Aiming batwing antenna

[richard5933]

I'm trying to figure out which part of the antenna needs to be aimed at the transmitting station to get the best reception - should it be aimed so that the broadside of the antenna faces the station or should it be the narrow end?

Read through the manual and it doesn't really specify.

[rmkrum]

Broadside of the antenna needs to be aimed at the station. There is little to no reception off the narrow ends.

Technically it’s a dipole antenna and that means reception is best off the broadside of the antenna.

[richard5933]

Originally Posted by rmkrum

Broadside of the antenna needs to be aimed at the station. There is little to no reception off the narrow ends.

Technically it’s a dipole antenna and that means reception is best off the broadside of the antenna.

Thanks. That's what I was looking for.

[richard5933]

Quick followup question...

I see that they have a Wingman add-on for the antenna I've got which is touted to improve UHF reception. Anyone have any real-world experience saying that it actually helps?

[CRH]

I bought a Wingman. I couldn't tell that it did anything.

[dznf0g]

I found the wingman to help a lot. Here in the far SW Chicago, I got about 20 something channels before and over 50 after adding the wingman.

[jcanavera]

Not so sure about what kind of gain the wingman brings to the antenna. I don't think it's a lot. Going from analog to digital sure made it a lot harder to find stations though. I picked up an app for my iPhone called TV towers. It shows your relative position based on your iPhone location and then it shows the surrounding towers along with their network affiliation. It has a compass also built into it so you can get a pretty good idea of where you can aim you antenna. Obviously it won't predict signal strength and there are other factors in whether you can get a decent signal. But at least you aren't flying blind trying to find where the towers are at.

Jack

[dznf0g]

Originally Posted by jcanavera

Not so sure about what kind of gain the wingman brings to the antenna. I don't think it's a lot. Going from analog to digital sure made it a lot harder to find stations though. I picked up an app for my iPhone called TV towers. It shows your relative position based on your iPhone location and then it shows the surrounding towers along with their network affiliation. It has a compass also built into it so you can get a pretty good idea of where you can aim you antenna. Obviously it won't predict signal strength and there are other factors in whether you can get a decent signal. But at least you aren't flying blind trying to find where the towers are at.

Jack

I use the "DTV antennas" app. Iike it a lot. I've used it all over the country.

[richard5933]

Sounds like some have found the Wingman helpful, some not so much. For under $30 perhaps it's worth a try.

[dznf0g]

Originally Posted by richard5933

Sounds like some have found the Wingman helpful, some not so much. For under $30 perhaps it's worth a try.

Agree. In that case, point the wingman toward the signal. The apps really help.

[bel73]

I sure miss our batwing antenna. If you have a newer TV it should have a signal strength meter built in. Go through the menu. I think it's under the support tab. Turn that on and slooooly turn the antenna until you get the highest signal.