Batwing directional handle

[liborko]

Does it bother anyone that the arrow on directional handle does not line up with the direction of the antenna? It does me. There is a 90 degree difference between the arrow on the rotational handle and actual direction of the Wingman. To receive best signal the Wingman has to point to the source of signal. Doing it from the inside of the RV without seeing the antenna would be easier if the arrow on the directional handle would point the same way the Wingman does.It does not. Installing Wingman the batwing becomes directional. I fired e-mail to Winegard and their position is the pointer on the handle is for stowing the antenna only. I say why not move the arrow on the handle 90 degrees so it points the same direction as the Wingman and you can use it to point the antenna for peak signal. . To stow the antenna the two arrows need to line up but it is totally irrelevant whether the two arrows point north, south, east or west or anywhere else as long the two arrows line up. It would mean to make new directional handle with the arrow moved 90 degrees. What do you think?

[D_E_Bishop]

DryCreek wrote:
Well, what's the consensus on the Wingman - worth the additional cost to add it?
I've been looking at it, and it's not that expensive. We get pretty good reception as it is, but anything that helps when in fringe reception areas might be welcome.

As far as aiming, ever since we've had digital receivers on our TV's, I've been able to call up the signal strength on the INFO bar and use that to aim the antenna.

X2. Trouble with the TV's SSM is that the current RV has an early 1080P set without the SSM. Darn I miss that. If I had the feet for the one in the RV, I'd buy a new one and install it in my garage so I could drown out the DW while I'm puttering. Just kidding, I'd donate it to someone but without the feet it requires someone buy a wall mount , not a real gift eh?

[imgoin4it]

I was going to mark an arrow 90 degrees from the store arrow, but then I remembered: my memory is still good enough to remember that it is 90 degrees from it. When and if I cannot remember that maybe I can remember to put the mark on.

[dougrainer]

Snowman9000 wrote:

dougrainer wrote:
The Batwing Antenna has been the same for 40 years and its operational parameters have been the same. The Wingman is a ADD ON adapter Winegard came up with for BETTER Digital reception. Now, it makes no sense for Winegard to change its design for a few customers that do not like it. I have NEVER seen on forums or had customers complain about the Wingman parameters for directional pointing. MOST customers have NO CLUE as to which way to point the Antenna. They just Rotate until they get a good signal. Doug

I'm another one of the weirdos who wonders why they don't have something on the dial that matches up with the antenna aim.

Rotating around till you get a good signal went out with analog broadcasts, IMO. Now I have to use an app to show me compass headings for local TV signals, then a compass to try to set the batwing. Then have the TV try to find signals. Then maybe some rotation for fine tuning. I guess this is because we are usually out in the sticks, so the signals are marginal. In a metro area, it doesn't matter where the darn thing is pointed.

OK. as another poster stated, for the few, JUST PUT A DOT OR ARROW ON THE ROTATION KNOB. Is it that hard to do? I put your kind in the same that complain it can take up to 5 minutes for their Dome Sat to lock in. Wow, 5 minutes to lock into a Sat at 22,000 miles and then broadcast signals and info from around the world. How inconvenient:S.

I guess at 61, and maturity from age and experience, I don't sweat the small stuff in life. Doug

[Snowman9000]

dougrainer wrote:
The Batwing Antenna has been the same for 40 years and its operational parameters have been the same. The Wingman is a ADD ON adapter Winegard came up with for BETTER Digital reception. Now, it makes no sense for Winegard to change its design for a few customers that do not like it. I have NEVER seen on forums or had customers complain about the Wingman parameters for directional pointing. MOST customers have NO CLUE as to which way to point the Antenna. They just Rotate until they get a good signal. Doug

I'm another one of the weirdos who wonders why they don't have something on the dial that matches up with the antenna aim.

Rotating around till you get a good signal went out with analog broadcasts, IMO. Now I have to use an app to show me compass headings for local TV signals, then a compass to try to set the batwing. Then have the TV try to find signals. Then maybe some rotation for fine tuning. I guess this is because we are usually out in the sticks, so the signals are marginal. In a metro area, it doesn't matter where the darn thing is pointed.

[IAMICHABOD]

That is what I like about my Jack antenna the arrow shows exactly where my antenna is pointing for best reception.

[DryCreek]

Well, what's the consensus on the Wingman - worth the additional cost to add it?
I've been looking at it, and it's not that expensive. We get pretty good reception as it is, but anything that helps when in fringe reception areas might be welcome.

As far as aiming, ever since we've had digital receivers on our TV's, I've been able to call up the signal strength on the INFO bar and use that to aim the antenna.

[jplante4]

I got a SensarPro. It removes all doubt. There's a signal strength meter and beeper so you don't need to see it while you tune.

[traveylin]

I look at the direction the other campers are using,,,,average,,,,and point mine in that direction. The wife will judge wither or not it needs additional tuning and instruct me accordingly. Very simple. A design improvement that could add value would be an interlock that prevents dummies from getting on the highway with it in the up position. Many campgrounds address this with an exit sign cautioning to lower antenna and take wife and children with you.

[dougrainer]

The Batwing Antenna has been the same for 40 years and its operational parameters have been the same. The Wingman is a ADD ON adapter Winegard came up with for BETTER Digital reception. Now, it makes no sense for Winegard to change its design for a few customers that do not like it. I have NEVER seen on forums or had customers complain about the Wingman parameters for directional pointing. MOST customers have NO CLUE as to which way to point the Antenna. They just Rotate until they get a good signal. Doug

[Bill_Satellite]

X2 or 3. That's why the arrow is important in the direction is it pointed. Adding a second mark, if you like, will let you know which way the Wingman is pointed.

[BobR]

Tom is correct. The arrow represents the storage (down position) for traveling.

[wildtoad]

I believe the arrow was put there to align the antenna shaft so that you can lower it. It could have been done as suggested to accomplish both tasks but alas ''twas not.

[04fxsts]

Dutch_12078 wrote:
Rather than fuss about it, I just added a black dot with a Sharpie at 90 degrees to use for aiming.

Just what I did also. Jim.

[Dutch_12078]

Rather than fuss about it, I just added a black dot with a Sharpie at 90 degrees to use for aiming.