Slap-Happy TV Antenna

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Slap-Happy TV Antenna

November 16, 2015, 12:41:17 pm

The Wineguard crank-up TV antenna on the roof of our coach is driving us nutz by slapping the roof as we drive. The slapping comes and goes dependent on the wind and its direction.

I went up and checked it out and there is enough play in the gearing that I can lift it up a couple of inches. I need to remedy
the situation and I'm entertaining ideas like an aluminum spoiler to keep the antenna down on the roof, or securing a 10 lb weight
to it to serve the same purpose. I don't want the 10 lbs to come loose though and become a projectile going through someones
windshield that's behind me. I have also thought about raising it enough that it won't slap, or putting a bracket on the roof itself
to secure the antenna to. Both the 10 lb weight and the bracket would require removal of something prior to raising the antenna,
which means a trip up on the roof.

Has anyone else had to deal with this problem?

Re: Slap-Happy TV Antenna

Reply #1 – November 16, 2015, 12:49:36 pm

Another option is to make a wind deflector. Take a 18" by 6" by 1/8" thick piece of aluminum and bend it 1" into the 6" dimension to give you something screw to the roof. Make the bend 30-40 degrees. Install just in front of the antenna to deflect air over the antenna. Works a little better if the inboard end is slightly ahead of the outboard end.

Also, put the large furniture stick on felt dots at front and back of the antenna wing as well as under the square tube.

Re: Slap-Happy TV Antenna

Reply #2 – November 16, 2015, 12:51:26 pm

How about some flexible waterproof foam with sticky tape to the bottom of the antenna? When the antenna is lowered, the foam will compress and stop the "slapping."

Pierce

Re: Slap-Happy TV Antenna

Reply #3 – November 16, 2015, 01:07:22 pm

Quote from: Pierce & Gaylie Stewart – November 16, 2015, 12:51:26 pm

How about some flexible waterproof foam with sticky tape to the bottom of the antenna? When the antenna is lowered, the foam will compress and stop the "slapping."

Pierce
Ours was doing the same thing until I replaced the rubber pad on the front. Looked like it used to be there but had come loose and flew off.
I think I like the waterproof foam idea better.

Re: Slap-Happy TV Antenna

Reply #4 – November 16, 2015, 01:09:39 pm

I was going to replace mine with the "antenna jack" antenna, just get the base to go with it. Problem solved. I had a friend who made the switch and said it was the best thing he ever did, just room for thought.

Re: Slap-Happy TV Antenna

Reply #5 – November 16, 2015, 01:26:22 pm

Quote from: John hobbs – November 16, 2015, 01:09:39 pm

I was going to replace mine with the "antenna jack" antenna, just get the base to go with it. Problem solved. I had a friend who made the switch and said it was the best thing he ever did, just room for thought.

Is that the King Controls Jack Antenna?

Re: Slap-Happy TV Antenna

Reply #6 – November 16, 2015, 01:35:38 pm

John,

You may have found a good solution with better reception, no noise against the roof, etc. Here is a video from King's "Jack" antenna:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4JRl5MFzT-8

Pierce

Re: Slap-Happy TV Antenna

Reply #7 – November 16, 2015, 01:50:01 pm

I tried that Jack "fixed base" model, and didn't have good luck with it. I went back to the "Jack on crank-up arms". Your experience might be better. Here is a link to my post:

OTA TV antenna mast modification (split from What did you do to your coach...

(scroll down the page about half way - look for my post with photos)

Re: Slap-Happy TV Antenna

Reply #8 – November 16, 2015, 01:51:59 pm

I, too, disliked the Winegard slapping around and replaced it with a Jack.

The Jack is not as noisy as the Winegard, but it still rattles around noticeably. It has to have some slop to allow for turning it, so some noise is to be expected. There may be a way to tighten it up some more, but I haven't spent the time trying to figure that out.

Jim

Re: Slap-Happy TV Antenna

Reply #9 – November 16, 2015, 06:36:22 pm

I took foam pipe insulation (closed cell) and zip tied it to the aluminum arm to take up the slack. Works well if I remember to crank the antenna down tight before I go.

Re: Slap-Happy TV Antenna

Reply #10 – November 16, 2015, 07:34:49 pm

All of the parts for the Wineguard antenna are available online. Find the parts that are sloppy and replace the parts. (and add foam)

see ya
ken

Re: Slap-Happy TV Antenna

Reply #11 – November 16, 2015, 07:50:31 pm

FT used two pieces of hollow core white plastic gasket material. They glued them to the roof at each end of the mast. When I lower the antenna I exert enough pressure on the pieces when cranking down that there is no rattling.

Re: Slap-Happy TV Antenna

Reply #12 – November 16, 2015, 08:17:38 pm

Just out of curiosity, where are the antennas that rattle while traveling located? I wonder if the forward location I see posted might have reason for the rattling.
Our Jack antenna is just aft of the mid-entry door and inboard of the o'head pass side cabinets, and we don't have any rattling while traveling, even though the antenna is flat on the roof without any rubber bumper under it. But, if the wind is blowing hard enough while the antenna is up we do hear it shake in the wind, enough that I usually lower it.

Re: Slap-Happy TV Antenna

Reply #13 – November 16, 2015, 09:57:54 pm

Traveling man, I would like to second Ken Hathaway's suggestion. Winegard parts are not only available online, they are available at CW and I suspect most RV stores. I believe replacing the worn parts and adding bumpers as necessary will give you a much happier result than jerry rigging a solution. It did for me.

Re: Slap-Happy TV Antenna

Reply #14 – November 16, 2015, 11:57:25 pm

I tossed the crank up antenna and installed the wineguard dome.

My guru buddy who did the install said the jack gets more channels but the dome is much easier.

Re: Slap-Happy TV Antenna

Reply #15 – November 22, 2015, 09:36:57 am

Quote from: amos.harrison – November 16, 2015, 07:50:31 pm

FT used two pieces of hollow core white plastic gasket material. They glued them to the roof at each end of the mast. When I lower the antenna I exert enough pressure on the pieces when cranking down that there is no rattling.

Have you gt a picture or link to the hollow core white plastic gasket material?

Re: Slap-Happy TV Antenna

Reply #16 – November 22, 2015, 12:00:39 pm

X2 on Jack antenna. Not sure I would want to drill holes in roof if I could get around it

Re: Slap-Happy TV Antenna

Reply #17 – November 22, 2015, 01:06:42 pm

I'm my 95 (and my old 93) the factory glued down rectangles of black 3/8" thick closed cell foam. The far ends of the antenna rest on it.

Re: Slap-Happy TV Antenna

Reply #18 – November 22, 2015, 05:00:42 pm

Another good option is to buy one foot of this WHITE hose in the correct diameter to just slightly tension the "wings" with the antenna down. Cut it to a length that matches the width of the antenna wings, front and back: SHIELDS RUBBER Series 148 Multi-Purpose Vinyl Hose | West Marine

Then use clear or white silicone to affix it to the roof. The white will not mark the antenna wings and will blend in better with the roof.

Re: Slap-Happy TV Antenna

Reply #19 – November 23, 2015, 11:49:27 am

I pulled mine off, but I don't watch TV. Left to rattle, it will rub a nice hole in the gelcoat.

Re: Slap-Happy TV Antenna

Reply #20 – November 23, 2015, 02:05:44 pm

I used a plastic dryer vent from Walmart as a forward wind shield instead of shaped aluminum and held in place with a silicone sealant and adhesive. Position carefully and the leading edge will lower to a position the wind deflector. Hope this helps.

Re: Slap-Happy TV Antenna

Reply #21 – November 24, 2015, 06:58:05 pm

I found some white closed cell foam blocks in my shop and cut three of them about 4" X 4" X 1". Then I siliconed
them to the roof, one under each end of the wing and one in the middle.

The hardware and OEM bushings are all tight and now there's no vertical play anymore.

Should work.

Re: Slap-Happy TV Antenna

Reply #22 – November 24, 2015, 11:17:58 pm

Replaced ours with a wineguard rayzar dome antenna. Much better. Jack on a crank up receives more channels per my guru buddy but enough for us.

Re: Slap-Happy TV Antenna

Reply #23 – January 11, 2016, 11:02:07 am

The foam blocks worked perfectly on our trip here to SW Florida.

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