SIBERNUT Posted October 31, 2016 Report Posted October 31, 2016 Don't use the antenna much, but nice to have it working. Seems mine took a dump, has anyone replaced theirs with the round type ? 2000 Volvo 635 A/S, N-14 Cummins"The Phoenix"'03 KA 38KSWB http://s918.photobucket.com/user/sibernut/library/?sort=6&page=1Furkids- Sibe's CH. Sedona & Tseika
k4rs Posted October 31, 2016 Report Posted October 31, 2016 We recently purchased a new rig that came with a round antenna that are currently in vogue. It works OK in strong signal areas, but does not perform nearly as well as the bat wing type antenna we had on the previous rig. Safe Travels... Roger, K4RS and Toni, K1TS Amateur Radio Operators - Motorcycle Riders (Harley Davidson Tri-Glide Ultra) Fulltime from 2003-2016 - Now longtime RVers On the road, living the dream... Ford F-250 Super Duty 7.3 liter diesel and Forest River XLR Toyhauler. Position report via amateur radio
Biker56 Posted October 31, 2016 Report Posted October 31, 2016 Seems mine took a dump In what way? You may only need a new head for it if it doesn't boost anymore. First you need to check the cable at the head if it is getting 12V or not. If not then a fuse is probably tripped If there is 12V in the cable. Then more likely a new head is needed. Less then $50 A new head is much cheaper then a new system. Plus the round type can't pick up stations far away as the Batwing. Get a new head with the Wingman. Full Time since Oct. 199999 Discovery 34Q DP | ISBDatastorm | VMSpc | Co-Pilot Live | Pressure Pro2014 MKS Twin Turbo V6 365 HP Toad
SIBERNUT Posted October 31, 2016 Author Report Posted October 31, 2016 Does it get 12V thru the coax? I only checked it for continuity or short between center & shield. 2000 Volvo 635 A/S, N-14 Cummins"The Phoenix"'03 KA 38KSWB http://s918.photobucket.com/user/sibernut/library/?sort=6&page=1Furkids- Sibe's CH. Sedona & Tseika
budeneighe Posted October 31, 2016 Report Posted October 31, 2016 Yes, it does. Installer may not have used a single unbroken line up to it, too. Mine had a bad connector in the line from the roof to the power/booster unit in the closet. Water had gotten down in there and corroded it so bad I could not separate the parts. replaced the whole line with a single piece of RG6. Took that time while I had it open to rejuvenate the crank mechanism, too. They have a refurb kit with new wear parts and water proof gaskets. RVBuddys Journal Our progress into full-timing.Budd & Merrily ===-> SKP# 088936 Other Websites:---> Hub of all my blogsClifford - 2000 VNL64T770 :: DakotR - 1999 C40KS King of the Road :: $PRITE - 2013 Smart Passion w/cruise
scouserl41 Posted October 31, 2016 Report Posted October 31, 2016 Yes, it does. Installer may not have used a single unbroken line up to it, too. Mine had a bad connector in the line from the roof to the power/booster unit in the closet. Water had gotten down in there and corroded it so bad I could not separate the parts. replaced the whole line with a single piece of RG6. Took that time while I had it open to rejuvenate the crank mechanism, too. They have a refurb kit with new wear parts and water proof gaskets. Where did you get the refurb kit? Mine at some point in the past has been filled with silicon due to a leak. I'd like to get it working again. BnB 2009 Monaco Cayman DP 38' bnbrv.blogspot.com/
Smitty77_7 Posted October 31, 2016 Report Posted October 31, 2016 We're very pleased with KISS of use, and performance, of this unit: http://www.winegard.com/rayzarauto Not inexpensive, but it seems to cover our OTA needs 95% + of the time. We have a new manual crank up and adjust Sensar too. I had that added to the roof because I wanted a crank up mast to also attach a WiFi Ranger Mobile Boost Antenna (Now I believe replaced by the Extreme? Or maybe some other name now:)!) to. http://www.winegard.com/sensar If maximum OTA coverage of all available stations is required, the Sensar will pull in more distant, weak, signals then the Rayzar Auto. I've used ours for OTA needs probably 4-5 times over the last year. A few of those times were to just test that it could pull in signals that the Rayzar could not. I only recall two times over the year, that we watched a station that only the Sensar could pull in. Best of luck to you, Smitty Be safe, have fun, Smitty 04 CC Allure "RooII" - Our "E" ride for life!
Bobi and Dick McKee Posted October 31, 2016 Report Posted October 31, 2016 Our new Mobile Suite came with the Winegard Rayzar. It sure is nice to push a button have it find the channels. Just FYI http://www.winegard.com/rayzarauto?gclid=CJnG54ishdACFQ52fgodOsYDfA
Pat & Pete Posted October 31, 2016 Report Posted October 31, 2016 We only have the OEM Sensar type antenna , but , I added a UHF loop . That combination gets us 30+ channels in our current location . Some of which are from 70 miles away . Goes around , comes around .
Biker56 Posted October 31, 2016 Report Posted October 31, 2016 Our new Mobile Suite came with the Winegard Rayzar. It sure is nice to push a button have it find the channels. Just FYI That Rayzar($399) may only work on stations up to around 35 miles away. A Batwing with a Wingman works better. When at my Sons I pull them in at 70 miles. I just push the button on my Trav'ler to find over 250 DTV channels including the Networks DNS. For my Batwing a Free app "TV Towers" show me the direction to point the Batwing if I want local's. Full Time since Oct. 199999 Discovery 34Q DP | ISBDatastorm | VMSpc | Co-Pilot Live | Pressure Pro2014 MKS Twin Turbo V6 365 HP Toad
Bobi and Dick McKee Posted October 31, 2016 Report Posted October 31, 2016 Biker 56, don't know about to 35 mile limit, but this summer we were probably 50 to 60 miles away from the nearest tower and the picture was crystal clear. JMHO
budeneighe Posted October 31, 2016 Report Posted October 31, 2016 Where did you get the refurb kit? Mine at some point in the past has been filled with silicon due to a leak. I'd like to get it working again. BnB I don't have the exact info any longer but these links should get you to some sources: https://www.google.com/webhp?sourceid=chrome-instant&ion=1&espv=2&ie=UTF-8#newwindow=1&q=batwing+rebuild+kit+winegard RVBuddys Journal Our progress into full-timing.Budd & Merrily ===-> SKP# 088936 Other Websites:---> Hub of all my blogsClifford - 2000 VNL64T770 :: DakotR - 1999 C40KS King of the Road :: $PRITE - 2013 Smart Passion w/cruise
scouserl41 Posted October 31, 2016 Report Posted October 31, 2016 Thanks BnB 2009 Monaco Cayman DP 38' bnbrv.blogspot.com/
billr Posted November 1, 2016 Report Posted November 1, 2016 Ron I just had to replace a crushed bat wing. Got it at a surplus place in MI by Elkhart IN. Was $90. Wouldn't go with the other types the signal is not even close from all the reports I see and hear. Saw on line for less too. Bill and Joan and 3 Collie pups 2001 Volvo VNL 770 "The Doghouse" Singled short, "ET" hItch VED12 465HP Gen 1 Autoshift 3.58 ratio 2005 Mobile Suite 38RL3 2011 Smart Passion loaded piggybacK Weigh-It Portable RV Scales http://www.weighitrv.com/
ncrowley Posted November 11, 2016 Report Posted November 11, 2016 I have the dome Sensor and I love it. I do not worry about accidentally leaving it up and it has done a good job with getting the local signals. I have not done a side by side comparison with other types, but it works for us. You just push a button and it finds the stations. We installed it ourselves.
Tom_M Posted December 13, 2016 Report Posted December 13, 2016 Here's an excellent article on antenna maintenance by Chris Bryant: http://rx4rv.com/tune-up-your-tv-antenna/. The Winegard Sensar series (AKA Batwing) is considered the best RV antenna. If you have an older Sensar, you can add the Wingman attachment which improves the UHF reception. The newest version Sensar IV has the Wingman built in. Tom—————————————————2005 Born Free 24' Rear Bath Towing 1978 VW Bug convertible Minneapolis, MN
TXiceman Posted December 13, 2016 Report Posted December 13, 2016 You cannot beat the old batwing style with the wingman addition. The Wineguard Sensar IV is the latest model. The round disc type are omnidirectional and perform equally bad in all directions. The $399 Wineguad does not do as well as the old batwing antenna, but it is automatic. Generally with any antenna you have two basic rules..more height and more metal. Ken Amateur radio operator, 2023 Cougar 22MLS, 2022 F150 Lariat 4x4 Off Road, Sport trim <br />Travel with 1 miniature schnauzer, 1 standard schnauzer and one African Gray parrot
Mark and Dale Bruss Posted December 13, 2016 Report Posted December 13, 2016 A lot of this depends if the stations are true VHF transmission or UHF with low numbers. After the digital transition in 2007, many former VHF stations still have their under 14 channel numbers but are transmitting in UHF. The Sensar works better for VHF has it has the longer elements off the head. If the stations are UHF, then the smaller antennas (Jack, dome) have the same sized elements as the Wingman on the Sensar and will receive the same. You are not going to receive UHF at 70 miles. Please click for Emails instead of PM Mark & DaleJoey - 2016 Bounder 33C Tige - 2006 40' Travel SupremeSparky III - 2021 Mustang Mach-e, off the the Road since 2019 Useful HDT Truck, Trailer, and Full-timing Info atwww.dmbruss.com
Pat & Pete Posted December 13, 2016 Report Posted December 13, 2016 " You are not going to receive UHF at 70 miles." Maybe not with that little Wingman ad-on , but ... We only have the OEM Sensar type antenna , but , I added a UHF loop . That combination gets us 30+ channels in our current location . Some of which are from 70 miles away . Just so you have something to do , we were on the west side of Paragould , Ar and the stations were watching were from Memphis , Tn . What is the distance between ? Goes around , comes around .
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