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04-27-2011, 08:10 AM
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#1
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Rivet Master
1964 17' Bambi II
Vintage Kin Owner
Schererville
, Indiana
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 2,637
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Is there a good SMALL antenna?
I need to get an antenna for my Bambi II project, but the Winegard IV seems so huge for the little trailer top. Any suggestions for a smaller antenna with a good range? I saw the one that is a picture frame (pretty cool) but it only has a distance of 15 miles.
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Becky
1964 Bambi II
1988 Avion 32S
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04-27-2011, 09:07 AM
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#2
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4 Rivet Member
1977 28' Argosy 28
Bullhead City
, Arizona
Join Date: Mar 2009
Posts: 393
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I have an indoor one I bought at walmart called a bat wing I put in my window and it picks up stations 60 miles away.
Jo
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Gypsy Jo 1977 Argosy 28' Motor Home
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04-27-2011, 09:46 AM
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#3
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Rivet Master
1964 17' Bambi II
Vintage Kin Owner
Schererville
, Indiana
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 2,637
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Anyone else try an indoor antenna? There's not a whole lot of room inside a Bambi II, so I'm not sure if that's the route to go. It would be easy, though!
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Becky
1964 Bambi II
1988 Avion 32S
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04-27-2011, 10:02 AM
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#4
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4 Rivet Member
1977 28' Argosy 28
Bullhead City
, Arizona
Join Date: Mar 2009
Posts: 393
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The antenna is just a piece of thin plastic .about 14" long.Doesn't take much room to store or to use.
Jo
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Gypsy Jo 1977 Argosy 28' Motor Home
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04-27-2011, 10:43 AM
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#5
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Rivet Master
1973 27' Overlander
Tucson
, AZ
Join Date: Aug 2008
Posts: 1,480
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Gypsy Jo
The antenna is just a piece of thin plastic .about 14" long.Doesn't take much room to store or to use.
Jo
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Hey Gypsy Jo - can you point me to that product? I went to the Walmart website and typed "bat wing" under electronics and got ZIP. Google Bat Wing brings you to the Wineguards....
Laura
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04-27-2011, 10:55 AM
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#6
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4 Rivet Member
1977 28' Argosy 28
Bullhead City
, Arizona
Join Date: Mar 2009
Posts: 393
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RCA Digital Flat Antenna made for DTV.
Model# ANT1050XV
http://www.walmart.com/cp/TV-Antennas/4536
Jo
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Gypsy Jo 1977 Argosy 28' Motor Home
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04-27-2011, 12:00 PM
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#7
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Rivet Master
1978 28' Ambassador
Morada
, California
Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,584
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Have you seen the JACK off-air digital antennas yet?
Digital Over-the-Air HDTV Antenna
The cool part is that if you buy the complete unit, it doesn't need to be retracted, as it's shorter when mounted...or you can buy just the antenna and install it on your existing 'crank-up' mast...
I see the complete unit comes with a built-in digital signal strength meter so you can easily rotate the antenna for the best signal - great feature...
I don't have one, so can't give a high-five, but it looks like a great new innovation in an RV Tv antenna!
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Ray & Pat; Morada, CA
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04-27-2011, 02:03 PM
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#8
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Rivet Master
1983 34' Excella
1967 24' Tradewind
Little Rock
, Arkansas
Join Date: Nov 2006
Posts: 3,825
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mexray
Have you seen the JACK off-air digital antennas yet?
Digital Over-the-Air HDTV Antenna
The cool part is that if you buy the complete unit, it doesn't need to be retracted, as it's shorter when mounted...or you can buy just the antenna and install it on your existing 'crank-up' mast...
I see the complete unit comes with a built-in digital signal strength meter so you can easily rotate the antenna for the best signal - great feature...
I don't have one, so can't give a high-five, but it looks like a great new innovation in an RV Tv antenna!
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I've been curious about those too. I just repaired my old Braund Skyliner and it works great, but these did attract my attention. I like the signal finder feature too. PPL has them for $130.39 in Black or White right now.
Somebody get one and report for us.
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Vaughan
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04-27-2011, 02:15 PM
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#9
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Moderator
2017 26' Flying Cloud
Alamo Heights
, Texas
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 8,493
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I found this review from a guy who found it to be somewhat better in the same spot than his Winegard with the Wingman add-on. He also has a fairly detailed install description with quite a few pictures.
Since the PO removed my Argosy's antenna altogether to fix a leak, I'm starting from scratch and may give this a try.
__________________
— David
Zero Gravitas — 2017 Flying Cloud 26U | WBCCI# 15566
He has all of the virtues I dislike and none of the vices I admire. — Sir Winston Churchill
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04-27-2011, 04:56 PM
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#10
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Rivet Master
1964 17' Bambi II
Vintage Kin Owner
Schererville
, Indiana
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 2,637
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I'd love to hear if anyone has tried the Jack too. It would be nice to put one up & forget about it (I almost road off with my skyliner up one time!). Thanks all for the suggestions.
__________________
Becky
1964 Bambi II
1988 Avion 32S
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06-11-2011, 05:10 PM
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#11
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4 Rivet Member
2004 28' International CCD
Birmingham
, Alabama
Join Date: Sep 2007
Posts: 323
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My friend installed the Jack on his Airstream and loves it. I finally purchased and installed one today.
INSTALLATION:
It took me four hours ... but I'm slow it took most of my time getting the old unit off.. The only hangups I had was that the existing Wineguard hole was 1.5" and the Jack needed a 2" hole. It was tricky to keep the bit from walking, but I figured it out. Also, the footprint of the Jack is much smaller so I had to be generous with the Tremco.
PERFORMANCE:
I store my Airstream in a metal building. It was impossible to pick up any channels in the enclosure with my Wineguard. However, I picked up 6 channels with the Jack INDOORS. I suspect it will do substantially better once I get out into the great wide open. FWIW, my friend raves about the performance of his.
APPEARANCE:
Not sure I like the look. Looks like the half-dead, pale white E.T. Is riding on my roof. I'm happy with the result so far.
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06-11-2011, 06:42 PM
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#12
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Rivet Master
1964 17' Bambi II
Vintage Kin Owner
Schererville
, Indiana
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 2,637
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Quote:
Originally Posted by UAPachyderm
My friend installed the Jack on his Airstream and loves it. I finally purchased and installed one today.
INSTALLATION:
It took me four hours ... but I'm slow it took most of my time getting the old unit off.. The only hangups I had was that the existing Wineguard hole was 1.5" and the Jack needed a 2" hole. It was tricky to keep the bit from walking, but I figured it out. Also, the footprint of the Jack is much smaller so I had to be generous with the Tremco.
PERFORMANCE:
I store my Airstream in a metal building. It was impossible to pick up any channels in the enclosure with my Wineguard. However, I picked up 6 channels with the Jack INDOORS. I suspect it will do substantially better once I get out into the great wide open. FWIW, my friend raves about the performance of his.
APPEARANCE:
Not sure I like the look. Looks like the half-dead, pale white E.T. Is riding on my roof. I'm happy with the result so far.
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That's great to hear! My kids got me a Jack for Mother's Day, so your information is much appreciated! I wonder if you could paint it silver or gray so it doesn't look so obvious? Just thinking out loud! I'm going to be putting a white a/c on the top too, so I guess it's a moot point! Thanks again for the info.
__________________
Becky
1964 Bambi II
1988 Avion 32S
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06-11-2011, 06:55 PM
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#13
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Site Team
1974 31' Sovereign
Ottawa
, ON
Join Date: May 2008
Posts: 11,219
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Becky,
Please be sure to let us know of your experience with it? I'm thinking of getting one myself, for long-distance FM reception.
__________________
“Courage is being scared to death, but saddling up anyway.” ...John Wayne...........................
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06-12-2011, 02:22 AM
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#14
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4 Rivet Member
2004 28' International CCD
Birmingham
, Alabama
Join Date: Sep 2007
Posts: 323
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Aage, Jack makes the same antenna in a model that attaches to the end of the traditional Wineguard apparatus. That version is a simpler installation solution if you have the real estate to spare on your roof. The one I installed is all plastic and will probably need replacing at some point.
Becky, before you go through the pains of installation, you might at least consider a possible exchange for the other version made by Jack.
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06-12-2011, 07:33 AM
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#15
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Rivet Master
1964 17' Bambi II
Vintage Kin Owner
Schererville
, Indiana
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 2,637
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Quote:
Originally Posted by UAPachyderm
Aage, Jack makes the same antenna in a model that attaches to the end of the traditional Wineguard apparatus. That version is a simpler installation solution if you have the real estate to spare on your roof. The one I installed is all plastic and will probably need replacing at some point.
Becky, before you go through the pains of installation, you might at least consider a possible exchange for the other version made by Jack.
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The trailer has no antenna at all. I will be installing it when I have the interior skins removed for rewiring, insulating, and all that fun stuff. Thanks for the heads up, though. And Aage, I'll give you a report in a year or two!
__________________
Becky
1964 Bambi II
1988 Avion 32S
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06-12-2011, 11:23 AM
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#16
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4 Rivet Member
2004 28' International CCD
Birmingham
, Alabama
Join Date: Sep 2007
Posts: 323
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Ok then, I think you will be pleased with the Jack.
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06-12-2011, 07:37 PM
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#17
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Site Team
1974 31' Sovereign
Ottawa
, ON
Join Date: May 2008
Posts: 11,219
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Quote:
Originally Posted by UAPachyderm
Aage, Jack makes the same antenna in a model that attaches to the end of the traditional Wineguard apparatus. That version is a simpler installation solution if you have the real estate to spare on your roof. The one I installed is all plastic and will probably need replacing at some point.
Becky, before you go through the pains of installation, you might at least consider a possible exchange for the other version made by Jack.
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I will check that out, UAP. Thanks!
__________________
“Courage is being scared to death, but saddling up anyway.” ...John Wayne...........................
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06-30-2011, 06:15 PM
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#18
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I approve of this message
2006 28' International CCD
Redmond
, Washington
Join Date: Jun 2006
Posts: 94
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Quote:
Originally Posted by UAPachyderm
INSTALLATION:
It took me four hours ... but I'm slow it took most of my time getting the old unit off.. The only hangups I had was that the existing Wineguard hole was 1.5" and the Jack needed a 2" hole. It was tricky to keep the bit from walking, but I figured it out. Also, the footprint of the Jack is much smaller so I had to be generous with the Tremco.
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I picked one up today and am plannning on installing it this weekend. Any tips on getting the old one off? Any special tools required or is it as simple as removing the sheet metal screws on top of trailer and scraping away the sealant?
Thanks!
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06-30-2011, 08:02 PM
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#19
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4 Rivet Member
2004 28' International CCD
Birmingham
, Alabama
Join Date: Sep 2007
Posts: 323
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Yes, it was fairly simple removing the old one. Remove screws and sealant. You may need a Dremel to knock the rivets off the stand that cradled the old antenna. The only tricky part to the install was increasing the diameter of the existing roof hole that the directional shaft goes through. Good luck!
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07-02-2011, 02:51 AM
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#20
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I approve of this message
2006 28' International CCD
Redmond
, Washington
Join Date: Jun 2006
Posts: 94
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ostream
I picked one up today ...
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Got it (Jack Antenna) on, and have to say the reception performance is very noticeable. I'm now picking up stations I didn't know existed! Added bonus is I get back prime roof real estate which allows me to add another AM Solar panel !
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