posted
Both my roof antenna and cable lead-in connection have never supplied a signal since I purchased our trailer in 2003. Attempts to repair by both the dealer and myself were unsuccessful. But it didn't matter much since shortly thereafter I installed a MotoSat DataStorm, but there are times when the only TV I can get is going to be local OTA or cable in a RV park. 1st, I have installed new wiring and receptacles. Now, if I run an active TV signal from both a RV Park cable plus an active OTA signal from my crank-up roof antenna, both at the same time, into a splitter and the single output side goes to my TV .... will I have a problem? It seems perhaps not since local channels usually are lower than cable and I suspect a frequency separation, but I really don't know. I know I could use a RF Switch .... but with a splitter I could just stay a couch potato and not get up ... Or so it seems?
-------------------- Jim ------------------ F1 DataStorm | D2 | HN7000S | 89W | 1170 MHz | SL3 HD LinkSys WAP | SFF PC & LCD | SandPiper TT | Located Posts: 322 | Registered: Jul 2005
| IP: Logged |
posted
You're going to need a switch of some kind. Or one of those antenna booster boxes that has a built in switch. There's a lot of overlap in the frequency bands between cable and OTA, and just joining them together will make a hash of the signals.
joe
-------------------- Cradlepoint MBR95, Sierra USB-250U (Sprint WiMax) 2008 Newmar King Aire 4562, 2012 Jeep Liberty Limited Jet We're here! Posts: 683 | Registered: Nov 2007
| IP: Logged |
posted
If you are trying to start from scratch, the most important thing to realize is that your Winegard Batwing (or similar) requires 12V power. If you are going to be able to get the coax from the roof top antenna as well as the cable to the same place then I would install a Winegard SensarPro (about $70). This would provide you the necessary A/B type switch (but you will have to get out of your chair) plus the ability to connect the 12V power for the roof antenna. Additionally, this unit has a signal meter so pointing the antenna correctly is easier and it adds a secondary booster should you be in a weak reception area. You can also buy the standard wall plate Winegard 12V power supply but it costs about $50 making the SensarPro a better buy.
-------------------- Bill Adams Winegard Company Posts: 15681 | From: Traveling the Western US | Registered: May 2003
| IP: Logged |
posted
Great information .... thanks guys, I appreciate. The ability to have a signal meter built in would be especially helpful since my TV menu has no option to check signal strength. I'll also nix the idea of a splitter and rely on a switch.
-------------------- Jim ------------------ F1 DataStorm | D2 | HN7000S | 89W | 1170 MHz | SL3 HD LinkSys WAP | SFF PC & LCD | SandPiper TT | Located Posts: 322 | Registered: Jul 2005
| IP: Logged |
UBBFriend: Email this page to someone!
Printer-friendly view of this topic
