Forum Discussion

Bayley's avatar
Bayley
Explorer
Oct 17, 2015

Omnidirectional TV Antenna

We were recently on a trip to a somewhat remote campground where we had electricity so we decided to try to get a TV signal. I have a newer 5th wheel with an Omnidirectional 360 degree (non telescopic)
antenna. I ran a complete channel scan with no result.

My camping neighbor had an older analog TV with a converter box. He has a telescoping directional antenna.
He was able to pick up 4 channels.

Does anyone have experience with the omnidirectional antenna and would I be better off to have a telescoping antenna on my rig?

Thanks for any input!
Tony
  • Bayley's avatar
    Bayley
    Explorer
    Oct 19, 2015
    Thanks everyone for your help!!
    I'll either replace the omni with a sensar or get the jack and attach it to my ladder when I need too.
  • Tom_M1's avatar
    Tom_M1
    Explorer
    Oct 18, 2015
    MFL wrote:
    The Jack power source powers up the cable coax, and even the satellite coax, if you want. YMMV

    Jerry
    I chose to use my existing Winegard wallplate which supplies antenna power. The A/B switch is connected to the Winegard antenna-in connector. The antenna and cable TV cables connect to the A/B switch.

    Your solution gives you the benefit of switching antennas by pushing the on/off button on the wallplate.
  • MFL's avatar
    MFL
    Nomad II
    Oct 18, 2015
    Tom_M wrote:
    MFL wrote:
    Yes, I connect to the cable tv fitting, which is right around the corner from my ladder. When you order the Jack head, it comes with about 10 ft of coax. I just use a couple stretch cords to fasten mast to ladder, screw on coax fitting, and done.

    Jerry
    For the typical RV this will not work. The Jack needs 12 volt DC fed up the coax to power the amplifier in the antenna. The cable TV connection does not supply any power.

    I do the same thing but I have an A/B switch that switches between the standard roof antenna and my mast mounted antenna.


    Not sure what you mean by typical, but my RV works just fine. The Jack power source powers up the cable coax, and even the satellite coax, if you want. YMMV

    Jerry
  • Tom_M1's avatar
    Tom_M1
    Explorer
    Oct 18, 2015
    MFL wrote:
    Yes, I connect to the cable tv fitting, which is right around the corner from my ladder. When you order the Jack head, it comes with about 10 ft of coax. I just use a couple stretch cords to fasten mast to ladder, screw on coax fitting, and done.

    Jerry
    For the typical RV this will not work. The Jack needs 12 volt DC fed up the coax to power the amplifier in the antenna. The cable TV connection does not supply any power.

    I do the same thing but I have an A/B switch that switches between the standard roof antenna and my mast mounted antenna.
  • MFL's avatar
    MFL
    Nomad II
    Oct 18, 2015
    Bayley wrote:
    MFL: where do you connect the coaxial cable from your Jack antenna that is attached the ladder? Does it connect to the outside coaxial connection on the RV?


    Yes, I connect to the cable tv fitting, which is right around the corner from my ladder. When you order the Jack head, it comes with about 10 ft of coax. I just use a couple stretch cords to fasten mast to ladder, screw on coax fitting, and done.

    Jerry
  • willi4nd's avatar
    willi4nd
    Explorer
    Oct 18, 2015
    Isnt it ironic? You can spend hundreds-thousands of dollars on gadgets and gizmos from manufacturers that make tons of promises and a simple piece of wire or paperclip can deliver results.

    Its one of those applications that the KISS method is appropriate
    (Keep It Simple Stupid).

    No disrespect intended
  • DutchmenSport's avatar
    DutchmenSport
    Explorer
    Oct 18, 2015
    willi4nd wrote:
    n7bsn wrote:
    TXiceman wrote:
    An Omnidirectional antenna receives equally bad in all directions. Best thing to do is trash it anf get a Winegard Sensar IV.

    Ken


    What he said, I compared my Jensen "omni" vrs a random chunk of wire, and the random chunk of wire worked better then the omni.


    "Random chunk of wire" :) That one made me chuckle !

    Bayley, how many stations do you normally get in town? I was only getting a couple and our dealer found a couple COAX barrels that had bad crimps and/or frayed wire grounding out. Repair of that and replacing our stock antenna gave us excellent results.


    Not me. I knew exactly what he was saying. I attached this to the antenna (coax) connection on the back of one of my televisions some time ago, and picked up several stations. You can stick a paper clip in the hole and it will pick up High Def stations too:






  • Bayley's avatar
    Bayley
    Explorer
    Oct 18, 2015
    MFL: where do you connect the coaxial cable from your Jack antenna that is attached the ladder? Does it connect to the outside coaxial connection on the RV?
  • willi4nd's avatar
    willi4nd
    Explorer
    Oct 18, 2015
    n7bsn wrote:
    TXiceman wrote:
    An Omnidirectional antenna receives equally bad in all directions. Best thing to do is trash it anf get a Winegard Sensar IV.

    Ken


    What he said, I compared my Jensen "omni" vrs a random chunk of wire, and the random chunk of wire worked better then the omni.


    "Random chunk of wire" :) That one made me chuckle !

    Bayley, how many stations do you normally get in town? I was only getting a couple and our dealer found a couple COAX barrels that had bad crimps and/or frayed wire grounding out. Repair of that and replacing our stock antenna gave us excellent results.
  • n7bsn's avatar
    n7bsn
    Explorer
    Oct 18, 2015
    TXiceman wrote:
    An Omnidirectional antenna receives equally bad in all directions. Best thing to do is trash it anf get a Winegard Sensar IV.

    Ken


    What he said, I compared my Jensen "omni" vrs a random chunk of wire, and the random chunk of wire worked better then the omni.

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