Wineguard SensarPro

[Lorne_Lorraine]

We are at a campground where two of the major network TV channels (NBC and CBS) are very weak. CBS won't come in until after sunset, if at all. Due to many good reviews, the other day I purchased a Wineguard SensarPro power supply to replace the original power supply for my batwing antenna (which has the wingman). I was hoping the SensarPro's gain feature would help with receiving the two weak channels (both VHF).

However, after installation the SensarPro showed no signal at all for both channels of concern. Moving the gain up incrementally to 20 did not help (possibly because it could see no signal to amplify?). I could still get most of the other channels (the stronger signal channels) that I was receiving before. All the features of the SensarPro such as scan, seek etc seemed to work, but now no signal for the above-noted channels (both VHF).

I reinstalled the old power supply and now I could receive NBC clearly and CBS was back pixellating just like it was before I installed the SensarPro.

Has anyone else noticed something similar to this with the SensarPro for weak channels.

I can see where the SensarPro's features would help with optimally pointing the antenna to get more channels but I'm not happy if it is less effective than my original power supply for pulling in weak channels. I wonder if the SensarPro introduces enough more noise to drown out weaker channels.

Or perhaps my new SensarPro is defective?

[SCVJeff]

If they are sending a replacement and you can get them side by side, it would be interesting to hear what you find

[Lorne_Lorraine]

Yes, the extra noise issue concerns me. It may be just a co-incidence that the two weakest stations dropped happen to be VHF.

But I have been in touch with Wingard Technical support. Yesterday they said it sounds like a problem with the VHF side of the SensarPro.

They are sending me a replacement.

Unfortunately, I will not be at this location when I get it so will lose my best "control" variables. But I will be watching for any similar issues with the replacement anyway. I will be back at this campground next month (not on the same site though and even a few feet difference can affect this stuff) so that will be another good check.

Thanks again for everyone's input!

[SCVJeff]

Bypassing the SensarPro or setting it to unity gain are not the same thing. You still have another amplifier in line, and the noise it brings with it. Theres no reason the OP couldn't have a noisy device.. it sure wouldn't be the first time

[Bill_Satellite]

If the Sensar Pro is working properly then you should get the exact same results from the standard wall plate and the Sensar Pro pointed exactly the same when you have the Gain set to 10. 10 does not add or subtract any gain. If you have "some" signal with the standard wall plate but it gets worse when the Sensar Pro is installed you either have it wired wrong (unlikely) or you have a bad Sensar Pro and you should contact Winegard Tech Support for a replacement. I have had bad Sensar Pro's so I know that this is a possibility.

[Lynnmor]

As you test changes to your installation, be sure that any LED lighting is turned off.

[Lorne_Lorraine]

Bill.Satellite, I've done what you suggest but the signal level on the SensarPro for the two real RF channels shows as two hyphens (no signal) no matter the gain setting. And, of course, no signal at the TV.

Bottom line is that when I reinstall my original power supply there is signal at the TV for both channels and both give good picture (CBS only in the evening. It breaks up during the day but there is signal though).

I suspect Jeff is right, either the SensarPro adds just enough noise to drown out the two channels or the amp is swamped. I don't know the signs of a swamped amp. I would have thought that would affect the UHF channels too? All the UHF channels come in just fine but they all have stronger signals than the two VHF channels to start with.

[Bill_Satellite]

Be sure that you are using the correct settings with your Sensar Pro as well. A gain setting of 10 will give no added gain and is the place to start. Going below 10 will case the signal to be weakened (attenuated) and going above 10 will add additional gain to the antennas signal. Going too high can kill a signal and going down can cause signal that is too strong to come in better. Just start at 10 and then manually select the "real" channel you are trying to lock and and adjust the antenna for the strongest signal. Generally you are going to need a signal in the 60's or above for a solid picture.

[SCVJeff]

lj2654 wrote:
I recently installed a sensar pro after I was having issues with getting very few channels to come in. I found a bad spot in the coax on the roof coming thru the roof. Once I replaced the whole coax from the antenna to the sensarpro and got everything hooked up I am amazed at the channels I get now!

Hope you can get it figured out.

The OP is talking about specific channels, both on VHF. That effectively eliminates coax and connector issues since everything else is OK. Smells like an avalanche effect that the two channels are barely on the wrong side of and adding another app adds enough noise to kill them.

Although that shouldn't be how it works. Or it's a swamped amp

[lj2654]

I recently installed a sensar pro after I was having issues with getting very few channels to come in. I found a bad spot in the coax on the roof coming thru the roof. Once I replaced the whole coax from the antenna to the sensarpro and got everything hooked up I am amazed at the channels I get now!

Hope you can get it figured out.

[Lorne_Lorraine]

Yes, real RF 12 and real RF 13. Virtual 5.1 etc (NBC) and Virtual 12.1 etc (CBS) from the West Palm Beach, FL area.

[Bill_Satellite]

Are you sure it's VHF? Channel 2 on the TV does not mean it is broadcast on channel 2 any longer. Most digital programming has move to the UHF frequencies with requires the Sensar IV or the older Winegard with the Wingman add-on.

[Lorne_Lorraine]

Thanks all for responding. I reinstalled the SensarPro today. It's a neat little device and it seems to be doing everything it is supposed to do except for not seeing the two weak VHF channels.

All the other channels I get here are UHF and according to TV Fool the two VHF channels are the weakest of the bunch. Most all of the UHF channels still come in on the TV even when I set the gain on the SensarPro to 1. That drops the signal level for these stations considerably but they still come in even with signal readings in the 30's.

Another issue that may be pertinent is that one of the VHF channels broadcasts on Real RF 12 and the other on Real RF 13. Perhaps there's some adjacent channel interference going on that the SensarPro can't deal with?

And if there are strong FM stations etc in the area I suppose that could further affect things.

The weak VHF signals just don't seem to get past the SensarPro so the TV itself is not part of the situation.

At this point I'm thinking that my SensarPro probably isn't defective per se and that the device just may have some issues with weak VHF stations in general or in resolving the specific channel situation at my location or a combination of both.

I bought the SensarPro hoping to solve a specific problem at this location regarding the reception of NBC and CBS. With my original power supply I can receive NBC anytime and receive CBS most evenings. With the SensarPro I cannot watch either channel at any time. Now to see if the RV dealer will accept a return.

[Lorne_Lorraine]

wa8yxm wrote:

Dutch_12078 wrote:
I suspect you may have a defective SensarPro. Ours has worked quite well in bringing in signals in some previously problematic areas. In some locations, I've even had to turn down the gain to keep from over driving the TV.

I see 3 possibilities. And that is #1

#2 is you hooked it up wrong (Wrong coax connections)

#3 is you hooked the 12 volt wires backwards way way down the page I might add

My Expierence, like others was the reverse

Stations I could barely get.. Strong and clear now

Stations I could not even see, Strong and clear now

Some stations I could not see.. Iffy.. but hey, before I could not even tell they were there.

No on #2 and No on #3. I'm also thinking now probably no on #1.

[Lorne_Lorraine]

samven1 wrote:
A common problem with remote amps (those not built into the head) is that the small loss of signal from the antenna thru the coax and connectors is all thats needed to put weak signals below the noise threshold. In many cases amps actually hurt your reception because they add their own noise on to the signal. Bad amps can add 3 or 4 db and really good amps still add 1 or 2. In general the only time an amp is needed is to overcome loss from long cable runs and splitters and should be before those losses happen not after.

Yes, this is exactly what I meant by the device possibly adding noise.