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Topic: New Winegard automatic domed off-air antenna  (Read 958 times) previous topic - next topic

New Winegard automatic domed off-air antenna

Now there is a digital only off air antenna. . .

Winegard has announced a new automatic motorized domed off-air antenna.  No more turning antenna to find where the broadcast antennas are located.  Also looks for digital transmissions on UHF & VHF bands.  Attached is the User Manual.  Display shows # of different frequencies found at the pointed location.  This is an antenna made for RVers.

Re: New Winegard automatic domed off-air antenna

Reply #1 –
This sounds like a great new device, but kinda "pricey".  Press release says it will retail for $400 at Camping World - not that they are known for bargain prices.  I'll wait a while to see if real-world prices come down a bit.  For now, we get along fine with a Jack antenna head on our old crank-up Winegard mast.
1993 U280 SE 40' WTBI, Build: 4359
C8.3 300hp, 6-Speed, Exhaust Brake
960 watts on the roof (6 x 160)
Sorento (or BOLT) on a Kar Kaddy SS
"Nature abhors a vacuum"

Re: New Winegard automatic domed off-air antenna

Reply #2 –
My powered bat wing (Concord I think) is wearing out and parts are not readily available. This sounds like a perfect replacement.  Winegard web site indicates availability mid January. 
Bill and Joyce, The House2 and Dashboard Pig III
2000 U320 4210 CAI (The House2)
Build # 5733
2019 F150 King Ranch FX4

Re: New Winegard automatic domed off-air antenna

Reply #3 –
Quote from: Bill & Donna –
My powered bat wing (Concord I think) is wearing out and parts are not readily available. This sounds like a perfect replacement.  Winegard web site indicates availability mid January. 
Don't understand "wearing out". Is it no longer receiving a signal? Does it no longer go up and down easily? Does it not rotate properly? All of these are fairly easily fixed. My RV dealer locally still has parts, I think.
On the other hand, I have replaced the top cross bar, "batwing" on mine with the new "Jack" head. I'm not sure if it is better or not. The new searching antenna does seem pricey, esp. since one still has to tune the tv, manually.
No RV! Have hung up the keys.
In the past: 2016 Winnebago Era, 1994 Foretravel U240, 1995 Foretravel U240 (wide body), 1999 Foretravel 320, 36 Foot, 2003 Foretravel U320 38 foot,

Re: New Winegard automatic domed off-air antenna

Reply #4 –
Horace, by wearing out I mean it no longer goes to the home position properly, both in rotation and settling securely in the cradle.  Micro switches may just need adjustment or gears /other parts replaced...I don't know.  When I use it, if rotated, I have to get on the roof and help it get in the home position.  Also has intermittent signal loss after rotation...connection problem I suppose.  So a low profile high tech antenna sounds good to me.
Bill and Joyce, The House2 and Dashboard Pig III
2000 U320 4210 CAI (The House2)
Build # 5733
2019 F150 King Ranch FX4

Re: New Winegard automatic domed off-air antenna

Reply #5 –
Bill, yes they do get cranky after a while, but they can be adjusted. I have had to do just that, some cleaning and spray lubricant worked wonders. The handle broke a year or so ago because I was to vigorous, too.
Good luck with the new one, I'll be very interested in how it works.
No RV! Have hung up the keys.
In the past: 2016 Winnebago Era, 1994 Foretravel U240, 1995 Foretravel U240 (wide body), 1999 Foretravel 320, 36 Foot, 2003 Foretravel U320 38 foot,

Re: New Winegard automatic domed off-air antenna

Reply #6 –
About the end of February I purchased (ordered) from PPL Motorhomes the Winegard RZ-8535 automatic off air antenna.  I installed it myself without issue in place of my malfunctioning batwing.  We have been traveling about the state of Texas since March 1st and have been in areas with apparent strong and weak signals.  I am happy to report I am very pleased with its performance.  In all but one location it located multiple channels.  The exception was Mineral Wells State Park.  It only locked on to one channel but when I did the channel scan on my tv it would not/could not store any channels.  I checked with other campers that had their batwings up and they were only getting one channel.  I should add they were somewhat higher in the campground than we were.  So when arriving at each destination, a simple push of a button and available channels are located.
I definitely recommend this antenna.  It does what it claims and is very easy to use.
Bill and Joyce, The House2 and Dashboard Pig III
2000 U320 4210 CAI (The House2)
Build # 5733
2019 F150 King Ranch FX4

Re: New Winegard automatic domed off-air antenna

Reply #7 –
Thanks for the input Bill & Donna, I don't see us using much tv, but we do want to get the local weather wherever we are.

Larry
Larry Warren
1996  U320 36' SBID "Lola" sold 2020
Build #4970
Motorcade #18318

Re: New Winegard automatic domed off-air antenna

Reply #8 –
Larry,
That's pretty much what we use the off air antenna for.  For the last 10 days or so we have been at my sisters house (staying in the coach) in Elk City, Ok., about 120 miles west of Oklahoma City.  We had some stormy evenings and were able to receive from Oklahoma City all the major network stations which carried local weather plus a few other stations.  A real comfort when the clouds get dark!
Bill and Joyce, The House2 and Dashboard Pig III
2000 U320 4210 CAI (The House2)
Build # 5733
2019 F150 King Ranch FX4

Re: New Winegard automatic domed off-air antenna

Reply #9 –

Bill, were you able to use the existing coax from the old antenna or did you run new coax?

2003 GV320 4010

Re: New Winegard automatic domed off-air antenna

Reply #10 –
Ed,
Yes, I used the existing coax.  I made a cable the proper length to go from the dome to the existing roof mounted connection.  It's always better to replace old cable but I was afraid I might be unnecessarily opening a can of worms.  If I have problems in the future I will replace with new. 
Bill
Bill and Joyce, The House2 and Dashboard Pig III
2000 U320 4210 CAI (The House2)
Build # 5733
2019 F150 King Ranch FX4

Re: New Winegard automatic domed off-air antenna

Reply #11 –
Bill - Glad to hear it works for you.  ;D
Scott & Carol Seibert
2001 42' double slide U320 - Sold
Previous - 2002 36' U320
 

Re: New Winegard automatic domed off-air antenna

Reply #12 –
Quote from: Bill & Donna –
Ed,
Yes, I used the existing coax.  I made a cable the proper length to go from the dome to the existing roof mounted connection.  It's always better to replace old cable but I was afraid I might be unnecessarily opening a can of worms.  If I have problems in the future I will replace with new. 
Bill

Thanks for the info, Bill. That's good to know.
2003 GV320 4010