TV Antenna wire routing

**pmhellings** · 08-07-2020, 07:48 AM

Hello All,
I noticed recently that my TV antenna wasn’t’ working. I started troubleshooting and found that, if I connected a coaxial cable directly from the antenna to the TV, I had reception. Then, I connected directly from the antenna to the the “Booster” device. Again, I had reception. Then, I connected directly from the antenna to a connection in the lower fridge area (accessed from the lower panel) again, I had reception.
Reconnecting the factory coaxial wire to the antenna...no reception. My conclusion is that the factory provided coaxial cable has failed somewhere. It comes off the antenna as a small gray cable, and when it reappears out of the harness down by the lower fridge (external) access, it is a standard looking black coaxial cable. Somewhere, there must be a connector, and that probably is where the problem lies. Does anyone know the routing of the cable from the antenna to the wire bundle ?
Thanks in advance.

Paul M. Hellings
2009 TM 2720SL

**Bill** · 08-07-2020, 08:01 AM

I'm not sure I am entirely on board with your sequence of steps, and the position of the switch on the booster. But in the ceiling cavity where the antenna crank is located, the cables and connectors are crammed into a tiny space. I had some trouble in this area when the tightness of the bends pulled the coax out of one of the connectors.

Commodor47 will reply - he has a lot more knowledge than I do. But in the meantime, have you looked into this cavity?

Bill

Shane826 · 08-07-2020, 08:35 AM

I’m having similar problems. And I looked on that cavity and there was no connector. But like Bill said it is a VERY tight space.

**commodor47** · 08-07-2020, 01:04 PM

Paul,

It sounds like you've isolated the issue to the coax cable pass through located just behind the antenna hand crank cover plate. You may have to carefully poke around to locate the pass through.

Here are a few links that may be of help;

https://www.trailmanorowners.com/for...ght=tv+antenna see post #3

https://www.trailmanorowners.com/for...php?albumid=49 some helpful photos

Let us know how you make out.

Dick

**pmhellings** · 08-08-2020, 08:36 AM

Yes, that’s where the problem is. I had to cut some of the aluminum away to get to the connector. It is very corroded and completely separated from the black (to the amplifier) coaxial cable. I’m trying to suss out a repair connector. I’ll post my solution where I figure one out. Thanks for the help.
Paul

**commodor47** · 08-08-2020, 10:49 AM

Paul,

Thanks for letting us know you've found the solution for your TV reception problem. There isn't much room to work behind the crank handle cover plate so removing additional metal is a good option.

Dick

**pmhellings** · 08-09-2020, 08:08 AM

There was absolutely no access to the connector at the antenna crank hole, so I cut the metal and peeled back until I reached the problem connection. I wound up cutting both cables and installing new threaded fittings, along with a new barrel adapter ( to connect the two female connectors) The TV had gotten 26 channels with a coaxial cable run directly from the antenna to the TV. It now gets 32 channels using the in place, repaired cables. Mission accomplished. Thanks for pointing me in the right direction!
Paul