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Air2D2 · 05-19-2008, 10:02 AM

I just bought a 76 Caravanner with a TV antenna, but wondered if it is really necessary. The TV broadcasting in my area has or is about to go, strictly cable/digital. They say antennas wont work anymore. Should I take it down and use it for a clothesline? or leave it,, that is the question! Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.
Rod

Jim Foster · 05-19-2008, 10:19 AM

Any antenna that currently gives you UHF reception will work with a TV that has a digital tuner, or, an analog TV with an analog/digital converter box.

We use the old antenna on our 1965 Caravel with our flat screen high definition TV that I installed a year ago. We get both analog and digital high definition reception with that antenna, where available. Analog broadcast will go away next February, but most stations are already broadcasting digital as well as analog, much of which is high definition.

Do not give up your old antenna! You will need it. Give up your old TV. Get one with a built in digital tuner. I don't think you can buy one without anymore.

Trust me, you'll never look back.

thecatsandi · 05-19-2008, 10:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Air2D2

I just bought a 76 Caravanner with a TV antenna, but wondered if it is really necessary. The TV broadcasting in my area has or is about to go, strictly cable/digital. They say antennas wont work anymore. Should I take it down and use it for a clothesline? or leave it,, that is the question! Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.
Rod

Rod,
Whom ever is teling you that antennas will not work anymore does not know what they are talking about or is trying to sell you something. The antenna will work your TV will need to be replaced or you will need a converter.

centennialman · 05-19-2008, 10:35 AM

Rod,

It should work just fine with a converter, however, if you are going to take it off the trailer, I may be interested in purchasing it from you. Please send me a private e-mail if so.

CA Streamer · 05-19-2008, 10:40 AM

Your antenna is fine. As mentioned above, you will need either a new TV with digital tuner, or a converter box. Details on the changeover are on the FCC website here... ALL-DIGITAL TELEVISION IS COMING (AND SOONER THAN YOU THINK!)

You can also get a coupon for $40 off the cost of a converter box from the Feds...check it out here https://www.dtv2009.gov/

crispyboy · 05-19-2008, 12:49 PM

Don't mean to hijack a thread but I have an antenna where the crank just spins and spins. I cannot push the crank up or down. Any ideas on where to start?

Air2D2 · 05-19-2008, 02:08 PM

Thanks for the great info.. for now I guess the antenna will stay put and I will let the air out of my friends tires for telling me to get rid of it. Thank you rivet masters san!
Grasshopper : )

goransons · 05-19-2008, 06:37 PM

Crispyboy, not to hijack to answer, if its a skyliner you can guy a gear set, most of them the gears are exposed to the sun, and are plastic. Replaced ours a month or so ago, and it just has a couple "C" clips for one year and a roll pin for the other. Roll pin was the hardest to get out, new gears were about 10 bucks at the rv center and the project took about a half hour for me to do, most of which was getting a tool that could get the roll pin out. Only thing I saw was that skyliner antennas had a round tube frame or square tube frame and there are two different gear sets, nearly identical, just one notched square the other round.

Smokin Camel · 05-19-2008, 07:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crispyboy

Don't mean to hijack a thread but I have an antenna where the crank just spins and spins. I cannot push the crank up or down. Any ideas on where to start?

Check the Winegard web site. They sell parts for repairing them. I have the parts to convert mine into a power boosted antena...after about 5 other projects I will hopefullly get to it.