TV help

coachdave · 07-15-2009, 06:36 PM

Well thanks to the Fed Gov't in all their wisdom with the new digital TV, I am about to tear out what little hair I have left. I have a 2004 Sole'. There are two TV hookups to the antenna. At best we get lousy TV, at worst very little. I have a three year old TV which I use with the converter box and a new digital TV. The best situation is the old TV and converter box at the front connection (also where the booster is located) and the other TV at the rear with an outside antenna bought at Wally World. I have tried every combination of TV's, antenna connections, converter boxes and even bought the funny thing to put on the antenna which was supposed to be the next best thing since sliced bread. Even tried a splitter to get the cable from the front TV at the booster to the rear. The booster has been replaced and is new. HELP!!!!!!!!!!!

**JohnB** · 07-15-2009, 09:15 PM

CoachDave

I had a problem with my Winegard antenna that may be your same issue. This was when it was still just analog but the problem remained. I lived with junk for reception for about 2 years as I never had anything good. I thought is was that way because of all the metal we have around us.

Then in the CG one day I looked at all these TV antennas up and said, why would they ALL be watching junk TV line me…. I never knew TV could be good. Then we saw in a window at night from a far and WOW it was great. And then after I saw many with great reception. H’mm OK something is messed up with mine

So I started with the new amplifier wall plate, nothing. Heck the new TV worked better off a set of rabbit ears and it was crystal clear that was until I re-hooked it to he coach. So I tested the inside wire 6 ways from next Tuesday and still nothing. So I went out and bought 50 foot of cable and went up to the roof, tied in there and ran the cable inside with and without the amplifier. Still nothing

After this there was only 1 thing left to replace. The actual antenna. Well I did and then all was perfect…. There is a small circuit board inside the antenna that can go bad. It did on mine.

If you are out of options, well the antenna may have gone bad itself. It may have just been it' time to go. Or you got one of the 2004 issue boards like I had.

Hope this helps

John

coachdave · 07-16-2009, 05:28 AM

Thanks John!

I well check that out, but not sure if that would account for lousy in some spots and better in others (maybe, I'm not an electronic wizard!). Also, for the difference in the two places to hook up the antenna in the trailer. But, thanks again, and when we get back to MA after this trip, I will see if that is the problem. Hopefully it is something that simple.

Dave

264SRinPA · 07-16-2009, 05:44 AM

I like the switch to all digital. No more snowy picture. Our tv comes in just as clear as cable at home. As to how many channels, that all depends on location. Comes in just as good at either location in the coach. As John said, you may have a problem with your antenna.

Honda03842 · 07-16-2009, 06:07 AM

You could always get rid of your cable at home and get Satellite for the same money. The benefit is that when you travel in your RV you can have Satellite for no extra cost.

We used to have cable and made the switch to Satellite. When we're on the road we still have great reception and people who occasionaly use our home when were away have satellite as well.

Norm

coachdave · 07-16-2009, 07:17 AM

We do have satellite at home and sometimes bring it with us. However, unless you know something I do not, satellite does not bring in network channels when on the road. After all we do have to watch the new, silly RV "reality show."

Honda03842 · 07-16-2009, 07:31 AM

RVers have the right to get national networks, ABC, NBC, CBS, and Fox. We get San Francisco and New York. Interesting because you get two shots at every network show.

If you check your Satellite cmpany you'll see that you send info on your RV and you can get national networks.

If you can't find the info, let me know and I'll get it for you.

Norm

coachdave · 07-16-2009, 10:02 AM

Did not know that! Thanks for the info. I will try to check it out. We have Direct TV, so it must be available.

Thanks again.

CD

henryj · 07-16-2009, 02:28 PM

JohnB,
Is there a way to test for that circuit board. I think our reception is much worse than it used to be. For example, at Buttonwood we had no reception, but I seem to recall that there were a number of other people with the antenna up. Was there a known issue because we have a Jan. 05 build on our trailer and would certainly have an 04 board.

Henry

Honda03842 · 07-16-2009, 03:08 PM

Dave,

Past the following link into your browser and it will take you to a form for requesting the national channels from Direct since you are an RVer..

http://www.escapees.com/edocs/DTVmobile.pdf

Norm

Bobo · 07-16-2009, 03:50 PM

If you have the Winegard batwing style antenna, try adding the Winegard Wingman to your antenna. I placed one on my rig and pulls in channels better than what I have at home. Available at Camping World for $ 30.00. Easy to install.

Bobo

sunnyseagull · 07-16-2009, 05:26 PM

Hi Dave I am not sure if you know this but both of your tv hook ups in your camper are suppose to go threw that booster jack so the tv at the jack and the other hook up share the benifit of the booster you shouldnt have to be using a 2nd antenna. you may already know this though Dan

Steve Collins · 07-16-2009, 06:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bobo

If you have the Winegard batwing style antenna, try adding the Winegard Wingman to your antenna. I placed one on my rig and pulls in channels better than what I have at home. Available at Camping World for $ 30.00. Easy to install.

The Winegard literature claims improved reception only for the UHF channels and not the VHF (channels 2-13) side. Are you finding better reception on both bands? Or just on UHF?

coachdave · 07-16-2009, 06:41 PM

Hi Dan!

Replied before but it must be somewhere out in email heaven. However, I did think that I should be getting the same from both connections as they are both on the schematic and not an add on. I get more channels with the rear on the new TV with a cheapo antenna bought at Wally World than the front one with the older TV and the box. Tried to use a splitter; that was a disaster.