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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

16 Replies

  • 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.
  • 95 Foretravel

    Thanks for the quick replies. Still confused. After reading I understand that the batwing's amp was internal so two of my four wires probably powered that amp. I also had a magnetic switch on the roof that controlled a "antenna up" warning light in the dash. Here are a couple of photos of the old batwing. You can see the coax and a loom containing the four wires. Incidentally the batwing also had a couple of LEDs to help the previous owner find his rig after a couple glasses of wine.

    I still can't figure out how I could be connecting to any of the old Winegard stuff unless the coach's coax goes through some device of which I am unaware. Again, I'm running Jack to coach coax to Jack power supply to TV. No other wires. Unfortunately, I don't have a schematic of this particular system for my coach. Thanks.
    jor
  • Never heard of 4 wires going to a Winegard (or any antenna) antenna. Just a coax cable to the antenna head. When I swapped my Winegard for a Jack only had to replace the antenna head and connect the coax.
  • Where did the individual wires go?
    Verify model of antenna.
    Winegard Sensar series do not have external power. The wall device induces 12 volts DC onto the coaxial cable.
  • The Jack antenna has an amplifier built in and is powered by DC voltage feed up thru the coax. Newer technology that's all. The newer Batwing antennas are the same, at least the wing I used to have before I replaced it.
  • The amp in in the antenna head. The power supply is inside Winegard the wall plate. The 12v power runs up the coax and powers the amp. It sounds like your're still connected to the old Winegard power supply.