Tv antennas

[brog741]

Hi, what is a good tv antenna for the rv. One to mount on the roof with a good range.

[jplante4]

This thread in Tech Corner has good responses and a link to a thread where SVCJeff actually tested the different antennas.

Please refer to that thread for further responses.

Closed

[mike-s]

SCVJeff wrote:
Dodge Guy was is the only one that defends his Jack to the end. Take that for what it's worth..

Choice-supportive bias is a common and powerful thing.

[SCVJeff]

mike-s wrote:

dodge guy wrote:
Nothing like real world tests to confirm how well a product works.

And, hard facts from actual real world measurements show the Winegard works better than the Jack, especially for VHF stations. Anecdotal stories aren't "real world tests." And, given the how long the batwings have been popular, it's not surprising that some have failed over the years. There are many more of them, and they've been around a lot longer, so it's to be expected that you'd hear about more of them failing.

out of hundreds of responses over this question over the years, Dodge Guy was is the only one that defends his Jack to the end. Take that for what it's worth..

[mike-s]

dodge guy wrote:
Nothing like real world tests to confirm how well a product works.

And, hard facts from actual real world measurements show the Winegard works better than the Jack, especially for VHF stations. Anecdotal stories aren't "real world tests." And, given the how long the batwings have been popular, it's not surprising that some have failed over the years. There are many more of them, and they've been around a lot longer, so it's to be expected that you'd hear about more of them failing.

[wa8yxm]

One things folks forget when they convert from one antenna to another..

You did not JUST replace the antenna. You did other things as well

At the minimum you disconnected and re-connected the ROOF to ANTENNA cable.

You may have even replaced it.

Some info on those cables.. SUNLIGHT is their enemy and over time they fail. The connectors are not fond of moisture or rather they are entierly too fond, and when iut gets in there bad things happen

Often just unscrewing the cable and removing and re-connecting makes a BIG difference.

[thestoloffs]

Exact same question posted on Technology Corner, with far more detailed responses. Recommend moving this thread.

[dodge_guy]

aruba5er wrote:
We where in St. Joesph Peninsula SP in Fl and had no reception. Went to town and bought the add on for the wiengaurd batwing. Did nothing. Took it back and bought a "Jack" from King. Got all the channels available. So impressed I bought one for home in my stick and brick house and got rid of a 12 ft aluminum antenna that was marginal at best. And it has little led lights to find the best signal before you start the station scan. Really works good and saves so much time

Careful! These guys will tell you it's broken (oh I see they already did)! There are ALOT of people out there with the same story as yours. If that's the case then the Batwing is not a very good product. Lots of broken ones supposedly. I wouldn't want anything that problematic. For me and many others the Jack works best! Nothing like real world tests to confirm how well a product works.

[MrWizard]

I wish i had MY old old camping catalog, thick thing like a phone book

back in the 70's you could get a residential style yagi that cranked down and folded up,
had a cranked on the inside like the bat wing, but looked like a house antenna when it was and being used

a friend of mine had one on a Kings Highway class A, got more channels and better TV picture any place we camped than anybody else

i don't know who MFG it, but i sure wish i had one

[SCVJeff]

Then as I have said many times: your Batwing is broken because the Jack simply doesn't have the performance as the Batwing, period..

If you put two WORKING antennas up side-by-side in a flakey area the difference will be obvious PROVIDED you are in a fringe area where they both have a chance to work as they are claimed.

[aruba5er]

We where in St. Joesph Peninsula SP in Fl and had no reception. Went to town and bought the add on for the wiengaurd batwing. Did nothing. Took it back and bought a "Jack" from King. Got all the channels available. So impressed I bought one for home in my stick and brick house and got rid of a 12 ft aluminum antenna that was marginal at best. And it has little led lights to find the best signal before you start the station scan. Really works good and saves so much time

[marcsbigfoot20b]

Lynnmor wrote:

marcsbigfoot20b27 wrote:


Sensar totally sucked getting only 48 channels, the directional Vilso scored 84 channels......and more if I use the remote and rotate to a channel from a different tower. No interference from LEDs with this one since Im not using the TT booster.
Sensar $48
Vilso $34

How does the Vilso mount so that one can travel?

It has a hole that fits a shaft with two locking bolts to tighten to the shaft.

Temporarily I used one side of a TT ladder shaft and just bungee 'd it to my ladder for testing before I figure out mounting.

It then rotates 360 with remote control.

[wa8yxm]

The best per both lab and field tests is the Winegard Sensar IV with the Sensar Pro indoor module (Wall plate) no other even comes close.

[ng2951]

Thanks for the info on Sensar power converter.

I used the Jack in the same spot I had used the Sensar and found ZERO difference between the two. The Jack was no better or worse than the Sensar (without the external Yagi).

When I have the TT close to the TV stations the antenna works great. So did the Jack. I think most of the antennas will work great if you are not to far away.

There are some good antennas that work at long distances but generally do so by being directional. In other words there is no free lunch.

On the LEDs they vary. The factory LEDs I have in my Grand Design had no impact on the antenna.

When I had my old Puma I bought cheap LEDs. One or two of those LEDs if you turned them on the Jack antenna quick working. When I turned them off the antenna started working. My guess is the LEDs were generating a huge amount of noise. I had my TT in fringe area. Possibly if I were closer the signal/noise ratio may have been adequate.

Short story if your antenna quits working turn off the LEDs and see if they are related to your reception problems.

[SCVJeff]

That's what he always says and gets pages full of responses supporting the Batwing and zero for the Jack. So......

As far as the Batwing reacting to LEDs: It's not the antenna reacting to the LED, it's the TV and it is 100% dependent on antenna placement to the interfearing LED.