How to get better tv reception

[coachman05]

Looking for advice on how to get tv reception. Like most I have a winegard antenna and more times than not I can't get any reception. I've been trying to research how to get better reception but, I don't trust a lot of the info I've found. I have a booster that is always on.

[Johno02]

As tech support reps were forbidden to tell the customer, but repeated to themselves endlesly, RTFM!

[TurnThePage]

coachman05 wrote:

Bill.Satellite wrote:
The Sensar Pro also has a tone option. If you can't see the Sensar Pro from where you turn the antenna you can set it to make a beeping sound that gets faster as the signal gets stronger.

Really? If thats the case then that wouldnt be so bad if I mounted it right where the plate is now.

I didn't know that either! Excellent info!! Hmmm, spend more money now???

[coachman05]

Bill.Satellite wrote:
The Sensar Pro also has a tone option. If you can't see the Sensar Pro from where you turn the antenna you can set it to make a beeping sound that gets faster as the signal gets stronger.

Really? If thats the case then that wouldnt be so bad if I mounted it right where the plate is now.

[Bill_Satellite]

The Sensar Pro also has a tone option. If you can't see the Sensar Pro from where you turn the antenna you can set it to make a beeping sound that gets faster as the signal gets stronger.

[SCVJeff]

If the cable routing works out, you may want to move it where it can be seen from the antenna knob, and better yet the TV too.

That is really one of the better gadgets Winegard has come up with once you get used to driving it.

[coachman05]

I ordered the winegard sensor 4 today off of Amazon so now I'm debating about the pro senser. Problem is the plate isn't near the antenna .

[Johno02]

I have the Sensar Pro, and love it. However, one of the best tools to have is one of the TV Singan apps on my smart phone or laptop. Gives me a good idea which direction to start with, then peak with the Sensar Pro. And, my Sensar IV antenna does appear to be quite directional for weak signals.

[wa8yxm]

coachman05 wrote:
Is the sensor pro hard to install?

Several answers. Most are "NO" First.. I'm very well trained in this type of install so for me "in my sleep" all but applies

I will describe the job if you have a wall plate, Full instrucitons are included

First remove any coax from teh FRONT connector on the wall plate, Label it TV-1 (A plastic Bread closer (The flat tag type) works well for this) and do not loose it

now remove two screws (top and bottom) from face plate and pull gently toward yhou

on the back are 2 wires (Red and black usually) and 3 cables

With the 12 volt outlet at the top label the 3 cables as follows

Ant Cable TV-2

And disconnect.. NOTE if there is a chance of the cables getting lost. Tie a string to them

Now. See if the Sensar Pro will fit (Some Rv's it won't go in all the way) IF it goes all the way in, Great, skip next paragraph.

If not, there is a "Spacer" included in the kit. Put it over the sensar pro.. Then reconnect cables as follows

TV-2 to TV-2, Cable to Cable, Ant to ant

Now for TV one.. I suggest cutting a small notch in the corner (lower left) of the opening and bringing TV-1 cable out that notch. Transfer the two wires paying attention to the PLUS and MINUS markings, Insert Sensar pro in hole, and apply the screwes included to hold it.

Hook TV-1 to the cable you brought out

To operate.. There are three buttons UP/Down and Mode

Crank up ye old antenna and if you have an idea of where to point, Do so

Press the MODE button till it lights up (one press should do it, or two at the most) you want the top LED.. Within a second or two you should see two numbers,, The Bottom one is the carrier channel it is seeing and the top one is signal strength, rotate for highest number on top.

You may, if needed, tap the mode button to bring it down to GAIN and use the up;down to adjsut (default gain is 10, which is, as best I can guess, what the old wall plate was,, Unity, no gain, no attenuation. Higher numbers are gain. UP/Down adjusts

NOTE that with Digital TV the Carrier channel, and the TV's Display channel.. need not be the same.

With the BOX of many buttons.

I had to splice into the power leads, and add a jumper and a mounting box.. that made it a lot harder, but still easy.


What is hard (relative to installing the Sensar pro)? Typing this out. (I am a touch typist with a quarter century experience typing on computers professionally in addition to my hobby)

[Johno02]

Not is you can get to it easily. two screws hold it in place, just take out the old one, move wires to the Sensar Pro, and put it right back in the same place. Instructions with it are easy to understand and complete. If you have difficulty changing a light bulb, then get help with the Sensar. Be sure and keep the instructions that tell how to use it.

[coachman05]

wa8yxm wrote:
Basic Winegard Sensar II or III: Add Wingman
Sensar IV.. already has it

Other Winegard antennas like roadstar.. Install Sensar IV

Inside if you have a wall plate with switch outlet and antenna and light Replace it with Sensar Pro

If you have a box of many buttons put the Sensar Pro in front of it (Instructions in the Sensar Pro Box)
3

Is the sensor pro hard to install?

[wa8yxm]

Basic Winegard Sensar II or III: Add Wingman
Sensar IV.. already has it

Other Winegard antennas like roadstar.. Install Sensar IV

Inside if you have a wall plate with switch outlet and antenna and light Replace it with Sensar Pro

If you have a box of many buttons put the Sensar Pro in front of it (Instructions in the Sensar Pro Box)
3

[RoyB]

If your WINEGARD BATWING would look like this you have one the best antennas on the market to pickup the digital HDTV signals from the local areas...


Google Image

This BATWING antenna is pointing to the transmitting HDTV station to the right of photo...

I pick up WWASHINGTOn DC and RICHMOND VA HDTV stations both around 50 miles away depending on which way I am pointing here in Northern Neck Virginia...

The older WINEGARD BATWINGS did not have the DIPOLEs added and after the change over in 2009 to DIGITAL TV these dipoles really make the difference...

Google Image

They are cheap to purchase from AMAZON and will bolt right on - maybe takes five minutes time to install... Probably three minutes of the time is climbing up on top of the trailer haha...

Roy Ken

[Tom_M1]

First make sure your antenna is pointed the right direction. The arrow on the knob IS NOT the direction to point the antenna. It just indicates where to position the antenna for stowing.

[jorbill2or]

coachman05 wrote:
No i dont have the wingman since I wasn't sure if it make much difference.

Assuming your connections are good
It makes s BIG difference in picking up uhf which is where most stations are.I wish I had the wingman I had on my last Rv back!
Second is proper pointing of the antenna. Use a app if you have a smart phone to determine where the stations are in relation to you. Then point the antenna properly , also here is a site you can use to determine what stations are available , if any, and the direction they are .. Tv fool location