Forum Discussion

joraz's avatar
joraz
Explorer
Jul 20, 2013

TV Booster Switch, Amplifier, Batwing, Jack

I decided to switch from a batwing to a Jack. Removed the batwing and cut the four wires that came up through the roof alongside the coax. Hooked the Jack to that coax and other end of the coax to the Jack power module (12v) and ran coax from there to the TV. Turned on the TV and Jack module but no signal. Switched on my regular TV antenna booster and it worked great.

What has me puzzled is why would this be necessary? The only connection from the rig to the Jack is the coax. (batwing is gone and the four wires coming up to the roof are cut). So, how does the TV boost system work? Where is the amplifier typically? Thanks.
jor
Class A

16 Replies

  • wa8yxm's avatar
    wa8yxm
    Explorer III
    Jul 27, 2013
    The ONLY wire that goes to my Winegard Sensar II is the coax. The 4 wires you mentioned I have never seen before, Have no idea what they were for

    The wall plate is the power supply, You do not need the module that came with the JACK to provide power when you have the Winegard wall plate.

    The wall plat is also a switch, It chooses "Cable" or Antenna
  • deejay41's avatar
    deejay41
    Explorer
    Jul 27, 2013
    I'm having the very same problem.
    I just switched to the Jack antenna, and I only have one single coax running to the antenna from the winegard booster box.
    I am not gettin a signal from the new antenna at all.

    My question is, should I be reading a voltage coming out of the winegard booster box, to the antenna.
    I am not reading any voltage from the winegard booster, at all.
    I am thinking the booster may be bad??

    Any Thoughts?
  • enblethen's avatar
    enblethen
    Nomad
    Jul 21, 2013
    I should have said that it should NOT be between the antenna and power supply. It should be between the power supply and the TVs.
  • joraz's avatar
    joraz
    Explorer
    Jul 21, 2013
    Verify the Winegard splitter shown in photo is not between the power supply and antenna.

    Will do. Thanks.
    jor
  • enblethen's avatar
    enblethen
    Nomad
    Jul 21, 2013
    Verify the Winegard splitter shown in photo is not between the power supply and antenna. It should be but check. You may want to mark your cables for future reference.
    I do not care for the crimp style connectors. The compression ones have better connection.
    Where does the two red wires go?
  • joraz's avatar
    joraz
    Explorer
    Jul 21, 2013
    Thanks to all. I found the Winegard power supply. In that I had powered the Jack box and was running the coax that passes through the winegard, must have been trying to use both. Tomorrow I'll bypass the Winegard and see what happens.
    jor
  • joraz's avatar
    joraz
    Explorer
    Jul 21, 2013
    We are running our TV on the Wingard booster with Jack antenna-- works just fine.

    Hey. Hi, Brett! So you're not using the Jack "wall mount power booster" with your setup? I'm hoping I can just use the Jack system as my antenna boost system is pretty rinked up. Otherwise, all factory. Thanks.
    jor
  • wolfe10's avatar
    wolfe10
    Explorer
    Jul 21, 2013
    joraz wrote:
    Individual wires was for antenna up sensor and not antenna itself.
    Your old system needs to be complately removed. Then install the equipment for the Jack antenna system. The old winegard power supply is blocking the Jack system.

    Now, we're getting somewhere! So there must be a Winegard power supply somewhere in my coach. Just gotta find it! Unfortunately, I don't have a schematic for this particular system. I can call the factory though. Anyhow, I really have to use the existing coach coax unless I completely redesign everything. Now I'm thinking if I can find the power supply, I can bypass it and be in business. Thank.
    jor


    NO. The Jack antenna can use the OE Wingard 12 VDC booster OR, yes you can remove the Wingard booster and use the Jack 12 DC booster.

    We are running our TV on the Wingard booster with Jack antenna-- works just fine.

    Hopefully someone more A/V friendly than I will respond, but in the back of my mind, I recall checking for 12 VDC between coaxial center and jacket up on the roof (from either the Wingard or Jack booster).

    And, at least on most Foretravels, the Wingard booster is UNDER the back right closet false-floor. There is an inline fuse in/on the Wingard unit.
  • enblethen's avatar
    enblethen
    Nomad
    Jul 21, 2013
    The Jack power supply should go in the same place as the old Winegard unit.
    Do you have a video switch with the power supply in it?
  • joraz's avatar
    joraz
    Explorer
    Jul 21, 2013
    Individual wires was for antenna up sensor and not antenna itself.
    Your old system needs to be complately removed. Then install the equipment for the Jack antenna system. The old winegard power supply is blocking the Jack system.

    Now, we're getting somewhere! So there must be a Winegard power supply somewhere in my coach. Just gotta find it! Unfortunately, I don't have a schematic for this particular system. I can call the factory though. Anyhow, I really have to use the existing coach coax unless I completely redesign everything. Now I'm thinking if I can find the power supply, I can bypass it and be in business. Thank.
    jor

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