Where to bring antenna wire through?

[Sturgeon-Phish]

For increased cell phone signal upon advice filtered through several searches; we're going to try the Wilson sleek. From what I gather, mounting the magnetic antenna on a piece of metal will enhance the reception. So I attached a piece of sheetmetal 24"x 36" on a sheet of OSB, and will lay this on the roof.

My question is, what would be the best path to bring the cable through from the antenna to the inside unit?
Camper is a '05 Wildcat 31QBH Fifth wheel.

Thanks!
Jim

[Sturgeon-Phish]

Thanks everybody, I have several option to try out this weekend if we can break away.
As a follow-up: To determine the signal strength I went to arstechnica.com and there I learned if on your cell phone dial *3001#12345#* your cell phone will go to a field test mode and your Bars will be replaced with a negative number (- 80) and the closer to "0" the stronger the signal. - 80 db is stronger than -120 bd. You can leave it in db or go back to bars.
Jim

[MeandMyLabs]

YC 1 wrote:
You can get a suction cup holder for the magnetic antenna and just stick it to a window. Doing this will allow you to move it to your truck easily. The mount came with my purchase.

This is exactly what I do. I have found that the emergency exit windows which pivot out can easily allow the wire to be routed through and then gently closed. Works very well and I am writing this from the campground using my computer with the wify from my phone which is attached to the Sleek. A very simple arrangement.

[cpaulsen]

Used a metal piece of angle that I mounted to the top of my ladder.....ran the antenna wire thru the slide out. Used some small command hooks inside to hold the cable over to an outlet I installed for powering the Wilson Sleek which holds my JetPack. I can run the slide in and out without even moving the cable and the mag mount antenna(12") stay right on the ladder even moving down the road.

[gmctoyman]

I drilled a 1.5" hole in the roof into a cabinet, then put a RV sewer vent on the hole with a 1.25" pipe down into the cabinet, finished on the inside with a chrome wall flange. I now have 4 antenna wires thru it, I keep it packed with closed cell foam so I can easily change what ever if want. Wish I had thought of this before I fought my solar panel wiring down behind the refer !

[Tango__AE7UI]

I bring the solar panel output and 2 radio antenna leads into the fifth through the reefer stack.

[YC_1]

A much much smaller ground plane will work and give you more options. A simple 6 inch diameter is more than enough as mentioned.

For routing you are dealing with finding power for the cradle and the coax of course. Think outside of the box. Perhaps drilling a small hole under or along the back edge of the refer and working your coax up the back side and out the vent is a possibility. If your roof is not metal you can experiment putting the antenna on a metal pie pan or baking pan and place that inside a cabinet. Just experiment to find your best signal choice. If you can find the actual signal strength in db on your phone you will have an easier time experimenting.

You can get a suction cup holder for the magnetic antenna and just stick it to a window. Doing this will allow you to move it to your truck easily. The mount came with my purchase.

In any case, you will be very happy with the Sleek.

[Erie_Tom]

I need to run ham radio coax in for the two radios I use. I went to Lowes and the plumbing section. Looking for a threaded cap and then a threaded section of 1 1/2 PVC. Found a piece about 2 inch threaded and then a cap for it. Through one of the storage compartments doors close to where I wanted the radios I drill a hole in the compartment door. Measured twice for the hole and then sealed it with caulk that locked the section into place. On the outside the cap screws on with a gassketthat I formed and this is how it seals all weather out going down the road. To use the coax just unscrew the cap and pull out the coax which is right in side of the compartment door and direct it to the antennas.

[Old-Biscuit]

Jim-Linda wrote:
We slightly bring in a slide, feed coax thru gap between wall and slide, open slide. The bulb seal will close off any gaps(no bug entry or water.

Jim

Exactly what we did with the Wilson Antenna for increased reception.

Antenna was mounted on a 5' pole and when needed was placed in a flag pole buddy ladder mount. Then cable was slipped in via slideout and plugged into cell phone or computer air card

[Jim-Linda]

We slightly bring in a slide, feed coax thru gap between wall and slide, open slide. The bulb seal will close off any gaps(no bug entry or water.

Jim

[tvman44]

Window. 🙂

[Peg_Leg]

A quarter wave ground plane for the center of the 900 mhz band would be just over a quarter of an inch and the 1900 mhz less than one eight of an inch. Not much material to hold a magnetic antenna.

[Dutch_12078]

As said, the reefer vent is a common access point for add-on wires. For temporary use though, a window may be a better option with the small gap covered with masking or duct tape. Also note that the ground plane metal sheet need not be that large. A 12"x12" panel is more than enough. I made my permanent metal roof panel 12"x18" since I was mounting multiple antennas on it, but even that is overkill.

[BobandShaz]

Bathroom vent?

[n7bsn]

Not knowing your layout... But I've used the roof refer vent to bring wires from the roof into the rig