Community Forums

**CountryFit** · 02-03-2014, 11:56 AM

Bought this Jack antenna and about doing the installation. Considering it's standing out in the air easily being slashed out by tree branches, I am inviting your comments/wisdom in hope of finding a way to protect it. Thanks.

**TonyDi** · 02-03-2014, 12:30 PM

I would just mount it next to something that is higher then the antenna, like an A/C or Dome antenna if so equipted.

Triker56 · 02-03-2014, 12:31 PM

Trade it for a Bat Wing that hugs the roof when traveling.

**CountryFit** · 02-03-2014, 02:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TonyDi

I would just mount it next to something that is higher then the antenna, like an A/C or Dome antenna if so equipted.

Good idea but the place is far away from both - right above bed room roof where the batwing was used to be

from another angle, close to anything higher than the antenna could create a potential blocking to the signal in the direction to towers. Isn't it?

**CountryFit** · 02-03-2014, 02:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Triker56

Trade it for a Bat Wing that hugs the roof when traveling.

actually I did a stupid thing - half a year ago when I redid roof, I thought the batwing was obsolete so I took it out and put it into trash bin. had I known a lot of people are happily using it, I would have taken a different route

Doggy Daddy · 02-03-2014, 02:11 PM

You avoid low bridges and tunnels. Avoid low hanging trees too. Besides damaging vents and antennas, tree branches can damage rubber roofs and paint finishes.
If there is damage from trees, file a claim with the responsible party, i.e. County Dept of Public Works, City, or Campground. If they refuse to pay, there is Small Claims Court.
I also cary a tree lopper and cordless sawsall for when I enter campgrounds to do trimming.

**CountryFit** · 02-03-2014, 02:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Doggy Daddy

You avoid low bridges and tunnels. Avoid low hanging trees too. Besides damaging vents and antennas, tree branches can damage rubber roofs and paint finishes.
If there is damage from trees, file a claim with the responsible party, i.e. County Dept of Public Works, City, or Campground.

Definitely I will avoid those hazard low stuffs (to RV). Not sure claiming will work

bruceisla · 02-03-2014, 02:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CountryFit

Definitely I will avoid those hazard low stuffs (to RV). Not sure claiming will work

Here's what I've done so far:

1) The Jack is in the same location as the old batwing. That location is on the rear driver's side between the gutter and the bedroom A/C. If your JACK is front mounted, you probably have a similar situation except for a sat. dome.

2) On my departure checklist I have a notion to rotate it so the "pointy end" is facing the gutter ... I have decided this is the best position to allow branches to be pushed aside when entering/exiting a campsite.

3) so far, so good !!. It's not optimal for wind resistance but ... really ...

4) if I ever discovered it was a real problem I'd probably mount an arc'ed deflector like they use when moving a house down the road (basically, a curved piece of PVC anchored on the ends to form an arc over the highest object on the roof).

5) of course, the "discovery" (above)

would probably result in a new JACK purchase

BTW, in normal receiving mode, the pointy end is facing AWAY from the transmitter.

bruceisla · 02-03-2014, 02:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Triker56

Trade it for a Bat Wing that hugs the roof when traveling.

Not so much when you forget to retract it

bruceisla · 02-03-2014, 02:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CountryFit

Good idea but the place is far away from both - right above bed room roof where the batwing was used to be

from another angle, close to anything higher than the antenna could create a potential blocking to the signal in the direction to towers. Isn't it?

I found this to be a non-issue ... a slight relocation of the RV has always unblocked the antenna ... doesn't take much.

mel s · 02-03-2014, 03:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CountryFit

actually I did a stupid thing - half a year ago when I redid roof, I thought the batwing was obsolete so I took it out and put it into trash bin. had I known a lot of people are happily using it, I would have taken a different route

CountryFit
To bad!
But, if you're anything like me, that isn't the first mistake you ever made, (nor will it be the last).

Many coach owners mount a Jack antenna head, (like this: King Controls JACK Antenna Off-Air Digital HDTV Replacement - $38.. ), onto the existing Winegard "crank up, rotating" hardware, (more height usually equals better reception).
They save $70, use the existing antenna amp and can rotate/aim the Jack antenna without moving the coach.

BTW, I added a Wingman: Winegard GS-WING Wingman Sensar TV Antenna Upgrade (GS-WING) from Solid Signal , to the batwing and replaced the amp with one of these: SensarPro TV Signal Strength Meter

Mel
'96 Safari

**CountryFit** · 02-03-2014, 05:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bruceisla

Here's what I've done so far:

1) The Jack is in the same location as the old batwing. That location is on the rear driver's side between the gutter and the bedroom A/C. If your JACK is front mounted, you probably have a similar situation except for a sat. dome.

2) On my departure checklist I have a notion to rotate it so the "pointy end" is facing the gutter ... I have decided this is the best position to allow branches to be pushed aside when entering/exiting a campsite.

3) so far, so good !!. It's not optimal for wind resistance but ... really ...

4) if I ever discovered it was a real problem I'd probably mount an arc'ed deflector like they use when moving a house down the road (basically, a curved piece of PVC anchored on the ends to form an arc over the highest object on the roof).

5) of course, the "discovery" (above)

would probably result in a new JACK purchase

BTW, in normal receiving mode, the pointy end is facing AWAY from the transmitter.

All good points, Bruce. I appreciate it. Mine is at passenger side at 10 o'clock on a bird eye facing front, about 2 feet apart. Hopefully tree branches will not knock mine down

**CountryFit** · 02-03-2014, 05:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mel stuplich

CountryFit
To bad!
But, if you're anything like me, that isn't the first mistake you ever made, (nor will it be the last).

Many coach owners mount a Jack antenna head, (like this: King Controls JACK Antenna Off-Air Digital HDTV Replacement - $38.. ), onto the existing Winegard "crank up, rotating" hardware, (more height usually equals better reception).
They save $70, use the existing antenna amp and can rotate/aim the Jack antenna without moving the coach.

BTW, I added a Wingman: Winegard GS-WING Wingman Sensar TV Antenna Upgrade (GS-WING) from Solid Signal , to the batwing and replaced the amp with one of these: SensarPro TV Signal Strength Meter

Mel
'96 Safari

I talked to winegard the other day. the tech explained to me the nice things about the sensar4. he confirmed the distance ratings for sensar and jack are the same, 65 miles. if I had the batwing, getting a sensar4 would have been a natural decision... unfortunately it's gone. btw, I grabbed this jack from an rv shop for $60, brand new. the white piece in the photo is the built-in signal finder... not too bad.

mel s · 02-04-2014, 09:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CountryFit

if I had the batwing, getting a sensar4 would have been a natural decision...

CountryFit
I may be wrong, but IMO the Sensar IV is nothing more than an original batwing with a Wingman added.

I know that some have found the King Controls Jack antenna to be better than both the batwing and the Sensar IV.

BTW, I've added a Wingman to my 18 year old batwing, but I can't see any significant improvement of the already satisfactory TV reception.

Mel
'96 Safari