Replacement Antenna

[kntd]

I want to replace the Skyliner antenna on my Argosy, could anyone recommend a good amplified replacement? Thanks.

[Chas]

Welcome,

I don't think there are a lot of choices, Winegard seems to be the only brand that I see anymore. I replaced the original one on mine with a boosted Winegard. Placement was tricky though, if your original one is like mine it is mounted in the middle of the front dome with the inside handle over the dinette. When you crank it down it nestles in a cradle in front of the forward roof vent, which is a problem for the Winegards. They crank down to a very low profile and hug the roof, which can't be done over the top of the roof vent. I mounted mine off to the curb side pretty much in line where the old one was. I covered the old hole on the outside with olympic rivets and a patch and mounted a smoke detector on the inside, covering that hole. You need to be careful drilling the hole for the new one as there is some running lite wiring in that area. Running the coax down can be a trick as well.

Good to have you and good luck!!

[wb13798]

hi
i have a antenna for a rv looks like the winegard bat wing. bought it from jc whitney, it is new in the box has all parts i will make you a deal you cant beat.. $50 plus shipping . i was going to replace my antenna on my airstream traylor and before i could get it done i bought a motor home. if intrested let me know.

[68 Overlander]

Just so you know, the elevating and worm gears are still available for the skyliner if that is all that is wrong with it.
Randy

[barbwire]

Hi kntd,

I am certainly no antenna expert, but I really like the Skyliner on my Argosy. I have been playing with antennas now for more than ten years, and have a ham radio guide talking about different types. The Skyliner is both uhf and vhf, mine was not folded out properly when I got the trailer. Make sure the arms on the antenna are outstretched to a place where they lock in place.

You want as much signal as you can get before you amplify. That generaly means you want a big antenna, not the little amplified antennas. I put a radio shack 20 db amplifier on mine (about $20). I am also pulling reasonably good signal from an FM stations 100 miles away. The TV reception is excellant from local boosters. But I don't watch much TV. Tell us what coax or flat cable you are using. That can have a great effect. Sometimes you need little transformers to match the cabel with your end point.

I am having some trouble with my worm gears too. Thought I had fixed it. Sometimes when I raise it I can not get it lowered again without getting up on the roof and fidgeting a bit. Guess I need new gears too.

My point is that the Skyliner is a good antenna, if you get an amplifier you will be ahead of the small amplified antennas. At 100 miles I still get polarization shifts. Part of my signal is reflected off certain sky boundaries. This varies as time of day. Hopefully a real ham operator will jump in and have a real fix.

If you want to hit the farthest station stick with the Skyliner. If your stations are closer, get the small amplified antenna.


Good luck,

Jim

[Inland RV Center, In]

Be carefull if you use the "bat wing" Winegard.
Because of the manner in which the air flows over the roof of an Airstream trailer (flat fronted trailers have a different air flow over the roof), the "wings" flutter and will cut holes into the roof.
Skyliners are still available and are the choice of the fringe area users, because of sensitivity and directional efficiency.

Andy
inlandrv.com
airstreamparts.com
airstreamcandy.com

[Chas]

Good point Andy,

I will have a look at my install and see if there are any problems. Just a question though, don't the new Airstreams use the "bat wing" style antennaes? (Not trying to start something, I just want to learn from the Master.) I agree that the air flows over the top of an Airstream differently, probably sticks close to the skin unlike the typical flat front trailer, which probably has a huge "bow wave" creating low pressure over the tops and sides of the unit.
chas