Replacing OME TV Antennna

[RMB]

HI!

I have owned my AS for 6 years and over that period my TV reception via the stock TV antenna has been spotty to say the least. We dont use it that often and when we do its just for local transmissions and channels. Trying to improve reception by hand cranking that flexing ( weak?) plastic handle inside was a real PITA.

And yes, I lubricate the swivel on the roof every year. This year when I was cleaning the roof the antenna itself looked in poor shape with corrosion and black streaks all over it and its cracks and clearances made it very difficult to clean. The whole thing just looks and feels flimsy and Mickey Mouse.

So I started looking for alternatives (short of satellite TV) and found some attractive looking and apparently well recommended antennas - particularly the Winegard (RS-3035) 3000 Series Black HDTV Antenna. The advantages are omni directional reception - no cranking - and smooth surfaces for little wind resistance and cleaning. Sort of install and forget.

Has anyone mounted this or a similar unit on their ASs? Advice, comment would be helpful!:

Thanks!

[Al and Missy]

All other things being equal, a directional antenna will out perform an omni. Corrosion may well be degrading your antenna, but my Sensar works very well when I remember to turn the preamp on. Do you notice a difference with the preamp on vs off? If not you may have a bad switch plate, preamp in the antenna, or cable between the two.

Many, if not most, stations are now in the UHF range. Presuming your antenna is the Winegard Sensar, does it have the Wingman attachment on it? My 2002 did not. When I put it on my reception improved dramatically.

Did you lubricate the worm gear? When I did mine it got much easier to crank up. The rotation has always been OK. I presume you mean you crank it up with the handle and then rotate it with the wheel.

If I were to replace my Sensar I would probably get another just like it. A possible alternative would be the Jack.

Al

[glcmranger]

I just installed the Winegard Rayzar Automatic on my 2016 25A Sig -- ordered from Amazon. I love it! Easy Install and get more channels! Check out their website.

[Mike1997]

This fall I replaced the original wing antenna with a new King Jack amplified HDTV antenna. Its excellent!! Easy to install and has made a world of difference in reception. The old antenna had a preamp so it was wired and now powers the new King Jack.

Highly recommend this change out to any who may still be using an older wing antenna. Its not as heavy either so easier to raise and lower.

[wulfraat]

King Jack is your friend! < $50, 5 minute install. 1000% better reception. Start here!

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f450...ly-158010.html

[rmkrum]

The old radio hands (like me) joke that the omnidirectional antenna's advantage is that it receives equally poorly in all directions....

King Jack replacement antenna is the way I'm going. Low profile and directional. No wiggly mast that I will eventually forget to lower.

Sent from my pocket Internet using Airstream Forums

[larryglarson]

I bought a 2016 FC 26U with the little mushroom attenna, it works great.

[1973Argosy]

King Jack is the way to go. Love ours

[AWCHIEF]

King Jack head unit replacement. It easily doubled the number of channels I formally received. Ex. In my drive way with the OEM head I received 14 channels. With the King Jack I usualy get around 30. I now pick up channels as far as Mobile and New Orleans. Both about 50 miles away.

[Trons4u]

1973Argosy - Does yours elevate or is it stationary?

Did you all use your existing mast or did you install a replacement. Trying to decide how would be best to install one on my '59. The shell is currently sitting on the floor as we're beginning the slow restoration process
Thanks

[SeeMore]

YouTube to the rescue... go mastless.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=enCJsAMc6Rs

[1973Argosy]

Mine does not elevate but does rotate. On the inside there is a signal meter at the rotation nob that greatly helps with TV setup and reception. The worst of the installation was pulling new coax as my original antenna was the flat two wire. With an existing modern coax cable in place installation would be a breeze.

[Trons4u]

Great, thanks for the video and reply

[John Woodrow]

I just completed the installation of a King Jack on my 345 moho. It picks up 10 channels inside a metal building! I did learn several things that are worth passing on:
1) Get the model that mounts through the roof and includes the mount pedestal. It has the signal strength indicator lights on the adjuster plate where you need it. It also eliminates the need to raise and lower it (if you mount the basic model to the Wineguard arms). If you go with the cheaper basic model, you'll need to buy the optional signal strength meter and put it somewhere that won't be nearly as convenient as having it where you make the adjustment.
By the time you get the basic model plus the signal meter, the better model is not that much more.
2) After removing the Wineguard crank up base, there was plenty of coax cable slack inside the roof so we could cut it off where it had been protected and installed a new connector. The old coax cable was questionable where it went through the roof was stiff from age and exposure to the elements.
3)When installing the mount, buy the optional $22 base plate. It makes the installation so much easier and covers all of the old mounting holes. It also, with the help of a short (12") coax jumper and one barrel connector, allows you to install it all without having any wire exposed which will ensure a long trouble free life.
3) Be sure that your TVs have digital tuners! I had upgraded to two flat screen TVs about 2006 and presumed that all flat screens were digital. NOT! It took a while to figure out why we couldn't pick up anything when we did a channel scan. I ended up changing one TV out for a newer (digital) Vizio and got a digital to analog converter box at Walmart for the bedroom TV (about $50).

I am very happy with the upgrade and set it up so I can feed the TV audio through the new Sherwood stereo home theater style.

[Jiknik]

Do I have to remove wineguard antenna to access the coaxle cable ?