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Blondin · 12-09-2012, 11:02 AM

I am a new airstream owner and new to the forum. I have been thinking about tossing the tv antenna.
Are there any unwritten rules about AS and keeping them as original as possible???
The tv antenna seems somewhat obsolete and thought I would ask.

Thanks,

Mark

vswingfield · 12-09-2012, 11:06 AM

Why does the TV antenna seem obsolete? They work great for the currently in use digital signals.

Blondin · 12-09-2012, 11:12 AM

That is true I guess. I am not up on the newer digital system. They must still work then.

clancy_boy · 12-09-2012, 12:03 PM

Older TV's need a converter box in the line from the antenna to the TV. Newer units work well with the digital signals. Our 19 inch $89 Walmart off brand LCD monitor/TV works just fine.

idroba · 12-09-2012, 12:21 PM

As for unwritten rules about keeping things original, I would only say that if you have a virtually untouched very very original AS and a somewhat rare floor plan or model would you be best to keep it original. Otherwise, update, and make it to your liking.

My 71 Caravel is so original that I don't modify it. My '74 Argosy is so far from original now that I have no problems making it newer, better, and to fit me just how I like it.

ROBERT CROSS · 12-09-2012, 02:16 PM

Yep.....

Our new trailer Samsung get's better broadcast HD thru the antenna, than the flat panel LCD in the house duz thru cable.

Bob

Jim Foster · 12-09-2012, 02:35 PM

We have a 19" VIZIO in our '65 Caravel. Hooked up to the original folding TV antenna, the over the air digital signal comes through strong in areas that provide it.

Digital is different from the old analog signal in that you either have it or you don't. There is no fuzzy when you are almost there like analog.

Try your old antenna with a digital flat screen TV.

goshawks00 · 12-09-2012, 03:03 PM

Aren't you limited to what ever channels are local to where you are at, using the old antenna?

Bigventure · 12-09-2012, 03:47 PM

Hi,
Antenna's do age, oxidize is a better word for it. Replacing the head with a new unit will benafit your reception and give you a stronger signal.

New systems also have a boster on them. It's a wall mounted afair with a 12 volt plug and on off switch.

Jim Foster · 12-09-2012, 04:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by goshawks00

Aren't you limited to what ever channels are local to where you are at, using the old antenna?

Yes, you are limited to local broadcast, but sometimes that's the only way to get local news, weather etc.

We have been able to watch NASCAR, Olympic games, and other good stuff in High Definition over the air using the old antenna and our digital flat screen on the road. Sometimes, but not too often, local RV parks have HD on their cable.

vswingfield · 12-09-2012, 06:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bigventure

Hi,
Antenna's do age, oxidize is a better word for it. Replacing the head with a new unit will benafit your reception and give you a stronger signal.

I doubt that very much. Both mine work great, and the new one is 29 years old.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bigventure

New systems also have a boster on them. It's a wall mounted afair with a 12 volt plug and on off switch.

That much is true, but again, both mine had boosters when I got them. I did upgraded them to newer boosters, though.

Now, about that keeping things original vs. modifying it. I fall into the make it your own group. If I had enough money, mine would look like the interior of a private jet. It would still have the original antenna, though.

ROBERT CROSS · 12-09-2012, 06:54 PM

There are no rules written or un-written about what you do to your Airstream.

That said, there are things that deserve to be kept as built though.

Sweet Streams...
Bob

Blondin · 12-10-2012, 07:22 PM

Thanks for the advice!!
I think I'll keep it complete!

Mark

mefly2 · 12-10-2012, 08:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bigventure

Hi,
Antenna's do age, oxidize is a better word for it. Replacing the head with a new unit will benafit your reception and give you a stronger signal.

New systems also have a boster on them. It's a wall mounted afair with a 12 volt plug and on off switch.

So, oxidation affects the RF signal induced in the antenna?
The signal booster likely has the most effect ...

Sbb · 03-02-2013, 07:11 PM

Newbie here. 2006 ccd Bambi, i decided to try the TV tonight, cranked up antenna. Two things happened... I could not find the booster white box, unless it is located on wall along with a plug, an inverter plug and something else...and what gets plugged into the 12v booster socket to make it work tv work better. I have no idea what it means.

The second sticky issue as I was cranking the antenna down, the handle assembly fell off, white handle and a spring. I put handle on and tightened set screw, did not put spring in, because I could not figure out how it went. Do I need the spring?

Needless to say, i am now two steps back in the wrong direction from trying out the TV. Any help would e appreciated. It is a sharp TV. Thank you. Sbb

Antique Pedaler · 03-02-2013, 08:13 PM

There's a push button on the white plate where you plug in the tv power and the tv cable. With the antenna up push the button and get a green light next to it.

Put the spring back in. It will only go one way. The spring keeps the antenna from turning in a breeze.

Sbb · 03-03-2013, 09:55 AM

Thank you, found the light, on the little white plate, only other "thing" on there was a 12V plug. What goes in there? I thought perhaps Television only worked on shore power, is something associated with the booster suppose to go in the 12V hole?

Regarding the Spring...Can I replace the set screw with one of the same size from my hardware store. Somehow in my brain I think everything has to come from Air Stream. To get mental photo of the way it goes (and judging by the two parts we picked up off the floor) The white bottom cuff part of assemble matches up with white arrow, the the spring goes on but not "in" the hole, then the turn handle goes on and all is held in place by one tiny set screw? These seemingly easy tasks are huge for me to do as I am just not familiar with them, but I get a feeling I will get better at this as I go along. sbb

ROBERT CROSS · 03-03-2013, 10:09 AM

...what for?

Anything that can be powered by 12v DC....this is what I use it for.

Convenient/simple way to keep track of battery reserve and charge rate.

Bob

FreshAir · 03-03-2013, 10:32 AM

7 years ago as we were about to tow our 'new' '66 Trade Wind from the previous owner, he suddenly asked, "Y'know I have the original antenna, would you like to have it"?. I took it and did not install it for awhile. I finally took it from storage and cleaned it up then installed it. This old antenna works very well and we did use it pre-digital. When we purchased a digital TV I discovered that it worked even without a converter box. Today we have a portable satellite dish. But the old antenna still invites comments so I will leave it. We have kept our Trade Wind relatively original but we are not prone to 'upgrades'.

I took these photos while the AS is in it's shelter. The antenna does elevate well above the trailer. There is a crank inside the coach to rotate the antenna.

TBRich · 03-03-2013, 12:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sbb

Thank you, found the light, on the little white plate, only other "thing" on there was a 12V plug. What goes in there? I thought perhaps Television only worked on shore power, is something associated with the booster suppose to go in the 12V hole?....>snip<....sbb

The 12v plug can be used for anything...small inverter, charger for a cell phone, etc ...it is not necessarily intended for use with the TV unless you happen to have a 12v TV with a 12 plug on it. We use ours for a battery charge monitor something like what's shown in an earlier post (only ours plugs directly into the 12v plug).