you need to get into the roof line inside to replace and/or tighten the radio antenna?)
Thank you, James
Not sure about a shark fin fitting however ...

on a recent trip out west we decided the reception was so bad from the factory antennae that we replaced it with a Browning satellite roof mount antenna using the same hole through the roof. Had to remove all the hardware (discovered the factory antenna was not grounded, GO FIGURE) and trim, drop the ceiling panels, etc. Also insulated the roof cap and A-Pillars while up there working. This was quite a job while on the road but we are very pleased with the Sirius/XM reception now where ever we are traveling or parked!
__________________
"Our Dreamcatcher" is a 2018 Vegas 24.1
MichFigs is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-09-2019, 02:58 PM   #19
Member
 
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: ACE 29.4
State: Pennsylvania
Posts: 59
THOR #6457
Whip antenna

Quote:
Originally Posted by WearyTraveler View Post
I've got a Thor Outlaw 38RE. There's a small whip (?) antenna on the roof above the driver.


It's about a foot tall and black rubber coated. The rubber near the bottom (above the threaded screw on connection) is cracked and the top half of the antenna wobbles freely.


I put some silicon in the crack just to temporarily keep it from moving.


What is this antenna? Is it for the radio?




I can unscrew the broken part and replace it. What kind of antenna is it? Need to know what to order...


It's for the radio. I put a piece of heat shrink on it.
__________________
AndyT1183 is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Tags
antenna, newbie

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by Thor Industries or any of its affiliates. This is an independent, unofficial site.




All times are GMT. The time now is 03:52 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Content Relevant URLs by vBSEO 3.6.0 PL2