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Old 05-25-2015, 10:17 AM   #1
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Replace Radio Antenna

Hi
We are loving our new 8289WS so far but the radio reception is terrible.
Think I could get better reception with tin foil, so thinking I will replace the current antenna. (see pic).
Started to take it off and the bottom is TIGHT, assume that is where the cable is hooking up to it, but it is so tight, I can't get the antenna even 1/8" away from the wall. Screw is all the way out, so has to be the coax.
Wondered if anyone else had removed and changed there's?
My only concern with pulling it off is I will never get it back on again if the coax is that short, no way to hold it to push it into new antenna.
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Old 05-25-2015, 11:51 AM   #2
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I replaced a wall plate for my TV and ran into the same thing. I thought the coax was short. What it was , was the coax was coming up from the bottom. I had to tilt the top out and lift up so the coax would clear. It was tight but it came out and there was about a foot and half of coax to work with. maybe that would work.
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Old 05-25-2015, 12:20 PM   #3
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If it is primarily the FM reception that you want to improve, check out Posts #17 and #19 of this thread.

http://www.forestriverforums.com/for...s-36212-2.html

This will not improve the AM reception. Just the FM and Weather.

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Old 05-25-2015, 02:21 PM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by markb5900 View Post
Hi
We are loving our new 8289WS so far but the radio reception is terrible.
Think I could get better reception with tin foil, so thinking I will replace the current antenna. (see pic).
Started to take it off and the bottom is TIGHT, assume that is where the cable is hooking up to it, but it is so tight, I can't get the antenna even 1/8" away from the wall. Screw is all the way out, so has to be the coax.
Wondered if anyone else had removed and changed there's?
My only concern with pulling it off is I will never get it back on again if the coax is that short, no way to hold it to push it into new antenna.
Would like to do the same. Please keep us updated!
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Old 05-25-2015, 05:36 PM   #5
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Went and bought just a normal car antenna replacement. Plugged it in and it is better, not what it should be, but is better.
A little red neck engineering and have it stuck in the cabinet behind the radio unit.
Will probably end up doing the tv antenna mod to get it really good. But at least now, we can pick up the stations that are less than 10 miles away.
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Old 07-16-2015, 09:14 AM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by markb5900 View Post
Hi
We are loving our new 8289WS so far but the radio reception is terrible.
Think I could get better reception with tin foil, so thinking I will replace the current antenna. (see pic).
Started to take it off and the bottom is TIGHT, assume that is where the cable is hooking up to it, but it is so tight, I can't get the antenna even 1/8" away from the wall. Screw is all the way out, so has to be the coax.
Wondered if anyone else had removed and changed there's?
My only concern with pulling it off is I will never get it back on again if the coax is that short, no way to hold it to push it into new antenna.
I'm having the same problem- but looking at your picture, it looks like the antenna pulls out like the old fashioned car ones used to do. Maybe I need to pull mine out?
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Old 07-16-2015, 05:41 PM   #7
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I had the same problem and one of these forums suggested to hook up the radio to tv antennae on the roof using this adapter Motorola to F Connector 36'' Cable | 10TV110 | Distributed By MCM. I installed it this past weekend and I went from no reception at all to 10 stations up in Pittsburg NH. Best $10 I've spent on the camper.
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Old 08-21-2015, 05:27 PM   #8
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An update. Had the techs at Goshen replace the side mounted radio antenna with the same. FM and weather reception improved slightly but was poor. AM reception was non existent. The techs indicated the only viable solution is to connect the radio to the TV antenna (or abandon the side mounted and put one on the roof). They even brought the adapter cable and another splitter!! Ended up disconnecting the TV cable that leads to the unused front compartment connecting the radio to the installed splitter. (I had the adapter cable). No need for another splitter. Excellent FM and weather.

They indeed try to please!!
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Old 08-22-2015, 07:09 AM   #9
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Mine is the same, we have an 8289WS and no radio reception anywhere, anytime. It's gone back to the selling dealer with a list of things to fix and the radio was one of them.
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Old 08-22-2015, 07:28 AM   #10
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I did the Radio mod after reading what RodeoGeorge did and it brought in so many clear FM stations and the weather band. Never listen to AM anyway, so happy with such a simple mod.
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