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Winegard Roadstar vs Sensar IV

allenm
Explorer
Explorer
After 15 years and 3 RV's with Winegard Sensar (Batwing) type antennas, my 2016 Starcraft TT came with Winegard's RS-3000 Roadstar antenna.

To read the advertising, it sounds like the Roadstar is the latest & greatest antenna available. Despite all the hype, I found I couldn't get favorite stations in the same campgrounds I've used for years.

After doing a little digging deeper in Winegards's own specs, I found the Roadstar is rated at 35 miles. However, they rate their Sensar IV at 55 miles.

That was enough for me. Not wanting to do something I couldn't easily undo, I just bought a Sensar IV head. It has an amplifier built into the head.

For the time being (I'm spending 4 months in Florida this winter) I just mounted it to an 8' aluminum 1" tube and clamped it to the corner of my slideout.

WOW - what a difference. I'm using a digital converter, so I can see the signal strength. Orlando stations 50 or so miles away were showing 46-52% strength with the Roadstar, but are now showing 74-82% with the Sensar IV!

Yes, the Sensar is highly directional, which can be a pain adjusting for someone moving a lot, but I'm stationary in the winters.

The Roadstar is omni-directional (equally midiocre in all directions), which is good for people camping near large cities and moving around a lot. But that doesn't describe any campers I know...
3 REPLIES 3

Bill_Satellite
Explorer II
Explorer II
No need to add anything to this topic. Good Job!
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?

wa8yxm
Explorer III
Explorer III
The Roadstar is an OmniDirectional antenna, and that is the very WORST.
The Senaar IV on the other hand is the very BEST antenna designed for RV use.

Your choice. I have an older sensdar (III or II not sure) with WIngman and Sensar Pro module.. Now better than that.. Requires a very tall tower.
Home was where I park it. but alas the.
2005 Damon Intruder 377 Alas declared a total loss
after a semi "nicked" it. Still have the radios
Kenwood TS-2000, ICOM ID-5100, ID-51A+2, ID-880 REF030C most times

fitznj
Explorer
Explorer
I spent literally years (ever since the analogue->digital change) - futzing around with antennas/tv etc; I have found that the Sensar IV is the best antenna for us. It is sensitive to direction but once you have it set, it is the best that I have found.

Gerry
Gerry