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RV-Dreams.com Home -> RV-Dreams Community Forum -> Technology On The Road -> Digital TV Antenna/Amplifier Expertise Needed
Post Info TOPIC: Digital TV Antenna/Amplifier Expertise Needed
Darrell and Judy


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Digital TV Antenna/Amplifier Expertise Needed
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Background: We have two Sharp Aquos HD LCD televisions hooked up to a Winegard Sensor Antenna and Winegard "Plate" power amplifier. We, also, have a third television hook up in the basement which I assume is "split off" from the cable running to the bedroom television since the Winegard power amplifier only has two outputs. To the best of my knowledge we have RG-6 coaxial cable run throughout the rig, however, I have no idea regarding the quality of the splitter running to the third TV. Further, we do not subscribe to satellite TV and only use an antenna.

The Issue: We are currently at a campground in Han****, New Hampshire and can only pick up the analog signals even though digital signals are available. So I am trying to figure out why. I have used the analog stations to "hone in" the direction of the antenna but still have not been able to draw in any of the digital signals (there are at least 5 channels offering digital). By the way, when we were in Holly, Michigan last week we picked up all of the digital channels available in that area, so the system does work.

Obviously the problem is we are in an area with weak signals but we frequent this area for grand daughter fixes which means that next year we will not be able to watch any TV if we cannot resolve this issue. Also, we have had other occasions in our travels where we were not able to pick up the digital signals as well as some areas where we get lots of picture "break up" (pixeling?).

Questions:

1. Should I upgrade to the newer Sensor III antenna - the one we currently have is alumium (unpainted)? I don't know if Winegard has improved the "guts" of the newer antenna or just painted the old model.

2. I found a Terk amplified directional antenna (model HDTVo) online that I could use to replace the "batwing" with a few modifications. Any opinions on that move?

3. I have looked at various signal amplifiers but don't know enough about them to determine if there is anything better than the Winegard "plate" model that was orginally installed in our rig. Any input what to look for? What are the differences between amplifiers? I don't think that some of the "antenna mounted amplifiers" will work with the Sensor antenna.

4. Please tell me anything that I don't already know (and believe me when I say that all I know at this point is that I am in over my head).

I am not in a hurry since we have until February 17, 2009 to find solutions but certainly could use help in figuring out systematic way to approach this problem.



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mailman01


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D & J, this probably will not help you but, anyhow, I to have a digital TV and attempted to hook up Direct TV and could not get anything. Called the TV manufacturer who told me that I must get the remote, put in channel 04, then press the button to the right of the Zero, which is a dash mark, then press Zero, then OK. Nowhere was any of this mentioned in the manual. But, it did work. I don't know if this will help with regular digital TV reception or not, but it was the only way I could receive satellite. Hope this helps. Marty

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retiredsailor


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Darrell,
    If it was me I would go buy a cheap amplified antenna (rabbit ears) and hook it up to the tv in the basement and do a channel search.  If you do not receive any digital channels then its probably not your antenna.  But, if you do get digital channels then start looking at your installed antenna.  I would then bring back the cheap amplified antenna since you only used it to troubleshoot the problem.  That's about the only advice I can give. I hope this helps.

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Darrell and Judy


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Thanks for your replies Marty and Rollie. Marty - I think that you must be talking about your remote for the digital receiver - my television remote doesn't work like you stated.

Not a bad idea Rollie, but I know that the Sensor antenna is picking up digital signals, just not all the signals available.

I'm probably going to have to buy a different signal amplifier and possibly a different antenna. Tiffin Motorhomes no longer uses the Winegard Sensor Antennas on their rigs - they have gone to a Triple S amplified directional antenna that supposedly has 15 times more powerfull than the Winegard Sensor III (only time will tell). These antennas cost $350 and come with a remote that rotates the antennas direction. Anyway, I'm not going to do anything until after digital signals have been in place for a few months. Then I will know what is working and what isn't.

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