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Topic: Rooftop OTA Antenna (Read 929 times) previous topic - next topic

Rooftop OTA Antenna

I've been a week trying to remove the Dicor roof sealant in preparation to repainting the roof. Dicor is the worst thing I've ever encountered and hope the inventor is never in the crosswalk in front of our coach. The PO/shop must have used a gallon on our roof.

As I was taking a break, I thought about a different roof antenna as the OEM Bat and then the King were OK in areas without obstructions and not too far from the TV transmission towers. What kind of antenna could I install in the OEM Winegard mount that would lie flat on the roof but could be cranked up to get good reception? After a few minutes online, I decided to try a ClearStream 4 Indoor/Outdoor HDTV Antenna. Not willing to pay for a new one, I checked CList and sure enough, there were several for $30. The one I chose was like new and since it didn't need to rotate 90 degrees when raised, I discarded the extra aluminum square tube on the Winegard mount. At the same time, I ran new RG-6 from the roof down to the front console where the OEM TV had been and then down under the coach and to the wall at the back of the main salon.

I should have said that the antenna has always been stored on the roof at a 90 degree angle to miss the solar panels. We discontinued pay satellite TV long ago and either stream or use the OTA antenna.

Results: we live on the side of a canyon with another canyon wall in the way of reception from Sacramento, about 60 miles away. With a large fringe antenna, we get about 40 stations most of the time. The OEM bat received zero, the King perhaps one some of the time but with the new antenna, I was able to receive 33 stations when the conditions are good, perhaps 3 or 4 in poor conditions. 
With the new roof paint, I am turning the Winegard base plate 90 degrees so the new antenna goes down exactly in the right position. I split the signal below the antenna in the sliding compartment and installed the amplifier there.

The forty inch LED TV on the back wall was replaced by a 50 inch 4K TCL TV from Costco. Not quite ready to review it yet in comparison to the Vizios in the house. Initial impressions are good but perhaps not quite as good as Vizio.

Here are the photos. Next project is the Free to Air (FTA) satellite system.

Pierce
Pierce and Gaylie Stewart
'93 U300/36 WTBI
Detroit 6V-92TA Jake
1140 watts on the roof
SBFD (ret)

Re: Rooftop OTA Antenna

Reply #1 –
That is a impressive antenna array!  If people ask about it, just tell them you are working for the SETI Institute.  :thumbsup:
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: Rooftop OTA Antenna

Reply #2 –
Looks great, bet it works awesome. No offense, but that thing is going to bang around. Just sayin'. I have enough trouble with my King on the winegard head.
#1 complaint with FT customers when a tech

Chris
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: Rooftop OTA Antenna

Reply #3 –
I appreciate the post, and will continue to watch for your updates to see if it holds together in 60+ mph winds, and how you deal with any noise issue, definitely worth the effort.  I've had better results since using the little King signal strenth meter with my Winegard to aim my bat wing.
97 U295 40, Build #5040, 6C8.3 325 HP
Oregon Continuous Traveler
Samsung Residential #RF20HFENBSR,
Xantrex SW2012, (3)AGM8D Hse, (2)AGM Grp24 Eng, Victron BMV-712, 1800w Solar 4 LG & 2 Sunpower
Extreme Full Body Pt w/hdlmps, new furn/floor, 4 down Lexus 2004 GX470 AWD curb weight 4,740 lbs
Prev: 1990 Barth, 10L 300 2 yrs; 91&92 Monaco Signature, 10 yrs, 10L C 300 &  6C8.3 300; 1997 ForeT 6C8.3 325 since May 2017.  Employed by Guaranty RV 14+ yrs.  Former VW New Car Dlr/Service Dlr, Sales Mgr, Rv Sales, and Service Adviser from 1968-2017
"Don't criticize what you can't understand" Bob Dylan

Re: Rooftop OTA Antenna

Reply #4 –
Quote from: gracerace –
Looks great, bet it works awesome. No offense, but that thing is going to bang around. Just sayin'. I have enough trouble with my King on the winegard head.
#1 complaint with FT customers when a tech
Chris
Chris,
I can't remember any noise back before I had the solar panels on the roof but with the King at 90 degrees, there was no noise. I have an aluminum angle iron with a slot for the tubing mounted on the roof for the new antenna now but need the base plate rotated 90 so I can repeat the tubing into the slot each time I lower it. I will install a couple of small bumpers so it makes a soft contact on the roof. Perhaps the shape of the GV means less roof turbulence. We will see as soon as I get the roof painted.

Jack, with a weak signal, the new antenna is super directional with even a 2 or 3 degree change enough to lose the signal. With a stronger signal, I can move it quite a bit. A signal meter is a good accessory to have.

Pierce
Pierce and Gaylie Stewart
'93 U300/36 WTBI
Detroit 6V-92TA Jake
1140 watts on the roof
SBFD (ret)

Re: Rooftop OTA Antenna

Reply #5 –
I put this same set up for my house, got sick of paying direct tv. every time i got a new bill from them price keep going up up up. i took the dish off of its pole that it mounted to and reused the pole for this antenna . works great and free tv.
Tony n Denise 1994 U-300 SE detroit diesel 6v92 jake

Re: Rooftop OTA Antenna

Reply #6 –
So far, I downloaded several free OTA antenna pointer app for the iPhone and Android. Reviewing them now as a couple had too many ads to put up with. With a smart phone or tablet with built in GPS, they show all the stations, distance and direction.

Making an extra VHF element that will go across the top of the array. Just a short 1/2 wave dipole rod that everyone seems to like for improving the 2-13 channels so won't add much to the size or weight.

I splurged and spend $40 for a digital meter that even identifies the station along with signal strength. Coming from China so won't get to try it for about 10 days. Sathero SH-110HD Digital Meter Terrestrial TV Antenna Signal Finder DVB-T/T2...

Spanish YouTube hands on review. Unless you speak Spanish, turn off the volume and just watch. It's three minutes but shows everything: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D9FBTSVv094

Pierce
Pierce and Gaylie Stewart
'93 U300/36 WTBI
Detroit 6V-92TA Jake
1140 watts on the roof
SBFD (ret)

Re: Rooftop OTA Antenna

Reply #7 –
Quote from: Pierce & Gaylie Stewart –
So far, I downloaded several free OTA antenna pointer app for the iPhone and Android. Reviewing them now as a couple had too many ads to put up with. With a smart phone or tablet with built in GPS, they show all the stations, distance and direction.

I use this OTA pointer on a PC, not sure if it has an app.  Works very well, minimum ads, and you can drag the pointer to your exact RV spot.
Address
Dave and Nancy Abel
'00 U320 36' WTFE  Build #5669
'10 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon
Livingston, TX  SKP's Fulltiming

Re: Rooftop OTA Antenna

Reply #8 –
Quote from: Dave and Nancy Abel –
I use this OTA pointer on a PC, not sure if it has an app.  Works very well, minimum ads, and you can drag the pointer to your exact RV spot.
Address
Dave,

I just tried the site you posted but after entering our address, it says we can't expect any reception. Our big deep fringe antenna gets 40 stations in the house so while this internet site must work in many locations, ours is not one of them.

OK, here is the best I have found so far. Winegard's Tower Finder or their other app (without a name)  for the iPhone or Android work well. With Tower Finder, you open the app, select Antenna Pointer and if your smart phone (iOS or Android) has GPS built in, it goes to a map of your location with all the stations shown on the map. You then tap on the station you are interested in.  You then click on AR up in the top left side of the screen and your phone's camera shows what ever you are pointing at. You bring the phone camera down to the horizon and move the phone until the station is visible on the screen and then bring it into the red circle. This is the direction of the station so you just need to point the coach's antenna toward it and then fine tune your reception The number 12 indicates there are 12 stations possible in this direction.

I could have taken a screen shot but was afraid of movement of the station in the red circle so I used another phone. For those with iOS devices, check this video on taking a screen shot  Here is a very short video.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HNViYvDKduM

Pierce
Pierce and Gaylie Stewart
'93 U300/36 WTBI
Detroit 6V-92TA Jake
1140 watts on the roof
SBFD (ret)