What would you do Keep Winegard or new antenna?

[NashBuff]

On our 85 Excella the PO installed a Winegard AS-2003 Satellite System. It appears to work ok although I do not have satellite service so I do not know.
The orginal antenna will not operate.
So what would you do? Get a new regular antenna or get satellite service and hope the Winegard works?
Thanks in advance.

[Splitrock]

I'd take the dish/trailer to a satellite TV seller and have them try it for me in exchange for a chance at my business. I have Direct TV at home and I like it. For travel, I'd rather have high speed internet service. I can stream video on the computer if I need a television. I have all that to deal with yet. I hope you post follow ups:-)

[NashBuff]

So what do you think like Best Buy?

[Splitrock]

Originally Posted by NashBuff

So what do you think like Best Buy?

That might work. I'd give em a try. If they can't help, they might know who can.

[pmclemore]

When you say it will not operate, what do you mean? That it will not crank up (because the dish is blocking it, for example)?

Pat

[NashBuff]

Yes the original antenna will not crank up. Nothing is blocking it.
So what do you think? Get a new regular antenna or try the Winegard?

[Aage]

The original antenna could still be quite useful for FM radio reception. If it won't crank up, perhaps its gears are stripped; it's not all that complicated...

I believe that the parts like that are still available, but I won't swear to it. Or at it..

[vswingfield]

Originally Posted by Aage

The original antenna could still be quite useful for FM radio reception. If it won't crank up, perhaps its gears are stripped; it's not all that complicated...

I believe that the parts like that are still available, but I won't swear to it. Or at it..

If it is a Braund Skyliner, I will swear to it. They are available at Braund Worm Gear Kit 22-8309 [11901] - $12.95 : Out-of-Doors Mart!, More Airstream Parts on-line than anyone!. I have replaced mine and bought a spare set. The Skyliner works great for FM and HDTV.

They even have new gear covers, which are harder to find than the gears: Skyliner TV Antenna Gear Housing 12662 [12662] - $10.95 : Out-of-Doors Mart!, More Airstream Parts on-line than anyone!.

Another question about the dish system you might want to check is if it is able to pickup the HD channels. That would be a major factor in my decision.

[NashBuff]

That seems like a great idea and cheap too, thanks!
How hard is this to do?

[vswingfield]

Not bad a all. I did it on a ladder leaned on the side. I put a couple of rubber water pipe insulators on the ladder to protect the Airstream.

You will need a pair of snap-ring pliers, a small (about 1/8) punch for the roll pin, and a drift for the large shaft through the middle.

Extra hands can be a help. You can have a line tied to the antenna and have someone pull on it to keep the antenna upright for clearance if you need to.

As I said, it is a perfect HD antenna. I even use it with my Dish DVR to record my local channels in HD. Dish's satellite local channels for Little Rock are not HD, but the DVR has a good over-the-air HD tuner.

[NashBuff]

Just ordered the parts. Thanks again.

[ZoominC6]

....and if you want DirecTV for instance, just ring them up, tell them it's for your RV and they'll come out and check it out on your rig at home. If it doesn't work, send them home. It might be worth the effort if you want to spend the bucks every month. If it doesn't work there are many other alternatives for mucho buckos $$$$$. Good luck with the repair parts for the crank up antenna. Bet you can find an easy fix with the information you have at hand from other posters.

[NashBuff]

Thanks Zoomin somehow I missed your post I think I will try that too.

[NashBuff]

I went to take off the gear cover and the screw head busted off today. Besides it was over 100 here today. Little harder than I thought

[vswingfield]

Originally Posted by NashBuff

I went to take off the gear cover and the screw head busted off today. Besides it was over 100 here today. Little harder than I thought

Forgot about that. One of mine broke off too. It appears to be fine with just the one that came out holding it in place.

You might want to soak the other screw with Liquid Wrench or equivalent. You may also want to replace the original screw with stainless to cut down on the corrosion that locks the screws into the base.

Be careful in the heat too. It was a record 105 here in Little Rock today, and forecast to be 107 (real temps, not heat indexes) tomorrow.

[ZoominC6]

Originally Posted by NashBuff

Thanks Zoomin somehow I missed your post I think I will try that too.

You're welcome. Let us know how things work out for you.

[genearnold]

Before you do any replacements or serious labor on the antenna, why not shoot it with silicone spray. Mine seized several years ago. I sprayed everything that moved or touched and it was like new again. Anyway, all you have to lose is a few minutes of your time and a little spray!

Gene