How hard is it to replace cable for roof top antenna

[MacGyver612]

The antenna coax is cracked at the outside on the motorhome we just bought. 2002 Itasca Suncruiser. How hard is it to replace and what kind works best?
Winegard crank up type.
Thanx
Greg

[rk911]

PastorCharlie wrote:
If it is only the outside rubber weather cover on the cable cracked cover the cable's bad area with Dicor caulk and that will reseal it. The cable has a wire shield that will prevent the cable from actually breaking into and protect it from signal interference.

yahbut the crack in the outer covering will let moisture in and if the crack has been there for any length of time the coax may have been saturated with water. cable is cheap so if at all possible i'd replace that section.

[PastorCharlie]

If it is only the outside rubber weather cover on the cable cracked cover the cable's bad area with Dicor caulk and that will reseal it. The cable has a wire shield that will prevent the cable from actually breaking into and protect it from signal interference.

[powderman426]

While repairing my roof, I saw that mine not only had a barrel connector, but the cable was stapled in place. I imagine it would be very difficult to replace. Bummer.

[MacGyver612]

Coax seems to be one piece did not pull up due to we have to bring back for dealer to clean roof and reseal openings. When we get back I will pull up a little and see if coupler below antenna mount.It would be nice if that were the case, one can only hope.
Thanx

[rk911]

MacGyver612 wrote:
The antenna coax is cracked at the outside on the motorhome we just bought. 2002 Itasca Suncruiser. How hard is it to replace and what kind works best?
Winegard crank up type.
Thanx
Greg

on our 2000 suncreuiser there is a connector on the roof. you'll need about a 6-8 foot run (measure the old coax before buying the new) of RG-6 coax (75-ohm) with connectors on both ends. if your roof is like mine you'll need to peel away the silicone protectorant off of the roof connector and possibly the connector at the antenna end. unscrew the cable connectors from the roof and antenna, replace with the new cable and seal with silicone.

[MacGyver612]

when I get the time I will find inside end and try til shack and listen to see if moving in ceiling. I hate to try to start to pull in a new one only to find that unseen clamp or.. in the way and can't pull back. I might at least do a new piece from crack to antenna for the time being and shrink tube connectors.
Oh the fun..
At least it still works, for now.

[Dale_Traveling]

No telling how diffacult. The problem you will run into is getting to all the cable ties and wire clamps it you are going to replace the entire lenght. Best would be to cut out as much as you can and add a new lenght from that point forward. Don't forget to add enough cable so you can still rotate and raise/lower the antenna.

RG-6 is a good choice for cable.

[MacGyver612]

Crack is just a few inches from mount where it comes through antenna plate.

[MacGyver612]

I have not pulled too much yet. Very brittle outside. may be splice outside and shrink tube it. TV is roof mounted. I am hoping that there are not cable ties in the head liner holding in place.

[Johno02]

Depends. How is it fed through the roof, is there any slack, how is it routed inside. All rigs are different. Can you just trim the cable and replace the connector?? Is TV on dash or roof?? Where is cable power box located??

[HappyKayakers]

Not sure about your setup but on mine, I started pulling the old coax up through the roof and found a connector just a few feet down. Obviously there was enough slack to do that. Depending on where the crack is and how much slack you have, you could just cut some of the old coax and put a new connector on.