TV Antenna Diagnostics

Topic: TV Antenna Diagnostics (Read 1067 times) previous topic - next topic

TV Antenna Diagnostics

May 08, 2016, 10:52:47 pm

TV has no reception. Not a great loss but I need to fix it. I have less than zero knowledge on the Winegard and how it works with its signal booster. So I need help with the diagnosis.

The auto channel program routine yields no channels captured. DVD's work fine so I know it's not a TV issue. Suggestions on troubleshooting?

Re: TV Antenna Diagnostics

Reply #1 – May 08, 2016, 11:01:54 pm

How long has this been going on? Any new components in the system or are you new to the system? Are you located behind an obstruction that's not allowing reception? Do you have the selector box set to ANTENNA? Or you might try changing the INPUT on the TV. Don't know how yours is set-up but you might try going direct from antenna to TV with the coax, for a test.

Re: TV Antenna Diagnostics

Reply #2 – May 08, 2016, 11:23:04 pm

I am familiar with the installation as I did the TV upgrade to flat screens in 09. This is a new development discovered during the Spring shakedown trip.

Re: TV Antenna Diagnostics

Reply #3 – May 08, 2016, 11:33:30 pm

Something must be disconnected?

Re: TV Antenna Diagnostics

Reply #4 – May 09, 2016, 12:31:19 am

Co-ax on the Winegard pulled out?

Re: TV Antenna Diagnostics

Reply #5 – May 09, 2016, 07:31:34 am

I suggest you start at the antenna and remove and check each coax connection as you work your way toward the TV. If you find nothing then connect the TV to a simple antenna (such as old fashioned "rabbit ears") to make sure things are working at the TV end. In the worst case simply replace all of the coax between the antenna and TV.

Re: TV Antenna Diagnostics

Reply #6 – May 09, 2016, 08:08:38 am

I agree, start with the coax connection to the antenna on the roof. Check for 12 VDC between the center core and outer jacket. If not, you may have a blown fuse or issue with the Winegard "injector" that provides power to the antenna.

Re: TV Antenna Diagnostics

Reply #7 – May 09, 2016, 08:38:20 am

Quote from: wolfe10 – May 09, 2016, 08:08:38 am

I agree, start with the coax connection to the antenna on the roof. Check for 12 VDC between the center core and outer jacket. If not, you may have a blown fuse or issue with the Winegard "injector" that provides power to the antenna.

That's one of the things I like about the "Jack" antenna head - it has a red LED that indicates good power supply - visible from ground level.

Re: TV Antenna Diagnostics

Reply #8 – May 09, 2016, 03:05:11 pm

Peter,

You do have the Winegard Video Center powered on correct? Mine is in the bedroom so don't always remember to turn it on until OTA doesn't work.

see ya
ken

Re: TV Antenna Diagnostics

Reply #9 – May 09, 2016, 03:30:10 pm

Ken,
Not sure that our coaches have similar video control centers. Mine is overhead of the dashboard and has selectors for tv1, tv2 and tv, vcr, aux selectors. Yes I am certain I have it set up properly.

I have yet to get up on the roof and check the connections for voltage. I presume that's where I check for 12VDC on the coax? Not certain of this.

Is there a way to check where the source is for the 12VDC?

How does the signal booster fit into this issue?

Re: TV Antenna Diagnostics

Reply #10 – May 09, 2016, 03:53:38 pm

I'm following this with great interest because I've never seen the antenna signal booster switch in our '96 U295. It's been pretty obvious in the previous RVs we've owned but not so in this one. Any ideas would be appreciated.

Chris

Re: TV Antenna Diagnostics

Reply #11 – May 09, 2016, 03:59:57 pm

Quote from: Peter & Beth – May 09, 2016, 03:30:10 pm

How does the signal booster fit into this issue?

I'm not sure how your motorhome is set up, but our 1995 U320 has a rocker switch on a panel on a bedroom wall that turns the Winegard booster on and off. Is it possible that you have a similar switch somewhere that has normally been "on" and was inadvertently switched off? We have essentially no over-the-air reception if our switch is "off."

Re: TV Antenna Diagnostics

Reply #12 – May 09, 2016, 04:11:18 pm

D,J.,
My booster switch is next to the TV inside the DVD/VCR & Video Control Centrer cabinet. It is on and nothing is being "boosted".

Re: TV Antenna Diagnostics

Reply #13 – May 09, 2016, 04:51:28 pm

Quote from: Peter & Beth – May 09, 2016, 04:11:18 pm

D,J.,
My booster switch is next to the TV inside the DVD/VCR & Video Control Centrer cabinet. It is on and nothing is being "boosted".

Unfortunately, I don't know the source of the power, and don't have a wiring diagram handy. If you have a volt-ohm meter you might check for power at the switch (of course, if there's a pilot light with the switch that will give you the answer). I assume you have the Winegard Sensar antenna and that the amplifier is at the antenna. (However, I haven't worked on one of those and so I'm not sure). If that's the case and there's power at the switch then Brett's suggestion to check for power on the coax center conductor at the antenna is the logical next step.

Re: TV Antenna Diagnostics

Reply #14 – May 09, 2016, 05:02:10 pm

If the switch to turn on the Winegard is in the bedroom, check under the floor of the closet, back section for the booster.

Normally, the carpet on the floor of the closet comes up pretty easily, revealing the "hidden compartment".

BUT, many off air antenna systems (whole AV systems for that matter) have been upgraded/changed by previous owners, so no guarantees!

Re: TV Antenna Diagnostics

Reply #15 – May 09, 2016, 05:05:06 pm

Quote from: Peter & Beth – May 09, 2016, 03:30:10 pm

Mine is overhead of the dashboard and has selectors for tv1, tv2 and tv, vcr, aux selectors.

About a year ago my selector control went south and had to replace it. Since your coach is the same age as mine you might check that also by getting a coupling and bypassing the selector switch.

Re: TV Antenna Diagnostics

Reply #16 – May 09, 2016, 05:07:00 pm

Peter, our OEM signal booster got flakey. Replaced it with
Amazon.com: Winegard RFL-332 SensarPro Black TV Signal Strength Meter:...
Pricey but it works great. Works with cable as well.

If all of your connections seem OK and the TV finds no signal than this is a likely bad actor.

If your TV is newer then it is likely that your DVD player etc are all HDMI connections. We pitched the RF cable switch box.

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

Re: TV Antenna Diagnostics

Reply #17 – May 09, 2016, 06:12:33 pm

Booster switch light goes "on" when booster is switched to the "on" position, so there is power to the switch. Need to check power at the antenna. Can the antenna "fail"? Would replacing the antenna be logical if there is power to the antenna?

Video control box is fine as DVD selector displays fine on thentv screen, same as satellite selection.

Re: TV Antenna Diagnostics

Reply #18 – May 09, 2016, 06:45:19 pm

Quote from: Peter & Beth – May 09, 2016, 06:12:33 pm

Can the antenna "fail"? Would replacing the antenna be logical if there is power to the antenna?

A. Yes.
B. I think so.
C. If you decide to replace, I recommend:

Amazon.com: KING OA8000 Jack Replacement Head HDTV Over-the-Air Antenna:...

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

Re: TV Antenna Diagnostics

Reply #19 – May 09, 2016, 06:46:59 pm

The first thing I would check are the two coax connections between the roof and the antenna to make sure they are clean and tight with no moisture or corrosion.

Re: TV Antenna Diagnostics

Reply #20 – May 09, 2016, 06:51:06 pm

@peter,

IMHO since the antenna needs power (at the antenna) there have to be electronics in it that can fail. If you still have the old bat wing antenna now may be a good time to upgrade to the Jack antenna. On sale now at Camping World.

KING Digital HDTV Antenna Replacement Head - KING OA-8000 - Over-the-Air...

see ya
ken

Re: TV Antenna Diagnostics

Reply #21 – May 09, 2016, 07:26:14 pm

Quote from: kenhat – May 09, 2016, 06:51:06 pm

On sale now at Camping World.

After you add the shipping charges at CW, getting "Jacked" at Amazon is cheaper (if you can add $5.00 more to your order).

Re: TV Antenna Diagnostics

Reply #22 – May 09, 2016, 07:43:36 pm

Quote from: Chuck & Jeannie – May 09, 2016, 07:26:14 pm

After you add the shipping charges at CW, getting "Jacked" at Amazon is cheaper (if you can add $5.00 more to your order).

Peter does have a Camping World in the Cincinnati area.

Re: TV Antenna Diagnostics

Reply #23 – May 09, 2016, 07:54:55 pm

The antenna replacement was on the docket for this year anyway. And at the local dealers (Holman Motors) the Jack is net $53 with a 10% discount and sales tax. It's a wash either from Amazon or CW.

Re: TV Antenna Diagnostics

Reply #24 – May 30, 2016, 04:41:17 pm

Today I finally got up on the roof to test for power at the antenna. With the power "on" at the Winegard power supply I placed one lead of the volt meter on the outside part of the F connector and the other lead at the center prong of the cable connecting to the antenna. I did not observe any voltage. The female F Type connector from the inside of the coach at the roof did not show any voltage. (I placed one lead as far as I could inside the female center connector and the other lead at the outside part of the F connector. I think this means that since the power supply light is "on" that there is a lose connection (not likely) or some sort of fault somewhere between the power supply connection and the roof?

How difficult a job is it to replace the cable from the power supply to the roof?

As usual, Thnx.

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