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Over the Air Antenna

Yahoo Message Number: 101598
I'm looking for suggestions on a new digital tv antenna. We installed new TVs and wanted a new antenna but where the current Omni directional antenna is located a new antenna would not work because it's above the driver's side slide. They would have to cut a new hole in the roof and relocate the antenna. I was thinking of building one and mounting it on a movable pole from the ladder and just run the cable back there. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

John

Allure #31242

Re: Over the Air Antenna

Reply #1 –
Yahoo Message Number: 101604
Beware of so called "digital" antennas.  For the most part, they are a gimmick.  Any antenna will pick up a digital signal, granted some better than others.  If you find something you really want to try, buy it, hook it up and try it before you permanently install it.  If you don't get a better signal, box it up and take it back.  I have a standard omnidirectional on my roof, not sure the brand, but it works just fine.  The absolute best antenna, (not suitable for RV's), is one of the big aluminum antennas like we used in the 1970's.

I just took a quick browse through omni RV antennas.  Mine looks like a Winegard RS-3000, though I didn't climb on the roof to make sure.  (Just trying to help without being misleading; feeling lazy today)

Good luck,

Britt

2004 Intrigue 11836

www.cojobluegrass.com

Re: Over the Air Antenna

Reply #2 –
Yahoo Message Number: 101606
The RS-300 is what I install as the standard antenna. IT works as well as  any I have found and it is easy and omni directional. I have tried against the  Rayzor and it gets as many stations.

Mikee

Mikee

Re: Over the Air Antenna

Reply #4 –
Yahoo Message Number: 101613
John, it sounds like you are considering replacing your omnidirectional antenna with a directional one that requires cutting all the way through the roof into the interior of the coach for the crank. Winegard has a new directional antenna called the Rayzar Automatic that is directional, but the rotating antenna is enclosed in the case that takes little more room than your old omnidirectional, and does not require cutting through the roof. I just installed one and you can see it in the photos section.

I just wrote an article about the Rayzar for the July issue of Country Coach International eNewsletter. You can read the details there when published, but my research was pretty conclusive that a directional antenna has less noise and a longer range than an omnidirectional. I also interviewed Winegard's product manager for over-the-air TV antennas. I quizzed him about the performance of the directional Rayzar vs. the Roadstar omnidirectional. He was hesitant to give me a range for each because range is so affected by terrain, buildings, and atmospheric conditions. However he gave me an estimate for the Rayzar @ 45-50 miles, and 25-30 miles for the Roadstar.

I did test the Rayzar and received two stations in two different directions that were about 63-64 miles apart. This is near the 70 mile geographic limit of the curvature of the earth. I also demonstrated that some stations in different directions would only come in if I rotated the antenna, thus demonstrating the directional capabilities of the Rayzar.

George Harper
04 Allure 31093
Rome, GA

Re: Over the Air Antenna

Reply #5 –
Yahoo Message Number: 101616
I too am a fan of the Rayzar Automatic. It's a simple to use, and while I did not do as extensive of testing as George, I will confirm that by following the directional lights on the Rayzar Automatic control unit, you can fine tune the 'direction' of the antenna to pull in a better signal for the channels that are not in solid alignment with where the Automatic logics stops/points the antenna. (Say their are 15 channels available, the Automatic has logic to stop/point the antenna in a direction that will allow the best connections to the most channels. It will also then provide 'pointer lights' on channel locations that are not supported as well by the direction that the antenna stopped/pointed too. (It only knows the numbers, it's logic does not know which station/channel you want to watch:)!). So it's and easy adjustment to play with repointing the Rayzar towards those other channels/stations to see if they're what you may want to watch.)

We installed a new mostly redundant crank up Winegard Sensar IV at the same time. I did this as I wanted a mast to raise up, and then put down in the horizontal position for driving, that I could attach my WiFiRagners Ubiquiti(SP?_ booster to. We're swapping out the stubby 3 dBi antenna, with the XT mast antenna from WiFiRanger. Wanted to get it up off of the roof a bit more, and yet still allow it to store safely down for traveling.) I had the antennas set up as A/B, with the Rayzar Automatic on the bulk of the time. (Have only raised the crank one time so far, to validate all was working well on the "B" antenna. Have not had the time to get up and rewire the Ubiquiti Booster yet, a future project!)

The Rayzar Automatic are not cheap, but I suspect we will be supported well by it 95% + of the time. And, as George mentioned, it does fit in the same foot print as the existing omni antenna...

Looking forward to reading George's write up!! Have enjoyed his pictures, on his clean install...

Best to you all,

Smitty

04 Allure 31017
04 Allure Sold to a nice new owner! Now enjoying a 07 Magna Rembrandt 45' ISX600 #6775
"We're ONDROAD for THEJRNY!" (Toad and Coach license plates, say Hi if you see us!)

Re: Over the Air Antenna

Reply #6 –
Yahoo Message Number: 102335
Located 1/2 way between Ft Myers & Tampa, I need an air antenna that will pull in signals 60 miles away. Please give me advice.
D Jean

CC Tribute 81072

Re: Over the Air Antenna

Reply #8 –
Yahoo Message Number: 102339
Winegard antennas are good don't for get the amplifier, really in FL it's pretty easy to pick up channels in HD.

Alex Ritchey

2000 affinity 42' tag B&B


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Re: Over the Air Antenna

Reply #9 –
Yahoo Message Number: 102340
Winegard is the last of the old  time Antennae manufacturers left, so that's where I would go first.  TWI 2004 Intrigue 11731
 

Re: Over the Air Antenna

Reply #10 –
Yahoo Message Number: 102347
I installed the King antenna on our coach this summer. Very happy with its performance. We were picking up Milwaukee channels while attending the FMCA rally in Madison-roughly 75 miles distance.

Steve Harrison