“Good field engineering is often the art of solving several problems with one simple idea. A few feet of foam can protect the technology, seal out the Canadian cold and dust, and keep the system moving.” – MJ Martin
Problem Description
The Itron mobile collectors used in AMR bulk meter data collections are typically temporary installations inside a Utility work vehicle, often a pickup truck. Customers mount the magnetic antenna on the rooftop. They run the cables into the back seat via the door. The cables get crushed by the door. The crushed cables are sensitive to signal loss because of the very high frequencies used (900 MHz for the communications and 1500 MHz for the GPS signal).
The result is a broken antenna system.
Typically, we sell lots of replacement antenna systems every year, typically during the winter months. The cost of these antennas is close to $700.00 each, so it is an unnecessary problem to fix. If the crew took better care of these fragile cables, then operational downtime could be reduced. The cables seem to fail only when they are most urgently needed.
Figure 1 – A poorly Installed Cable Path
Solution
Figure 2 – The finished solution.
Protecting Itron MC4 Antenna Cables with Michael’s Simple Pool Noodle Solution
A Practical Canadian Field Problem
Mobile meter reading vehicles operate in conditions that range from summer dust and gravel roads to the bitter temperatures of a Canadian winter. The Itron MC4 family of mobile collectors – CORE, PRO, and MAX – is specifically designed as a portable mobile collection system, allowing utilities to move equipment between vehicles rather than dedicate a truck permanently to meter reading. Itron specifies the MC4 as part of its Generation 4 mobile collection platform, using a roof-mounted omnidirectional antenna to support drive-by collection of electricity, gas, and water meter data. Itron
That portability creates a practical installation challenge. The antenna must be outside the vehicle, while its cables must reach the collection equipment inside. Running those cables through a partially open rear window is convenient, but simply closing the glass against them can pinch, crush, or repeatedly flex the cable. Leaving the window open farther solves the crushing problem, but invites cold air, dust, rain, and road debris into the cab.
The solution can be remarkably simple: a hollow foam kid’s pool noodle.
Step One: Cut the Noodle to Length
Figure 3 – Cut the pool noodle to the length of the window.
The process begins with a conventional six-foot hollow pool noodle. The rear passenger-side window is measured across its upper edge, and the noodle is cut to approximately that same length.
The objective is to create a continuous foam barrier across virtually the entire width of the window. Think of the noodle as a temporary weatherstrip. Instead of the window glass trying to seal directly against the metal and rubber window frame, the foam occupies the remaining opening.
The fit should be reasonably precise. Too short, and gaps remain for cold air and dust. Too long, and the foam may buckle instead of sitting evenly across the glass.
Step Two: Create the Saddle
Figure 4 – Slit the pool noodle longitudinally.
The second step is to slit the pool noodle longitudinally along its entire length. The cut extends through one wall of the foam until it reaches the hollow centre, but it does not continue through the opposite side.
This transforms the noodle from a tube into a flexible saddle.
When the slit is opened slightly, the noodle can be pushed over the upper edge of the window glass. The hollow centre provides space around the glass, while the surrounding foam grips both sides. It works much like protective pipe insulation, except the window glass becomes the object enclosed by the foam.
Care is important during this step. The slit should be straight and deep enough to reach the centre channel without cutting the noodle completely in half.
Step Three: Protect the Antenna Cables
Figure 5 – Check for fit.
The rear window is lowered sufficiently to install the prepared noodle over its upper edge. The noodle is then pressed down over the glass from one end to the other.
The Itron antenna cables are routed from the roof toward the rear window and brought into the vehicle above the noodle. The window can then be raised gently until the foam approaches the upper window frame. Instead of the glass and frame applying concentrated pressure directly to the cables, the compliant foam distributes the force over a much larger area.
This distinction matters. Coaxial RF cable is part of the antenna system, and excessive compression, sharp bends, or physical damage can affect its electrical characteristics and ultimately RF performance. Itron specifies the MC4 antenna system at 50 ohms and identifies the standard roof antenna as a 5 dBi omnidirectional whip, reinforcing that the antenna and feedline are functional RF components rather than simply pieces of wire. Itron
Side Looker Antennas
Itron makes a high-performance pair of add-on antennas for the MC4Pro and the MC4MAX. They do not work on the MC4Core. Some older MC3Lite kits can also be fitted with the Side Looker antennas.
The Side Looker antennas work in harmony with the 360° omnidirectional antenna. They add nearly 6 dB of additional signal gain on the left and right side of the vehicle. Itron states that a 20% to 35% reduction of drive time can be achieved if using these Side Looker antennas along with the Geo-Coding feature of Temetra.
These two additional antennas add even more cables that need to be protected.
Figure 6 – The Side Looker antennas add even more cables that must be protected.
A Small Modification with Several Benefits
The result is a remarkably effective field solution. The foam protects the cables, fills most of the open-window gap, reduces drafts during Canadian winter operations, and helps prevent dust from entering the vehicle on gravel roads.
It also preserves one of the important advantages of the MC4: portability. Itron describes the MC4 as vehicle-portable, meaning the collection system can be transferred between vehicles when operational requirements change. Itron A removable pool-noodle window seal supports that same philosophy. Nothing permanent must be drilled, glued, or modified in the door. Best of all, these pool noodles can be purchased at Wal-Mart for just $5.88 (July 2026) or just $4.99 (September 2026) at Canadian Tire.
The questions worth considering are operational ones.
- How frequently will the system move between vehicles?
- How severe are the winter temperatures and dust conditions on the reading routes?
- Should the noodle become part of a standardized Utility vehicle installation kit, with prescribed dimensions, cable routing, bend-radius requirements, and an inspection procedure before every route?
Sometimes good engineering is not about making something complicated. It is about recognizing where a simple material can solve several problems at once.
Figure 7 – Just $4.99 at Canadian Tire (September 2026)
About the Author:
Michael Martin is the Vice President of Technology with Metercor Inc., a Smart Meter, IoT, and Smart City systems integrator based in Canada. He has more than 40 years of experience in systems design for applications that use broadband networks, optical fibre, wireless, and digital communications technologies. He is a business and technology consultant. He was a senior executive consultant for 15 years with IBM, where he worked in the GBS Global Center of Competency for Energy and Utilities and the GTS Global Center of Excellence for Energy and Utilities. He is a founding partner and President of MICAN Communications and before that was President of Comlink Systems Limited and Ensat Broadcast Services, Inc., both divisions of Cygnal Technologies Corporation (CYN: TSX).
Martin served on the Board of Directors for TeraGo Inc (TGO: TSX) and on the Board of Directors for Avante Logixx Inc. (XX: TSX.V). He has served as a Member, SCC ISO-IEC JTC 1/SC-41 – Internet of Things and related technologies, ISO – International Organization for Standardization, and as a member of the NIST SP 500-325 Fog Computing Conceptual Model, National Institute of Standards and Technology. He served on the Board of Governors of the University of Ontario Institute of Technology (UOIT) [now Ontario Tech University] and on the Board of Advisers of five different Colleges in Ontario – Centennial College, Humber College, George Brown College, Durham College, Ryerson Polytechnic University [now Toronto Metropolitan University]. For 16 years he served on the Board of the Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers (SMPTE), Toronto Section.
He holds three master’s degrees – in business (MBA), communication (MA), and education (MEd). As well, he has three undergraduate diplomas and seven major certifications in business, computer programming, internetworking, project management, media, photography, and communication technology. He has completed over 80 next generation MOOC (Massive Open Online Courses) [aka Micro Learning] continuous education programs in a wide variety of topics, including: Economics, Python Programming, Internet of Things, Cloud, Artificial Intelligence and Cognitive systems, Blockchain, Agile, Power BI, Big Data, Design Thinking, Security, Indigenous Canada awareness, and more.
Martin is a volunteer, a photographer, a learner, a technologist, a philosophizer, and a romantic optimist.