Gdetrailer wrote:This is more like I would like to use but the problem with this style is that they are fragile and bulky. The only reason I got a bow-tie design is that it much less susceptible to damage and it's quite thin when the elements are in the folded down position. The bow-tie antenna picked up more channels compared to our standard Winegard. A good yagi style should be able to pick up some stations farther away depending on atmospheric conditions.
IF you don't mind carrying and setting up a external antenna that might be the better route and net you more signals.
Something like this..
myredracer wrote:
Last summer I tried out a 2-bay bow-tie antenna. Bought six 4' fiberglass antenna masts and had the antenna about 24' above the ground. I also used TVfool.com to figure out where to aim the antenna. Worked much better than our Winegard batwing antenna with wingman booster.
I wanted to bring it with us on our current 3 week camping trip but couldn't find the bow-tie anywhere at home. I put it somewhere so it couldn't get damaged and I guess I did a good job of it. :M
Sometimes you can't get a sat signal due to trees and obstructions and sometimes CG cable is cr@p. It's nice to be able to get some OTA channels when you can't get TV otherwise. I've found that sometimes you get some great OTA channels & shows you can't get on cable or sat.
As mentioned, an antenna amp will NOT improve an already weak signal. The amps are supposed to me mounted at the antenna and they are designed to compensate for signal loss in the co-ax from antenna to TV. We have a Winegard SensarPro signal finder but I find it doesn't help a whole lot. I find that TVfool.com is better so you know where the originating TV transmitters are located and can aim accordingly. It also tells you what the signal strength of various stations is.
I'd love to try out a large yagi style antenna but they're too big and fragile to travel around with. The antennas with a rotator that claim reception up to 150 miles are a waste if $$ and contradict antenna wave theory.
Folks, you NEED to get over these JUNK "BOWTIES", PERIOD.
In the USA MANY STATIONS ARE NOW GOING BACK TO VHF LOW BAND (old analog channels 2-6 frequencies), UHF BOWTIES WILL GET YOU SQUAT FOR VHF LOW BAND COVERAGE.
OP was asking if they could replace their CURRENT "JACK" antenna which is a omni-directional antenna with a WINEGARD which is a directional folded dipole.
The answer is YES, it MAY BE possible and YES, it will be SOME WHAT of an improvement (it still is limited but does have some forward and backside GAIN over a omni-directional (JACK).
To install the Winegard you will need to cut a hole in your roof, you may need to additionally reinforce the opening which may be a bit tricky to do.
IF you don't mind carrying and setting up a external antenna that might be the better route and net you more signals.
Something like this..
Channel Master CM-2018 which has not just UHF but VHF antenna elements. This antenna does not have a preamp, may also wish to consider a two piece antenna preamp, one piece which the amp mounts at the antenna and the other is the power injector which hooks up in between the antenna and TV INSIDE your RV..
Channel Master CM-7777 or CM-7778 are topnotch choices for LOW NOISE and HIGH GAIN preamps.
Downside with better gain antennas is they get more directional and often stations are spread out in different headings requiring you to go outside and manually aim the antenna each time you change stations.
Last summer I tried out a 2-bay bow-tie antenna. Bought six 4' fiberglass antenna masts and had the antenna about 24' above the ground. I also used TVfool.com to figure out where to aim the antenna. Worked much better than our Winegard batwing antenna with wingman booster.
I wanted to bring it with us on our current 3 week camping trip but couldn't find the bow-tie anywhere at home. I put it somewhere so it couldn't get damaged and I guess I did a good job of it. :M
Sometimes you can't get a sat signal due to trees and obstructions and sometimes CG cable is cr@p. It's nice to be able to get some OTA channels when you can't get TV otherwise. I've found that sometimes you get some great OTA channels & shows you can't get on cable or sat.
As mentioned, an antenna amp will NOT improve an already weak signal. The amps are supposed to me mounted at the antenna and they are designed to compensate for signal loss in the co-ax from antenna to TV. We have a Winegard SensarPro signal finder but I find it doesn't help a whole lot. I find that TVfool.com is better so you know where the originating TV transmitters are located and can aim accordingly. It also tells you what the signal strength of various stations is.
I'd love to try out a large yagi style antenna but they're too big and fragile to travel around with. The antennas with a rotator that claim reception up to 150 miles are a waste if $$ and contradict antenna wave theory.
I wanted to bring it with us on our current 3 week camping trip but couldn't find the bow-tie anywhere at home. I put it somewhere so it couldn't get damaged and I guess I did a good job of it. :M
Sometimes you can't get a sat signal due to trees and obstructions and sometimes CG cable is cr@p. It's nice to be able to get some OTA channels when you can't get TV otherwise. I've found that sometimes you get some great OTA channels & shows you can't get on cable or sat.
As mentioned, an antenna amp will NOT improve an already weak signal. The amps are supposed to me mounted at the antenna and they are designed to compensate for signal loss in the co-ax from antenna to TV. We have a Winegard SensarPro signal finder but I find it doesn't help a whole lot. I find that TVfool.com is better so you know where the originating TV transmitters are located and can aim accordingly. It also tells you what the signal strength of various stations is.
I'd love to try out a large yagi style antenna but they're too big and fragile to travel around with. The antennas with a rotator that claim reception up to 150 miles are a waste if $$ and contradict antenna wave theory.
