tv antenna boosters

I got this thing when I first got my RV, which of course didn't have the TV in it anymore (unused 2016!) - but I have two 28" computer monitors sitting around.

The monitor fit perfectly, and that box took over all the TV / channel functions, gave me a remote control, and even lets me DVR stuff to a USB stick so I can pause and fast forward! Aux out to the RV head unit for sound, and HDMI out to the computer monitor. For $35 I was kinda shocked at the capabilities.

It also has an amplifier function, but disables itself when I use amp built in to the antenna / coax plate.

The thing also has a signal meter / % indicator for each channel, auto-program etc etc.

This could be a really easy and cheap way to amp the antenna, give yourself a nice signal meter, and throw in some other features as well.

dockmasterdave wrote:
Sorry Old Bisquit, but it does not have that. I have seen people argue this before, I'm guessing it was a cost thing (save $20 ).
The one I have that died has 24 db gain. I see online with more or less gain. I assume more gain is better in a weak signal area.
I will search the forum, I just though it was a simple question. I guess not.

Interesting. I did not know the antenna would work at all without the booster. I assumed the booster came with the antenna when you bought a Winegard antenna. Guess not.

The Sensar Pro's best feature is the signal meter function. It allows me to peak the desired channel signal by displaying the strength.
The TV needs to construct a picture from the digital signal data before displaying it. To obtain a picture using the TV alone requires one to wait after each antenna move for a picture.
Forget using auto tune to populate the channel list without peaking the reception first hand.
If the TV provides a signal meter function in its setup menu you are good to go without the Sensar Pro.

A Wingman will still help improve the reception on a non-amplified antenna but considering how little it would take to update a non-amplified antenna to an amplified antenna I am not sure why anyone who likes watching OTA TV would do anything other than replace a non-amplified antenna.

There may be something we are missing here, it is possible that the OP's antenna is non amplified. Easy way to tell is the head and wings would be Grey rather than White and aluminum. A partial answer to the OP's question is here (Answer) if the OP only has one TV then I think the inline amp would be a good replacement for the broken one if he has two, the more expensive distribution amplifier would be a good choice.

Even though the Sensar Pro would be a great answer, it may not meet the OP's needs. All the money and work to change out is not worth it to me, all I want to watch OTA is the local and national news.

Bill.Satellite wrote:
I don't believe there is a Sensar III that is non-amplified. I believe the Sensar II was the last one produced ...

I agree, as I only know of the Sensar III as being an amplified antenna head. My own 2014 Coachmen was supplied with this head and it definitely has it's own head amp, powered by the Winegard wall plate mounted inside the trailer next to the TV. I've since added a Wingman to my Sensar III, in effect making it a Sensar IV, and replaced the wall plate with a Winegard SensarPro.

I don't believe there is a Sensar III that is non-amplified. I believe the Sensar II was the last one produced (I have been wrong before). Do you have a picture of the antenna on your roof? Are you sure it's a Winegard and not some other brand that uses the Winegard profile?

SoundGuy wrote:

SCClockDr wrote:
It provides up to 20db gain ...

Incorrect - the SensarPro offers up to 10 db of signal gain, 10 db of attenuation, "10" being the null point, no gain / no attenuation.

Oops, trusted my memory! Dang!

SCClockDr wrote:
It provides up to 20db gain ...

Incorrect - the SensarPro offers up to 10 db of signal gain, 10 db of attenuation, "10" being the null point, no gain / no attenuation.

dockmasterdave wrote:
I just went through all 4 pages that come up under antenna booster. It was no help at all.
I'm not boosting wifi, I don't have a built in booster. There is no switch or light.
The question was about what the specifications on a booster actually mean.
Is 24 db better than 15, and 36 better than 24, in a fringe area?

Higher gain should give you a better chance at reception. If an external amp is what you had there is probably a good reason for it.. like a non amplified antenna. If you are just trying to replace what you had go with the higher gain unit that has the connections you need to hook back up to your tv.