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Topic: Cable / Antenna switch (Read 888 times) previous topic - next topic

Cable / Antenna switch

On my 91 I have a winegard antenna and a switch box in the bedroom mounted to a cabinet that switches from cable to antenna to VCR . There is a junction box under closet floor. I am troubleshooting a fuzzy picture when trying to use a cable connection. The picture is clear on the antenna setting. Is the power switch to be on or off when using the cable setting? I am testing the connection outside where it hooks also.
91 GV U300 Unihome 40' Build 3811
6V92TA Detroit

Re: Cable / Antenna switch

Reply #1
Don't know about yours, but my antenna boost switch has to be always on no matter what the input switch is set to.
1994 U280, Build 4490
Deming, NM.

Re: Cable / Antenna switch

Reply #2
Those systems create terrible noise from the Florescent lights, and other electronic stuff in the coach. I have replaced tons of them. I would replace it with a manual box
Chris and Tammy White  CDA Idaho
Previous owners 1997 U295 36' 3126 Cat 300 HP Build # 4998
Former Foretravel tech & RVIA certified tech
Former owner Custom Satellite home/RV satellites 
Former owner Vans LTD  van conversions
Unemployed, panhandler, drag racer NHRA #6348

Re: Cable / Antenna switch

Reply #3
Those systems create terrible noise from the Florescent lights, and other electronic stuff in the coach. I have replaced tons of them. I would replace it with a manual box
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What would you recommend. I have a great picture using the antenna . But have fuzzy picture on cable. I replaced the cable connector in the cargo bay where it all comes in But do not have a cord long enough to go over to my house and try it out :headwall:
91 GV U300 Unihome 40' Build 3811
6V92TA Detroit

Re: Cable / Antenna switch

Reply #4
Those systems create terrible noise from the Florescent lights, and other electronic stuff in the coach. I have replaced tons of them. I would replace it with a manual box
[/quote
What would you recommend. I have a great picture using the antenna . But have fuzzy picture on cable. I replaced the cable connector in the cargo bay where it all comes in But do not have a cord long enough to go over to my house and try it out :headwall:
Try a cable with a barrel connector on the cable from the house at the coach, directly to either coach TV. (By pass the coach stuff) Those switchers can work good on one input, bad on another.What about when you play the VCR? Could be the cable from the house is weak. Try a TV at the cable output to your coach, right at the house.
How long is that cable run to the coach? Are your coach TV's Digital? because the cable probably is.
Chris and Tammy White  CDA Idaho
Previous owners 1997 U295 36' 3126 Cat 300 HP Build # 4998
Former Foretravel tech & RVIA certified tech
Former owner Custom Satellite home/RV satellites 
Former owner Vans LTD  van conversions
Unemployed, panhandler, drag racer NHRA #6348

Re: Cable / Antenna switch

Reply #5
I have only tried to hook cable up when at a campground. When I did 2 times now had  fuzzy picture. When I switch to antenna I have  a good clear picture. I took the coax off of the box under the closet and checked it with my ohm meter It is not shorted. I replaced the little barrel connector on the other end of the cable where you would hook up to the campground cable. It looked a little boogered up from being old.There was another box under the closet floor where someone had replaced it at some point in time . It has a blown 1/4 amp fuse in it and that was probably what went wrong with it originally.I don't think the cable from the box to the front is bad because I have a good picture on antenna. If I can find a long enough cable to run from my house I can see if the barrell connector at the cable input  solved the issue, If it dosn't I'll unhook the cable input from that box and using another barrell connector I can hook up the tv wire directly to the cable wire. If I have a clear picture my problem is in that box.
91 GV U300 Unihome 40' Build 3811
6V92TA Detroit

Re: Cable / Antenna switch

Reply #6
I have only tried to hook cable up when at a campground. When I did 2 times now had  fuzzy picture. When I switch to antenna I have  a good clear picture. I took the coax off of the box under the closet and checked it with my ohm meter It is not shorted. I replaced the little barrel connector on the other end of the cable where you would hook up to the campground cable. It looked a little boogered up from being old.There was another box under the closet floor where someone had replaced it at some point in time . It has a blown 1/4 amp fuse in it and that was probably what went wrong with it originally.I don't think the cable from the box to the front is bad because I have a good picture on antenna. If I can find a long enough cable to run from my house I can see if the barrell connector at the cable input  solved the issue, If it dosn't I'll unhook the cable input from that box and using another barrell connector I can hook up the tv wire directly to the cable wire. If I have a clear picture my problem is in that box.
Your all over it. Process of elimination.
Chris and Tammy White  CDA Idaho
Previous owners 1997 U295 36' 3126 Cat 300 HP Build # 4998
Former Foretravel tech & RVIA certified tech
Former owner Custom Satellite home/RV satellites 
Former owner Vans LTD  van conversions
Unemployed, panhandler, drag racer NHRA #6348

Re: Cable / Antenna switch

Reply #7
It has a blown 1/4 amp fuse in it and that was probably what went wrong with it originally.
We still have the original working Winegard distribution box under the closet floor, with the 1/4 amp fuse.  That fuse is REALLY easy to blow!  I smoked mine when I was trying to check the power to my roof antenna - accidentally shorted center cable conductor to ground.  Couldn't locate those darn 1/4 amp fuses anywhere in town.  Finally found some at a oilfield electronic specialty store.

I've never tried the cable connection on our coach - don't know if it works or not.  We are usually content with whatever we can get on the OTA King Jack roof antenna.  If not, we play a DVD.
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: Cable / Antenna switch

Reply #8
We still have the original working Winegard distribution box under the closet floor, with the 1/4 amp fuse.  That fuse is REALLY easy to blow!  I smoked mine when I was trying to check the power to my roof antenna - accidentally shorted center cable conductor to ground.  Couldn't locate those darn 1/4 amp fuses anywhere in town.  Finally found some at a oilfield electronic specialty store.

I've never tried the cable connection on our coach - don't know if it works or not.  We are usually content with whatever we can get on the OTA King Jack roof antenna.  If not, we play a DVD.
The fuse is for the roof top ant pre amp. Has no bearing on any other input/output. If you hook or unhook the roof top ant with it powered up, it blows the fuse.Other wise the box will work on cable/VCR
Chris and Tammy White  CDA Idaho
Previous owners 1997 U295 36' 3126 Cat 300 HP Build # 4998
Former Foretravel tech & RVIA certified tech
Former owner Custom Satellite home/RV satellites 
Former owner Vans LTD  van conversions
Unemployed, panhandler, drag racer NHRA #6348