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Jack to Winegard upgrade

johnvb
Explorer
Explorer
I know there's lots of posts out there where folks have ditched their crank-ups for the new Jack antennas.

Our 2011 Open Range came with the stationary Jack as OEM. Broke it off by way of a tree branch the day I brought it home from the dealer. The location of the antenna is on the front passenger side, perfectly positioned for catching all those low limbs.

Replaced that Jack with another, and after a year, the rotation stop broke, which allowed the small coaxial inside to snap.

So now I'm on my third, and it has crapped out also. I'm done with the Jack.

What do I need to "upgrade" to a crank-up Winegard? Other then a few tubes of Dicor caulk, I'm thinking of this:

Winegard RVW-395 Sensar IV

and one of these:

Winegard RFL-342 SensarPro White

I'm assuming the antenna above comes with what ever is needed to finish the inside (plate, crank handle, etc.)?

Do I also need one of theses, or is it included in the Sensar IV? Looks like it is included, but for some reason Amazon adds it on in a three piece package deal.:?

Winegard RV-WING Wingman White UHF Booster TV Antenna

Anything else?
Thanks
37 REPLIES 37

johnvb
Explorer
Explorer
After our trip, I was thinking of how the single mask was dropping down but not enough to slip in the cast v-groove of the base. If the crank got loose, it might start rotating around.

So I took the piece that I had cut off, and tek screwed it on to the existing mask.



IAMICHABOD
Explorer II
Explorer II
That is good to hear,the install looks very professional.I will have to show this to my daughter,she works at Michaels Arts and Craft, and will get a kick out of the many uses that are possible for their wares.

I also thought that it was funny the way it sounded when I shook mine too. Good luck with yours, mine has worked flawlessly.
2006 TIOGA 26Q CHEVY 6.0 WORKHORSE VORTEC
Former El Monte RV Rental
Retired Teamster Local 692
Buying A Rental Class C

johnvb
Explorer
Explorer
Got the new antenna up and working yesterday, wanted to thank all for the help.

Went with the Rayzar on a modified Sensar mask. Cut the square tube down 4", so gained 7" over the stock Rayzar mask. Since the A/C unit is in the center, highest point of the roof, the Rayzar's line of sight now clears that nicely.





The biggest hurdle ended up being inside the RV. The factory had cut a way over sized hole for the Jack, NONE of the mounting screws for the new crank plate hit wood. So I had to frantically run out yesterday morning to find some sort of structural extension plate.

After hitting all the big box hardware stores, and thinking I was going to have to fabricate something from a piece of wood or whatever (which more likely would of looked like crap), found a neat solution at the local Michaels Arts and Craft. Used the 8" version.

Wilton separator plate



And of course a new Sensar PRO to finish off the job.



So how did it work? Even though we have CATV in the home, I also have an OTA system, with a directional antenna up in the attic, pointing at the towers (out in Driver, Va.) On the main SOTA Samsung TV in the living room I get 40 channels.

In the RV with the Rayzar I got 36. Good enough. ๐Ÿ™‚

BTW, one thing that was interesting. When one shakes the Rayzar, it sounds like a maraca :@, evidently there are a bunch of coil wires inside. So we will see how this thing holds up over time.

MNtundraRet
Navigator
Navigator
Bill.Satellite wrote:
Johnvb,
Now that we can see what's up with the roof you really only have 2 options. First, if you were reading instructions on installing a Sensar III, the new Sensar IV antenna setup has mounting arms that are 6" shorter than previous versions but that's still not enough. If it were me (and it's not) and you thought you could make the modifications, I would cut the Sensar lift tubes down to the length required to get you an overall laid down length of about 3 feet. You would have the Sensar plus the Wingman for optimal performance. If you don't want to do that, I would return the Sensar and buy the Rayzar Air complete kit which has only one 13" tube plus the head and you would have plenty of room.


After seeing the OP's roof pictures with tap measure, I agree this option would be the best. It would eliminate his first complaint about trees, raise the antenna to a better height, eliminate the dead-space rotation would not cover, and have signal receiving improvement over the Jack.

The only obstacle left is making sure the mounting screws can be used without a previous hole interfering with the holes needed. Placing the pattern on the roof should confirm if there is a problem.
Mark & Jan "Old age & treachery win over youth & enthusiasm"
2003 Fleetwood Jamboree 29

Bill_Satellite
Explorer II
Explorer II
Johnvb,
Now that we can see what's up with the roof you really only have 2 options. First, if you were reading instructions on installing a Sensar III, the new Sensar IV antenna setup has mounting arms that are 6" shorter than previous versions but that's still not enough. If it were me (and it's not) and you thought you could make the modifications, I would cut the Sensar lift tubes down to the length required to get you an overall laid down length of about 3 feet. You would have the Sensar plus the Wingman for optimal performance. If you don't want to do that, I would return the Sensar and buy the Rayzar Air complete kit which has only one 13" tube plus the head and you would have plenty of room.
What I post is my 2 cents and nothing more. Please don't read anything into my post that's not there. If you disagree, that's OK.
Can't we all just get along?

Bill_Satellite
Explorer II
Explorer II
MNtundraRet wrote:
Bill.Satellite wrote:
If length is the only issue (not width) you could even cut down the long element of the Sensar IV to allow clearance. If you have a width problem due to the Wingman element, Winegard says you can cut the last element off of the Wingman giving you an extra 3-4" of clearance. They expect that you would still get 75-80% of the benefit of the Wingman.


Just to clear things up Bill, you said above ".. you could even cut down the long element of the Sensor IV .."

Did you really mean the two elevator tubes? See ORDERING REPAIR PARTS page.

One thing we should agree on is that the Winegard RV Antenna manual gives clear installation instructions (and diagram) requiring the antenna to lower towards the rear of the RV.

Any other direction would allow the Winegard antenna to catch air and rise out of the storing bracket.

If the RV manufactures would read the installation directions and install the antenna correctly we wouldn't see all the confusion here with fixing problems from cheap OEM antennas installed, or poor installation of good antennas.

:B


No, I meant that he could cut the wings (long elements) on that back side to give some additional clearance. Now that we see some pictures that is not an option. Many manufacturers install the Sensar where it is not parallel to the centerline of the coach and if it's done properly it can work just as well.
What I post is my 2 cents and nothing more. Please don't read anything into my post that's not there. If you disagree, that's OK.
Can't we all just get along?

IAMICHABOD
Explorer II
Explorer II
I think you have that a bit wrong too.

What he said is" Winegard says you can cut the last element off of the Wingman element" to give an extra 3 or 4 inches of clearance.

Ether way I would not do that. It still would not fit. The Jack and the Rayzar both attach to the center line of the arms and not offset like the Sensar IV.

I think the OP has hit on the perfect solution to his problem. As I did with mine and I think he will be happy with it.:B
2006 TIOGA 26Q CHEVY 6.0 WORKHORSE VORTEC
Former El Monte RV Rental
Retired Teamster Local 692
Buying A Rental Class C

MNtundraRet
Navigator
Navigator
Bill.Satellite wrote:
If length is the only issue (not width) you could even cut down the long element of the Sensar IV to allow clearance. If you have a width problem due to the Wingman element, Winegard says you can cut the last element off of the Wingman giving you an extra 3-4" of clearance. They expect that you would still get 75-80% of the benefit of the Wingman.


Just to clear things up Bill, you said above ".. you could even cut down the long element of the Sensor IV .."

Did you really mean the two elevator tubes? See ORDERING REPAIR PARTS page.

One thing we should agree on is that the Winegard RV Antenna manual gives clear installation instructions (and diagram) requiring the antenna to lower towards the rear of the RV.

Any other direction would allow the Winegard antenna to catch air and rise out of the storing bracket.

If the RV manufactures would read the installation directions and install the antenna correctly we wouldn't see all the confusion here with fixing problems from cheap OEM antennas installed, or poor installation of good antennas.

:B
Mark & Jan "Old age & treachery win over youth & enthusiasm"
2003 Fleetwood Jamboree 29

johnvb
Explorer
Explorer
OK guys, here's my roof. It was too dang hot here yesterday (tied for the hottest day of summer), so I removed the old Jack this morning. As you can see by the tape, it is less than 3' from hole to Max-Air directly behind.

If I angled the Sensar slightly, it may fit in between the two back vents, just not sure where the Wingman would end up laying. Don't think it will fit in there. Going to wait until this weekend, when I bring the rig home in the driveway, before going forward.

The way I look at it, even if I just go with the Rayzar on the short mask, I will have (at least) the same performance as before, but without the worry of catching a tree limb. Which was a big worry for me, and worth the upgrade.



Bill_Satellite
Explorer II
Explorer II
IAMICHABOD wrote:
May be this can help you understand the problem.



As you can see there is NO room to lower the Sensar IV with the element attached. Why would I cut off part of it and loose 25 percent of its usefulness when I can get the Jack or the Rayzar to fit and get all the reception that I need.:h


I was never talking about your installation but rather the options available to the OP. The Jack and the Rayzar cannot properly receive channels 2-6 so that's the first reason you might not want to install them. Additionally, the Rayzar plus a partial Wingman will still likely perform better for long distance reception than either of those.
Again, I am not suggesting that anyone do anything. I was simply giving the OP some of the options available to him.
I no longer work for Winegard so it's not a sales pitch either. I just happen to have a bit of experience with a number of different options.
What I post is my 2 cents and nothing more. Please don't read anything into my post that's not there. If you disagree, that's OK.
Can't we all just get along?

Bill_Satellite
Explorer II
Explorer II
I might know a bit about the antenna. I used to sell and install them before I went to work for Winegard.
You are awfully quick to judge when you have not seen exactly what the OP has on his roof.
What I post is my 2 cents and nothing more. Please don't read anything into my post that's not there. If you disagree, that's OK.
Can't we all just get along?

MNtundraRet
Navigator
Navigator
Bill.Satellite wrote:
I have seen the pictures. None are of the OP's roof.


I know but you have a view how the antenna lays down. Have you ever owned a Winegard Antenna and climbed up on the roof to look at it?

Did you see the picture of the new Razar attached? The Front is facing "UP" and raises facing front of RV. The Arrow (for storage) inside the MH faces back of RV. You wrongly questioned my explanation on that in the past. The inside arrow points away from the transmitter. Not a problem for the Razar since it is supposed to work equally well off front or back.

Get up on the roof of your RV and check things out before hitting the key-board questioning others.
Mark & Jan "Old age & treachery win over youth & enthusiasm"
2003 Fleetwood Jamboree 29

IAMICHABOD
Explorer II
Explorer II
May be this can help you understand the problem.



As you can see there is NO room to lower the Sensar IV with the element attached. Why would I cut off part of it and loose 25 percent of its usefulness when I can get the Jack or the Rayzar to fit and get all the reception that I need.:h
2006 TIOGA 26Q CHEVY 6.0 WORKHORSE VORTEC
Former El Monte RV Rental
Retired Teamster Local 692
Buying A Rental Class C

Bill_Satellite
Explorer II
Explorer II
I have seen the pictures. None are of the OP's roof.
What I post is my 2 cents and nothing more. Please don't read anything into my post that's not there. If you disagree, that's OK.
Can't we all just get along?