The rotatable TV antennae on top my FR is shaped like the Star-ship Enterprise, mostly round with a straight projection and crossbars on one side. Question: How do I point this antennae for the best reception?
Check out your App Store for DTV Antenna. When you land at your campsite take out your phone and it will show you all the channels in the area and where their antennas are so you can point the RV antenna in that direction. It's free and it works pretty good
The rotatable TV antennae on top my FR is shaped like the Star-ship Enterprise, mostly round with a straight projection and crossbars on one side. Question: How do I point this antennae for the best reception?
The fins are to be pointed at the tower you want to receive the digital signal from.
I use the Apple app "TV Towers" to locate the stations and the direction to them. You can use satellite view to locate a local landmark to shoot towards to make aiming it easy.
Then I use the signal strength displayed on the TV (if yours is so equipped) to fine tune the antenna.
If you have a computer browser, AntennaWeb.org has a very good app as well.
__________________
Lou & Freya the wonder dog
2008 GMC Sierra 3000HD Allison Duramax
2019 Flagstaff 8529FL
Or you can buy a signal locator meter from Camping World or other RV parts retailer that you hook up to the antenna and rotate the antenna until it lights up.
Or you can buy a signal locator meter from Camping World or other RV parts retailer that you hook up to the antenna and rotate the antenna until it lights up.
Bought mine at CW for $33 bucks!
Love it!
I like the towers programs because they allow you to see options that might not be intuitive by finding the one strongest signal.
__________________
Lou & Freya the wonder dog
2008 GMC Sierra 3000HD Allison Duramax
2019 Flagstaff 8529FL
The fins are to be pointed at the tower you want to receive the digital signal from.
I use the Apple app "TV Towers" to locate the stations and the direction to them. You can use satellite view to locate a local landmark to shoot towards to make aiming it easy.
Then I use the signal strength displayed on the TV (if yours is so equipped) to fine tune the antenna.
If you have a computer browser, AntennaWeb.org has a very good app as well.
Lou.....
We’re you camped out at Macdill AFB famcamp again directing the aircraft on final approach again? Just pinpointed your pictures here and got to thinking it would be something you’d do.
__________________
Ken and Terry
2018 Sunseeker 2430S-CD, nicely modified and carried by a 2017 Ford E450 Sport
Former Georgetown 330TS owner for 10 years with more mods than I can count, pushed by our 2017 GMC Terrain
Lou.....
We’re you camped out at Macdill AFB famcamp again directing the aircraft on final approach again? Just pinpointed your pictures here and got to thinking it would be something you’d do.
Yes; I love that FAMCAMP (though cell and internet are not too good).
My point about the "max signal" was not clear in my post. In many cases, as in Macdill AFB for example, there are other "less strong" towers in the area that have programming you would want to watch, but would never know about without an app that gives you "receivability" and station programming type.
__________________
Lou & Freya the wonder dog
2008 GMC Sierra 3000HD Allison Duramax
2019 Flagstaff 8529FL
Here’s showing for Mcdill AFB Tampa.
Just click on “Online TV maps” along the left side, and input your address.
Works great
__________________
Ken and Terry
2018 Sunseeker 2430S-CD, nicely modified and carried by a 2017 Ford E450 Sport
Former Georgetown 330TS owner for 10 years with more mods than I can count, pushed by our 2017 GMC Terrain
I am not smart enough to know what direction/area is front or back. Mine(as I think the OP's) are the Manta ray looking one. Which is the front/which direction is the front/point towards the tower?
I have the signal meter, the app and the will to get more signal. I usually "just take what I get" on signal and don't pretend turning helps... as DW and kids don't have the patience to "zero" the antenna. Any Suggestions?
__________________
2017 Puma 297RLSS
2005 Ram 2500 4X4 diesel SMOKER!!
I love puns, irony and tasteless jokes...
born in Texas.... live in Arkansas
The older directional antenna had a mark on the dial inside that was the indicator of where the antenna was pointing. Don't they do that anymore ?? Our 2018 TT has the "Omnidirectional" which in my opinion...Stinks !!!
I am not smart enough to know what direction/area is front or back. Mine(as I think the OP's) are the Manta ray looking one. Which is the front/which direction is the front/point towards the tower?
I have the signal meter, the app and the will to get more signal. I usually "just take what I get" on signal and don't pretend turning helps... as DW and kids don't have the patience to "zero" the antenna. Any Suggestions?
Yes...
The meter I posted about above...
By the way, can you give us a photo or brand name on your antenna!
This is the King/Jack batwing replacement head I bought...
Most that are shaped like an arrow head, want the wider part, or backside of the arrow pointed towards the towers. Check your owners manual or online for your specific brands manual to verify but that is the general rule for directional antennas. Omni directional, usually round or vertical cone or cylinder shaped, by their nature receive from all directions without being pointed but with a little less range. Some images below for different antenna showing which is front and back.
The new "space ship" looking antenna has a (when stored for travel) rearward facing boom with 3 elements. You point the boom with the elements AT the tower you want to receive the digital signal from.
Those leading elements act like a magnifying lens to focus the signal on the actual antenna (and amplifier circuitry) located inside the plastic enclosure.
Always point the elements at the tower.
In the case of the "JACK" antenna, those elements are located in a plastic shield.
__________________
Lou & Freya the wonder dog
2008 GMC Sierra 3000HD Allison Duramax
2019 Flagstaff 8529FL
I've been using TV Antenna Helper Free app for my Android phone, for years now. Works well for me.
Plenty of free apps out there.
__________________
Dan-Retired California Firefighter/EMT
Shawn-Musician/Entrepreneur/Wine Expert
and Zoe the Wonder Dog(R.I.P.)
2016 PrimeTime TracerAIR 255, pushing a 2014 Ford F150 SCREW XTR 4x4 3.5 Ecoboost w/Max Tow Package
4pt Equal-i-zer WDH and 1828lbs of payload capacity
The new "space ship" looking antenna has a (when stored for travel) rearward facing boom with 3 elements. You point the boom with the elements AT the tower you want to receive the digital signal from.
Those leading elements act like a magnifying lens to focus the signal on the actual antenna (and amplifier circuitry) located inside the plastic enclosure.
Always point the elements at the tower.
In the case of the "JACK" antenna, those elements are located in a plastic shield.
You did mention(as I see now), but mine has no "fingers/metal/fins" on it.
Thanks Herk
__________________
2017 Puma 297RLSS
2005 Ram 2500 4X4 diesel SMOKER!!
I love puns, irony and tasteless jokes...
born in Texas.... live in Arkansas
Linear Mode
