Community Forums

wildtoad · 05-14-2025, 12:13 PM

So I have a 2025 BTCruiser which came with a Wingard Air 360 which is just moderately useful on a good day and within earshot of the transmitter(s). I only have one TV connection in the mh, and a cable connection to attach to park cable when available.

Is it possible to use the cable in coax connection to feed an external pole mounted antenna to the Winegard power supply and have it work? Would I leave the power button on, would it boost the signal as it does the normal Antenna in?

Just looking at options. Of course I could just try it, but thought someone would have insight. Thanks

MFL · 05-14-2025, 01:09 PM

Hey Tom; think I've got some insight to share!

My FW came with an Omni antenna, that works great when signal towers are close. I also have an external cable-in, and satellite-in, near my rear mounted ladder.

I purchased a King Jack antenna for a pole mount, that I attach to a section of my Winter snow removal roof rake. I bungee this setup to my mounted ladder, with antenna 3-4 feet above the roof line. This works great, easy setup, pulls lots of channels, when the Omni is a failure.

I can fasten coax to exterior cable hookup, and use the supplied King Jack power injector, that sends 12v to the amplified head. A red light shows on head to tell you the power is on.

You can use whatever pole you have, but my roof rake has three 8' aluminum sections, and I just use the one with rubber handle, which stores easily in the FW basement.

Melungeon · 05-14-2025, 02:44 PM

I've done a lot of research and purchasing for a new antenna system for my fifth wheel. I can't give you any results yet because the components are just arriving and still packed in their boxes. The antenna I chose was a Televes DiNova, it's about the size of the King Jack and similar shape and is directional. It came with the power supply/amplifier and has outputs for 2 TVs. The amp has 4G and 5G filters and smart amplification; will only amplify lower strength signals as much as needed. It also has a U-bolt pole mount with wing nuts for quick installation. I've read or seen several independent tests and it has at least a 60 mile range in favorable terrain. it also has a couple of telescoping elements that are supposed to work well on low band VHF channels. These are channels broadcasting on channels 2-6. It's not really marketed as an RV antenna, but the size and weight make it usable.

The Winegard power supply likely won't work with this, in fact the Winegard boosters won't even work with some of the other antennas in their own line. If it's left off, it's basically just a pass through.

A directional antenna will always outperform an omni as far as range, you just have to take a little time to aim them. There are several websites and phone apps to assist the aiming. Even in flat terrain, a directional antenna will be effected by the curvature of the earth between 70-80 miles; don't believe the ones on Amazon rated for 500 miles.

Another thing you might check is the coax terminations. I don't know about your coach, but on mine (Keystone Montana) they used the twist on terminals and apparently the least skilled people they had in the factory. If you have a little slack on the cables, get a coax stripper and compression crimper (not expensive) and do them right.

I just ordered a Flagpole Buddy system for a portable satellite dish. My goal is to mount the Televes slightly lower than the dish on the same pole. This will require some geometry since the antenna is directional, and the dish is somewhat directional. I'll take some pics and post once I'm done with this project.

If you're curious about the Televes, look up Antenna Man on Youtube, I've also bought one of his TV antenna signal meters that I plan to incorporate in my scheme.

Jzack · 05-14-2025, 03:12 PM

The old school Winegard Sensar IV (batwing) antennas with a wingman attachment for UHF are still considered the best RV antennae by many. They are directional and they may also work with your existing 12v power. It's worth a look.

Last year we picked up a station 107 miles away with our batwing! Ok, we were on a hill and the transmitter was across the water but still impressive I think.

wildtoad · 05-14-2025, 05:10 PM

Thanks to all. Yeah I wish my MH had come with the Sensor IV, have had plenty of them in previous units. Also tried King, Winegard self searching one, and a few more.

I have a Flagpole Buddy (with a flag on it) and could do double duty once I figure out what I want to do.

Toby Dog · 05-15-2025, 05:35 AM

The best reception we ever had was a $37 Wal*Mart antenna sitting in a $10 camp chair.
We used it the first year we retired (2016) on the way to FL, used a phone app to point it, and ran the coax thru a window.
Oh for simpler times compared to now.

GypsyR · 05-15-2025, 11:40 AM

Don't overlook the TV. We have a really outdated 13" LG TV in the bedroom and a very much newer TCL 32" smart TV up front. Both on the same antenna/cable the LG will pick up 30-40 stations where the TCL can only get six or so. The sole reason is the old LG has a great tuner where the TCL got the cheapest one they could find. (Apparently) We have a bigger 4K TCL at the house which doesn't do much better. I have a HiSense which falls somewhere in between on picking up channels.

Years ago when they switched to digital TV I bought one of those converter tuners for our then older TV. Turns out that box still works and has a pretty good tuner in it. So I use it as a bandaid fix for the TCL in the RV.

I wouldn't mind buying another TV but on all the review sites I've seen not a single one that measures the TV's ability to pull in stations.

Just sayin. Be a shame to kill yourself over antennas when it's really the TV's fault. Something to look at.

wildtoad · 05-15-2025, 01:30 PM

"Just sayin. Be a shame to kill yourself over antennas when it's really the TV's fault. Something to look at."

Years ago I was amazed at how two TV's attached to the same antenna pulled in differing numbers of "watchable" channels. Just because the TV says you have 35 channels, doesn't mean you can watch even one of them.

OTA TV has always been a daily crap shoot which is why cable was invented in the first place.

Eman85 · 05-15-2025, 01:56 PM

Back to original question, I'd think in the wiring there is a splitter. That said I'd say the external antenna you would connect to your cable connector would not be going through the signal booster. It would give you the ability to rotate the external antenna but you would have to scan each time after rotating. There's a web site for cord cutting that would allow you to put in your location and with a compass show you where to point the antenna for best results.

Tom_M · 05-15-2025, 04:57 PM

The Winegard Sensar iV is considered the best RV antenna. One factor is the wide arms which are for the VHF band. The smaller elements that stick out the front are for UHF. Other antennas such as the King Jack are tuned mainly for UHF. VHF reception is important because about 25% of US TV stations are broadcasting on the VHF band. Most RV antennas have an amplifier inside the antenna and power is sent up the coax cable. This is accomplished with a power injector which often is incorporated in the wall plate near your TV.

wildtoad · 05-15-2025, 05:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tom_M

Most RV antennas have an amplifier inside the antenna and power is sent up the coax cable. This is accomplished with a power injector which often is incorporated in the wall plate near your TV.

Exactly, thus the genesis of my original question. I know if the power is on and you try to watch cable it doesn't work. Is that because the power disrupts the cable signal? But If I attach an amplified antenna to the cable connection, leave the power on, should it work?

Being as there is only one connection for TV I suspect there isn't a splitter.

PS89 · 05-15-2025, 05:18 PM

Quote:

Is that because the power disrupts the cable signal?

No. It's because that switch serves dual purposes. It both serves as an A-B coax signal switch as well as sending 12 volts up the coax when in the OTA position.

If you want to use an amplified antenna via the outside CABLE port, you will have to install and power the amplifier's power injector in line between the coax splitter and the antenna.

wildtoad · 05-15-2025, 05:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PS89

No. It's because that switch serves dual purposes. It both serves as an A-B coax signal switch as well as sending 12 volts up the coax when in the OTA position.

If you want to use an amplified antenna via the outside CABLE port, you will have to install and power the amplifier's power injector in line between the coax splitter and the antenna.

Well OK..

jacwjames · 05-15-2025, 06:14 PM

When my rig is parked in my garage the roof antenna does not pick up as many channels.

So I mounted an antenna on the garage and wired it through an amplifier and then hook up the cable to connector in the basement where you can hook a TV up to watch outside.

It carries the signal fine, I get +50 channels.