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07-21-2010, 05:20 PM
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#1
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Junior Member
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Illinois
Posts: 13
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I'm wondering if anyone has tried the "Jack" antenna. I live about 55 miles NE of St Louis and after going from analog to digital...I no longer get signals on my RV TVs. I have a bat wing with the new add on attachment...no signals is what I get to watch 24/7.... 
Fluteman
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Fluteman
2000 Pace Arrow 36'
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07-21-2010, 06:15 PM
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#2
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Moderator Emeritus
Vintage RV Owners Club Texas Boomers Club Oklahoma Boomers Club Ford Super Duty Owner
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: Cypress, TX
Posts: 11,982
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I have not tried it, but it does not look like magic to signals to me as a ham operator. Our trailer has a old style yagi antenna and it works better than any batwing we have ever had. You might want to look at getting a Channel Master all channel Yagi and stick it up on a temporary pole supported off the corner of the rig.
The digital signals are either you have a signal or you do not. The antennas tend to be more directional since they are UHF and weaker than the old analog signals.
Ken
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Amateur Radio Operator|Practicing for our retirement! 2008 Cameo 35SB3 - 2002 7.3L Crew Cab Dually w/ a SCMT - Max Brake - Travel with one Miniature Schnauzer, one Standard Schnauzer and one small Timneh African Gray Parrot
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07-22-2010, 12:16 PM
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#3
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Junior Member
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Illinois
Posts: 13
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Thanks Ken,
I appreciate your advice on the antenna. However, I'm rolling a motorhome. I pull into rest areas and check local news and weather. If I was camping at a site, I would use a house antenna on a pole. According to the product user reviews, they get 2 - 3 times more stations with the "Jack"...what I'm looking for is: how much more distance do they get...? I'm 55 miles from the city now and I don't get any stations. Sure would be great to get some distance, quick up and quick storage. Any ideas....?
Fluteman
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Fluteman
2000 Pace Arrow 36'
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07-22-2010, 12:32 PM
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#4
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Junior Member
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Illinois
Posts: 13
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Okay...I just called the company customer service and they tell me..."There is no improvement in distance" They, however, said their product reviews compliment the ability to get more channels. If someone sees a 2000 Pacearrow hauling down the road with a 50' mast sticking straight up...it's just me, checking the local weather.
Fluteman.
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Fluteman
2000 Pace Arrow 36'
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07-22-2010, 12:59 PM
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#5
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Member
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 63
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From our shop & personal experience I will say that both the “Jack” and Winegards new head with the built in wingman (which has upgraded electronics in the head) works really good. On average we find more channels with these products then any others that we’ve tried, including a standard yagi.
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07-22-2010, 02:03 PM
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#6
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Member
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Georgia
Posts: 81
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I'm no expert in this area but are your TVs capable of receiving digital signals or do you need a converter box?
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07-22-2010, 03:38 PM
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#7
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Junior Member
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Illinois
Posts: 13
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Beaver,
Yes in both cases. I have an analog connected to a converter and a digital Hi Def. Seems like I have to be close to the source to get a signal. Over 30 - 40 miles, it's gone. I was hoping to find greater distance. With analog, I used to pull into a rest area and dial up a local news and weather station. The dish is my only hope now. Looks like I'll just nix the "Jack" for a while and hope for a better product.
Fluteman.
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Fluteman
2000 Pace Arrow 36'
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07-22-2010, 04:16 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Workhorse Chassis Owner Damon Owners Club
Join Date: Mar 2009
Posts: 8,078
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One person I spoke with who has the Jack said nice things about it.. However I think that the Wingman will very likely work better, epically on the few stations that are still VHF... That said.
The Jack is a nice looking antenna
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Home is where I park it!
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07-22-2010, 07:34 PM
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#9
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Junior Member
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Illinois
Posts: 13
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wa8yxm,
Thanks for the reply. I also have the wingman on my bat. It looks pretty "Jed Clampet" and when analog was still broadcasting...it worked very well. I guess I'll keep what I already have. Maybe someday we'll have an answer to getting more distance with digital.
Fluteman
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Fluteman
2000 Pace Arrow 36'
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07-22-2010, 08:13 PM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 514
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If you have an antenna booster, make sure it's working. I can receive most STL stations in my MH 50mi. NW, but have trouble with ch 9 at home, 20 mi. West.
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ernieh
2003 Journey DL, 2007 Wrangler Toad
Coming soon, 2012 Phaeton 36QSH
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07-23-2010, 10:36 AM
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#11
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Junior Member
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Illinois
Posts: 13
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ernieh,
When I'm close to a city, I get pretty good reception...as soon as I turn on the antenna booster...things are great. I assume that means the booster is working properly. Although...it might still be weak. I might just put another one in and see if that helps. I think I have an extra one. Good tip...thanks...!
Fluteman
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Fluteman
2000 Pace Arrow 36'
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07-23-2010, 11:42 PM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 514
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Remember, the box just supplies the power up the coax. The amplifier is actually in the head and that may have failed.
I have replaced two failed heads in in the last 25 years.
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ernieh
2003 Journey DL, 2007 Wrangler Toad
Coming soon, 2012 Phaeton 36QSH
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07-24-2010, 01:44 PM
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#13
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Junior Member
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Illinois
Posts: 13
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Ernieh,
Thanks again for the reply. Where do you order your amp from...? I'm sure that's the problem I'm having.
Fluteman
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Fluteman
2000 Pace Arrow 36'
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07-24-2010, 02:30 PM
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#14
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 514
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The amp is part of the head, just get a new head (antenna) at any RV dealer. You don't need the mast (part that goes up and down).
I would get the newest model that includes the Wingman.
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ernieh
2003 Journey DL, 2007 Wrangler Toad
Coming soon, 2012 Phaeton 36QSH
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