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07-05-2016, 02:20 PM
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#1
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Winnebago Owner
Join Date: Apr 2015
Posts: 80
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How to access underside of roof for radio antenna?
I was removing a damaged front radio antenna on the roof and the antenna cable fell inside the roof cavity. The cable hole is very small (just big enough for the cable) so fishing out the cable from the roof is impossible without enlarging the hole.
How do I access the underside of the roof? I don't see how this can be done, except by maybe removing the wood strip on the ceiling (see photo), which would hopeful allow me to remove a ceiling panel.
Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated.
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2011 Itasca Meridian 34Y
2014 Honda CR-V
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07-05-2016, 02:22 PM
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#2
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Winnebago Owner
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: Jacksonville, Fl
Posts: 225
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I don't know the answer to your question, but would something like this allow you to get it from the top?
https://www.zoro.com/general-mechani...g&gclsrc=aw.ds
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2013 Winnebago Sightseer 36V
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07-05-2016, 02:28 PM
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#3
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Winnebago Watcher
Join Date: Jan 2015
Posts: 2
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antenna base
will the antenna base cover a slightly larger hole, if so, drill the
next size hole and fish it out, avoid pulling a panel if you can help it.
Jim
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07-05-2016, 02:30 PM
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#4
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Winnebago Owner
Join Date: Apr 2015
Posts: 80
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Podivin
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Good idea, but as I mentioned, the hole is only about 1/4" in diameter, so I can't use any sort of tool to retrieve the cable without enlarging the hole -- which I may have to do as a last resort.
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2011 Itasca Meridian 34Y
2014 Honda CR-V
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07-05-2016, 02:40 PM
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#5
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Winnebago Owner
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Mcdonough, Ga.
Posts: 73
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We always drilled a 3/4 hole in the roof. That allows enough room to use a light and long nose pliers to retrieve the dropped lead. Make a patch out of aluminum and screw it down and cover in sealent.
__________________
1998 Pace Arrow 35 ft. F53 Ford V10 2012 Honda Civic toad
32 years mechanic at Delta Air Lines 15 year motorhome service manager. 3 popups....2 travel trailers....5 motorhomes....loved them all.
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07-05-2016, 04:27 PM
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#6
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Winnebago Master
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Southern Ontario
Posts: 562
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If your antenna breaks, you can likely just replace the broken top section by removing the screw in the swivel base attached to the top. Then just replace the top section. No risk of losing the cable. Good luck,
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Bob
09 Journey 39Z
Southern Ontario
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07-05-2016, 05:11 PM
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#7
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Winnebago Owner
Join Date: Apr 2015
Posts: 80
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Thanks for the advice Bob, but the antenna broke at the swivel base (with a little help). The rabbit cable has already disappeared down the hole. The only suggestions I am getting is to drill a bigger hole and fish out the cable. I was hoping that the underside of the roof was reasonably accessible.
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2011 Itasca Meridian 34Y
2014 Honda CR-V
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07-05-2016, 05:14 PM
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#8
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Winnebago Master
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Southern Ontario
Posts: 562
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If the fitting on the end is metallic, you might try a pen type magnet to see if you can get it close enough to grab. Hate to drill hole in the roof, Good luck,
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Bob
09 Journey 39Z
Southern Ontario
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07-05-2016, 05:16 PM
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#9
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Winnebago Camper
Join Date: Jun 2014
Posts: 13
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By mistake I found that the cabinet right above my door had a false side that came out fairly easily by removing a small piece of trim. After removing the panel I could access the base of the antenna. My purpose was to check the connection and whether the plate was grounded.
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Jim J
2002 Monaco Windsor 38 PKD
2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee w/5.7 Hemi
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07-05-2016, 05:37 PM
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#10
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Winnebago Owner
Join Date: Apr 2015
Posts: 80
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jacwjames
By mistake I found that the cabinet right above my door had a false side that came out fairly easily by removing a small piece of trim. After removing the panel I could access the base of the antenna. My purpose was to check the connection and whether the plate was grounded.
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OK, I'll keep checking for hidden doors.
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2011 Itasca Meridian 34Y
2014 Honda CR-V
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07-05-2016, 08:07 PM
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#11
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Winnebago Master
Join Date: May 2015
Location: Manhattan, Kansas USA
Posts: 1,318
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On my Vista the antenna is mounted on top of the fiberglass front cap, and the underside of the fiberglass front cap can be accessed by removing the trim panels inside the cabinets in front of your coach. Might try that next. The interior panels behind the front cap are part of a sandwich of roof + rigid insulation + interior panels that are glued it would be impossible for you to get access from below without doing something that will end up being very un-attractive.
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Randy - Manhattan, Kansas
2015 Vista 27N
2020 Ford Escape Hybrid
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07-05-2016, 08:45 PM
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#12
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Winnebago Owner
Join Date: Apr 2015
Posts: 80
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Thanks -- I will continue my search for a secret access panel in the cabinets.
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2011 Itasca Meridian 34Y
2014 Honda CR-V
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07-05-2016, 09:55 PM
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#13
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Winnebago Camper
Join Date: Aug 2014
Posts: 33
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When I installed my cell phone booster, there was solid Styrofoam under the roof.
I think your ant is more forward than where I drilled.
You might try to remove a back panel from the front overhead cabinet and use a mirror to see if there is access. You might get lucky.
Dan
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2014 40QBH Phaeton DP Cummins 380HP ISL, Freightliner XC, 2014 Jeep Trailhawk TOAD
Blue Ox Aventa tow bar, SMI Air Force One -South Orange County Ca.
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07-06-2016, 06:11 AM
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#14
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Winnebago Owner
Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 77
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We had a water leak and the water dripped down the wood trim. We removed the wood trim and found that the trim connects the 2 pieces of roof material, and were able to bend enough out of the way to see inside the void. We found the water leaking thru the Satellite antenna. There was plenty of room to reach inside and if yours is similar to the journey, you should be able to get in there.
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Paul & Debbie
2013 Journey 42E
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07-06-2016, 08:41 AM
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#15
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Winnebago Owner
Join Date: Apr 2015
Posts: 80
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Quote:
Originally Posted by audvid1
We had a water leak and the water dripped down the wood trim. We removed the wood trim and found that the trim connects the 2 pieces of roof material, and were able to bend enough out of the way to see inside the void. We found the water leaking thru the Satellite antenna. There was plenty of room to reach inside and if yours is similar to the journey, you should be able to get in there.
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Thanks -- that's very positive news.
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2011 Itasca Meridian 34Y
2014 Honda CR-V
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07-11-2016, 12:49 PM
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#16
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Winnebago Camper
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Full time
Posts: 22
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Panels
We found the back and top of the cabinet were several pieces of paneling 1/8" thick held in by a couple of staples. All most if they were made for easy removal. If you damage them they are hidden from view any way. With a mirror and flashlight we found the cable that was loose.
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07-11-2016, 12:56 PM
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#17
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Winnebago Owner
Join Date: Apr 2015
Posts: 80
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Thanks. I'll look next time I am at the MH. It is in an off-site storage facility.
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2011 Itasca Meridian 34Y
2014 Honda CR-V
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07-11-2016, 01:02 PM
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#18
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Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2010
Posts: 340
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Algonquin
Good idea, but as I mentioned, the hole is only about 1/4" in diameter, so I can't use any sort of tool to retrieve the cable without enlarging the hole -- which I may have to do as a last resort.
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Algonquin
I would enlarge the hole rather than risk damaging that perfectly good ceiling.
(If a roof patch is necessary nobody important will see it).
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07-12-2016, 02:28 PM
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#19
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Winnebago Watcher
Join Date: Jun 2016
Posts: 1
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Don't mess with the interior ceiling. It is a one piece structure from front to rear. The ceiling panels are glued and then pressed,if you pull on it you will never be able to get it back.
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07-12-2016, 04:32 PM
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#20
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Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: Denver, CO
Posts: 249
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On mine, the front cabinets are lined with that gray felt type wood backed paneling. A screw gun (a little tough to find the screws - have to feel) and both the top back and sides came out exposing the entire nose up there. I had access to the radio antennas, as well as the dome antenna (which is why I was up there).
Your cabinet arrangement doesn't look quite the same, but hopefully lining comes out like mine!
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