It seems my crank up Antenna doesn't work

[Silver Goose]

Your Jack probably had a 110v wall wart power supply packed in the box. To test things out, disconnect the coax coming from the antenna from the suspect wall switch/power supply. Connect it to the antenna port on the adapter that was packed with the wall wart. Then plug in the wall wart and go outside to check the red light on the bottom of the Jack. If lit, plug the free end of the adapter to the antenna terminal on the TV and take an inventory on the channels. Chances are you blew something on the wall switch/power supply and the antenna is possibly fine despite your ordeal.

Many RV parts stores stock the power supply. Beware, there is more than one model so check that you get the right one. A silver lining is possible. Winegard also sells a replacement switch/power supply with a built in tuning meter. It should run around $70.

With the old analog system it was a fairly straight forward matter to get the best picture: Tune the TV to a known channel for the current location then rotate the antenna until you find where it's as good as it can be. Digital systems have a element of Catch-22: In most cases, you have to point the antenna first then run the channel scan or it won't find the channel. Sometimes this can be a trial and error process requiring several attempts and scans before success. The tuning meter function should enable you to point the antenna the right way before running the scan.

[Re-Pete]

Silver Goose,

Thanks that is what i intend to do for the test, but the rain moved in and it was cold today so I'm hoping for a break tomorrow. I spoke to Terry and ordered a new switch/power supply. He agreed I'd probably messed it up. The makers of the the Jack also sell a signal finder which connects inline with the cable and would make it easier for me to see. I think I'll go that route should I want it. My coax/switch/power supply is hidden inside a bottom cabinet. So the signal finder would be hidden down there.

Pete

[Silver Goose]

Originally Posted by Re-Pete

Silver Goose,

... The makers of the the Jack also sell a signal finder which connects inline with the cable and would make it easier for me to see. I think I'll go that route should I want it. My coax/switch/power supply is hidden inside a bottom cabinet. So the signal finder would be hidden down there.

Pete

You're right, if you can't see the display while rotating the antenna, it isn't very helpful. The portable unit marketed by the same folks who sell the Jack can be connected inline behind the TV or simply connected to the end of the coax. It is powered by a 9v battery as I recall.

Radio Shack and other electronic retailers sell push-on connectors for coax. Putting one on the end of the cable that connects to the TV makes it a snap to connect it to the meter if you choose to use it that way. I also put one on each end of the cable I carry to connect to RV park cable connector if I stop somewhere that offers it. Sure beats trying to thread it on when its cold or wet.

[rodsterinfl]

I just replaced my coax cable on my Winegard recently. I was not sure how to do it so while I was at a rally I asked the Airstream tech. He told me to remove the interior crank and fish out the connected ends (one end is the wiring that goes through the trailer and the other is the end that goes up to the antenna). In my particular application there was about 1 foot of wire to the roof and the rest what you see on the roof. Mine was working well, especially after I purchased the digital signal antenna add on and the Winegard digital readout amp with audible signal finder. Mine is also under the counter but the audible signal seeker takes care of that. I only replaced the cable as a maintenance item due to deterioration from the sun- it was cracking and nearly unbendable. I actually ended up fishing the new cable from the outside into the trailer.