Bat Wing Antenna & Driving

[Super_Dave]

I used to have a camper with the old style bat wing TV antenna, never drove with it up. Lately, I've noticed RV's of all types driving around with the bat wing antenna up. Are they designed for that?

[campigloo]

RobWNY wrote:

campigloo wrote:

RobWNY wrote:
I thought for sure they were supposed to be down when traveling. There are several reasons. Avoid having it torn off when going under bridges, avoid damage to the antenna from the wind forces, avoid air lift so the RV tires maintain ground contact.

And in the down position it interferes with my crime fighting.

Check on your Crime Fighting Utility Belt right next to the Grappling Hook. There should be a Deep Space tracking Beacon adapter that resolves that issue.

Thanks Rob!!! I’m going for a practice session tonight as soon as the sun goes down. I’m going to check that out!

[wa8yxm]

Lwiddis wrote:
Too many forgot to crank down. New models are crank less.

The flying Jack comes in both crank up and non-crank models. it is half or less the antenna the Batwing is however (per independent tests done by a fellow forum member a while back)

I drove with my Batwing (A Sensar III with added wingman) up just one time.. and that is why my Antenna is a Sensar IV with built in wingman.

(IF you can't figure it out.> I had to replace it)
Thankfully that replacement IS within my skill set so it was easy to do.

[RobWNY]

campigloo wrote:

RobWNY wrote:
I thought for sure they were supposed to be down when traveling. There are several reasons. Avoid having it torn off when going under bridges, avoid damage to the antenna from the wind forces, avoid air lift so the RV tires maintain ground contact.

And in the down position it interferes with my crime fighting.

Check on your Crime Fighting Utility Belt right next to the Grappling Hook. There should be a Deep Space tracking Beacon adapter that resolves that issue.

[campigloo]

RobWNY wrote:
I thought for sure they were supposed to be down when traveling. There are several reasons. Avoid having it torn off when going under bridges, avoid damage to the antenna from the wind forces, avoid air lift so the RV tires maintain ground contact.

And in the down position it interferes with my crime fighting.

[Thermoguy]

I have almost driven off more than once with the antenna up. That final check is very valuable to not have unwanted issues. It is possible that you have just seen your share of new RV owners or renters that don't do that final check, or don't look up...

[JimK-NY]

The old style batwing definitely needs to be down. At slow speeds the antenna can be torn off, bent or damaged by tree limbs, etc. At highway speeds, the wind and vibrations can damage the antenna, mount and even the camper roof.

If I use the batwing, I have a strip of red cloth I tie on the steering wheel as a reminder.

[RobWNY]

I thought for sure they were supposed to be down when traveling. There are several reasons. Avoid having it torn off when going under bridges, avoid damage to the antenna from the wind forces, avoid air lift so the RV tires maintain ground contact.

[Super_Dave]

No, it's the old 3' in the air and 3' wide antenna.

[Lynnmor]

You are probably seeing this cheap junk that RV manufacturers are installing in place of a real antenna. Even some of the higher priced brands are stooping to this level. Never accept this at time of purchase if you want over the air TV.

[Lwiddis]

Too many forgot to crank down. New models are crank less.

[Dutch_12078]

Maybe you're seeing King Jack antenna installations that don't crank up and down like the batwing antennas.

[enblethen]

The old Wingard Sensor antenna was not to be left up.
There is newer very short batwings that are stationary.