Wondering what this might be?

[ready2travel]

Hi all,
We are getting ready to finally take out our used "new" RV soon, and my husband saw this on the roof yesterday and doesn't know what it is.
It is on the drivers side toward the front.

Hoping someone might know? Or have suggestions on what to do with it?

He's not sure if he should just seal it somehow as we are concerned it may be letting in water or other debris.
Many thanks for any help!

[16ACE27]

Looks like the base for your missing radio antenna with just the screw-on whip missing. You can pick one up from Amazon. No danger of leaks due to the missing whip.

EDIT:
Zooming in closer - what I thought was the male part of the antenna assembly does not look like what is extending out of the hole. Maybe more is missing than I originally thought and in that case there may be a leak issue.

[ducksface]

One of my radio antennas, ham, CB, cell booster, I don't remember which has that tab on it for (I think) the ground part of the cable.
Fill the hole with silicone for now.

I can get you a pic if needed.

[Grumpy Grampa]

Antenna base.

[ready2travel]

Originally Posted by ducksface

One of my radio antennas, ham, CB, cell booster, I don't remember which has that tab on it for (I think) the ground part of the cable.
Fill the hole with silicone for now.

I can get you a pic if needed.

That helps a lot, thank you and we'll try to find an antanna or whatever fits there.

ducksface, if not too much trouble, we'd love a picture. :-)

[ducksface]

Too late tonight.
I'll have one for you in the morning.

[ready2travel]

Originally Posted by ducksface

Too late tonight.
I'll have one for you in the morning.

Anytime that's convenient, thanks.

[robebur]

Can you contact the previous owner or dealership? Looks like they may have removed something that was added after-market and the waterproofing doesn't look factory installed. Hard to tell exactly what the little metal tab looks like. In any case, try to cover it up to be safe. Look for any terminated wires that seem out of place.

[ready2travel]

Thank you for the suggestion, we will try to contact dealer.
Here are a couple more photos.
I didn't realize the plastic was broken so assume it will have to be removed or replaced. There is a green chip inside but don't see any wires. Just the little metal knob thing. (sorry, I the wife doesn't know all the electrical terms!)

Really appreciate everyone's help and kindness. I'll follow up when we figure it out. :-)

[JimOIB]

Look like a car antenna and from the pictures the antenna has broken off from the base. Not repairable but replaceable. Who knows why they put it on…has the radio been upgraded? Maybe SiriusXM?

[EA37TS]

You might want to look at the AC shrouds and any vent covers for signs of damage. Someone might have taken that rig though a low clearance or hit a large tree limb.

[16ACE27]

Originally Posted by ready2travel

Thank you for the suggestion, we will try to contact dealer.
Here are a couple more photos.
I didn't realize the plastic was broken so assume it will have to be removed or replaced. There is a green chip inside but don't see any wires. Just the little metal knob thing. (sorry, I the wife doesn't know all the electrical terms!)

Really appreciate everyone's help and kindness. I'll follow up when we figure it out. :-)

With those new pictures I can definitely say that is not the OEM radio antenna I originally thought.

[JimOIB]

Originally Posted by 16ACE27

With those new pictures I can definitely say that is not the OEM radio antenna I originally thought.

LOL - same here. The silicone caulk was a dead giveaway.

My guess it is a base with a pre-amp given the circuitry. That means an enterprising DIYer knew enough to be dangerous (like me) and ran 12vdc or a car stereo shop did the install. Even I know enough not to use silicone…the stereo shop probably not. And it’s a botched job. A picture speaks a thousand words.

[Jimbo56]

Fill it with pro cell rv gel and forget about it. My guess is that at one time it was an attempt by a diyer replacing or adding an internet WiFi repeater. If you try to pull it loose you may damage the membrane roof. My radio sucks. Never use the satellite radio. The sky4 wifi thing on top is terrible. So I only make sure the junk on the roof doesn’t leak.

[ducksface]

That metal thing is the grounding tab.
It is spot welded on to a non removable antennna.

That could be
Cell(it's an older RV)
GPS
Satellite radio.
Ham, (but doubtful)
Cb(but doubtful)

Whatever it is, it's broken, and requires three handed skills while laying on your belly or on a ladder leaning on the windshield to fix.

It is utterly valueless.
Clean it up, plug it.

My two destroyed ones are ham and cell booster.

[Galobo]

Originally Posted by ready2travel

Thank you for the suggestion, we will try to contact dealer.
Here are a couple more photos.
I didn't realize the plastic was broken so assume it will have to be removed or replaced. There is a green chip inside but don't see any wires. Just the little metal knob thing. (sorry, I the wife doesn't know all the electrical terms!)

Really appreciate everyone's help and kindness. I'll follow up when we figure it out. :-)

that is the base for a antenna that you will need to replace in order to instal a new antenna as Duckface said fill it in if you don’t intend to use it.

[ready2travel]

Thanks again very much for the help.
I didn't get your other messages until today and my husband already started to remove the base! So here is a picture of what we have right now regarding the previously posted antenna base. Any further suggestions of what to do?

And I'm including a photo of a Cell booster the previous owner installed and not sure if it works. Could this be what was hooked up to this roof antenna?

There are also these two bolts (picture) between the window visors in the cab. Also don't know if this was installed after market and maybe for a GPS or CB or ???
I am not sure if our radio is stock or aftermarket, (photo of radio) but I don't believe it is a Sirius. It seems to work fine if that antenna base is for this.

[Msdpok]

It appears to be a stock radio Axxera radios are installed by the manufacturer! If someone is going to install an aftermarket unit, trust me they’re not going to install an Axxera unit! And as long as you don’t screw with it you won’t have any problems!
The unit is compatible with Sirius/XM but you need to purchase a tuner kit & antenna! $35-$40. Tuner kit plugs in to the back off the radio along with antenna.

The second photo appears to be a cell phone booster, which I’d be willing to bet if you follow the wiring it will go to the rooftop unit in the first photo!

The two screws?? Ummmm…. Maybe the previous owner installed something then removed it prior to selling it???

[Chateau_Nomad]

I'll cast a vote for the "clean it up and fill it in" method. Do not use regular silicone caulking!! Thor uses Geocel ProFlex sealant - I just ordered some today off Amazon. It ain't cheap, BUT it's the GOOD stuff and has proven success on RVs.

You could also fill it with Dicor self leveling lap sealant, but ProFlex would be my first choice.

[Jimbo56]

I don’t think you’re supposed to use Geocell on a membrane roof.