I have a winegard batwing with a combination booster switch/tv/vcr switchbox inside.I understand the batwing should be able to receive the OTA digital signals and send them to my new Digital TV.I also understand that the digital signal is more directional than the old analog and that if the antenna is not pointed precisely the TV will not find the available channels.Without changing the current equipment is there a way to find out where the signals come n from and make sure the antenna is pointed in the correct direction so that the TV will find the channels?ALSO I once saw some sort of deal that replaces the crank handle with a knob and it had a little LED display that identified the signal strength as the antenna was rotate but I can not find that any longer and am not sure if it was part of a new antenna kit or not.

A few website to get direction to aim antenna......Antenna PointDTV ReceptionAntenna WebSignal Strength Meter........LINK

You are probably looking for a hardware solution. But anyway, I use a phone app called TV Antenna Helper, and a compass. Then, I just found out here that I was 90º off in my orientation of my antenna, lol!!! And yet we always got signals from good distances. I can't wait to get it right on our next trip.One tip about the phone app. It helps to plan ahead, if you know where you will be. Sometimes we get there and don't have the cell data signal needed for the app.

If you have an android phone, there's a great app called TV Antenna Helper which will give you the direction and distance to the various stations in your area, as well as the signal strengths.

You mentioned a new TV. Is this your first digital TV?Read the manual to learn how to use the TV. The TV needs to be set to "antenna" and a search done to locate OTA signals.Connect the TV to the TV output coaxial cable. Raise the antenna and just point at the nearest metro area within about 50 miles. Turn on the amplifier. An LED should light up when on. Search for the signals.If you can't read a map to know where you are, just aim the antenna in the same directions as others camped near you.

How I do it.. First make sure the antenna is "Active" (Selected and teh switch box power switch is on).. Then crank her up and scan for stations with the TV.Turn about a quarter turn and scan again, and again, and again.. Pick the quarter with best results and go back, Scan and then pick a station, I like to pick one of the weaker ones as indicated by the television, TURN slowly while watching the TV signal strength meter to peak...Page 2: Upgrades and improvements.If you have a basic batwing... The WINGMAN.. THe WINGMAN is technically a UHF Director Array. It makes the antenna more directional (The signals are **NOT** directional, the antenna is). and in so doing increases the range. If you wish I can give you a graphic demonstartion.Second: Winegard SENSAR PRO.. Normally I would say NOTHING goes between the switch box and the antenna (I assume by the switch box you have a box of many buttons, not one, See end of this post if you have only one button).This is a 2nd pre-amp, signal strength meter and switch, Many functions, very handy and makes a big difference.With the Sensar pro it does the scanning and automatically displays the strongest CARRIER channel (not necessarily the same as the TV channel, they no longer need to be the same) I can also pre-set it to a specific carrier channel and peak on that.. (Works great usually) if I know the chan to peak on).NOW, in my case I generally park in a limited number of places and know where to start "Shooting" for a signal.. But I'm going to snag that android app if I can.Earlier I said if you have a switch plate with just one switch on it for your ant/cable switch.. The sensar Pro in this case replaces said plate. No other change needed.

Tuning in OTA signals | Good Sam Community

SCVJeff
Explorer
Jan 02, 2014
The difference between that portable meter and the SensarPro are night and day for about $25 difference.

This shows nothing other than there may be a channel in the area. What channel?, How many? The Winegard is inline, it has 2 outputs, a built in amplifier, and park/ roof switch, on top of telling you what channels it just found.
1775
Explorer
Jan 02, 2014
A portable signal finder is a very easy and inexpensive solution. Here is a link to what I found and how easy it was to install. I don't have to turn the antenna, scan, turn again, scan again for an hour routine any longer!

http://roadtrek190popular.blogspot.com/2013/09/adding-digital-antenna-signal-finder.html
jorbill2or
Explorer II
Jan 02, 2014
The wingman attachment is not necessary as you say but I highly recommend it be your first addition it will make a large improvement in signal of UHF and it's easy and cheap
Bill_Satellite
Explorer II
Jan 02, 2014
As mentioned previously, the digital signal is NOT directional at all. It is transmitted in a nearly 360 degree pattern. However, the Batwing antenna IS directional and it's even more directional if you add the Wingman attachment. Generally, all of the local TV programming comes from one general area (the high ground) but that's not always the case.
The Sensar (Batwing) is considered to be an antenna capable of receiving a signal up to 60 miles away. This can be substantially more or less depending upon geographic conditions and requires the antenna be pointed correctly for optimal reception (thus the Sensar Pro).
mikestock
Explorer
Jan 02, 2014
deltamaster wrote:
I also understand that the digital signal is more directional than the old analog and that if the antenna is not pointed precisely the TV will not find the available channels.

I have discovered that my batwing, with Wingman attached, will almost always find all the digital signals in the area, no matter how it is aimed. Sometimes it finds stations in distant places, up to 60 or 70 miles away, that I can't tweak in. I guess this means that a lot less signal strength is required for setting the stations up on the tuner than is required to actually watch that station.
Bill_Satellite
Explorer II
Jan 02, 2014
wa8yxm wrote:
THe Winegard Sensar Pro then is what you want, 100 bucks (Rounded) one time, it goes between the box of many buttons and the antenna, it eats 12 volt..

Retail on the Sensar Pro is $69.99 plus tax (+shipping if necessary).
It is designed to replace an existing Winegard wall plate which is being used as the antenna power supply but it can also be added to a coach which has a "powered" video control center as that power is what sends the 12V power to the Batwing. If you have a small video control center with only 3 buttons for each TV you would not connect to this device but rather replace the wall plate (the most likely installation location).
SCVJeff
Explorer
Jan 02, 2014
deltamaster wrote:
Well, I checked out the Sensar Pro at the Wineguard web site. There are manuals in PDF so I looked them over and as someone mentioned the Sensar Pro goes inline with the antenna before the switch box. I suppose that BOTH the switchbox booster and the Sensar Pro can be turned on at the same time. It is ten dollars less through the Winegard site over Camping world.

I understand about the wingman attachment but as I understand it the attachment should not be necessary.

Thank you all for your assistance. Maybe I will look around and see if I can find the Sensar Pro elsewhere for even less money!
Something that's often overlooked when people talk about amplifiers doing all the heavy lifting, is that you cannot amplify what's not already coming down the coax in the first place. That's what antenna gain does, and you cannot recreate it artificially. The FIRST addition I would do is add a Wingman. THEN to assist you in pointing it, and to help offset the coax and splitter losses in the RV, add the SensarPro.
Popsie
Explorer
Jan 01, 2014
A simple place to start, is to look at the antennas on the roofs of other RVs near you. You often can figure out a good direction to orient your antenna by copying what others are doing.

Oh yeah, there is usually no cost for trying this method.
deltamaster
Explorer
Jan 01, 2014
Well, I checked out the Sensar Pro at the Wineguard web site. There are manuals in PDF so I looked them over and as someone mentioned the Sensar Pro goes inline with the antenna before the switch box. I suppose that BOTH the switchbox booster and the Sensar Pro can be turned on at the same time. It is ten dollars less through the Winegard site over Camping world.

I understand about the wingman attachment but as I understand it the attachment should not be necessary.

Thank you all for your assistance. Maybe I will look around and see if I can find the Sensar Pro elsewhere for even less money!
MNtundraRet
Navigator
Jan 01, 2014
Are you getting any channels at all where you are camping?

Is anyone else picking up channels there?

If they are and you are not, you have a bad coaxial cable connection somewhere. Start on the roof with the antenna connection. Remove and clean the connection and reattach. Check all connections at the switch-box and make sure you are routed correctly from the antenna to the new TV.

Also; add the Wingman attachment to the current antenna. It is a cheap and easy fix to gain some more range.

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