Over-the-air tv

[StanDonna]

Hi,
We just bought a 2004 Coachmen Cross-country 372DS and so far we love it. Everything works, but we can't get tv over-the-air with the Winegard Batwing antenna. I've checked the 12vdc going into the Winegard Video Distribution Center (Model VS5312A) and it and the coax connector at the antenna both show 12vdc. I bought a new amplified Batwing antenna from Amazon and installed it. No signals at all. I even ran a new coax from the Video Distribution Center Antenna coax input to the antenna. TV works with DVD player and when hooked up to cable in an RV park. I'm beginning to think that it's the Video Distribution Center. However, I'm a little reluctant to buy a new one if it's something else. Does anyone on here have any other ideas? Could the Video Distribution Center send 12vdc up to the antenna and still be bad and just not passing the TV signal? Thanks for any help. Stan

[FleetMan]

This may or may not be relevant but is your TV a newer digital TV or is it the old analog version? Without a converter box, the analog TV will not pick up the digital "over the air" signals. Cable TV in the RV Park, I believe, does work through the older units.

[StanDonna]

I never thought of that, but that might just be the problem. Thanks FleetMan, I'll have to check that out.

[CJ7365]

if its analog, you can buy a converter for less than $25

[TurtleKent]

Bypass the video distribution box, run coax directly from the batwing to the TV... then you will know.

[StanDonna]

I think I'd have to buy two converters, one for the main TV and one for the TV in the bedroom or do you or does anyone know if I could put just one in the coax line between the antenna and the Video Distribution Center?

[Luv2go]

Originally Posted by StanDonna

I think I'd have to buy two converters, one for the main TV and one for the TV in the bedroom or do you or does anyone know if I could put just one in the coax line between the antenna and the Video Distribution Center?

If you want to watch the same program on both TV's you can do that, otherwise you'll have to buy two.

[gemini5362]

Originally Posted by TurtleKent

Bypass the video distribution box, run coax directly from the batwing to the TV... then you will know.

You cannot do that. The 12volts for the antenna amplifirer comes from the video distribution box.

[gemini5362]

Originally Posted by StanDonna

I think I'd have to buy two converters, one for the main TV and one for the TV in the bedroom or do you or does anyone know if I could put just one in the coax line between the antenna and the Video Distribution Center?

I had the old analogue tv's when i bought my motorhome and had the converter boxes for them. That worked horribly. One of the very first things I did to my motor home was to change out the analogue for new digital Tv

[StanDonna]

Hi and thank you for the replies. I'm planning on buying a converter box today, but have a question regarding where to place it. If I place it, as planned, before the Video Distribution Center, would it stop the 12vdc antenna amplifier voltage to pass through it? Thanks, Stan

[StanDonna]

I'm also thinking about the possibility of replacing the main TV with a new digital TV. However, if I do that, I will have to come up with a way to mount it and cover the hole where the old TV was. If I can do it and make it look right, then I would prefer to replace the TV. My thought is that, like gemini5362 says, that it would be cleaner with less issues. I'll let everyone know what I come up with. Thanks again, Stan

[Lt Dan]

Stan;

This is what I did in my old Itasca. I mounted a piece of 3/4" plywood in the opening, attached the TV to it with an extendable, locking mount arm. That gave easy access to the input terminals on the back. Then I covered everything inside the old compartment with black automotive type carpet material from Home Depot. It made a clean installation with the black out material inside the cabinet.

Some have even put the plywood on hinges so they can access the now empty cavern behind the TV. I didn't do that, but thought about a small hinged door hidden behind the TV to hide valuables, etc.

Here's a couple of photos of the installation and the mount from CW.

[StanDonna]

Hi All, After much thought, I bought a 32 inch TV today for the main TV. I didn't get a chance to check it out yet. Hopefully, I'll get time to check the Winegard antenna and the Distribution Center tomorrow. Then, as soon as I can, I'll get the old TV out and this new one installed. Again, I want to thank everyone for your help and ideas. I'll let everyone know how it goes and once I get the TV installed, hopefully I'll post a picture.

[gemini5362]

Originally Posted by StanDonna

Hi All, After much thought, I bought a 32 inch TV today for the main TV. I didn't get a chance to check it out yet. Hopefully, I'll get time to check the Winegard antenna and the Distribution Center tomorrow. Then, as soon as I can, I'll get the old TV out and this new one installed. Again, I want to thank everyone for your help and ideas. I'll let everyone know how it goes and once I get the TV installed, hopefully I'll post a picture.

Unless you are pretty strong make sure you have help when you take it out. Those old Televisions were very heavy.