I have a 2005 37B with all the original components. I don't want to replace the CRT TVs if I don't have to, but I would like to get over-the-air reception. I have two roof antennas, but don't know if either of them work. Would adding digital converters do the trick, or should I replace everything (including the box of many buttons)? Cost is not a big concern, but I do like originality. Thanks for any suggestions.
How to receive digital over-the-air TV?
- Thread starter jwoodie
- Start date
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John Canfield
Site Team
Yes, digital converters will work but I'm confused. You say cost isn't a big concern but you don't want to replace the CRT TVs? I don't get it.
Sam!
Well-known member
Find a TV replacement that is as close to the original space as possible and try it with all your other existing components, Chances are everything will work and it would get most OTA Channels available. I understand (but i wouldn't) keeping the interior original, but the TV is just not one of those things anymore. lol and they for the most part sit flush with the cabinets so they cover their own hole, and you gain cabinet space behind it
John Hilley
Well-known member
You should only have one roof antenna, a Winegard Sensar (batwing). It has an amplifier built into the antenna and needs 12 volts which is fed through the coax.
Gary RV_Wizard
Site Team
Your existing antennas and switch box will work for digital tv (assuming they are functional at all). What you need is a digital tuner for your old CRT tvs, which can only handle analog signals. The digital converter boxes will do that, but that box becomes your tv tuner, i.e. the means of selecting the channel.
However, you might benefit from an improved antenna as well. Quite a few stations changed their broadcast frequency when they went digital and some of them moved from the VHF to the UHF band. Older antennas were probably optimized for VHF, but those designed for the post-digital era will handle both bands. If tv is important to you and reception is poor in some places or some channels, you may want to invest in a newer antenna. One excellent one is the HD360 Mini-state. See http://www.amazon.com/Antennacraft-HDVIEW360-Mini-State-Antenna-Direction/dp/B001JT0FWY
However, you might benefit from an improved antenna as well. Quite a few stations changed their broadcast frequency when they went digital and some of them moved from the VHF to the UHF band. Older antennas were probably optimized for VHF, but those designed for the post-digital era will handle both bands. If tv is important to you and reception is poor in some places or some channels, you may want to invest in a newer antenna. One excellent one is the HD360 Mini-state. See http://www.amazon.com/Antennacraft-HDVIEW360-Mini-State-Antenna-Direction/dp/B001JT0FWY
John Hilley
Well-known member
If you have the Winegard Sensar antenna you can add the Wingman to double the signal strength on UHF. It then become omni directional rather than bidirectional
http://www.amazon.com/Winegard-RV-WING-Wingman-Booster-Antenna/dp/B001U2DPUE
http://www.amazon.com/Winegard-RV-WING-Wingman-Booster-Antenna/dp/B001U2DPUE
SCVJeff
Well-known member
- Joined
- Jan 20, 2007
- Posts
- 1,304
Before you say you like the way the existing ones fit, you should Look at the LCD upgrade thread and see what's been done. The results of some of them are way better than the original.jwoodie said:
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fijidad
Guest
On my 1994 Itasca 32', I have what I believe is he original antenna. I haven't used it yet as I'm just starting to resupply the missing video equipment. Is removing the old antenna and installing the Winegard Sensar antenna something one could do by himself? On Amazon, I could purchase the Sensar and the Wingman and have about $150 into the deal....without installation costs. Any thoughts?John Hilley said:
John Hilley
Well-known member
You should already have a Sensar antenna you could add the Wingman to. All parts including the amplified bat wing itself are available.
nvrver
Well-known member
One thing not commented on is that some of the smaller LCD/LED digital flat screen TV?s have very limited viewing angles. When we had our Pleasure Way we replaced the original CRT with a small LCD flat screen and found we could only view it at very limited angles. I was sorry we replaced the old TV. So if your CRT TV?s are good you may want to just add digital converters. Dick nvrver
John Canfield
Site Team
^^ Yup ^^
Generally speaking, the more expensive the set is, the greater the viewing angle and the blacker the blacks are, etc.
Generally speaking, the more expensive the set is, the greater the viewing angle and the blacker the blacks are, etc.
scottydl
Site Team
And CRT televisions are becoming outdated in relation to picture size too. Most OTA digital channels are now broadcasting in widescreen, which means the sides of the picture are getting cut off on your square CRT screen. Not a huge deal, but flatscreen TV's (which all have a built-in digital tuner) are so cheap now that it would almost be worth buying one to get the correct picture and avoid the extra converter box.
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fijidad
Guest
On my '94 Itasca Suncruiser I do have the Winegard Sensar antenna. I can see adding the Wingman for sure. I just also bought a Wiinegard FlatWave Amped indoor HDTV antenna. Is this an either/or thing: use one or the other, or is there a way to merge the signals from these different sources?John Hilley said:
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fijidad
Guest
Got it, thanks. I agree, it's nice to have options.Ned said:
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fijidad
Guest
I just read reviews about the Wingman and found a significant number who said it made no difference and wouldn't recommend it. One referred to the Jack antenna (http://www.kingcontrols.com/product/king-jack/). Any thoughts on this vs. the other?Ned said:
ArdraF
Well-known member
- Joined
- Feb 12, 2006
- Posts
- 10,695
We were surprised at the difference it made inside our very well-insulated garage. Reception was much better after the Wingman was added. By the way, it's really easy to add to the antenna.
ArdraF
