Antenna Hookup Info

[realjet]

I just purchased my first RV and have my first question (of many!). The picture shows a hook up for an antenna and what looks like a 12v receptacle. Also an on/off switch. What is the receptacle for? There is an antenna on the roof and also a hook up for cable/antenna in the rear of the unit on the outside. If I hook up a tv will it automatically be using the antenna on the roof?

[Dropthejacks]

Congrats on the new purchase, and welcome to the forums. You can always get some great info on here. That switch you are showing is the on/off switch for the antenna booster. When watching TV with the roof antenna, turn this on for improved reception. When watching CABLE TV, make sure the booster is off, or you will get a lot of interference on the cable channels. I'm assuming this is in the bedroom where there is an area for a 2nd TV to be mounted? That's the norm. The outside hookups are for you to hook up to the cable from the campground with coax cable or, if you choose to carry your own satellite dish, you hook up out there. Hope this helps, happy camping!!

[realjet]

Originally Posted by Dropthejacks

Congrats on the new purchase, and welcome to the forums. You can always get some great info on here. That switch you are showing is the on/off switch for the antenna booster. When watching TV with the roof antenna, turn this on for improved reception. When watching CABLE TV, make sure the booster is off, or you will get a lot of interference on the cable channels. I'm assuming this is in the bedroom where there is an area for a 2nd TV to be mounted? That's the norm. The outside hookups are for you to hook up to the cable from the campground with coax cable or, if you choose to carry your own satellite dish, you hook up out there. Hope this helps, happy camping!!

Thanks for the quick reply. I hooked it up, did a scan and even got some Tampa stations which I was surprised. I believe the antenna is what is called a "Batwing". Is it directional? I don't see a way to turn it.

[realjet]

Originally Posted by realjet

Thanks for the quick reply. I hooked it up, did a scan and even got some Tampa stations which I was surprised. I believe the antenna is what is called a "Batwing". Is it directional? I don't see a way to turn it.

Here's a pic of the antenna.

[Jim T.]

Yes, that’s a Winegard “Batwing”. I don’t see a add on called a “Wingman” in your picture. It’s for increasing FM signals on your Batwing which all TV channels are broadcast in since everything went digital several years ago. If your TV is “flat”, it’s digital. You can buy the Wingman add on for under $50.00, sometimes under $20.00 on eBay or Amazon.

[Jim T.]

There should be a “turning” knob inside your RV on the ceiling. The crank raises & lowers the antenna, the large knurled wheel rotates the antenna for best reception. Word of advice & caution: Never forget to put your antenna in “store position” & lower it! If you don’t, you’ll regret it.

[Dropthejacks]

Originally Posted by realjet

Thanks for the quick reply. I hooked it up, did a scan and even got some Tampa stations which I was surprised. I believe the antenna is what is called a "Batwing". Is it directional? I don't see a way to turn it.

If it's what I'm thinking, you have a crank to raise it?? If so, there should be a round "dial" handle under the crank. You pull down on the round dial and rotate it (which turns the antenna up top) for better coverage. But when you get ready to lower the antenna, you have to rotate it back to its original position to crank it down. There should be an arrow on the dial indicating which way the antenna is facing so you can turn it back to a correct position to lower it.

[realjet]

Originally Posted by Dropthejacks

If it's what I'm thinking, you have a crank to raise it?? If so, there should be a round "dial" handle under the crank. You pull down on the round dial and rotate it (which turns the antenna up top) for better coverage. But when you get ready to lower the antenna, you have to rotate it back to its original position to crank it down. There should be an arrow on the dial indicating which way the antenna is facing so you can turn it back to a correct position to lower it.

I pulled down on the dial but couldn't get it to turn. It's possible that whoever put the roof coating on may have sealed it. I'll have to get a closer look.

[Jim T.]

If it won’t turn or is hard to turn or hard to raise & lower, it may need a grease job. Might need to take it apart while you’re on the roof & inspect it for broken or worn parts & put some lithium grease on the gears & anything else that is supposed to move. Had someone do this for mine several years ago on a previous motorhome. It was amazing how easily it raised, lowered & rotated afterwards. If there are broken or worn parts, I think that replacements can be ordered from Winegard. You may wish to check on eBay for repair kits. Good luck & hope you get it fixed & working. The Batwing is one if the best & most reliable OTA antennas on the market for RVs.

[realjet]

Originally Posted by Jim T.

If it won’t turn or is hard to turn or hard to raise & lower, it may need a grease job. Might need to take it apart while you’re on the roof & inspect it for broken or worn parts & put some lithium grease on the gears & anything else that is supposed to move. Had someone do this for mine several years ago on a previous motorhome. It was amazing how easily it raised, lowered & rotated afterwards. If there are broken or worn parts, I think that replacements can be ordered from Winegard. You may wish to check on eBay for repair kits. Good luck & hope you get it fixed & working. The Batwing is one if the best & most reliable OTA antennas on the market for RVs.

Thanks, I'll have to check it out. I'm looking into putting it on a campground lot permanent in North Georgia in the mountains. I may have to put up a good outdoor antenna a large pole. If I do would I just hook up the antenna to the connection on the outside of the unit?

[Edd505]

The antenna has to be up to turn the circle to aim, move the crank handle to raise/lower.

There is another step, once hooked to cable or OTA (over the air) you will need to turn the booster on/off as posted above. Then go into the TV menu and in settings find the cable/OTA setting - set appropriately. Last step there will also be a channel scan in the menu - do the scan and enjoy.

[aether_one]

Originally Posted by Jim T.

Yes, that’s a Winegard “Batwing”. I don’t see a add on called a “Wingman” in your picture. It’s for increasing FM signals on your Batwing which all TV channels are broadcast in since everything went digital several years ago. If your TV is “flat”, it’s digital. You can buy the Wingman add on for under $50.00, sometimes under $20.00 on eBay or Amazon.

Nope, no "FM" TV signals.

TV signals are now digital instead of analog.

Just like in the old days TV stations broadcast in both the VHF and UHF spectrum. The "Wingman" add-on was pushed during the digital transition to help increase digital reception but it really just helped the UHF channels, and not very much. Most new RVs receive all the VHF and UHF channels fine with the stock antenna.

[lynnmor]

Originally Posted by tfryman

Nope, no "FM" TV signals.

TV signals are now digital instead of analog.

Just like in the old days TV stations broadcast in both the VHF and UHF spectrum. The "Wingman" add-on was pushed during the digital transition to help increase digital reception but it really just helped the UHF channels, and not very much. Most new RVs receive all the VHF and UHF channels fine with the stock antenna.

Most stations now broadcast in the UHF range, the Wingman will provide more gain in that range, it is a useful device.

[Jim T.]

Originally Posted by tfryman

Nope, no "FM" TV signals.



TV signals are now digital instead of analog.



Just like in the old days TV stations broadcast in both the VHF and UHF spectrum. The "Wingman" add-on was pushed during the digital transition to help increase digital reception but it really just helped the UHF channels, and not very much. Most new RVs receive all the VHF and UHF channels fine with the stock antenna.

Typed FM instead of UHF. Knew better! Sorry ‘bout that!