Forum Discussion

liborko's avatar
liborko
Explorer
Apr 16, 2017

Batwing directional handle

Does it bother anyone that the arrow on directional handle does not line up with the direction of the antenna? It does me. There is a 90 degree difference between the arrow on the rotational handle and actual direction of the Wingman. To receive best signal the Wingman has to point to the source of signal. Doing it from the inside of the RV without seeing the antenna would be easier if the arrow on the directional handle would point the same way the Wingman does.It does not. Installing Wingman the batwing becomes directional. I fired e-mail to Winegard and their position is the pointer on the handle is for stowing the antenna only. I say why not move the arrow on the handle 90 degrees so it points the same direction as the Wingman and you can use it to point the antenna for peak signal. . To stow the antenna the two arrows need to line up but it is totally irrelevant whether the two arrows point north, south, east or west or anywhere else as long the two arrows line up. It would mean to make new directional handle with the arrow moved 90 degrees. What do you think?
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28 Replies

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  • jplante4's avatar
    jplante4
    Explorer II
    Apr 16, 2017
    I got a SensarPro. It removes all doubt. There's a signal strength meter and beeper so you don't need to see it while you tune.
  • traveylin's avatar
    traveylin
    Explorer
    Apr 16, 2017
    I look at the direction the other campers are using,,,,average,,,,and point mine in that direction. The wife will judge wither or not it needs additional tuning and instruct me accordingly. Very simple. A design improvement that could add value would be an interlock that prevents dummies from getting on the highway with it in the up position. Many campgrounds address this with an exit sign cautioning to lower antenna and take wife and children with you.
  • dougrainer's avatar
    dougrainer
    Nomad
    Apr 16, 2017
    The Batwing Antenna has been the same for 40 years and its operational parameters have been the same. The Wingman is a ADD ON adapter Winegard came up with for BETTER Digital reception. Now, it makes no sense for Winegard to change its design for a few customers that do not like it. I have NEVER seen on forums or had customers complain about the Wingman parameters for directional pointing. MOST customers have NO CLUE as to which way to point the Antenna. They just Rotate until they get a good signal. Doug
  • Bill_Satellite's avatar
    Bill_Satellite
    Explorer II
    Apr 16, 2017
    X2 or 3. That's why the arrow is important in the direction is it pointed. Adding a second mark, if you like, will let you know which way the Wingman is pointed.
  • BobR's avatar
    BobR
    Explorer
    Apr 16, 2017
    Tom is correct. The arrow represents the storage (down position) for traveling.
  • wildtoad's avatar
    wildtoad
    Explorer II
    Apr 16, 2017
    I believe the arrow was put there to align the antenna shaft so that you can lower it. It could have been done as suggested to accomplish both tasks but alas ''twas not.
  • 04fxsts's avatar
    04fxsts
    Explorer
    Apr 16, 2017
    Dutch_12078 wrote:
    Rather than fuss about it, I just added a black dot with a Sharpie at 90 degrees to use for aiming.


    Just what I did also. Jim.
  • Dutch_12078's avatar
    Dutch_12078
    Explorer III
    Apr 16, 2017
    Rather than fuss about it, I just added a black dot with a Sharpie at 90 degrees to use for aiming.

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