Community Forums

quattroluvr · 01-28-2018, 10:05 PM

OP: I did try the non-amp'ed LEAF flat antenna positioned on a wall inside the RV. Signal strength was indeed 5-10% higher than the amplified flat Winegard (Tivo's signal meter testing x 5 OTA channels), since we are so close at home to the transmission towers. Still, the signal strength is only adequate not great, topping out at 62%. I think we can get by with 60% till the remodel is done. When we're out traveling, we're usually much more distant from transmission towers, so a good amp'ed directional antenna to replace the OEM rooftop antenna may be in order. BTW - our household is a cord-cut home, so we only have Comcast internet, no cable TV.

Winegard - thanks for being a good commercial contributor to IRV2 - does incent me to buy Winegard.

A weirdness. I plugged in the ORV's original rooftop antenna and the best signal was a pixellated 32%, with the little push-button ceiling switch to choose ant vs cable and there was no difference on/off! Makes me think the original ORV-installed antenna is dead, (I've tried a few RG6 cables from the ceiling outlet to eliminate that factor.) Time for a new antenna for the rooftop, but that's a whole 'nother complex topic.

nothermark · 01-29-2018, 01:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by R.B

I have an ORV trailer too, and it wouldn't surprise me if the issue was caused by the mess in the wall. They use pretty low-grade, mostly unshielded coax, and they run it all along both high and low voltage electrical. That has the potential to create a ton of interference.

By definition coax is shielded. The outer conductor is ground. That said, I have seen some pretty loose braid indicating poor shielding.

YC1 · 01-29-2018, 03:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by quattroluvr

OP: I did try the non-amp'ed LEAF flat antenna positioned on a wall inside the RV. Signal strength was indeed 5-10% higher than the amplified flat Winegard (Tivo's signal meter testing x 5 OTA channels), since we are so close at home to the transmission towers. Still, the signal strength is only adequate not great, topping out at 62%. I think we can get by with 60% till the remodel is done. When we're out traveling, we're usually much more distant from transmission towers, so a good amp'ed directional antenna to replace the OEM rooftop antenna may be in order. BTW - our household is a cord-cut home, so we only have Comcast internet, no cable TV.

Winegard - thanks for being a good commercial contributor to IRV2 - does incent me to buy Winegard.

A weirdness. I plugged in the ORV's original rooftop antenna and the best signal was a pixellated 32%, with the little push-button ceiling switch to choose ant vs cable and there was no difference on/off! Makes me think the original ORV-installed antenna is dead, (I've tried a few RG6 cables from the ceiling outlet to eliminate that factor.) Time for a new antenna for the rooftop, but that's a whole 'nother complex topic.

With no difference when you push the button you may have lost the 12 volts it sends to the antenna. You can measure from the center pin to the outside of the connector at the antenna.

Many of those push button devices have a small led to indicate when they are turned on.

When you used the antenna from the house did you use any of the existing coax in the rv?

It is possible you have more than one issue. Not uncommon at all to have a couple of connectors loose.

bruceisla · 01-29-2018, 03:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by quattroluvr

OP: I did try the non-amp'ed LEAF flat antenna positioned on a wall inside the RV. Signal strength was indeed 5-10% higher than the amplified flat Winegard (Tivo's signal meter testing x 5 OTA channels), since we are so close at home to the transmission towers. Still, the signal strength is only adequate not great, topping out at 62%. I think we can get by with 60% till the remodel is done. When we're out traveling, we're usually much more distant from transmission towers, so a good amp'ed directional antenna to replace the OEM rooftop antenna may be in order. BTW - our household is a cord-cut home, so we only have Comcast internet, no cable TV.

Winegard - thanks for being a good commercial contributor to IRV2 - does incent me to buy Winegard.

A weirdness. I plugged in the ORV's original rooftop antenna and the best signal was a pixellated 32%, with the little push-button ceiling switch to choose ant vs cable and there was no difference on/off! Makes me think the original ORV-installed antenna is dead, (I've tried a few RG6 cables from the ceiling outlet to eliminate that factor.) Time for a new antenna for the rooftop, but that's a whole 'nother complex topic.

Typically, the pushbbutton selector is an A/B switch with a 12vdc injector on the rooftop cable. The switch (when in the Cable position) should disconnect the rooftop antenna effectively leaving you with nothing but a disconnected coax to the Cable connection (and little if any signal). When in the Ant position the Cable should disconnect and the Ant cable will be connected and have 12vdc supplied to the rooftop Ant/amplifier. Your symptom sounds a lot like no signal between the Cable/Ant switch and the TV.

F4Gary · 01-29-2018, 10:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by quattroluvr

A weirdness. I plugged in the ORV's original rooftop antenna and the best signal was a pixellated 32%, with the little push-button ceiling switch to choose ant vs cable and there was no difference on/off! Makes me think the original ORV-installed antenna is dead, (I've tried a few RG6 cables from the ceiling outlet to eliminate that factor.) Time for a new antenna for the rooftop, but that's a whole 'nother complex topic.

I had this problem with my rooftop, and I found and inline automotive blade type 3 or 5 amp fuse in the line to the switch box (BOMB) was blown. Replaced it and got a ton of channels. Antenna signal was not getting amplified.

quattroluvr · 01-29-2018, 04:12 PM

OP: Thanks again for all the suggestions. A blown inline fuse in the line between the ant/cable switch and the rooftop ant would account for the symptoms. BUT there's no inline fuse; there is a small 1.5"x2" circuit board on the back side of the ant/cable outlet/switch in the ceiling. Perhaps that board is bad, though there is 12V output on the coax to the roof ant.

Used proven coax when I tried the known good LEAF ant from the house.