Forum Discussion

dee74's avatar
dee74
Explorer
May 09, 2015

Does my new Springdale tt have a radio antenna?

We are on our maiden voyage in our Springdale 282bh and the Jensen radio will not pick up any stations. Our old Passport had a separate radio antenna and the reception was great. Do I have an antenna, I cannot see up on the roof from my site.
  • Ivylog's avatar
    Ivylog
    Explorer III
    Climb a tree an look. OK, not a great idea... stand on the picnic table and look.
  • Our Outback TV antenna does double duty as the radio antenna. The antenna booster works for the radio reception also. Try turning on your booster and see if that helps the reception. If you have LED lighting they may cause interference. Turn off the lights and see if that helps.
  • I would hope that you have a antenna. If the guy installing the radio put together the wires correctly, that is another story. . .

    Check the back of the radio. It should have a large black wire going out of it, with a silver end *typically* and that should connect to the radio antenna. If nothing is connected, then the antenna wire might be in the cabinet someplace, or not installed, that is something that can go wrong with a installation. . .

    Good luck, and have fun camping! Enjoy the new RV too!
  • RoyB's avatar
    RoyB
    Explorer II
    My OFF-ROAD POPUP trailer has a AM/FM antenna that looks lsimilar to this mounted on the hard side wall.


    Most TT trailers have a AM/FM antenna mounted on the roof and usually have a spring on the bottom so that the antenna will bend when being pulled through low hanging limbs etc...

    Look for something like this roof photo (Rear right hand corner of photo)...


    Roy Ken
  • Here's another vote to try the tv antenna booster the is how ours works. At home if it's backed all the way under the carport we don't get reception pull out a few feet and it's way better.
  • If you don't have a stand alone antenna for the radio, it's probably incorporated into the TV antenna like ours is. As others have suggested, try turning on the power booster button for the antenna.
  • I have discovered that I must have an antenna. The radio works great when the AC is off. The AC must be interfering with the reception.
  • I used to have a 2011 Springdale 266RLSSR and had zero reception from the factory Jensen radio. After removing the radio, I discovered that the Sherlocks at the factory left the antenna wire coiled in a little bundle just like it came from Jensen. I just stretched it out vertically against a wall corner and had perfect reception ever after. I had considered an outside antenna but found it unnecessary unless you are in the middle of nowhere.
  • I had the same situation with the antenna in my Summerland as salem1. But I did get some stations. I was driving the truck one day listening to a ball game. Got back to the trailer and couldn't find that station. When I got back from the trip I pulled the radio out and the antenna was plugged in but they hadn't taken the little tie off and unwrapped the antenna. Guess that saved 5 seconds with the install!
  • Salem and Luv Camping. I found the same thing. I took the tie off and uncoiled the wire and now I can get a bunch of stations. I left it laid in behind the unit. I may try and run it up and out later but it is working great as is. The end has a coaxial looking connection so I was wondering if I can hook it into the TV antenna.