OTA Antenna rattles while traveling

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OTA Antenna rattles while traveling

April 21, 2015, 09:12:31 pm

We replaced the bat-wing with a Jack a few years ago and are happy with that. But the Jack sits at an angle that catches air as we travel and caused the whole arm to bounce. Also, the Jack is very loose on the two aluminum arms. It doesn't look like I can tighten it much because it has to swivel as the arm comes up.
I'd like some ideas on how to stop this noise.

Thanks, Dick

Re: OTA Antenna rattles while traveling

Reply #1 – April 21, 2015, 09:14:00 pm

Dick,

Had you seen Rich's topic here OTA TV antenna mast modification (split from What did you do to your coach... ?

Re: OTA Antenna rattles while traveling

Reply #2 – April 21, 2015, 10:18:08 pm

Thanks Michelle,
Yes I remember reading that and just re-read it. I think I'll give that a try.
I was also wondering if anyone had replaced the entire Winegard unit with Jack antenna, mast, and crank?
Dick

Re: OTA Antenna rattles while traveling

Reply #3 – April 21, 2015, 10:21:08 pm

Quote from: Dick S – April 21, 2015, 10:18:08 pm

I was also wondering if anyone had replaced the entire Winegard unit with Jack antenna, mast, and crank?

We considered it, but opted against it for 2 reasons.

1) we have our WifiRanger MobileTi mounted to the crank up mast below the Jack

2) Jack interior trim/crank was only available in black or bright white, no ivory/off-white. We asked about it and the response was "well, you could try painting it".

Re: OTA Antenna rattles while traveling

Reply #4 – April 21, 2015, 10:25:49 pm

ME TOO
I am sick and tired of that thing BANGING on the roof, right over my head, in cross winds or when I (foolishly) get up to 70 mph.

RANCE told me to cable tie a child's pool noodle to the underside of it. went to the Wally World in Nac twice. Both times they were out of them. So, I got a set of child's nunchucks made out of the same closed cell foam. could also use pipe insulation, but don't want black stuff up there. haven't put it on yet. My ant is essentially some sheet alum elements, which become airfoils.

maybe this low-buck mod wouldn't pound on my roof:
KING Digital HDTV Antenna Replacement Head - KING OA-8000 - Over-the-Air...

Re: OTA Antenna rattles while traveling

Reply #5 – April 21, 2015, 11:10:08 pm

Quote from: Dick S – April 21, 2015, 10:18:08 pm

I was also wondering if anyone had replaced the entire Winegard unit with Jack antenna, mast, and crank?

We have the original crank-up mast with a Jack replacement head. It pulls in the stations great, but is a pain to crank up and down, and rattles like crazy (up or down) whenever the wind is blowing (which is pretty much always in West TX). I just ordered a King Controls OA8200:

Amazon.com: King Controls OA8200 White Jack Antenna with SureLock: Automotive

It should arrive tomorrow, and I'll get it installed (hopefully) this weekend. I'll do a little photo report on the project, and post it when I'm done.

As an Amazon Associate Foretravel Owners' Forum earns from qualifying purchases.

Re: OTA Antenna rattles while traveling

Reply #6 – April 21, 2015, 11:35:52 pm

Cajk,

I'm in the same boat, west Texas and fighting the wind. I listened to that old thing rattle all the way to Nacogdoches last week. The first day there I went out and bought A King Jack. I've only driven it approx 250 miles to San Marcos and no more serious rattling and banging.

The color wasn't a biggy since my roof is white anyway. I did have a little bit a a small rattle at times but not anything like the old one did, Headed back to Lubbock in a few days and will see how it does in some stiff winds and will look into the the small vibration or rattle and see if I can shore that up.

I'm currently out in the sticks about 40 miles north of San Antonio camped under a large oak tree and still get 18 channels from SA and surrounding communities

Bruce

Re: OTA Antenna rattles while traveling

Reply #7 – April 22, 2015, 12:51:32 am

I'll be watching for that Chuck
Dick
---

Re: OTA Antenna rattles while traveling

Reply #8 – April 22, 2015, 02:00:35 am

Again, for what it is worth. A former friend has a 2002 Newmar that he ruined the crankup mechanism but the rotation still works.
I cut two pieces of 1" aluminum tubing from a totaled screenhouse just long enough that the Jack antenna was barely above the AC unit next to it. Look at the existing two pieces of aluminum tubing in use now. The ends are offset by about 1.5" on each end so that the holes line up with the base and the Jack adapter. (OOPS, you have to put the holes in the new tubing).
After I put the new assembly up on the roof they never had the ability to raise or lower the Jack. (I bolted the two 1" pcs of tubing together, along with spacers between the tubes. Very rigid)
The antenna could be rotated and they went to Zapata, TX and back with zero problems or rattling.
The antenna legs on your existing setup would not have to be as long as they are if you switch from a wing type to the Jack antenna.

When one thinks about it, you don't really gain a whole bunch in signal strength by being up another foot or so. The old vertical aluminum pieces had to be as long as they are to accommodate the long aluminum wing antenna in the down position. I guess it was probably a matter of aesthetics more than anything else.

Re: OTA Antenna rattles while traveling

Reply #9 – April 22, 2015, 04:12:58 pm

Jeff & Suzzane Ashlock (Two Hams in a Can) replaced their batwing with a Jack and were very happy with it.

Keith

Re: OTA Antenna rattles while traveling

Reply #10 – April 22, 2015, 08:33:00 pm

I haven't given it a real road test yet, still about 12 days away. A couple of runs around town, yesterday in 50 mph winds and it is noticebly quieter. More to follow,

Rich

Re: OTA Antenna rattles while traveling

Reply #11 – April 22, 2015, 11:29:27 pm

I was on the roof today and tried putting little stick on pads that go on chair legs on the roof, but the problem is that there is just too much play where the aluminum support posts are attached to the base plate. It actually has rubbed back and forth and polished the roof...startnig to wear. I don't watch TV, so I'm just going to unpin the whole thing. I wanna yank the satelite dome off too, but don't feel like messing with all the holes. Maybe a stop at Extreme....

Re: OTA Antenna rattles while traveling

Reply #12 – April 22, 2015, 11:39:25 pm

The bolts that hold the aluminum poles to the base are 1/4" dia. You can spread the aluminum tubes outward so they fit tight in the base, or get some 1/4" ID flat or fender washers

Re: OTA Antenna rattles while traveling

Reply #13 – April 23, 2015, 07:21:11 am

I put D foam gasket for doors on the antenna and stopped the noise.

Re: OTA Antenna rattles while traveling

Reply #14 – April 23, 2015, 08:55:11 am

Just a word of warning to anyone removing the old antenna to put on the King Jack. The adhesive is on there really, really good so be careful when you try to physically remove it because you may end up pulling up some fiberglass too.

I'm just trying to keep the Nac economy thriving.

Re: OTA Antenna rattles while traveling

Reply #15 – April 23, 2015, 09:27:26 am

It's the "crotch" that the antenna fits down into that is too big for the arms. I think just one less thing on the roof is better! TV rots the brain anyway.

On a side note, a previous owner had two flat screen toshibas installed...they don't have any buttons on the TV--must use remote. Kinda a braindead idea.

Re: OTA Antenna rattles while traveling

Reply #16 – April 23, 2015, 10:00:02 am

Quote from: rsihnhold – April 23, 2015, 08:55:11 am

I'm just trying to keep the Nac economy thriving.

In that case, you should not warn us of the danger, and just let us rip up huge chunks of gelcoat!

PS: Thanks for the tip. I will try to avoid worst case scenario.

Re: OTA Antenna rattles while traveling

Reply #17 – April 23, 2015, 10:06:31 am

Keep the trade value up. Just buy the Jack head, shorten the square aluminum tubes, add flat washers to fill space.

Cheaper, easier to do, no holes to fill on the roof or inside ceiling.

Incidentally, for those who do not like to read instructions...the "front" of the Jack antenna is the end opposite of the V-shape end. (I accidentally read my instructions.)

Re: OTA Antenna rattles while traveling

Reply #18 – April 23, 2015, 11:24:48 am

Quote from: Keith and Joyce – April 22, 2015, 04:12:58 pm

Jeff & Suzzane Ashlock (Two Hams in a Can) replaced their batwing with a Jack and were very happy with it.

Keith

Do you mean the model 8000, such as I linked?

Re: OTA Antenna rattles while traveling

Reply #19 – April 24, 2015, 07:39:23 am

Quote from: Mogan David – April 23, 2015, 11:24:48 am

Do you mean the model 8000, such as I linked?

I did the same (same model). Happy with it altho I had to put a small piece of foam/rubber of some sort to increase the cushion under the supports when stowed. doesn't rattle now. Easy replacement.

Re: OTA Antenna rattles while traveling

Reply #20 – April 25, 2015, 12:27:32 pm

John S........are you saying you attach the door foam insulation to the arm of the antenna, I suppose instead of adding to what was or is some type of round plastic attached to the roof?

I like the idea of replacing the antenna with the Jack antenna, just the simple part without shortening the arm and changing wires......gotta figure out which URL is for that simple head.....but I would still be left with the antenna arms needing better, new, support or they will just rattle some, even with the smaller antenna without the long wings.

I put a photo to try to clarify the locations where I see opportunity for the new support. Glad for this thread, hate the noise on the roof in cross winds with the existing antenna.

Mike

Re: OTA Antenna rattles while traveling

Reply #21 – April 25, 2015, 01:44:08 pm

Quote from: Michael & Jackie – April 25, 2015, 12:27:32 pm

I like the idea of replacing the antenna with the Jack antenna, just the simple part without shortening the arm and changing wires......gotta figure out which URL is for that simple head.
Mike

Amazon.com: King Controls Sensar Antenna Replacement Head - White: Electronics

Amazon.com: King Controls OA8200 White Jack Antenna with SureLock: Automotive

As an Amazon Associate Foretravel Owners' Forum earns from qualifying purchases.

Re: OTA Antenna rattles while traveling

Reply #22 – April 25, 2015, 05:27:30 pm

Quote from: Michael & Jackie – April 25, 2015, 12:27:32 pm

I put a photo to try to clarify the locations where I see opportunity for the new support. Glad for this thread, hate the noise on the roof in cross winds with the existing antenna.
Mike

I replaced the Winegard batwing with the Jack Head. After reading this thread I noticed my cushions on the roof were caved in. I stuck a piece of dowel inside to prop it up. Maybe I can tighten it down a little more to stop the noise. I don't know if it will help the rattle until I take it out in a few weeks.

Re: OTA Antenna rattles while traveling

Reply #23 – April 25, 2015, 06:28:36 pm

I'm sort of surprised that people have been happy with the Jack head attached to the Winegard arm since I've found the Jack antenna to be very picky about being pointed at the signal. Most times, I have to spin the Jack around or else get a dropped signal.

Re: OTA Antenna rattles while traveling

Reply #24 – May 14, 2015, 10:07:08 pm

Quote from: nitehawk – April 23, 2015, 10:06:31 am

Incidentally, for those who do not like to read instructions...the "front" of the Jack antenna is the end opposite of the V-shape end. (I accidentally read my instructions.)

Instructions are for GIRLS! blood, scars and broken stuff are the mark of a MAN! (and a fool:^)

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