Bad Cable Connection

[Riverdog]

We took our "new to us"� 1997 25' Sandpiper TT on it's maiden voyage this past weekend. Everything went perfect except for our cable connection. I could see it was getting signal because it picked up quite a number of stations when I programed the television. It's just that everything was fuzzy.

I then disconnected the cable from the trailer and pulled it in through the slide and hooked it up direct to the television and everything became crystal clear. This tells me the problem is in the trailer cable wiring. The hookup in behind the television is a Winegard RV Antenna hookup with boost. I have tried it on the antenna mode and all works fine. Therefore I think the problem is a connection where the cable hooks to the inlet on the outside of the trailer or where the cable hooks to the Wingard plate itself on the interior wall. I will pull both and test the connections but just wanted to throw this out there to see if any of the repair savy readers feel I'm on the right track.

One other thing, in using the Winegard plate I have it switched ON (the red led light comes on) only when using the antenna. For cable I have it switched off. The manual on my 10 yr old Winegard doesn't say to do this but the newer manuals do. I did switch it on but it didn't help when hooked to cable.

[Riverdog]

We took our "new to us"� 1997 25' Sandpiper TT on it's maiden voyage this past weekend. Everything went perfect except for our cable connection. I could see it was getting signal because it picked up quite a number of stations when I programed the television. It's just that everything was fuzzy.

I then disconnected the cable from the trailer and pulled it in through the slide and hooked it up direct to the television and everything became crystal clear. This tells me the problem is in the trailer cable wiring. The hookup in behind the television is a Winegard RV Antenna hookup with boost. I have tried it on the antenna mode and all works fine. Therefore I think the problem is a connection where the cable hooks to the inlet on the outside of the trailer or where the cable hooks to the Wingard plate itself on the interior wall. I will pull both and test the connections but just wanted to throw this out there to see if any of the repair savy readers feel I'm on the right track.

One other thing, in using the Winegard plate I have it switched ON (the red led light comes on) only when using the antenna. For cable I have it switched off. The manual on my 10 yr old Winegard doesn't say to do this but the newer manuals do. I did switch it on but it didn't help when hooked to cable.

[Cruzer]

Yep, I had the same thing on my 2004 Allegro Bus. I just pulled a new RG6 coax line into a basement compartment (where it was well protected from the elements) and connnected it to a mounting block style coax connector. I had great reception after that.

You're on the right track!

[Digital Boy]

Before you go to the trouble of running to coax, just check that your antenna booster is set to "off."

As a workcamper I have had several guests complain to me about cable reception only to find that in each case the antenna boost was "on."

[Riverdog]

Digital,

Not sure what a workcamper is but, as mentioned in my original post, I do have it switched off. I did switch it on to see if it made a difference but found that is not so.

Rick

[UFO Pilot]

Not sure if you have some kind of signal selection box but if you do, it might be your problem. The TV reception in my new coach was horrible. They replaced the Winegard selector box and now the reception is perfect.