bdornbush
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Post by bdornbush on Aug 10, 2014 14:24:28 GMT -8
A few weeks ago, we bought a small TV and a flat antenna about 9" square for a future trip where we will be in an RV park for a few weeks. Recently, we were at another RV park for the weekend, and endured their marginal WiFi. I did some research and found that ccrane.com has an inside/outside directional WiFi antenna also flat about 8" square and thought after some testing that it would be good to be able to mount it on the outside as there was a real difference in the signal strength. My 1968 Aristocrat trailer had a mount for a CB whip antenna that I left when I repainted the exterior. It is a small angle with a hole in the horizontal part for mounting the whip antenna. I thought about mounting the two antennas on a mast and bolting the mast through this hole. But then I started thinking about the possibility of wind catching these flat antennas and putting a lot of torque on the mount. So I started thinking about putting a longer mast with some sort of fastener lower on the trailer to provide better protection from the wind. And I want it to be removable as I would plan to put it up only when the signal strength needed it. It looks like I need a mast about 1.5" diameter.
Has anyone mounted an antenna mast on the outside of a vintage trailer? What is your experience with the impact of wind on such a mount? How would you suggest mounting such a mast?
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Post by bigbill on Aug 10, 2014 15:55:03 GMT -8
Could you duplicate the mount and install it at the bottom of the wall then make your mast from PVC pipe with two tabs fastened to the PVC pipe that lined up with the ones on the trailer (tabs made from angle and u bolts to secure to PVC) then mount antennas to top of PVC with coax long enough to reach connectors mounted on side of trailer (like for cable TV) The tabs would bolt together when in camp and when ready to leave you would undo the two bolts, the coax and put it in trailer till next time. PVC mast could even be made in two pieces by using a connector glued to one end then the other would just slip in, this would allow easier storage. I think this would stand up to the wind when parked and when going down the road all you would have in the wind would be the two small angle mounts. You would want to sand the end of the PVC a little so it went in and out of the bottom section easily.
Then paint everything to match your trailer.
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bdornbush
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Post by bdornbush on Aug 11, 2014 14:27:06 GMT -8
Thanks, bigbill. This sounds like a good approach. Any other ideas?
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John Palmer
Senior Member
Hi, From a vintage trailer guy located in Santa Ana, CA. It's good to see lots of activity here.
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Post by John Palmer on Aug 11, 2014 15:09:41 GMT -8
Here's an idea for a "portable, removable, tall antenna".
I have previously built a removable flag pole mount. I use a 1 1/4" receiver tube welded to the trailer frame. You can purchase "on line" fiberglass telescoping flag poles. Buy a piece of D.O.M. steel tubing so the flag pole has a snug fit inside the tubing. Weld the tubing to a 1 1/4" coupler tube. The flag pole needs to be about 12" minimum away from the trailer when extended.
Mount your antenna to the flag pole, then extend it up.
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