Forum Discussion

drifterpilot's avatar
drifterpilot
Explorer
May 24, 2016

OTA Antennae Booster Power Supply

I don't think my TV antennae booster power supply is working.
I push the "TV Ant Pwr" button to the "on" position on the Winegard Entertainment Select unit and the red light comes on. I am able to do a search and I pickup a couple of channels. I push the switch to the "off" position and my picture doesn't change.
I am about 35-40 miles away from Portland Maine where there are a number of TV stations.
Is the power supply located within the Winegard unit or located externally somewhere else?
Of course, I have also tried rotating the batwing antennae for better TV signal.
I am still using my original factory-installed TV with a Magnavox digital-to-analog converter. Originally, there was an 8-trqck VCR installed. I removed the VCR and swapped the coax cables directly to the digital converter. I have doublechecked the coax cable connections and they are correct.
Another RV located 60' away from me in a steel garage with a batwing antennae and a 12V power supply pulls in a few additional channels.
Suggestions?
Class A
  • Dale_Traveling's avatar
    Dale_Traveling
    Explorer II
    May 24, 2016
    Normally the antenna uses 12VDC from the coach and the button box is just and on/off switch. Lucky for you Winnebago has all their electrical drawings available to any one. We're about to sit down for dinner so I don't have time to go thru the drawings but start HERE.
  • Sam_Spade's avatar
    Sam_Spade
    Explorer
    May 24, 2016
    YOur test pretty well proves that the amplifier either:
    Is not really in the circuit anymore
    OR
    The amplifier has failed. The power supply usually is part of the amp assembly. The whole thing isn't very big.
  • Old-Biscuit's avatar
    Old-Biscuit
    Explorer III
    May 24, 2016
    Actually your test proves nothing.....

    Your biggest issue in getting OTA signals is that you are still using a analog TV and an analog converter box.

    Antenna amplifier is part of antenna ------in the head

    With digital signals you have to AIM the antenna (head) towards the TV Transponder towers

    There are several websites that you can use to input your 'address' and find which direction to AIM antenna

    Neighbors getting more TV channels..probably because they have newer TVs (which have better digital tuners) and no analog converter box


    Replace that antiquated analog TV with a new digital TV
    Turn antenna amplifier on
    AIM antenna
    Scan for channels
  • Bill_Satellite's avatar
    Bill_Satellite
    Explorer II
    May 24, 2016
    You need to go up on the roof and remove the coax from the antenna head. Now, using a multi-meter touch the center wire and the outside collar on that coax cable. You need to be reading 12+VDC in the cable itself. If not then the power supply is bad or a cable between the power supply and the head is bad. To test this you need to connect a piece of coax to the "antenna" port of the power supply to see if 12V exists. If it does then the cable between the power supply and the antenna is bad. It would need to be replaced in most cases but in a few cases you can find the faulty connection and fix it. If you are really lucky, you will find that the power supply is not putting out the necessary voltage and you can simply replace it.
  • Dutch_12078's avatar
    Dutch_12078
    Explorer II
    May 24, 2016
    On edit: Obviously Bill and I are following pretty much the same diagnosis path, albeit from slightly different angles. Bill just types faster... ;)


    The amp assembly is in the batwing head on the roof. The best way to check for power to it is to unhook the coax at the batwing, and use a multi-meter to check for 12 volts DC at the coax connector with the switch turned on. Be very careful not to short the conductors or it will blow a fuse that's sometimes difficult to find. If the 12 volts is not present, while you're still on the roof, disconnect the coax at the fitting where it passes through the roof to the inside. Connect a known good length of coax there, and check again. If you now have power on the meter, you'll know that the short coax to the batwing head needs replacing. If there's still no voltage present, then try the same test at the antenna input to the switch box. Nothing there either? Time to buy a Sensar Pro combination power injector/signal meter/amplifier as a replacement...
  • RoyB's avatar
    RoyB
    Explorer II
    May 24, 2016
    Deleted per comments from PM informing me I kept referring to HDTV when the OP did not have High Def capabilities...

    Sorry bout that guys...

    Roy Ken

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