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Old 09-07-2016, 02:14 PM   #1
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TV Antenna Rotation Tips *NEEDED*

I suspect the answer is "tiral and error", but how do you know the best position to rotate your antenna? Mine is a Winegard that came with the 2014 Silverback. Any tips?
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Old 09-07-2016, 02:25 PM   #2
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I suspect the answer is "tiral and error", but how do you know the best position to rotate your antenna? Mine is a Winegard that came with the 2014 Silverback. Any tips?
what I do is,.......if we've never been in this cg, first I'll look at the surrounding rv's to get an idea of what direction most of them use,... I'll dial that in and then its truly trial and error to fine tune for the best reception,....
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Old 09-07-2016, 02:32 PM   #3
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If you have internet access, there are multiple sites like antennaweb.org that will show you the direction and distance of each and every channel from your location. From there it is pretty easy.
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Old 09-07-2016, 02:33 PM   #4
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There is an app for your phone or tablet called TV antenna helper it will show you all of the available channels and also display them on a compass so that you know what direction to point the antenna for whatever you want to watch.
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Old 09-07-2016, 02:54 PM   #5
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Thanks to you all for these very helpful tips.
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Old 09-07-2016, 03:23 PM   #6
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Some places there may be a 'best' position if all the off air stations broadcast from within a certain city but often times, stations are located many miles apart geographically.
The antenna may have to be pointed one direction to get certain channels and in a completely different position for others.

Back in the old analog signal days, this wasn't too difficult a task.
Whichever way the antenna was pointing, the stronger channels would scan into your TV just fine and the weaker channels would do so too but would show up snowy until you rotated your antenna for maximum picture gain.

With the onset of digital signals, the task of trying to obtain ALL available off air channels (with any kind of success) is increasingly difficult.
Digital channels require a much stronger signal to get the TV's receiver to tune/lock on to the channel. The weaker ones (which would require the antenna to be rotated differently) don't even scan in so they simply get skipped during the search.
Consequently, if you are looking for a specific network or channel, you may have to rotate the antenna and redo the scan. You'll quite likely lose the channels you originally received and obtain others in their place.

If you feel so compelled, you can research your location to get the channel numbers, (such as 6.1, 8.3, etc) manually input that channel number into your TV and then rotate the antenna to see if you can obtain signal.

Unfortunately, it simply is not as easy as it used to be!
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Old 09-07-2016, 03:47 PM   #7
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Hi,

Another good app to try is TVfool.

It gives both chart- and graphic-based depictions, with distances, signal strength, etc., based on a zip code or town name for input.

FWIW.

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Old 09-07-2016, 03:59 PM   #8
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And know which way the antenna needs to be turned to be "pointing" the right way. I went a few years thinking the old batwing should be lined up with the transmitter. Then found out it goes perpendicular to the transmitter. Duh!😟
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Old 09-07-2016, 04:41 PM   #9
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What others have said about which direction other campers have there antenna pointed is a great start. Look in the set-up menu on your tv for the signal strength meter. Then you can fine tune the direction of the antenna to get the strongest signal. It might be a little different because not all transmitters are in the same location.
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Old 09-07-2016, 04:46 PM   #10
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They sell a gadget for that

All responses true about perhaps different directions being needed for different stations.

What I do is turn on my gadget and spin the antenna looking for blue LEDs to light up on the gadget. Sometimes I have to adjust the gain knob for weak/strong signals. Move the antenna for the most LEDs lit up. Then launch the TV channel scan.

I have something like this:
https://www.amazon.com/KING-SL1000-S.../dp/B0045E3MHK
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Old 09-08-2016, 01:01 PM   #11
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Check out Winegard SensarPro TV Signal Meter either at Camping World or Amazon. Yes there is a cost but mine works great
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Old 09-08-2016, 06:56 PM   #12
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Be sure you booster is on, if you aren't getting a good signal, rotate your antenna 360 degrees. There is front and back to the antenna.

Good luck.
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Old 09-08-2016, 07:55 PM   #13
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Originally Posted by tomrob1161 View Post
Be sure you booster is on, if you aren't getting a good signal, rotate your antenna 360 degrees. There is front and back to the antenna.

Good luck.
I believe you want to make that 180 deg.
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Old 09-08-2016, 08:05 PM   #14
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what I do is,.......if we've never been in this cg, first I'll look at the surrounding rv's to get an idea of what direction most of them use,... I'll dial that in and then its truly trial and error to fine tune for the best reception,....
+1
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Old 09-08-2016, 08:12 PM   #15
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And know which way the antenna needs to be turned to be "pointing" the right way. I went a few years thinking the old batwing should be lined up with the transmitter. Then found out it goes perpendicular to the transmitter. Duh!😟
Are you saying to not point the end of the antenna at the tower but rather set it "broadside"?
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Old 09-08-2016, 08:15 PM   #16
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Which way do you point the Jack antenna? I point the arrow head away from the strongest signal.
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Old 09-08-2016, 10:52 PM   #17
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I have an app on my phone that tells me which way to point for each individual station the area I'm located. It is free It is called OTAMap
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Old 09-08-2016, 10:55 PM   #18
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I have an app on my phone that tells me which way to point for each individual station the area I'm located. It is free It is called OTAMap
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Old 09-09-2016, 05:44 AM   #19
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We use an app on the phone called "DTV Antennas". It uses the GPS on the phone to locate you and then provides a list of all stations within a distance you set with network affiliation and an arrow point out which direction from your location they are. In the Google Play Store, it is listed as "Digital TV Antennas" and the developer is Nicolas Lichtmaier. Not sure if it's available on other platforms.
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Old 09-10-2016, 07:26 AM   #20
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I have a Direct TV dish and a King HD antenna. Last night found out why I could only get three over air channels. Direct TV receiver was still on. (Trees blocking sat signals) Turned receiver off, got 18 channels.
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