My wife and I use our motorhome to travel (no permanent location) and sometimes we like to watch a TV program in the evening. If we can't get anything, that's not really a problem for us--we're definitely not TV dependent. However, when we want to watch it's frustrating to have the crank handle break when there's no convenient place to get a new one. We'd like to replace the TV antenna with either a unit that cranks up but doesn't have a sure-to-break plastic handle or an omni-directional unit.Is there an antenna that cranks up with a handle that's less likely to break--maybe a metal handle?If we go with the omni-directional unit on our Damon Astoria, is there a risk that wind will rip the antenna off? (Sometimes traveling in the west, we're going 65 mph while the wind is blowing against us at 40 mph making the effective wind 100 mph.)We're not channel mongers. If we can't find anything we'd enjoy watching, we have other entertainment options, so while we'd like to maximize our reception, that's not the most important issue. We want a reliable antenna that won't break the roof and won't fall apart with use.Any advice?

Presumably you have a "Bat-Wing" ? What on earth are you doing...as far as tightening the thing? If it is hard to open (extend) go up on the roof and spray the mechanism with silicone.It should open and close without any problems... in closing, (lowering) once you you hear the antenna (hit) the roof...just give it a VERY gentle tweak...and you're done!Hope this helps.............

If the antenna is hard to crank or it chatters when coming down then it needs to be lubed. I went up by mine and sprayed silicone lube in the gear on top. Also got to the shaft and lubed it the same way. Now the antenna goes very easy and it does not chatter when coming down. Don't know how long this will last as I only did it in the Spring.I have no pressure on the handle and it wouldn't break a handle now.

Proper annual lubrication will resolve thid problem. Until you can get a replacement handle (and lubricate the antenna) you can clamp a pair of vice grips to the shaft.

The Sensar antenna handle shouldn't break if the elevating mechanism is properly lubricated - a maintenance procedure that is clearly described in the Winegard Sensar Owner's Manual. Since the OP apparently lives in this rig convenience of use should be sufficient reason to replace his Sensar antenna with a Winegard Rayzar Automatic antenna, eliminating any breaking handle issue because of lack of maintenance.

My problem with the crank up is also the plastic handle but not breaking the handle. when I pull the directional ring down to rotate the antenna the handle and spring go flying off. I am afraid of stripping the threads out of the plastic handle if I tighten the set screw too much. I try to push up on the handle while rotating the ring but this is also a pain. If there is a metal replacement handle I could probably tighten it so it wouldn't slip off. Jim.

Tired of antenna handle breaking | Good Sam Community

Bill_Satellite
Explorer II
Mar 19, 2019
BIG THUMBS UP!
c-webster
Explorer
Mar 19, 2019
This is very late, but thanks to those who replied, especially those who suggested lubrication. I had ignored all the obvious clues. Everything works better even than when I bought the unit new. THANK YOU!
04fxsts
Explorer
Jan 27, 2019
Sorry but I don't have any pictures but I made a new handle assembly out of wood. Glued a hex nut inside so the set screw pushes against the nut which is captured inside the wooden hub. Did that last fall and it has not come loose again. Jim.
LScamper
Explorer
Jan 26, 2019
Had the handle come off. Got tiered of that happening. Drilled and tapped another set screw hole so the two set screws tighten against themselves. No problems now.
SoundGuy
Explorer
Jan 25, 2019
SoundGuy wrote:
The Sensar antenna handle shouldn't break if the elevating mechanism is properly lubricated - a maintenance procedure that is clearly described in the Winegard Sensar Owner's Manual. Since the OP apparently lives in this rig convenience of use should be sufficient reason to replace his Sensar antenna with a Winegard Rayzar Automatic antenna, eliminating any breaking handle issue because of lack of maintenance.

drsteve wrote:
For me, the $399 price tag is sufficient reason to pass on this thing.

More like $600 Cdn here in Canada. :E

Any problem I've had with the antenna handle coming off was because the shaft it was attached to had been crudely chopped off to length, the result being the screw that secures the handle to the shaft not being able to get a proper grip on the shaft. I solved that by replacing the shaft with a new, longer version (sold by Winegard) and properly cutting it to a bit longer length, ensuring that the cut was a proper 90 degrees. This done, the set screw will easily grip the shaft and not allow the handle to pull free.
drsteve
Explorer
Jan 25, 2019
SoundGuy wrote:
The Sensar antenna handle shouldn't break if the elevating mechanism is properly lubricated - a maintenance procedure that is clearly described in the Winegard Sensar Owner's Manual. Since the OP apparently lives in this rig convenience of use should be sufficient reason to replace his Sensar antenna with a Winegard Rayzar Automatic antenna, eliminating any breaking handle issue because of lack of maintenance.

For me, the $399 price tag is sufficient reason to pass on this thing.
EasyXjer
Explorer
Jan 25, 2019
jerseyjim wrote:
Presumably you have a "Bat-Wing" ? What on earth are you doing...as far as tightening the thing? If it is hard to open (extend) go up on the roof and spray the mechanism with silicone.

It should open and close without any problems... in closing, (lowering) once you you hear the antenna (hit) the roof...just give it a VERY gentle tweak...and you're done!

Hope this helps.............

NOTHING I too have this problem. The plastic one is so soft you cannot tighten the set screw enough to stop the handle from popping off when you pull down the direction ring or try to lift the antenna, and mine was replaced last year, the WHOLE mechanism I lowered it and it stayed there. Raised it today the handle slid right off and the spring took a hike.
jkwilson
Explorer III
Dec 30, 2017
c-webster wrote:
Well, there were a lot of correct posts here. It was a lubrication problem. Even though the plate behind the handle clearly says to lube every 6 months, I never bothered to read it. So I used the You-Tube video explanation to do a thorough lubrication, and now the antenna goes up and down very easily. I feel like an idiot, but at least I've learned my lesson.

Feeling like an idiot is just a symptom of learning.
Chuck_thehammer
Explorer
Dec 29, 2017
good job.

read and follow the directions...

fyi. there is a little seal on the main shaft.. if water starts to drip off the handle.. that little seal is bad...

mine lasted 13 years.

if something moves. it needs lubrication every so often :)
John_Joey
Explorer
Dec 29, 2017
c-webster wrote:
Well, there were a lot of correct posts here. It was a lubrication problem. Even though the plate behind the handle clearly says to lube every 6 months, I never bothered to read it. So I used the You-Tube video explanation to do a thorough lubrication, and now the antenna goes up and down very easily. I feel like an idiot, but at least I've learned my lesson.

Good job!!! That's the power of the internet at work right there.