What's that coax jack for?

[ECones]

We took delivery yesterday of a 2017 Thor ACE 30.1. The television in the living area has a coax cable from the wall to the TV, but there’s another coax jack in the cabinet behind the TV. I’ve noticed that the TV only works on the antenna if the button on that jack is pushed and the light is on. So, I supposed they’re interconnected somehow.

But what’s that empty jack for? I need to connect a DirecTV dish and receiver and wondered if there’s a way to utilize that jack.

Thx

[ECones]

Bill.Satellite wrote:
ECones. I hope you read my response. It's pretty much all the information you need.

I did and appreciate the input, but I still need a way to get the satellite dish to it.

On my old class C, I just replaced the switch supplied with the unit with a manual A/B switch.

On the A side I had the antenna cable, and on B I had the exterior jack for the park cable or satellite, whichever was on it. I could select which signal to push to the TV cabinet by selecting a button.

When that signal got to the TV cabinet, it had a splitter that sent the signal to the TV coax jack and the satellite receiver. The receiver connected to the TV with an HDMI cable. I could then select either "TV" or "HDMI" from the TV source.

I had to draw my wife a diagram for when I wasn't along. 😉

Direct TV used source HDMI3 on the TV and B on the switch.
Park cable used source TV on the TV and B on the switch.
Antenna used source TV and A on the switch.

That actually worked quite well, but we have three TVs in the ACE, and that complicates the issue. :h

I plan to try a modification of 2oldman's suggestion. Either a splitter or an A/B switch between the outside receptacle and the power supply inside. I could then direct the signal directly to the satellite receiver and/or the power supply. We could only watch satellite in the living room, but we could still select the antenna or park cable for all three.

And just for the record, Johno02 answered the question in the subject line. It's not for anything.

[Old-Biscuit]

IF you have a double coax jack wall plate like this then bottom one is for TV (OTA & Cable) and top is for SAT (straight connection)
Power button ON for OTA.....off for cable------doesn't matter for SAT

[Bill_Satellite]

ECones. I hope you read my response. It's pretty much all the information you need.

[Johno02]

In many cases, the TV output from the wall plate is run into a splitter somewhere behind it. That way both TVs have signal, and the outlet on the front can be used for another TV wherever. Usually not used at all. Some plates do not have it at all.

[ECones]

2oldman wrote:
I was able to use it by running a jumper from the Outside cable connector to the Bedroom TV jack.

May be an option. On my last unit, I replaced the switch behind the coax connection with a manual A / B box, and it worked fine. A was for the antenna, and B worked with either the park cable or the satellite dish.

I'll go take it apart. LOL

Thanks for the input. I couldn't figure out either why there's a cable from the wall AND a jack. It made no sense. Heck, it still makes no sense.

[ECones]

Johno02 wrote:
Just don't connect your satellite wire there. It won't work. Your salesman didn't show you anything at all???

The guy that did the orientation was painfully uninformed / misinformed about the TV connections. For instance, there was an HDMI cable from the wall to the TV, and he said that was from the antenna. I later found the BluRay player in another compartment and realized the HDMI was from it.

[ECones]

Johno02 wrote:
Read stuff on this forum. There are many wiring diagrams and explanations for every antenna and satellite wiring.

I searched every way I knew how, but couldn't find anything concerning an unused jack.

[DutchmenSport]

If there are 2 jacks, one is for the batwing / cable jack. The second one is for a external satellite dish. Satellite systems will not work going through the regular batwing/cable wire, the power booster, and all that. Most satellite systems need a direct line from the dish outside to the receiver inside. That second line is just a straight line, outside the camper to inside the camper.

(or just stick your satellite wire through a window)

[2oldman]

I was able to use it by running a jumper from the Outside cable connector to the Bedroom TV jack.

[Bill_Satellite]

The wall plate with the button must be on when you want to watch OTA TV as it powers your roof top antenna. When you power the button off you will be able to get park cable if you are in a campground and have their coax connected to your outside connection marked "cable".
The coax connection on the front is just another output for a TV but would not be used in your situation. That's just the way the manufacturer sells the product.

[RAS43]

My trailer has a similar setup. The switch is to power the over-the air antenna on the roof. I'm not sure why the coax goes directly to the tv and not through the panel but that is how mine is wired. That coax won't work for your satellite, you will have to run a separate coax.

[RoyB]

What JACK are you referring too...

Some are wired like this diagram


Roy Ken

[Johno02]

Read stuff on this forum. There are many wiring diagrams and explanations for every antenna and satellite wiring.

[Johno02]

Just don't connect your satellite wire there. It won't work. Your salesman didn't show you anything at all???

[BarneyS]

On my trailer that is what the 2nd jack is for. It is connected to the outside satellite connector.
Barney