What is the best antenna?

micki49 · 10-09-2011, 04:53 PM

Need a little help

. No matter were I am at I can only get 4 stations on my TV and sometimes none at all. I don't know if I have an antenna problem or just have a bad antenna. I have a 2005 Monaco with a Winegard antenna.
which is better the crank up or the round all in one that is sealed in a black flat plastic dome. Not the satellite dome but the antenna.
Thank for the help.

Clifftall · 10-09-2011, 04:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by micki49

Need a little help

. No matter were I am at I can only get 4 stations on my TV and sometimes none at all. I don't know if I have an antenna problem or just have a bad antenna. I have a 2005 Monaco with a Winegard antenna.
which is better the crank up or the round all in one that is sealed in a black flat plastic dome. Not the satellite dome but the antenna.
Thank for the help.

Do you have a booster and are you using it?

jacmat · 10-09-2011, 04:57 PM

Did you replace your original TV with a HD tv or did you install a converter.

If not that's your problem.

stearn · 10-09-2011, 05:46 PM

I added the winegard wingman from Camping World around $30.00. It did get me more channels. I have a converter for the original Sony, and the new LCD in the bedroom works great with just the antenna. It matters what location, I find some places not so good!

TXiceman · 10-09-2011, 05:49 PM

Regular bat wing with the Wingman added is about as good as it gets. make sure the amplifier is on.

The digital signals are in the UHF band which has a shorter range than the old VHF signal. Also, with digital signals, you either have a signal to lock to or no signal. With the old analog, you could often get by on a weak signal and a weak picture.

If you really want to get a better signal, two things to get a better signal, higher antenna and larger antenna.

The round omnidirectional antennas are pretty much useless unless you are in a strong signal area.

Ken

micki49 · 10-09-2011, 05:49 PM

I installed a new TV in the bedroom and I have a converter for the one in the front until I install a new TV in the front. There is a booster on the box that runs TV1, TV2 and it is on. Do I need to go to the new Winegard add on that hooks to the bat wing to pull in the stations now that they have gone to digital.

njs42 · 10-09-2011, 06:05 PM

Do you use the TV menu and search for channels each time you set up?

MickBrennan · 10-09-2011, 06:08 PM

You are aware that the antenna is directional. Aim it correctly.

texnet · 10-09-2011, 06:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TXiceman

The round omnidirectional antennas are pretty much useless unless you are in a strong signal area.

My factory installed round antenna gets lots of signals. I have camped in some remote areas and have no complaints about the antenna.

TXiceman · 10-09-2011, 06:21 PM

The antenna is very direction with the digital signals. You do have to do a new search each time you move the antenna. You need to know the general direction to find the stations and do a search. No stations, move the antenna 45 degrees one way and do another search. Once you have some stations, look at the signal strength and tune the antenna to get the max signal strength. Now do another search.

I know this is a pain in the tush, but it works. You can also buy a meter to connect between the TV and antenna to help getting it closer to the off air stations.

My old trailer has a 22 year old Yagi type antenna and I generally can pull in more stations that fellow campers with the NEW antennas.

Ken

micki49 · 10-09-2011, 06:25 PM

Thanks guys for all the help. I will try all the above.
Thanks again.

lllkrob · 10-09-2011, 06:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TXiceman

The antenna is very direction with the digital signals. You do have to do a new search each time you move the antenna. You need to know the general direction to find the stations and do a search. No stations, move the antenna 45 degrees one way and do another search. Once you have some stations, look at the signal strength and tune the antenna to get the max signal strength. Now do another search.

I know this is a pain in the tush, but it works. You can also buy a meter to connect between the TV and antenna to help getting it closer to the off air stations.

My old trailer has a 22 year old Yagi type antenna and I generally can pull in more stations that fellow campers with the NEW antennas.

Ken

Or you can simplify things and go to: The Digital TV Transition: Reception Maps

put in your location zip code and get a list of available stations. Click on the station's call sign and it gives you the compass heading to point your antenna. Then do a search on your TV setup and that's it.