OTA TV antenna mast modification (split from Re: What did you do to your coach today IV)

Topic: OTA TV antenna mast modification (split from Re: What did you do to your coach today IV) (Read 2178 times) previous topic - next topic

OTA TV antenna mast modification (split from Re: What did you do to your coach today IV)

March 23, 2015, 09:11:03 pm

The last couple of days, I've been working on my OTA TV antenna.

About 18 months ago, I replaced the original Winegard with a Jack HD Antenna head. The Winegard was not HD and tended to rattle on the roof over my head when we were driving down the road--especially in a cross wind. The Jack antenna did give me a good picture but was just as noisy on the roof while underway.

I was up looking at it last week and discovered that the movement had severely worn the soft aluminum bracket that holds the Jack on the two square tube legs. The holes were elongated and the bracket was worn about halfway through in a couple of places.

I decided to rework the mast to see if I could fix the noise problem and cutdown on the wear on the bracket.

I ordered a new bracket from Jack (about $11 delivered). I cut about 20" off the mounting arms to cutdown on the amount of flopping while underway. I then replaced the top and bottom pin/clips with nylon bushing/bolts/washers/lock nuts. This took all the slop/movement out of the antenna assembly. I added new rubber padding on the roof where the square tubing of the mast/antenna head lands when it is retracted. I used some leftover gasket from my window repair last week for the padding.

I won't know if it fixed the noise problem until we hit the road in May, but the whole setup is certainly much more secure. I'll give a noise report in about 6 weeks.

Rich

Re: OTA TV antenna mast modification (split from Re: What did you do to your coach today IV)

Reply #1 – March 23, 2015, 10:17:35 pm

Rich

I'm anxious to hear your report on the noise issue.

I will look at doing the same for mine before we head north on June 1.

jack

Re: OTA TV antenna mast modification (split from Re: What did you do to your coach today IV)

Reply #2 – March 23, 2015, 11:51:26 pm

Rich
What's involved switch to the new HD antenna

Re: OTA TV antenna mast modification (split from Re: What did you do to your coach today IV)

Reply #3 – March 24, 2015, 12:57:53 am

My Jack OTA just fit right over the same place as the old OTA. Same bolts, etc.

Took about 10 minutes. You have to check the antenna when it is sowed to be sure it lays on the old cushion on the roof top. If it does not just remove and re-silicone the cushions in the appropriate location.

jack

Re: OTA TV antenna mast modification (split from Re: What did you do to your coach today IV)

Reply #4 – March 24, 2015, 12:36:15 pm

The instructions with the Jack antenna tell you to reuse the pins with the spring clips. I did and that's what caused my subsequent problems with noise and the wear on the bracket they provided. I'd suggest that anyone installing a Jack antenna replace the pins/clips with bolts/washers/nylon lock nuts/nylon bushings. I even replaced the pins/clips in the bottom of the square tube arms. It tightened up the slop considerably. You do have to drill the holes in the arms slightly bigger to accommodate the nylon bushings. I got all the hardware at my local Ace Hardware store.

A couple of other points. I needed a new shorter coax cable custom made. I found a cable guy working in the neighborhood and he made it for me for free. I also used some of the self sealing tape to replace the old rubber boots that covered the cable connectors.

Rich

Re: OTA TV antenna mast modification (split from Re: What did you do to your coach today IV)

Reply #5 – March 24, 2015, 12:41:25 pm

Good idea. I replaced the entire Batwing assembly with a Jack on a 6" mast. It doesn't raise up and down any more but it does rotate using the same inside knob. However, if it's not rotated to the right spot it will rattle and bump madly. We've been turning it so it doesn't make noise but I'm going to rework the installation with your alterations in mind.

Thanks for the post!

Craig

Re: OTA TV antenna mast modification (split from Re: What did you do to your coach today IV)

Reply #6 – March 24, 2015, 12:52:49 pm

OK, Does the Jack get better reception? Next question, who did your roof coating and how do you like it?

Re: OTA TV antenna mast modification (split from Re: What did you do to your coach today IV)

Reply #7 – March 24, 2015, 01:14:21 pm

Quote from: lgshoup – March 24, 2015, 12:52:49 pm

..........OK, Does the Jack get better reception?.............

Not from my experience, but we travel mostly East of the Mississippi, so signals are stronger. Also, we (Mi-Fi) stream Netflix in about a 50:1 ratio over watching local TV.
Jim McNeece wrote up a very good explanation in the following thread (Reply #24).

King Controls Jack TV Antenna

I returned my Jack antenna because it was noisy (wind buffeting nuisance, unless elaborate measures taken) and hypersensitive to directional orientation.
To each his own, but read Jim's explanation of why there are Pros' and Cons'.
Neal

Re: OTA TV antenna mast modification (split from Re: What did you do to your coach today IV)

Reply #8 – March 24, 2015, 02:23:08 pm

I'll let the other folks talk about reception. We really don't watch much TV. More than half the time, I never even hook up to cable if it is available.

The roof was done by FOT. I really like how it has stood the test of time. Looks good--easy to clean. It has a bumpy texture that is good when dry but is certainly not "non-skid" when wet. I'm very careful on the roof while it is wet.

Rich

Re: OTA TV antenna mast modification (split from Re: What did you do to your coach today IV)

Reply #9 – March 24, 2015, 07:02:25 pm

Quote from: lgshoup – March 24, 2015, 12:52:49 pm

OK, Does the Jack get better reception?

Much better reception!

Craig

Re: OTA TV antenna mast modification (split from Re: What did you do to your coach today IV)

Reply #10 – May 04, 2015, 10:15:20 pm

Here's a followup report on my mast modification. Just finished 2 days and 900 miles with moderate winds from most directions. Absolutely no noise from the antenna. TV reception seems good. I'm a happy camper.

Rich

Re: OTA TV antenna mast modification (split from Re: What did you do to your coach today IV)

Reply #11 – May 05, 2015, 02:02:54 pm

Quote from: Rich Bowman – May 04, 2015, 10:15:20 pm

Absolutely no noise from the antenna. TV reception seems good. I'm a happy camper.

Rich

And that is all that matters. David

Re: OTA TV antenna mast modification (split from Re: What did you do to your coach today IV)

Reply #12 – May 06, 2015, 08:44:53 am

I purchased the Jack Antenna but went back to my Bat Wing for better reception. I guess I may have gotten a bad Jack but I get noticeably better reception from my bat wing. FWIW

I also attached my Wilson Cellular Booster antenna to the top of the Bat Wing for much improved Cellular signals in fringe areas. When attached to the top of the Bat Wing it stays upright even when the antenna mast is down.

Re: OTA TV antenna mast modification (split from Re: What did you do to your coach today IV)

Reply #13 – May 07, 2015, 09:23:51 am

In another recent "antenna" thread (OTA Antenna rattles while traveling) I said I was buying a King Controls OA8200 to replace my OA8000 Jack head on the original crank-up arms. The "crank-up Jack" was working fine for us, got good strong reception in all conditions, etc. Unable to "leave well enough alone", I decided the newer, modern OA8200 would work better. To be fair (to myself) I also thought the newer model would be simpler (no cranking up and down), quieter (no rattles), cleaner and more aero looking, and (having a smaller footprint) would free up some roof space for a planned future solar panel install.

Well, after installing the OA8200, I can report that it IS all of those things...BUT...for receiving TV signals it simply DOES NOT work as well as the "crank-up Jack".

Once again I have proven the old adage "If it ain't broke, don't mess with it!"

Details. We live out in the sticks, have never had cable TV in our 35 years at this address. We know exactly what OTA stations can be received at our house, both with our rooftop antenna (on the house) and with the antenna on the coach. We know precisely where the TV towers are located, and the distance from our house. (If you are curious about your local OTA environment, try using the excellent search tool at TV Fool) With the old "crank-up Jack" on the coach set in one single position, we were pulling in strong signals from 6 OTA digital channel "groups", exactly the same as the 20' high antenna on the house. After switching to the OA8200, we could not find any single position that would receive all 6 channels. We could get 3 channels in one position, 2 in a second position, and could not get the 6th (weakest) channel in ANY position.

Simply put: for it's primary function, It Don't Work As Good.

I did install it correctly. The builtin signal strength meter works fine, so I have good 12 volt power to the antenna. I can only theorize that the new model is more "directional" than the old one, AND that the lowered height reduces reception, at least in my particular situation. The OA8200 might work fine if you are surrounded by strong towers, but in a marginal reception location I believe the OA8000 on the tall arms will outperform.

I'm not out much cash (Thanks to the Amazon Prime excellent return policy), just a couple days labor. Photos below show the basic install (other than final cable connection) of the OA8200, just in case anyone else wants to try their luck. As part of this project, I also removed the old unused satellite dish at the rear of the coach. At least THAT worked out the way I planned it.

Re: OTA TV antenna mast modification (split from Re: What did you do to your coach today IV)

Reply #14 – May 07, 2015, 09:44:26 am

I don't know...looks like the fixed, nonraisable, Jack is a tree limb finder. That's what I have the CB antenna for. When I change over it will be for the mounting on the raisable mast. By the time I do that there will be something else to try anyway.

Re: OTA TV antenna mast modification (split from Re: What did you do to your coach today IV)

Reply #15 – May 07, 2015, 09:52:51 am

Quote from: lgshoup – May 07, 2015, 09:44:26 am

I don't know...looks like the fixed, nonraisable, Jack is a tree limb finder.

Yes, I agree...also made me a little nervous. The OA8200 stands 12" high, which was 2" above my A/C units. Being it is made entirely of plastic, hitting a big tree branch would NOT be pretty!

Re: OTA TV antenna mast modification (split from Re: What did you do to your coach today IV)

Reply #16 – May 07, 2015, 02:35:16 pm

@cajk
I like the change they made to the base with having that lower separate plate compared to mine which didn't have that. Seems like a much better design now.

Re: OTA TV antenna mast modification (split from Re: What did you do to your coach today IV)

Reply #17 – May 07, 2015, 04:39:46 pm

Quote from: rsihnhold – May 07, 2015, 02:35:16 pm

I like the change they made to the base with having that lower separate plate compared to mine which didn't have that.

The extra mounting plate is a "extra-cost option"...$20 extra at Amazon. I saw reviews online noting that the mounting holes on the OA8200 did not match the mounting holes on the OEM crank-up base, so I elected to buy the extra plate to cover the old holes. Of course, to attach the new "extra" plate, I had to drill MORE holes. Then, when I decided to remove the OA8200 and reinstall the crank-up arm unit, I had to fabricate a new metal cover plate to cover the holes that I just drilled. Not a big deal...I had the material on hand, and the end result is a much more secure base for the antenna. Live and learn!

Re: OTA TV antenna mast modification (split from Re: What did you do to your coach today IV)

Reply #18 – May 07, 2015, 09:23:51 pm

We installed the Jack antenna and while coming home from Florida one winter, we hit a strong head wind. The Jack vibrated so much it broke off and was dangling by a wire. Prior to that, we did get a lot of vibration from the Jack. We contacted the company, and they did replace it. The second unit has not vibrated as much, but it is not working now. We think we may have a broken wire somewhere. So we have not been happy with the Jack.

Ben Harris
1999 U320

Re: OTA TV antenna mast modification (split from Re: What did you do to your coach today IV)

Reply #19 – May 08, 2015, 10:26:46 pm

While I had my old "crank-up" antenna off the coach (see my posts above), I took the opportunity to take it apart, clean it up, lube it and tighten it up a bit. I used several of the good ideas posted by Rich Bowman at the beginning of this thread. I also located the source of one of the irritating noises that has bothered us since we first purchased our coach. Up to now, whenever we had the antenna in the elevated position and there was the slightest breeze, we would hear a constant "rattle" emanating from the antenna. I discovered that the rotating portion of the base was loose, allowing the whole antenna mast to rock back and forth in the wind. It is very simple to fix this problem. Simply loosen the set screw, let the crank-up handle and spring drop off the metal shaft, and then pull the "rotating dial" down and out. The 3 parts I removed are shown in the first photo. Then, with a flashlight, look up into the hole in the ceiling. You will see a metal central shaft, and around that a plastic tube. There is a white nylon nut at the top of the plastic tube. Use a pair of needle nose pliers and carefully tighten the nylon nut. It won't take much, and all the excess play will be removed from the rotating mount (on the roof). If you go too far and the antenna becomes difficult to turn, just back it off a bit. This tiny little adjustment completely silenced the noise that had plagued us for so long. We are now much happier TV watchers!

Re: OTA TV antenna mast modification (split from Re: What did you do to your coach today IV)

Reply #20 – May 09, 2015, 07:45:09 am

I also put the Jack Antenna in place of the bat wing on top of the crank up arms. Did not work as well so went back to the batwing. Does have a little thump once in a while, but learned to live with it. DAN

Re: OTA TV antenna mast modification (split from Re: What did you do to your coach today IV)

Reply #21 – May 09, 2015, 08:19:11 am

I believe that the nut up inside the antennae base is a 15/16. At one time I bought one just to tighten that nut and have not used that socket for anything else. I will see if I can find it in my junk box and if I do i'll give it to someone that can use it. May be a while til I find it though.
Gary B

Re: OTA TV antenna mast modification (split from Re: What did you do to your coach today IV)

Reply #22 – May 09, 2015, 09:00:34 am

Quote from: Gary Bouland – May 09, 2015, 08:19:11 am

I believe that the nut up inside the antenna base is a 15/16.

Thanks for the tip, Gary! My bad - I should have used a deep socket - would be a much more appropriate tool for the job. But the nut is really easy to turn, because you are not making it "tight"...you're just taking out the slack in the mechanism. I got lazy and used what was handy...

Re: OTA TV antenna mast modification (split from Re: What did you do to your coach today IV)

Reply #23 – May 09, 2015, 10:41:06 am

Gary, thanks for the tip. Mine isn't rattling, now,but will try to remember.

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