winegard wingman

Here is a site I think can be more helpful.

http://www.global-cm.net/OFFAIRLOCALTELEVISION.html

The hardest thing to grasp about digital TV is the "Virtual channel" concept. As stated previously, the channel that is displayed on the TV set most likely has no relationship to the "real" or "RF" channel being broadcast by the TV station. Most TV stations are now broadcasting on the UHF band (channels 14-51) and a few on the high VHF band (channels 7-13). The low VHF band (channels 2-6) has for the most part been abandoned. Channels 52-69 have been sold off for other uses.

Most of the major TV markets will have at least one or more TV stations broadcasting on a VHF channel. The Jack antenna does an adequate job for UHF but works poorly for VHF. This is one reason why the Jack antenna is a poor choice. The Winegard works much better for VHF and with the Wingman attachment is on par or better than the Jack for UHF.

The easiest way to check what the actual or RF channels being broadcast in your area are is to go to a web site such as:
TV Fool
AntennaPoint
AntennaWeb

j-d wrote:
In these discussions, where the terms "VHF" and "UHF" come up, if the transmission has converted to DTV/HDTV, only the Channel Numbers are left. The Channels themselves are GONE, repurposed by FCC to other uses. Even the low numbers are actually on higher frequencies, and that's what the Wingman helps with. Say you liked "Channels 4 and 40." The 4 that displays on screen might now be on a higher frequency than 40. The tuner computer figures that out and shows you something you're familiar with. The bottom line? Something tuned for the new band, like Winegard WITH Wingman, a new Winegard model, or a Jack, will ALL help with EVERY broadcast TV channel.

There are over 300 DTV stations still broadcasting on the low and high VHF frequencies. Just in the Albany, NY market alone, WRGB, channel 6 virtual is actually broadcasting on VHF-lo channel 6. WXXA, channel 23 virtual is actually on VHF-hi channel 7, and WNYT, channel 13 virtual is on VHF-hi channel 12. If you use the TVFool.com web site for aiming, they list both the real and virtual channels for most entries.

Here is another good reason for changing the old CRT TV and installing lighter smaller footprint LED flat panel sets, they have a signal strength meter built in the software. I have two Insignia sets, they are very inexpensive and in addition to features never dreamed of for CRT types they use very little power. I usually run a search and then set the antenna by the signal strength meter. Sometimes I can find a channel (different station)that is the same as the last location and the set the signal, After I set the antenna with the meter, I rerun the search.

I can usually get close to the correct location by looking at the antenna of other rigs around me and then fine tune. No need for an external meter or an app on a smart phone(I have a dumb phone so no apps) or an app on a computer or pad.

Other features of the new sets include, what input you are using and what inputs are available. For instance under the heading is TV, if you click on that you get a choice of antenna or cable and in some software, VCR, under HDMI you can pick which plug you want. In my S&B I have the cable and the BluRay on separate HDMI cables, so I see HDMI 1 and 2.

I do not have the Wingman and so far haven't needed it, locating and programing the available stations is so easy now, I usually get more stations than the networks which we watch normally.

As an aside, don't buy two sets that use the same remotes. The DGKs and sometimes the DW will be in the bedroom and mess with the TV in the living room, changing channels, muting or other absolutely unnecessary things. ;)

It helps but what REALLY made a big improvement was the Winegard Sensar amp with meter so you could peak the signal. I have tried it many times and with the antenna not pointed correctly I might get 5-8 channels. Peak it and I have seen it jump to 20-25.

waste of money for me.* Tried it took it back. did no improvement. Got the King "Jack" fits right where the Senser was. Jack worked great. Got all the channels available. Worked so good I bought one for the house that replaced the 12 ft long antenna in the attic. *waste of money meaning fuel to get and return.

bobsallyh wrote:
About another five minutes removing the Wingman that I put on yesterday and mounting the Jack which is a direct replacement for the Wineguard head which was about another five minutes. We went from 10 stations to 18. The trailer never moved so we are comparing apples to apples. Just my experience.

The jack is a "Wide beam" and the Batwing with Wingman a "Narrow beam" what this means is pointing is more critical with the batwing.

As I tell folks.. Imagine going to a play,, You have a seat a long way from the stage, so you break out Opera glasses and suddenly you are "3 times closer" as a TV add for Zoomies claims (they are basically opera glasses.

Now far back as you are you can still see the full stage, but you'd like to be "Closer" so you trade your 3x Opera Glasses for a set of 8X field glasses, now you are 8 times closer (1/8th the distance) BUT... You can only see half the stage.

This is because by increasing the "Range" the field glasses narrowed the field of vision.

Same with TV antennas,, The Jack is like the opera glasses
The Batwing with wingman... Field glasses, More range, less width.

In another thread I mentioned I proved Height is Might...

IN the campground I am at just now the router is in/on the laundry room.

Then there is a grass field

Then there are several rows of Sites, I'm in the 3rd row

Folks in the 1st row, about 2/3 as far from the router as I, connect to the park via the channel changing repeater in my RV.. WHY, because they can not see the park's router.... But I CAN.. WHY.

I use a Linksys WGA 54G.. Modified so the antenna is very highly directionsal (narrow beam width) and mounted 25-24 feet up a flagpole.

I have both HEIGHT and GAIN on that antenna,, And that means MIGHT

Signal strength on the parks' extender hit 70 percent of my limiters yestarday,, I can connect to any detectable signal, and connect and repeat anyting over 20.

OP The Wingman increases the antenna footprint when down. Make sure it won't hit anything.

Everyone: Winegard has a new flatwave outdoor antenna that they claim is better. My take is that it could be adapted to the standard crankup batwing mount.

There was a post that they are working on a crankup version.

CA Traveler wrote:
Everyone: Winegard has a new flatwave outdoor antenna that they claim is better. My take is that it could be adapted to the standard crankup batwing mount.

There was a post that they are working on a crankup version.

They don't claim its better than the Batwing, but its a direct replacement for it on the mast. My guess is that it will come in #3 performance wise behind the Jack, but easier to point than the other two. I'll get one and play over the summer.