Omnidirectional TV Antenna

[Bayley]

We were recently on a trip to a somewhat remote campground where we had electricity so we decided to try to get a TV signal. I have a newer 5th wheel with an Omnidirectional 360 degree (non telescopic)
antenna. I ran a complete channel scan with no result.

My camping neighbor had an older analog TV with a converter box. He has a telescoping directional antenna.
He was able to pick up 4 channels.

Does anyone have experience with the omnidirectional antenna and would I be better off to have a telescoping antenna on my rig?

Thanks for any input!
Tony

[Bayley]

Thanks everyone for your help!!
I'll either replace the omni with a sensar or get the jack and attach it to my ladder when I need too.

[Tom_M1]

MFL wrote:
The Jack power source powers up the cable coax, and even the satellite coax, if you want. YMMV

Jerry

I chose to use my existing Winegard wallplate which supplies antenna power. The A/B switch is connected to the Winegard antenna-in connector. The antenna and cable TV cables connect to the A/B switch.

Your solution gives you the benefit of switching antennas by pushing the on/off button on the wallplate.

[MFL]

Tom_M wrote:

MFL wrote:
Yes, I connect to the cable tv fitting, which is right around the corner from my ladder. When you order the Jack head, it comes with about 10 ft of coax. I just use a couple stretch cords to fasten mast to ladder, screw on coax fitting, and done.

Jerry

For the typical RV this will not work. The Jack needs 12 volt DC fed up the coax to power the amplifier in the antenna. The cable TV connection does not supply any power.

I do the same thing but I have an A/B switch that switches between the standard roof antenna and my mast mounted antenna.

Not sure what you mean by typical, but my RV works just fine. The Jack power source powers up the cable coax, and even the satellite coax, if you want. YMMV

Jerry

[Tom_M1]

MFL wrote:
Yes, I connect to the cable tv fitting, which is right around the corner from my ladder. When you order the Jack head, it comes with about 10 ft of coax. I just use a couple stretch cords to fasten mast to ladder, screw on coax fitting, and done.

Jerry

For the typical RV this will not work. The Jack needs 12 volt DC fed up the coax to power the amplifier in the antenna. The cable TV connection does not supply any power.

I do the same thing but I have an A/B switch that switches between the standard roof antenna and my mast mounted antenna.

[MFL]

Bayley wrote:
MFL: where do you connect the coaxial cable from your Jack antenna that is attached the ladder? Does it connect to the outside coaxial connection on the RV?

Yes, I connect to the cable tv fitting, which is right around the corner from my ladder. When you order the Jack head, it comes with about 10 ft of coax. I just use a couple stretch cords to fasten mast to ladder, screw on coax fitting, and done.

Jerry

[willi4nd]

Isnt it ironic? You can spend hundreds-thousands of dollars on gadgets and gizmos from manufacturers that make tons of promises and a simple piece of wire or paperclip can deliver results.

Its one of those applications that the KISS method is appropriate
(Keep It Simple Stupid).

No disrespect intended

[DutchmenSport]

willi4nd wrote:

n7bsn wrote:

TXiceman wrote:
An Omnidirectional antenna receives equally bad in all directions. Best thing to do is trash it anf get a Winegard Sensar IV.

Ken

What he said, I compared my Jensen "omni" vrs a random chunk of wire, and the random chunk of wire worked better then the omni.

"Random chunk of wire" 🙂 That one made me chuckle !

Bayley, how many stations do you normally get in town? I was only getting a couple and our dealer found a couple COAX barrels that had bad crimps and/or frayed wire grounding out. Repair of that and replacing our stock antenna gave us excellent results.

Not me. I knew exactly what he was saying. I attached this to the antenna (coax) connection on the back of one of my televisions some time ago, and picked up several stations. You can stick a paper clip in the hole and it will pick up High Def stations too:

[Bayley]

MFL: where do you connect the coaxial cable from your Jack antenna that is attached the ladder? Does it connect to the outside coaxial connection on the RV?

[willi4nd]

n7bsn wrote:

TXiceman wrote:
An Omnidirectional antenna receives equally bad in all directions. Best thing to do is trash it anf get a Winegard Sensar IV.

Ken

What he said, I compared my Jensen "omni" vrs a random chunk of wire, and the random chunk of wire worked better then the omni.

"Random chunk of wire" 🙂 That one made me chuckle !

Bayley, how many stations do you normally get in town? I was only getting a couple and our dealer found a couple COAX barrels that had bad crimps and/or frayed wire grounding out. Repair of that and replacing our stock antenna gave us excellent results.

[n7bsn]

TXiceman wrote:
An Omnidirectional antenna receives equally bad in all directions. Best thing to do is trash it anf get a Winegard Sensar IV.

Ken

What he said, I compared my Jensen "omni" vrs a random chunk of wire, and the random chunk of wire worked better then the omni.

[willi4nd]

Replaced my stock Antenna Tek 550 with a Winegard Sensar and Wingman, 44 channels.

Was considering the omnidirectional but could not find many reviews and the $350 price tag scared me.

[Searching_Ut]

I just traded in my TT that had an Omni directional antenna (Not because of the antenna mind you) and had almost forgotten how much worse the reception was on it compared to the TT I had before it. Now that I have a good "old style" antenna again I'm quite pleased with how much better the reception is.

[TXiceman]

An Omnidirectional antenna receives equally bad in all directions. Best thing to do is trash it anf get a Winegard Sensar IV.

Ken

[lap527]

We trashed ours and had a batwing installed. Biggest POS they put on campers, IMHO. We like to watch the news and at night while falling asleep.