Dad's Toy

[PeterH-350LE]

Originally Posted by dadstoy

TV antenna or not?

I'm trying to decide if I want to keep the old tv antenna on the roof or not. I've read some posts that say the old antenna pick up digital broadcasts just fine. I'm wondering if this is really the case? I'm wondering if others are keeping their old antennas or taking them off?

On my old 79, I left the Antenna on, it was totally useless but looked so retro
Haven't even started to figure out the Antenna/Satellite system on the 345, so its there to stay for now.

[dadstoy]

Originally Posted by PeterH-87MH

On my old 79, I left the Antenna on, it was totally useless but looked so retro
Haven't even started to figure out the Antenna/Satellite system on the 345, so its there to stay for now.

I kind of like that retro look too, but maybe it's time for it to go. I also have a satellite dish on the rear. My dad actually used it. I double that I ever will.

[Waipio Rim]

I took ours off recently. It would not come all the way down after I put a Maxxair cover on the front vent, and we can pretty much get all the entertainment and news we want via our Ipad.

[dadstoy]

Originally Posted by Waipio Rim

I took ours off recently. It would not come all the way down after I put a Maxxair cover on the front vent, and we can pretty much get all the entertainment and news we want via our Ipad.

Hi Waipo Rim. What was involved in removing the antenna? Was it easy or difficult? How did you cover the hole? Any advice/pics would be great! Thanks!

[Waipio Rim]

Originally Posted by dadstoy

Hi Waipo Rim. What was involved in removing the antenna? Was it easy or difficult? How did you cover the hole? Any advice/pics would be great! Thanks!

As I recall it just involved about fifteen minutes of fumbling around up on the roof. I may have had to take a drill up there with me to expedite the process, but I was not trying to salvage anything and it came off pretty quick. I just cut the cable and left a couple of inches sticking up from the roof, and left the mounting plate that is attached to the crank on the ceiling in place. That is probably how I will leave it, not the cleanest or most complete job but I would rather not open a hole in the ceiling if I don't have to and you can't see any of the remnants from ground level outside. No photos, the 310 is parked at our daughter's in Delaware until we get back there in a few months to see if it is willing to continue its journey around the country.

[Keyair]

My original antenna is/was missing.
This is what is left on the roof... and inside, the crank handle is still there...



Whilst I am planning a centralized TV/DVD system and adding a Hard drive/Computer input as well, I decided to replace the antenna.
I saw the Winegard Sensar IV DTV/HDTV Antenna on sale last year and snapped one up for future use.

Winegard Sensar IV DTV/HDTV Antenna - Winegard RVW-395 - Over-the-Air Antennas - Camping World

Description..
America’s most popular RV TV antenna just got even better!
Winegard has taken the powerfully performing Sensar III antenna and integrated it with the UHF enhanced Wingman antenna for the ultimate in over-the-air TV viewing! Optimized for the new DTV spectrum, this amplified antenna receives all available VHF/UHF channels so you can enjoy watching all your favorite local programs while parked. Raise, lower and rotate the antenna with hand crank from inside your RV. It’s easy to install and lowers to only 4” inches above the roof while traveling. Includes amplified antenna and lift assembly, 12-volt white power supply with on/off switch, white interior control parts and 20’ of 75 ohm coax cable.

Only time will tell if it will be a waste of money!

[dadstoy]

Originally Posted by Waipio Rim

As I recall it just involved about fifteen minutes of fumbling around up on the roof. I may have had to take a drill up there with me to expedite the process, but I was not trying to salvage anything and it came off pretty quick. I just cut the cable and left a couple of inches sticking up from the roof, and left the mounting plate that is attached to the crank on the ceiling in place. That is probably how I will leave it, not the cleanest or most complete job but I would rather not open a hole in the ceiling if I don't have to and you can't see any of the remnants from ground level outside. No photos, the 310 is parked at our daughter's in Delaware until we get back there in a few months to see if it is willing to continue its journey around the country.

Thanks!

[dadstoy]

Originally Posted by Keyair

My original antenna is/was missing.
This is what is left on the roof... and inside, the crank handle is still there...

Whilst I am planning a centralized TV/DVD system and adding a Hard drive/Computer input as well, I decided to replace the antenna.
I saw the Winegard Sensar IV DTV/HDTV Antenna on sale last year and snapped one up for future use.

Winegard Sensar IV DTV/HDTV Antenna - Winegard RVW-395 - Over-the-Air Antennas - Camping World

Description..
America’s most popular RV TV antenna just got even better!
Winegard has taken the powerfully performing Sensar III antenna and integrated it with the UHF enhanced Wingman antenna for the ultimate in over-the-air TV viewing! Optimized for the new DTV spectrum, this amplified antenna receives all available VHF/UHF channels so you can enjoy watching all your favorite local programs while parked. Raise, lower and rotate the antenna with hand crank from inside your RV. It’s easy to install and lowers to only 4” inches above the roof while traveling. Includes amplified antenna and lift assembly, 12-volt white power supply with on/off switch, white interior control parts and 20’ of 75 ohm coax cable.

Only time will tell if it will be a waste of money!

I would eventually like to install a new Winegard as well, the electric one though! The old one is electric so I won't have an old crack handle to deal with.

[gloran]

I was having trouble with with my old wineguard and replaced it with the Sensar IV DTV/HDTV antenna. It works great, can't believe how many local stations it brings in, and clear too. I did find out after purchasing of new antenna, the problem why the older one never had any good reception was the coax cable had disconnected under the antenna base on the roof, the cable had fallen back inside the ceiling. That was a fun retrieval through a one inch hole, but with a new end connector everything worked fine. Mine is the crankup style.

[dadstoy]

Originally Posted by gloran

I was having trouble with with my old wineguard and replaced it with the Sensar IV DTV/HDTV antenna. It works great, can't believe how many local stations it brings in, and clear too. I did find out after purchasing of new antenna, the problem why the older one never had any good reception was the coax cable had disconnected under the antenna base on the roof, the cable had fallen back inside the ceiling. That was a fun retrieval through a one inch hole, but with a new end connector everything worked fine. Mine is the crankup style.

That's a bummer about the cable.

[dadstoy]

I'm making some shade structures for the MH and my flat trailer for Burning Man. I'm planning on using 3/4" x 10' PVC pipe and sun shade fabric. The ground ends will slide over 2' rebar driven into the ground.

[elbundi]

Originally Posted by dadstoy

I'm making some shade structures for the MH and my flat trailer for Burning Man. I'm planning on using 3/4" x 10' PVC pipe and sun shade fabric. The ground ends will slide over 2' rebar driven into the ground.

Don't forget, lots of pictures from Burning Man. I have a dream someday to make the 5,124 mile round trip. Not this year though.

With it being the end of the world for Mayans, there maybe a lot of end of world stories going around.

We look forward to Dad's Toy's story

[Keyair]

To Burning Man..... And Beyond!

[dadstoy]

Yes, I must engage in as much debauchery as possible before the world ends on December 21.

[Keyair]

Originally Posted by dadstoy

Yes, I must engage in as much debauchery as possible before the world ends on December 21.

Agreed... I will start now!

[crazeevw]

Originally Posted by dadstoy

Yes, I must engage in as much debauchery as possible before the world ends on December 21.

I'm with Elbundi, love to go to Burning Man. Think we could convince Myrtlelynn to go as well, and we could have a Airstream Classic motorhome section???
Can always dream......
Maybe I'll go into work today and write my name on the OT list.......NOT! lol

[dadstoy]

Originally Posted by crazeevw

I'm with Elbundi, love to go to Burning Man. Think we could convince Myrtlelynn to go as well, and we could have a Airstream Classic motorhome section???
Can always dream......
Maybe I'll go into work today and write my name on the OT list.......NOT! lol

I'm sure you can still get tickets on the "gray market". It would be fun to see you there!

[dadstoy]

I'm at the ranch going through my punch list in preparation for Burning Man next week. It seems like all of northern California is on fire. The smell of smoke is heavy this evening. The smoke clouds have come down from the north and a huge plume of smoke rises above Lassen Volcanic National Park to the east.

[Jenniflow]

I took my 345 to Burning Man in 2003 and it was truly amazing. However it took me and my sister 5 days to get MOST of the fine dust out of the coach. At the time I vowed never take the moho back again but I've been feeling the pull to go back. One thing I'd do better if I go back with the coach is a really good waxing before you go. It's supposed to be pretty dusty this year, although not as bad as they were originally forecasting. The alkaline dust, wind, and sun are really tough. You probably already know this ( and I haven't read all 47 pages of this topic yet!) but it usually doesn't hurt to add another data point. Have fun! A lot of my friends are going.

[dadstoy]

I finally installed the battery monitor that my dad had sitting in the spares.