HDTV and direct tv hook ups in 1995 U300

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HDTV and direct tv hook ups in 1995 U300

April 06, 2022, 03:36:37 pm

We recently added a 32" flat screen tv to replace the original tv on the floor. I bought an hdtv antenna from Solid signal which has to have a power supply kit connected to 12 volt.
I'm wondering if I should send the one I bought back and get a winguard 360 instead. I think it has to be powered as well.
Has anyone ever installed one themselves?
I was hoping I could just hook in to the coax cable on the roof by the original antenna.
I don't know if the cables are connected correctly under the closet floor. I still need to trace down what goes where.
I've never been able to hook up to cable in a campground. I think the satellite might be using the cable connection as there are only 3 choices on the switches behind the drivers seat and in the bedroom.
Either Cable, antenna or vcr.
Thanks, Susan

Re: HDTV and direct tv hook ups in 1995 U300

Reply #1 – April 06, 2022, 05:31:52 pm

The original equipment antenna that was installed by the factory is a powered antenna. Winegard antennas are amplified the power source is in the bedroom to the right of the TV behind the top drawer. If you pull the drawer completely out you can access it, I think it supplies 19 DC Volts. The power is controlled from two different spots, one above the drivers seat on the front of the top cabinet, the other is in the bedroom to the right of the TV. The rear one has an indicator light on it.

That is the way my 1994 is set up.

Re: HDTV and direct tv hook ups in 1995 U300

Reply #2 – April 06, 2022, 05:57:50 pm

The power is controlled from two different spots, one above the drivers seat on the front of the top cabinet, the other is in the bedroom to the right of the TV

Gary...I have the power control in the bedroom but where in the top cabinet..??.I see nothing ..lol

Re: HDTV and direct tv hook ups in 1995 U300

Reply #3 – April 06, 2022, 07:28:04 pm

Thank you, that makes me feel better and in fact I did see that the other day on the wall on the side of the closet behind the bedroom tv. We had already installed a small flat screen that swings out in the bedroom.
So I'm assuming if I connect the new hdtv antenna to the existing coax cable on the roof, then that cable goes goes back to the closet where all the lines come in.
I have a cable with no end on it in the front compartment where we took the tv out on the floor.
I'll have to put an end on it and run it up to the new Tv to see if that is indeed the antenna.
If I do get the direct tv to work, the tv is connected to the box with an hdmi cable.

Still have to trace down if the right cables are connected in the right places under the closet floor.
Thanks again

Re: HDTV and direct tv hook ups in 1995 U300

Reply #4 – April 07, 2022, 03:16:50 pm

Quote from: Rocky1down – April 06, 2022, 07:28:04 pm

Still have to trace down if the right cables are connected in the right places under the closet floor.
Thanks again

The cables under the closet floor were/are from the roof mount Dish antenna. There was a box located under that floor that was wired to a small control unit that controlled the raising and rotation of the large dish satellite antenna. This was separate from the "Over the Air" antenna above the driver. Two different systems, Two different antennas...

Re: HDTV and direct tv hook ups in 1995 U300

Reply #5 – April 08, 2022, 01:31:32 pm

Is it common when they install an automatic satellite system that the coax cable from the satellite dish is connected to the spot where the park cable would normally be connected?
I've never been able to hook to cable at a campground.
I'd like to use the satellite but it's hit or miss as to whether you have a clear view of the sky.

Re: HDTV and direct tv hook ups in 1995 U300

Reply #6 – April 08, 2022, 01:45:02 pm

On an older rig I think anything is possible. The only way to be certain what you actually have is to either trace out every single cable from end-to-end or install new cables. Given the age of existing cables it would probably be a good idea to install all-new cables. That's essentially what I did on ours.

Re: HDTV and direct tv hook ups in 1995 U300

Reply #7 – April 08, 2022, 04:19:48 pm

The coax cabling should still be ok especially if it's not subject to the suns uv. The stuff on the roof maybe not so much, but it is built to be outside in the weather. If the cabling isn't cracked or brittle it's ok. Center conductor is copper so it doesn't degrade much.

Having said that , if it's like ours it's RG59 ( smaller copper) it would be better if RG6 ( bigger copper).
It'll still carry your tv signal just fine until you tacked on multiple TVs in high def with some high speed gaming internet. Add a signal for home security and even dial tone. Now the 59 is struggling.

I'm going to leave the 59 wire in our coach until it needs the upgrade. Maybe Elon's satellite internet would require it ??

Re: HDTV and direct tv hook ups in 1995 U300

Reply #8 – April 09, 2022, 05:57:20 pm

The winegard, is NOT HD with Directv. Receiver can be hooked up to TB with an HDMI cable, picture will still be Standard definition.
You would need the Winegard traveler with DTV to get HD.
Chris

Re: HDTV and direct tv hook ups in 1995 U300

Reply #9 – April 09, 2022, 08:47:57 pm

We worked on the cables a little today. It seems like the switch box under the closet floor is not getting power.
Bob hooked the cable coming from the satellite dish on the roof to the cable going up to the front tv and we were able to get a signal and watch direct tv.
If he connected the cables back to the in and out connections on the Wineguard switch we got nothing.
It is a VS-1000 and I can't find anything about it yet looking it up online.
I'm sure they don't use that one anymore.

Re: HDTV and direct tv hook ups in 1995 U300

Reply #10 – April 09, 2022, 10:45:31 pm

Quote from: Rocky1down – April 09, 2022, 08:47:57 pm

We worked on the cables a little today. It seems like the switch box under the closet floor is not getting power.
Bob hooked the cable coming from the satellite dish on the roof to the cable going up to the front tv and we were able to get a signal and watch direct tv.
If he connected the cables back to the in and out connections on the Wineguard switch we got nothing.
It is a VS-1000 and I can't find anything about it yet looking it up online.
I'm sure they don't use that one anymore.

I installed probably 40 RV Sat dishes with these splitters/amps in FT's. I would take it out, install a aftermarket winegard power inserter, and use a manual switch box, or A/B switch in the lower wall above the floor in the closet. The cables should be long enough. Mark them 1st. Those switches inject huge amounts of noise into the system, degrade picture quality, especially when any fluorescent lights are turned on.

Or install this one, it has the OTA ant. amp built in:

Amazon.com: Magnadyne VCS-10 5 input 3 Output Video Switching Center TV...

Or use two of these:

Amazon.com: STEREN Network Switch - Coax Splitter 2 Way - Antenna Splitter -...

You will need one of these if you want to continue using the OTA ant.:

Amazon.com: Winegard LNA-100 Boost TV Antenna Amplifier, HDTV Signal...

Amazon.com: Winegard RA-7296 75 ohm Wall Plate Amplifier : Electronics

Chris

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

Re: HDTV and direct tv hook ups in 1995 U300

Reply #11 – April 09, 2022, 11:34:15 pm

If I get the magnadine one, will the switches in the bedroom and behind the drivers seat still be active?
The wineguard 360 Anntenna I just bought has an an amplifier but there is one behind the bedroom tv.
Also is there a way to hook into 12 volt in the closet.
Thanks, Susan and Bob

Re: HDTV and direct tv hook ups in 1995 U300

Reply #12 – April 10, 2022, 10:28:30 am

Quote from: Rocky1down – April 09, 2022, 11:34:15 pm

If I get the magnadine one, will the switches in the bedroom and behind the drivers seat still be active?
The wineguard 360 Anntenna I just bought has an an amplifier but there is one behind the bedroom tv.
Also is there a way to hook into 12 volt in the closet.
Thanks, Susan and Bob

No, that is all powered via the old switcher, The magnadine box will eliminate all the old switching. Those winegard boxes were terrible even when new, switching won't work without it. It is the switcher electronically.The magmadine will supply the power.

You will still be able to watch multiple things on the 2 different TV's.You'll just have to go to the closest to switch selection.There is 12 volts below the floor to power it, or you can run a wire down from behind the bedroom TV. 12 volts is present there. I just put block off plates on old switches to hide them. Some people didn't care.
Chris

Re: HDTV and direct tv hook ups in 1995 U300

Reply #13 – April 10, 2022, 01:48:54 pm

There was an additional coax cable in the front where the TV was on the floor. It didn't have an end on it.
Would that be the cable that went to the switch box so you could get antenna or cable?
Bob put an end on it so we can check once the new switch comes from Amazon tomorrow.
I will be glad to not have to take the closet floor up anymore once everything is hooked up.
Thank you so much for your help and suggestions
Susan

Re: HDTV and direct tv hook ups in 1995 U300

Reply #14 – April 10, 2022, 02:45:53 pm

Quote from: Rocky1down – April 10, 2022, 01:48:54 pm

There was an additional coax cable in the front where the TV was on the floor. It didn't have an end on it.
Would that be the cable that went to the switch box so you could get antenna or cable?
Bob put an end on it so we can check once the new switch comes from Amazon tomorrow.
I will be glad to not have to take the closet floor up anymore once everything is hooked up.
Thank you so much for your help and suggestions
Susan

Not sure why there is a second cable. Someone might have added it. Normally there is only one cable to the front TV from that little electronic switch box in the back.It does all the traffic controlling!
Don't mind helping at all, wish I was there to help. I would install Sat receivers on the shelf in the closet, and do this conversion. As a FT tech, many people complained of the picture quality of the OTA channels in there coach, so did this many times for them.
You can notch the floor, and as I said, the cables should be long enough. They may be labeled, but I would label them, easy to get confused.
Cheers
Chris

Re: HDTV and direct tv hook ups in 1995 U300

Reply #15 – April 10, 2022, 03:11:11 pm

Right now I have my direct tv receiver in the front with the coax cable connected to the cable that comes from the roof. It's connected to the tv with an HDMI cable.
I'm assuming I'd have to hook another cable to the tv itself in order to get either antenna or park cable to it.

The receiver doesn't have an antenna in connection.

Re: HDTV and direct tv hook ups in 1995 U300

Reply #16 – April 10, 2022, 05:32:16 pm

Quote from: Rocky1down – April 10, 2022, 03:11:11 pm

Right now I have my direct tv receiver in the front with the coax cable connected to the cable that comes from the roof. It's connected to the tv with an HDMI cable.
I'm assuming I'd have to hook another cable to the tv itself in order to get either antenna or park cable to it.

The receiver doesn't have an antenna in connection.

Just hook the OTA coax straight into the TV. Or run a new cable down from the roof. That is easy.

Re: HDTV and direct tv hook ups in 1995 U300

Reply #17 – April 12, 2022, 05:58:20 pm

There is a splitter that was beside the old switch.
Do we need to keep that connected?

Re: HDTV and direct tv hook ups in 1995 U300

Reply #18 – April 13, 2022, 09:42:57 am

Quote from: Rocky1down – April 12, 2022, 05:58:20 pm

There is a splitter that was beside the old switch.
Do we need to keep that connected?

Depends where it goes. What leg was it on?

Re: HDTV and direct tv hook ups in 1995 U300

Reply #19 – April 20, 2022, 09:16:25 pm

Another question. The second cable in the front doesn't seem to be connected.
Could we connect the direct TV from the roof to the magnadine switch, then hook the coax cable that we know goes to the front to the out to front tv connection.
Up by the direct tv receiver could there be an AB box or a splitter with one coax going into the direct tv box and the other going up to the tv antenna in so we could use the coax that we know is good for everything?

Re: HDTV and direct tv hook ups in 1995 U300

Reply #20 – April 21, 2022, 05:34:20 pm

Quote from: Rocky1down – April 20, 2022, 09:16:25 pm

Another question. The second cable in the front doesn't seem to be connected.
Could we connect the direct TV from the roof to the magnadine switch, then hook the coax cable that we know goes to the front to the out to front tv connection.
Up by the direct tv receiver could there be an AB box or a splitter with one coax going into the direct tv box and the other going up to the tv antenna in so we could use the coax that we know is good for everything?

It won't work, the switcher will block the signal. You could try a ONE WAY passive splitter (has to be 2-2150 MHZ range) or sometimes called diplexers., but after the switch box. You need two.

Where the cable comes out of the switch box to front TV, insert the splitter into the non passive port, and the dish feed from the roof to the passive port. In the front, hook the passive port to the receiver input, and the non passive to the TV. Yes, you can run both signals down one coax. But has to be one side power blocked.

You CAN NOT run the amplified (powered) signal from the wingard OTA on this same cable. That all needs to happen before "Antenna input" on switch box.
Chris

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Re: HDTV and direct tv hook ups in 1995 U300

Reply #21 – April 22, 2022, 04:35:22 pm

I think for the trip we are going on Monday I will just take my chances with the satellite not being blocked by trees.
I can always cast something to the front tv if trees are in the way.
At least I can watch tv in the bedroom from the antenna now which I couldn't before.
When we get back we can investigate more where that other cable in the front goes.
The new tvs are much smarter than the one we bought several years ago that I don't even know if I'm going to the correct input to see if I'm getting input from the antenna.
Thanks for your help.

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