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Old 10-05-2015, 06:57 PM   #1
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Poor Radio Reception

Recently bought a new 2016 Forest River Flagstaff 26VFKS Super Light with the "V" kitchen front.
Upon getting it home and going over all the amenities I noticed that the radio had very poor reception. Especially AM reception. The entertainment center is an iRV Technologies iRV66. I called the dealer for advice and they had none. So I turned on the radio and the outdoor speakers, and climbed on top of the trailer. I touched the antenna and the reception improved 100%! Well, after that I unscrewed the screw that clamps the two halves of the antenna base and then loosened the antenna mounting screw which secures the antenna to the trailer roof. Placed a ground wire around the the mounting screw and ran it to a good ground screw that is attached to the air conditioner mounting flashing. Thus providing a proper ground. The radio works 100% better. Anyone else have bad reception with Forest River fiber glass side trailers?
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Old 10-05-2015, 07:09 PM   #2
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Our radio is pretty much useless. If I unplug the antenna and hold it get a better reception. I might have to look into the ground.


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Old 10-06-2015, 05:02 AM   #3
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Bad Reception

Well I am glad I am not the only one. I think the radios in Fiberglass side trailers are not grounded properly. Luckily I know a little about 'lectricity
and was able to ground. You might try getting on the roof, or from a ladder and unscrew the screw that holds the two halves of the antenna base. inside will be a mounting screw that goes into the roof. Loosen enough to loop a striped wire around the screw. Then tighten the screw. Attach the other end (striped) of the wire to a good ground screw. It SHOULD help.
Best of luck

Ornery



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Our radio is pretty much useless. If I unplug the antenna and hold it get a better reception. I might have to look into the ground.


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Old 10-06-2015, 06:11 AM   #4
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There is a thread about getting better radio reception by using your TV antenna and a few parts from Radioshack. If I remember right everyone who did that mod got a 100% better reception. You might try and find it.
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Old 10-06-2015, 08:20 PM   #5
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I purchased a coax f connector to rca radio Jack. Now I usethe tv anntenna to get great radio reception.
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Old 10-07-2015, 12:46 AM   #6
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Did you have to remove the radio, entertainment center from the cabinet? And then run the coax to the TV/cable outlet?

Thanks.
Orn

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I purchased a coax f connector to rca radio Jack. Now I usethe tv anntenna to get great radio reception.
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Old 10-16-2015, 11:03 PM   #7
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Did you have to remove the radio, entertainment center from the cabinet? And then run the coax to the TV/cable outlet?

Thanks.
Orn
Yeah, we need a few more details!
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Old 10-17-2015, 07:15 AM   #8
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The antenna mod does not help AM frequency at all but it does wonders for the FM and weather band. My FM reception has increased by what seems like 1000%, way more stations and crystal clear.
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Old 10-17-2015, 03:14 PM   #9
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MCM electronics sells a coax f connector to rca radio jack adapter. Find the wall plate that allows you to push button to switch from anntena to cable/satellite. Remove the anntenna cable and attach this cable to a splitter. Put the adapter on splitter plug into radio. Attach a second coax to splitter and that goes to wall switch. Power the wall switch to listen to favorite your FM stations. You will can watch tv as usual.
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Old 10-17-2015, 03:26 PM   #10
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[URL]http://www.mcmelectronics.com/product/27-5695/[URL] This isn't quite was I have but similar to this.
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Old 07-21-2016, 02:16 PM   #11
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Do you mean "stripped" or "striped"?
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Old 07-21-2016, 02:37 PM   #12
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Stripped/bare wire
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Old 07-21-2016, 02:40 PM   #13
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Thank you - I'll try that on my 2604ws.
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Old 07-21-2016, 02:43 PM   #14
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Is there any possible damage to be caused by the wire laying across the roof and slapping the roof membrane as you travel down the road?
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Old 07-21-2016, 04:08 PM   #15
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Is there any possible damage to be caused by the wire laying across the roof and slapping the roof membrane as you travel down the road?
I wouldn't think so. It is a 14 gauge wire and isn't very long or heavy. I imagine the sun will degrade the insulation and I will be replacing every couple years.
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