TV ANTENNA

The "old VHF" channels are about to get a new life, so don't toss em out too quickly

A proper Winegard (either the latest version or the earlier version with WingMan add-on) with good connections to a working power plate, will defeat all comers when it comes to deep fringe reception.

Thing to remember here is that the "old VHF" (channels 2 - 13) may display with those numbers but they're now assigned to UHF channels (14 and up). This is why we need WingMan or a late model antenna that's optimized for UHF.

An old Winegard with WingMan works well, but a newer one with WingMan integrated with it works still better. WingMan is a $29 part and a complete new head, WingMan and all, is only $43. Makes sense to simply replace the head and get the latest capability.

And yes, they're all Digital. HD and all.

Since the FM radio band is smack in the middle of the standard broadcast TV band, I use a piece of twin-lead for my radio antenna.

I cut a piece to 10 meters and solder the ends together (both ends). Cut one side only in the middle and then solder as much lead-in to my tuner as needed.

Place the looped section as high as possible and bend it 90 degrees right in the middle where the lead-in connects.

Connect the lead-in the to radio connection.

Gets all the FM and AM stations in every direction. For an omnidirectional TV antenna it works just fine also.


The fickleness of the women I love is only equalled by the infernal constancey of the women who love me. George Bernard Shaw

I can pull in digital TV signals using a metal coat hanger........

Digital is all about the tuner in the TV NOT the antenna being used.

I have a small flat 8X10 RCA antenna on den wall for both TVs in house....but for the 5vr I'll use the Winegrad crank-up/rotating antenna because out in the toolies camping I need to AIM the antenna towards the towers to get a signal.

Something that is difficult to do using a flat mount antenna.
Just lucky that outside den room wall at home points towards transponder towers in my area.

Digital antennas.....great marketing but like majority of advertisements just a bunch of woo-ha

First of all there is no such thing as a digital antenna, period. And if thats what the salesman convinced you of, you got taken, sorry.

The first time you get out in the boonies this will become painfully obvious

I'm glad it's working out great for you. But, to be clear, there's nothing magic about a digital antenna vs the older analog ones. The station is still transmitting the signal on good old VHF/UHF frequencies.

Many stations moved their digital signals up to a UHF band during the transition -- when they were broadcasting both. And many of those moved back when the move to digital was complete.

My good old RadioShack Antenna from the 80's in my attic is pulling in the digital stations around here beautifully.

What some manufacturers do is see an antenna with better UHF reception capabilities as "digital".

But, what the hey, for under $20 if it works...
Great!

Those are static mount antennas which have limited range, and must be mounted in a certain way toward the signals. That's not really desirable in an RV since it needs to be able to park in any direction. This is why the adjustable Winegard and Jack antenna systems are better for RV's.