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Old 05-11-2012, 09:24 AM   #1
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winegard antenna

Don't know if anyone has run into this but here is my delema. We have a Mini-Lite 2304 and we want to put the Wingman Accesory on it to boost the TV signal. The problem is there is not evough clearance between the a/c unit and the antenna head in the stowed position for the installation. Has anyone solved this situation other than remounting the antenna to peovide the necessary clearance and patching the resulting hole in the roof. Any thoughts will be appreciated.
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Old 05-11-2012, 09:28 AM   #2
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Yes, others have that problem here. 1 member goes up on the roof and attaches his Wingman with a bungee cord when he camps.

You can cut the Wingman to fit, but you loose some efficiency.
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Old 05-12-2012, 02:39 PM   #3
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I'm not about to climb up on the roof to "bungee cord" the wingman to the antenna whenever we want to watch tv. I did think about removing the antenna head and remounting it on the other side of the lift assembly but as the picture in the original post shows, there wouldn't be any room to put the wingman there either. Rockwood sure messed it up by not putting the antenna further to the front of the trailer where there is lots of room. Guess we'll have to be happy with poor reception or go with a SAT system.
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Old 05-12-2012, 04:45 PM   #4
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I think the only other option would be to completely redo the angle of the antennae in relation to the roof. The antennas are made to ride long ways in the slip stream, but a little angle sideways may work. I don't see anything in the installation directions that would prevent that. http://www.winegard.com/kbase/upload/2452013.pdf

The Wingman is a nice little add on, but not necessary if you are in an area with good TV reception.
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Old 05-13-2012, 08:48 AM   #5
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Jack. Your antenna is a basic setup, and even with the Wingman, it won't do what a Jack does. And from the picture, I think you have enough room. Check on Amazon, less than 50.00, and free shipping. 5 minutes to swap. When I replaced my Winegard, I went from 5 channels to 25 as a bonus.
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Old 05-15-2012, 07:14 AM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by beanoil View Post
Jack. Your antenna is a basic setup, and even with the Wingman, it won't do what a Jack does. And from the picture, I think you have enough room. Check on Amazon, less than 50.00, and free shipping. 5 minutes to swap. When I replaced my Winegard, I went from 5 channels to 25 as a bonus.
The Jack sounds like a viable solution. I did talk to the folks at the Winegard call centre after the initial post and the associate said there have been several calls about this "problem" on Rockwood (Forest River) trailers. They had no answers other that remounting the antenna further forward and patching the subsequent holes. Poor planning by some design engr I guess. Anyway the Jack antenna seems to be the answer. I'll climb onto the roof and do the measuring and if the clearance is there the order will go in.
Thanks for the help.
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Old 05-15-2012, 07:35 AM   #7
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You know if you found a good aluminium welder just take off the antenna arm and weld an offset in it so its further further from the a/c .
a dog leg if you will.
prolly cost you $20.00 bones.
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Old 05-15-2012, 07:39 AM   #8
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Originally Posted by f1100turbo View Post
You know if you found a good aluminium welder just take off the antenna arm and weld an offset in it so its further further from the a/c .
a dog leg if you will.
If that was done, wouldn't the antennae be searching for satellites instead of land antennas in the raised position ??

You would need a dog leg, the a 2nd dog leg to get it back into the same plane as the current setup. That should work, though.

innovative idea. I would look into that if I had that problem.
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Old 05-15-2012, 07:50 AM   #9
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Well you could cut some length out so it remains same raised height.

If that was my issue this is what I would do!
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Old 05-15-2012, 08:04 AM   #10
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Turbo, the length of a single dog leg would not lead to the antennae facing the sky in the up position....it would be the angle.....I think. Picture the antennae in the up position with a bend in the shaft.

That is where a 2nd dog leg bringing the antennae back to the same "parallel" plane as the orginal would be necessary.

I am interpreting "dog leg" as a single angle, like on a golf course.
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Old 05-15-2012, 08:21 AM   #11
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Ok take arm off .
Measure up say 10 inches and cut at 45 degrees.
turn piece cut off and weld to obtain a 90
Measure 5 inches cut another 45
Turn piece and weld to obtain another 45.
Antenna still lays flat.
clear as mud?
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Old 05-15-2012, 08:21 AM   #12
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Double dog leg
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Old 05-15-2012, 08:48 AM   #13
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Or you could leave it up all the time. I've seen people traveling down the hiway with the antenna in the raised position. Some even go as far as adding a small sun roof later!

Sorry, couldn't help myself!

Seriously though, I've see the cranks for the antenna in bedrooms far away from a tv. Always wondered why. Now I know; no place on the roof to put it!
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Old 05-15-2012, 08:58 AM   #14
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I think the double dog leg is a great idea. If I were in that predicament, that is what I would try 1st, even before my previous idea of angling the antennae differently on the roof.
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Old 05-15-2012, 09:10 AM   #15
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There should be enough room to install a Jack.
It could also be mounted reversed if needed.

There is also a Winegard circular digital antenna that has a much larger UHF loop and does not turn.

Winegard Roadstar RV Antenna RS-2000 VHF UHF FM Signals on eBay!
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Old 05-16-2012, 12:01 PM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by f1100turbo View Post
You know if you found a good aluminium welder just take off the antenna arm and weld an offset in it so its further further from the a/c .
a dog leg if you will.
prolly cost you $20.00 bones.
A good thought.....but. Assuming the time to remove and install the lift assembly, the cost of the welding plus the cost of the "Wingman" attachment I'd be money and effort ahead buying and installing the Jack antenna head. If only Forest River put some thought into the initial design/lay-out of the roof mounted requipment.........!!!

Thanks to all who passed along their thoughts, shows how great the community is
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