Jack TV Antenna vs. Winegard Bat Wing

[gpearston]

I am considering upgrading my roof top antenna and I have seen both the Jack TV antenna and the Winegard Bat Wing. It appears both will do the job but one is $50 and one is $150.

Does anyone have experience with the Jack TV antenna?

Thanks

[DriVer]

Quote:

Originally Posted by gpearston Does anyone have experience with the Jack TV antenna?

Member David K just bought a Jack TV antenna while here at the FMCA Rally. Check into the Winnebago Chat Room on Tuesday evening at 9:00 p EST to ask David about his new Jack.

[HarleyWJones]

I recently replaced my Winegard with the Jack. I had upgraded the Winegard with the UHF extension. Unfortunately when I lowered the batwing the new extension rubbed against the air conditioner. (never measured the clearance) Consequently the new outfit had to be trimmed a bit to make things fit. I tested the batwing with and without the extension and it still worked better with it than without.

Not really needing a VHF/UHF combo anymore since 95%+ of the stations are now UHF, I decided to try the Jack. It says it is good for both bands, but honestly how good could an 18 inch antenna be for VHF?

I have been pleasantly surprised by the Jack. It pulls in UHF stations that I couldn't see before and shows a higher signal level and signal-to-noise ratio on the channels I was already receiving. It even seems to do a fair job with VHF stations, but here at home I only have one station transmitting on VHF so it is hard to make a comparison. I continued to use the Winegard power inserter/splitter rather than change to theirs, but they do include one in the box.

The Jack fits my tight space and performs better than what I had, so I'm a happy camper.

Also, don't fall victim to the "Digital" or "Hi-Def" antenna hype. There is no such thing.

[SCVJeff]

Being a ham, and from the school of the more metal-in-the-air the better, I'll stick with the batwing. It's possible that the jack has a better preamp, but you still need to feed it decent RF to do anything with it.

[wa8yxm]

Being a ham.. I tend to agree with fellow Ham Jeff.

That said, everything I have read suggests that the Jack is about equal to the Batwing with Wingman. I like the looks of the Jack better, but what Jeff said.

If you have a Batwing, and it's working.. I would not recommend replacement.. If you pull a robin williams and, after driving under a low limb find you need to replace it... I'd give it consideration.

[TXiceman]

I'll take my old Yagi style antenna with a booster over the Bat wing or the Jack.

Ken

[gpearston]

Restrung cable to the antenna and all is good.

Thanks to all for their felp

[Wayne M]

Glad it worked out for you.

As a reminder, an antenna capable of both VHF and UHF is needed to receive digital TV (DTV) signals in the different areas of the United States. An example is here in the Houston area. Almost all of the over the air DTV signals are broadcast in the UHF spectrum, with KTRK (ABC), KHOU (CBS) and KHUT (PBS) are broadcast in the Hi-V (or VHF) spectrum. So unless you are satisfied with only receiving NBC in the Houston Area you will need both VHF and UHF capable antennas.

From geographical area to geographical area this can, and will, change. That is why it is important when you set up to re-scan your off-the-air tv stations for the best possible reception for that area. Do not chance that they will be broadcast on the same frequencies as your last stop.

Cable channels can also change, so re-scan if you set up on cable.

The better the antenna, the better the reception. You should be happy that you have one of those hi-tech antenna's that rotate, even if it is by hand.

Here is another DTV Reception Map just put in your location.

Happy trails.

[gpearston]

Thanks for posting the link to the DTV availability - it helps to know what is out there. There are some stations I did not know existed in the area and now I have something to shoot for.

[wa8yxm]

I know the plan (FCC's plan) was to eliminate all VHF television and sell the spectrum to those wanting it.. Now there is a new plan that will give it to "First Responders" (Police, Fire, EMS) for broadband and steal ham radio bands for the commercial use.

Oh, The show I'm watching now broadcast on Channel 7, that's the FREQUENCY used by the old analog channel 7 in case you wonder.

[Ken-55]

Quote:

Originally Posted by gpearston Restrung cable to the antenna and all is good. Thanks to all for their felp

I really think that's what's wrong with mine . . . how difficult was that to do?

[greystroke]

Installed the Jack about a month ago. Haven't used it on the road yet.

My MH is under cover about 40 miles north of Tampa. My old Winegard did not recieve any signals while under the cover.

With the Jack I can get about 30 signals clear as a bell. I was shocked it picked up that many. So it was well worth the money.

[UFO Pilot]

I replaced my batwing with the Jack antenna in January. I am very happy the 4 or 5 times I have used it.

[gpearston]

The Jack is sounder better and better