Batwing directional handle

The original Batwing receives signal from front and from the back in equal strength. Adding the Wingman makes the antenna directional-it is more sensitive to signals from Wingman side than from the back of the antenna. Sort of like a zoom lens on a camera. The original Batwing is longer-tuned for VHF band while the directors(the Wingman)are shorter length tuned for UHF band.
SensarPro allows to measure signal strength from different sources, direction to different sources and shows a channel number of received signal.
When I arrive at a new location, I "map-out" the location by turning the directional handle in 30 degree increments full 360 degrees and making a note of all channels, their strength and direction. If I find two channels in opposite direction, I point the Wingman in the direction of the weaker signal because the back of the antenna might receive the stronger signal in sufficient strength. The signals that read less than 50 on SensarPro will very likely not produce any picture at all. To get as many watchable channels as possible I might point the antenna to direction other than any particular channel. So you can see that the directional handle gets fair amount of use the way I do it. Keeping in mind the 90 degrees shift all the time.
Should Winegard decide to move the stupid arrow to the right place by making a new directional handle, I suggest they also make new ceiling plate that would have degree marks for easier mapping of signals. It only makes sense with the invent of Wingman and SensarPro.

Tinstar wrote:
I'm missing something. If you're using a Sensar, why would you care what direction an arrow would be pointing?

Since I usually know in advance in which direction the various towers are, I find a mark on the dial helpful for visualizing which way the Wingman is aimed for initial peaking. It's also helpful when towers are in multiple directions. In that case, I place markers on the ceiling around the dial so I can quickly return to each location. It's certainly not an issue for me by any means, and the few seconds it took to put a black dot on the dial sure didn't cause me any distress or send me off complaining to Winegard. I just did it for my own convenience...

I'm missing something. If you're using a Sensar, why would you care what direction an arrow would be pointing?

This is a non-issue when you trying to aim the antenna for one station. But when you have signals coming from nine different directions and all are weak, where the antenna is pointed becomes important. It is not a matter of less or more snow in the picture anymore like it was with analog tv, now in digital age it is a matter of having a picture or not having one at all.
I agree with Doug...most people are clue-less.

Makes me so mad I want to dig up earthworms, tie them in knots and rebury them. Earl Pitts

tropical36 wrote:

liborko wrote:
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?

Our last 3 coaches, were as you say with the arrow and the bat wing parallel to the coach, but can you not take the thing apart and put it back together so as to line up this way? If not, then mark it, as suggested already.

No, you cannot take it apart an realign it. As has been mentioned, this is really a non-issue. The marks are where the marks are to ensure that you are able to store the antenna properly for travel without having it tear off the roof. I am sure that Winegard could move the marks around but anyone who has used their Batwing more than once already know which way the di-pole (whatever) antenna is pointed. It's more important that you know which way to point the di-pole so knowing where it's pointed is of no use if you don't know where it should be pointed. That's what the Sensar Pro becomes such a valuable tool but an app like Antenna Pointer and a compass would give you the necessary information as well. The good news is that when you are ready to leave you just need to line up the arrow, crank the antenna down and drive away confident that you are not going to tear that thing off your roof.

liborko wrote:
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?

Our last 3 coaches, were as you say with the arrow and the bat wing parallel to the coach, but can you not take the thing apart and put it back together so as to line up this way? If not, then mark it, as suggested already.

DougRanier, I did put a mark on the dial. The point is, any semi-smart guy designing the thing would have incorporated it into the product.

I bet not 10% of RVers with batwings know which way is the front. Like you say, it did not matter in the past. Now that TVs scan for and memorize channels, you have to get it right from the get go.

I replaced our old batwing with the Sensar IV that had the wingman built in. Then later installed the Sensar PRO panel inside. Don't think you can beat that combination. Whatever you do, just don't spend a lot of money now, because things are always changing, and may be completely different in a very few years. I need the pointer exactly as it is, because if the antenna is not lined up right, and the pointers exactly together, the antenna will not drop into place when it is lowered. It is not too hard for me to remember where the wingman is pointed, because when I grab the ring inside, my index fingers point the same way.

I use the TV Antenna app (free)
to tell me where to point the antenna for best reception.