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Bkoso85's avatar
Bkoso85
Explorer
Oct 04, 2014

JACK Antenna problems - HELP!!!

Hey guys,

So I just got my brand new JACK Antenna the full replacement one that replaced my stock antenna on my camper due to it getting into a fight with a tree and lost.

So I got everything installed, sealed up. Wen't inside and NO SIGNAL! The blue lights on the Sure Lock come on, and in front of my house I'm able to get 3-4 LEG's to light up. Do a channel scan and not 1 channel. Tried it in a couple different locations and nothing.

Checked my connections at the wall jack and they seem good. I know its getting power to the antenna head because the LED's are coming on.

I know there are mixed reviews on this antenna but it seems nice, just wondering if you guys know of something to check / test etc ?

Thank's for any help :)

25 Replies

  • SCVJeff's avatar
    SCVJeff
    Explorer
    Oct 07, 2014
    BKOSO: Bill's 'maybe' might be an understatement.Take a look at THIS contour map .. Are you in or out of the contour plot? This is CH. 49 and it's effective radiated power is .016KW.... That's Sixteen watts! If you literally cannot see the antenna at the transmitter I would be surprised if you can see it at all. Any of those obstacles Bill mentions would be killers with a transmitter that weak.
  • Bill_Satellite's avatar
    Bill_Satellite
    Explorer II
    Oct 06, 2014
    Maybe? That site only gives information about should "theoretically" be available. If you are on the wrong side of a hill or blocked by other structures you may not get anything. Since you have never tried it before at this location it's impossible to know. I do know that without the proper power there is very little chance the antenna will operate properly. It's also quite easy to get the wiring wrong when setting up a new antenna so you might want to verify that you don't have a cable reversed somewhere (especially from the power supply).
  • Bkoso85's avatar
    Bkoso85
    Explorer
    Oct 06, 2014
    I should be able to get at least one channel tho right? Just to make sure it all works.
  • Bill_Satellite's avatar
    Bill_Satellite
    Explorer II
    Oct 06, 2014
    If you take a look here you will find that you should not be getting much in the way of TV at that location.
    TV Fool Osburn, ID

    Also, without at least 12VDC going to the antenna you cannot expect very good performance. It appears you have 1 station within 7 miles (ch 49) another at 32 miles but it's channel 4 which the Jack will not receive and the others are 37 to 59 miles away and it's unlikely the Jack would get those.
    The batwing, properly aimed and properly powered, should get most of them.
  • Bkoso85's avatar
    Bkoso85
    Explorer
    Oct 06, 2014
    I have been emailing JACK customer service and they are not much help.
  • Bkoso85's avatar
    Bkoso85
    Explorer
    Oct 05, 2014
    Bill.Satellite wrote:
    If this is not just a replacement head you will not be able to verify voltage of the coax on the roof.
    Could you answer all of the questions in my post above (other than the 12V in the coax)?


    Bill,

    this is a hole new antenna not just the head. I'm located In Osburn Idaho 83849.

    I know the TV works but have never tried Over the air besides in the camper this is a first.

    I'm using the JACK power plate that came with it. One problem I did find is my battery in the camper is deal, I have it plugged into my house but I was only getting 7.4 Volts at the jack in the wall. I put in a different battery and now I have 11 Volts there.
  • Bkoso85's avatar
    Bkoso85
    Explorer
    Oct 05, 2014
    Where is that LED light at under the head of it? I Can't find one
  • Bill_Satellite's avatar
    Bill_Satellite
    Explorer II
    Oct 05, 2014
    If this is not just a replacement head you will not be able to verify voltage of the coax on the roof.
    Could you answer all of the questions in my post above (other than the 12V in the coax)?
  • SCVJeff's avatar
    SCVJeff
    Explorer
    Oct 05, 2014
    Bkoso85 wrote:
    The old antenna was busted so I got nothing lol. In the house I get over 200 with Direct TV. This is a brand new Vizio Razor TV.
    Are you talking about a Jack problem or Satellite? Obviously one has nothing to do with the other
  • BTPO1's avatar
    BTPO1
    Explorer
    Oct 05, 2014
    I don't know if this is of any help but on my Jack antenna there is a red LED on the underside that must be illuminated for it to work. My understanding is that the power booster must be on for it to work. JMO

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