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Foretravel Motorhome Forums => Foretravel Tech Talk => Topic started by: Benjie Zeller on January 30, 2012, 03:55:00 pm

Title: OTA HD
Post by: Benjie Zeller on January 30, 2012, 03:55:00 pm
So I installed my new 32" up front, but haven't had time to hook up everything yet and test.  Will the original batwing pick up OTA HD signals (my TV has an ATSC tuner) or do I need to add something such as the Wingman for Winegard - http://www.winegard.com/wingman/index.php? (http://www.winegard.com/wingman/index.php?)
Title: Re: OTA HD
Post by: txforetravel on January 30, 2012, 04:12:17 pm
My experience is yes.. sometimes..  At first I thought it was dependent on location but, when i could not tune HD in via the batwing, I attached our portable HD antenna and was able to pick up all the HD stations.  This happened in Nashvile a couple of times and then we always had to use the portable while in Memphis! 

Here at the house (marble falls, tx) , the batwing works just great! 

So, someone out here on the foreum will need to explain why it works at times and not at other times! 
Title: Re: OTA HD
Post by: Benjie Zeller on January 30, 2012, 06:09:23 pm
Tried it!  Worked like a charm from our storage unit, but who knows how good the signal will be in remote areas.  The TV has an Antenna readout in the menu and the highest I got was a 55 on a 0-100 scale.  Most channels were in the 40s.  Some of that may improve with the position of the bat wing.  Has anyone tried out the Wingman from Winegard?  Improvements and does it fit on the original batwing?
Title: Re: OTA HD
Post by: Michelle on January 30, 2012, 06:20:17 pm
We have a Wingman on our original batwing.  I don't know if it helps or not, although it does seem to work better pointed 180 degrees out (basically opposite) the broadcast station location. 

We do need to be careful deploying the batwing with Wingman and our Winegard Trav'ler.  There's a small zone where they want to occupy the same space.  As a result we only deploy the batwing when we have to, and always after the Travl'er is up and before it's stowed.

We've considered the new King Controls "Jack" antenna as a replacement to the batwing.  Unfortunately the interior portion of the Jack only comes in white, which would stick out against everything else on our ceiling (ivory).  The King Controls folks suggested we could paint it  ::)

Michelle
Title: Re: OTA HD
Post by: Peter & Beth on January 30, 2012, 06:21:20 pm
Wingman works just fine. It installs and fits all Winegard batwing models.
Title: Re: OTA HD
Post by: Dave Head on January 30, 2012, 07:34:17 pm
I added the wingman and saw an improvement. Then I upgraded the batwing head and saw a huge improvement.
Title: Re: OTA HD
Post by: wa_desert_rat on January 30, 2012, 08:08:47 pm
I added the wingman and saw an improvement. Then I upgraded the batwing head and saw a huge improvement.

Dave... what did you upgrade to? I've been trying to figure out exactly what to do about OTA HDTV myself and would prefer to just upgrade the batwing to buying (and installing) something brand new but Windguard has so many different options that it's confusing.

Craig
Title: Re: OTA HD
Post by: Dave Head on January 30, 2012, 10:44:16 pm
At the time, I went with the Sensar III head and moved my Wingman over. Then they came out with the Sensar IV head, with the integrated Wingman. For 55 bucks its pretty much a steal... Takes longer to climb on top of the coach than to change it out...

Winegard Co - Winegard Sensar IV Integrated Amp. Replacement Head Only - RVW-205 (http://www.campingworld.com/shopping/item/winegard-sensar-iv-integrated-amp-replacement-head-only/50012)
Title: Re: OTA HD
Post by: Benjie Zeller on January 30, 2012, 10:52:32 pm
Purchased!

Benjie Zeller

benjie.zeller@gmail.com
(512) 587-4628
Title: Re: OTA HD
Post by: wa_desert_rat on January 30, 2012, 11:01:53 pm
Purchased!

Benjie Zeller

benjie.zeller@gmail.com

(512) 587-4628

Yup... me too. Thanks Dave. :)

Craig
Title: Re: OTA HD
Post by: Jim Frerichs on January 30, 2012, 11:11:35 pm
Hi Dave,

Not sure what I have on my coach. How does one tell which Sensar head (II, III or IV) is installed now. I did install the Wingman extension element kit, but I can't remember if I changed the head too? When did the IV replacement head become available?

Jim

2002 coach with the original head?
Title: Re: OTA HD
Post by: Chad and Judy on January 31, 2012, 08:03:48 am
Quote
I added the wingman and saw an improvement. Then I upgraded the batwing head and saw a huge improvement.

Would everyone be talking about the OA-8000 Model "JACK" Digital TV Antenna?
Title: Re: OTA HD
Post by: Dave Head on January 31, 2012, 03:47:34 pm
about 2 years ago