SLX 185RB Radio Antenna

vwnut · 08-10-2021, 04:57 AM

I'm wanting to replace the radio antenna due to poor reception. There seems to be no connection between the antenna lead and the mast.

I'm pretty sure this is the antenna. Notice the mounting plate on top with plate that would go under the roof.

Wondering did Jayco Use both mounting plates with the screws and nuts or just screw the top plate to the roof. I'm hoping for the later.

Has anyone replaced theirs and what did you find.

ARoamer · 08-10-2021, 05:21 AM

I've never replaced one, but have you tested your current one with an ohmmeter?

If there is no connection I doubt you would get little if any reception at all.

Before replacing, try a dipole and see if you get an improvement in reception.
See pic of easily made dipole, or amazon has them, search dipole fm antenna.

vwnut · 08-10-2021, 05:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ARoamer

I've never replaced one, but have you tested your current one with an ohmmeter?

If there is no connection I doubt you would get little if any reception at all.

Before replacing, try a dipole and see if you get an improvement in reception.
See pic of easily made dipole, or amazon has them, search dipole fm antenna.

I have plugged in a automotive antenna to try and it made a big difference.

RogerR · 08-10-2021, 08:53 AM

It may not be the antenna but could be the wire leading to it. Jayco has had a few oops like running wall screw through electric and water lines, etc. Or maybe it has been corroded where the mast connects to the cable coming down to the radio.
I had a bad ground problem in mine and found they forgot to tighten the ground bus bar screws down. Yep, wires were just laying in the holes of the bus bar.

vwnut · 08-10-2021, 10:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RogerR

It may not be the antenna but could be the wire leading to it. Jayco has had a few oops like running wall screw through electric and water lines, etc. Or maybe it has been corroded where the mast connects to the cable coming down to the radio.

That is a possibility; but as close as the antenna is to the hole in the ceiling in the cupboard, I can't get to that connection without pulling the antenna off the roof.

ARoamer · 08-10-2021, 11:19 AM

This is how my antenna is mounted in my 5th wheel wall.
They appear to be the same antenna as far as I can tell.
I would also tend to think it's a wiring issue as RogerR suggested.

vwnut · 08-10-2021, 11:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ARoamer

This is how my antenna is mounted in my 5th wheel wall.
They appear to be the same antenna as far as I can tell.
I would also tend to think it's a wiring issue as RogerR suggested.

If it is indeed the same antenna, by the look of the picture they didn't use the inside plate. I can't see in the picture but are there signs of the 3 screws through the wall, and is there a threaded lead connection to the antenna base?

ARoamer · 08-10-2021, 11:44 AM

Appears to be a standard screw on type coax fitting, 3 screws to mount antenna with no backing plate. There is a screw visible protruding inside in the pic, upper left of the coax connector.

vwnut · 08-10-2021, 12:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ARoamer

Appears to be a standard screw on type coax fitting, 3 screws to mount antenna with no backing plate. There is a screw visible protruding inside in the pic, upper left of the coax connector.

After enlarging the pic I do see a screw. I'm hoping in a roof mount situation they did the same thing and didn't use the inside plate with screws and nuts.
I'm not sure of the roof / ceiling assembly procedure but to fasten the antenna with an inside and outside plate might not be possible.

Thanks guys for the input. I feel a little better now about digging in. I'll let you know how it plays out.

RogerR · 08-10-2021, 01:18 PM

I forgot to mention that coax cable does not like to be bent sharply or pinched as well as being punctured. If the inner wire is broken or the outer copper woven layer touches the inner layer it will ground out the signal.
If you do take the antenna off the roof look at the copper stinger (the central copper wire) does not have any of the outer grounding woven layer accidentally touching it do to poor workmanship. check on the one that goes into the back of the radio.

vwnut · 08-10-2021, 05:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RogerR

I forgot to mention that coax cable does not like to be bent sharply or pinched as well as being punctured. If the inner wire is broken or the outer copper woven layer touches the inner layer it will ground out the signal.
If you do take the antenna off the roof look at the copper stinger (the central copper wire) does not have any of the outer grounding woven layer accidentally touching it do to poor workmanship. check on the one that goes into the back of the radio.

I've checked and there is no short between the center lead and the woven ground. The issue is no connection between the center lead and the mast.

I've made arrangements to borrow an inspection camera to go up into the ceiling where the lead goes through to look at the underside of the antenna base. It's within 5 or 6 inches of the hole.

vwnut · 08-18-2021, 06:02 AM

I did fish a camera up in to the ceiling looking for the base but the insulation hampered my view.

After seeing the pics that ARoamer posted I decided to go ahead and remove the caulking off the base. The base was screwed to the roof; no backing plate.

There is no continuity between the two ends of the center pin of the lead. There seems to be a break or bad connection at the base end of the lead.

RogerR; the cable able wasn't pinched but as you said maybe bent too sharply. The mast tests fine.

I'll try a few local electronic shops to see if the end can be replaced on the lead. If not I'll replace the antenna with the lead. Amazon is your friend.

RogerR · 08-18-2021, 07:30 AM

If there is no continuity between the two ends then it is broken in the middle somewhere. The stinger, the 1/4 to 1/2 inch end of the wire exposed that goes into the antenna and the back of the radio is a continuous piece of copper wire. I have replaced many ends as a part time cable installer. But it only needs to be done if the stinger is bent, broken or the cable screw on connector has come off the cable. Basically a crimp on that keeps the cable from falling out of whatever it is plugged into.

If you are sure there is no continuity you need to replace the whole cable.

Last note, moisture can short out the signal if it somehow got into the end of the cable. Make sure you use water tight type connectors under that antenna to prevent moisture in the future.

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