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05-16-2016, 01:25 PM
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#1
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Member
Join Date: Apr 2016
Posts: 44
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Omnidirectional Antenna
Does anybody know who makes the omnidirectional antennas Coachmen is installing on 2016 Freedom Express trailers? I got no documentation for the antenna, and so far I've only seen it from the ground. It has two metal wings, but it's not one of the type that can be aimed or raised, since there is no control inside the trailer. Just trying to find info on it, since I was camping this weekend with a friend who has a directional antenna and got several stations, and I got none. I know it does work at least somewhat, since during the PDI, I was able to get a few stations at the dealer. I verified did have the amplifier on this weekend.
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2016 Coachmen Freedom Express 282BHDS
2008 Dodge Ram 1500 Quad Cab 4x4 Big Horn, 5.7L HEMI
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05-16-2016, 02:12 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Mile Hi City
Posts: 639
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Was your power amplifier turned on? It is behind the tv on my unit integrated with the coax plate.
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2015 Denali Duramax 2500
2017 Coachmen 229TBS
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05-16-2016, 05:29 PM
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#3
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Insert witty title here
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: About 30 miles west of Beantown.
Posts: 4,032
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Did you have your TV do a channel scan?
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
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2021 Transcend Xplor 247BH
Husky WDH with Sway Control
2021 Chevy Silverado 2500HD LT 6.6L V8 Duramax
Forever in my memory. Forever in my heart.
Laurie J. Wood 3/22/67 - 8/23/19
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05-16-2016, 05:42 PM
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#4
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Site Team
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 15,266
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It is a look-a-like omni antenna that is virtually useless from a no-name company. I suggest installing a King Jack antenna. It is the most popular. Note the Jack and most other antennas will require a larger hole in the roof (2 1/2" vs 1/2") and a hole in the ceiling. Here is the info for the antenna Coachman installed.
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2015 Freedom Express 248RBS
TV 2015 Silverado HD2500 Duramax
TST Tire Monitors
Honda 2000I + Companion
2 100W solar panels
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05-16-2016, 09:41 PM
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#5
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Member
Join Date: Mar 2015
Posts: 60
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These antennas suck, next on my list of items to fix/replace on this trailer.
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2015/05/04 - 2016 Coachmen Freedom Express 310BHDS Maple Leaf Edition
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05-17-2016, 08:49 AM
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#6
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Member
Join Date: Apr 2016
Posts: 44
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Quote:
Originally Posted by flymhi
Was your power amplifier turned on? It is behind the tv on my unit integrated with the coax plate.
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Yeah, I had the amplifier turned on. Mine is just below the tv in one of the storage compartments. The little red light was on. Eventually, I got a few channels but they were basically unwatchable.
Quote:
Originally Posted by timfromma
Did you have your TV do a channel scan?
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Yeah, I did perform a couple of channel scans, and eventually got a couple of channels, but they were pixelating so bad it was worthless.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Flybob
It is a look-a-like omni antenna that is virtually useless from a no-name company. I suggest installing a King Jack antenna. It is the most popular. Note the Jack and most other antennas will require a larger hole in the roof (2 1/2" vs 1/2") and a hole in the ceiling. Here is the info for the antenna Coachman installed.
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That's what I seem to be finding from other threads I eventually found. Thanks for the link! I will check out the King Jack antenna. I'm really worried about making a hole in the roof though. Have you done it?
Quote:
Originally Posted by YEGrolo
These antennas suck, next on my list of items to fix/replace on this trailer.
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Yeah, it looks like that'll be one of the upgrades on mine eventually too.
__________________
2016 Coachmen Freedom Express 282BHDS
2008 Dodge Ram 1500 Quad Cab 4x4 Big Horn, 5.7L HEMI
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05-18-2016, 05:57 PM
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#7
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Member
Join Date: Mar 2015
Posts: 39
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Hey flybob, I will be getting one of the king jacks. I see that it requires 12v, is that a new wire I will have to run or is there an existing one from the original junk antenna?
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AJ Kirkpatrick
2003 Dodge Crew 3500 Cummins
2015 Coachmen 320BHDS Liberty Edition
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05-18-2016, 08:26 PM
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#8
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Member
Join Date: Mar 2015
Posts: 60
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Quote:
Originally Posted by AJCR2011
Hey flybob, I will be getting one of the king jacks. I see that it requires 12v, is that a new wire I will have to run or is there an existing one from the original junk antenna?
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The power is sent to the antenna with the existing coax, it comes with a wall plate to replace the current amplifier which has spade connections on it to connect the existing 12v that is already behind your current plate.
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2015/05/04 - 2016 Coachmen Freedom Express 310BHDS Maple Leaf Edition
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05-18-2016, 08:33 PM
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#9
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Site Team
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 15,266
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The power (12V) is supplied via the coax along with the signal. You can use the existing coax and just replace the antenna and the wall mounted power source.
I have not done the upgrade as I don't spend much time inside ( except sleeping). Will complete it before fall.
Quote:
Originally Posted by AJCR2011
Hey flybob, I will be getting one of the king jacks. I see that it requires 12v, is that a new wire I will have to run or is there an existing one from the original junk antenna?
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__________________
2015 Freedom Express 248RBS
TV 2015 Silverado HD2500 Duramax
TST Tire Monitors
Honda 2000I + Companion
2 100W solar panels
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05-21-2016, 07:35 PM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2015
Posts: 197
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Not to hijack the thread but this is the same antenna used on the Clippers and I was wondering if anyone has replaced the antenna on their Clipper with a King? If so where did the controls come out in the cabin?
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John & Mary Jo
Enjoying the adventure
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05-21-2016, 07:44 PM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Charlotte, MI
Posts: 226
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Omni directional antennas do not suck, per se. A trailers inability to raise them high enough to receive clear signals is what holds them back.
We have an Omni at our home that is approximately 40 ft in the air. We receive clear signals from as far away as 41 miles.
Now, if we could only figure out a cartoon way of pushing a button and the Omni would rise 30 feet above the trailer, we would be all set.
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2011 Brookstone 354TS
2013 F350 SC 6.7 DRW
Swivelwheel 58DW
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05-26-2016, 09:27 PM
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#12
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Professional Curmudgeon
Join Date: Sep 2013
Posts: 754
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Look up continu.us they also have a support section.
Antennas Archives - Continu.us
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2022 Cougar Half Ton 24RDS fifth wheel
2014 Coachmen Catalina 253RKS (sold)
2017 F350 6.7L DRW CC LB 4x4 Lariat
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05-27-2016, 09:05 PM
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#13
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Member
Join Date: Jul 2015
Posts: 46
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I had to take mine off and tighten up the connection. the antenna has a pigtail coming from it that connects to the line from the wall plate up to the roof. I thought it sucked at first as I was getting nothing at all to scan on the tv. Once I did this I got about 20 channels which is what I got from my old directional antenna
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05-31-2016, 04:37 PM
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#14
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Member
Join Date: Apr 2016
Posts: 44
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Thanks Cableguy, I wouldn't doubt that there is something loose either. None of the connections on the coax down below were actually crimped. Just put onto the coax and that's it.
__________________
2016 Coachmen Freedom Express 282BHDS
2008 Dodge Ram 1500 Quad Cab 4x4 Big Horn, 5.7L HEMI
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05-31-2016, 05:11 PM
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#15
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2013
Posts: 10,833
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The coax used for TV Antennas in the trailer is poor quality. Replacing with a Sat Grade RG6 and properly crimped connectors will make reception much better.
Also there have been issues with bad LED lights creating interference. They replaced mine at Goshen one year with better ones. I still have some flush mount lights that cause issues. I traced the problem to the 12 v power lead. Powering the antenna from a 120 vac to 12 vdc power adapter helped a lot. Broke the interference path on the 12 wiring.
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B and B
2022 Venture RV SportTrek STT 302 VRB Travel Trailer
2018 Heartland Landmark 365 Louisville 5th Wheel
2015 Heartland Bighorn 5th Wheel
2013 FR Rockwood 8289WS 5th Wheel
2012 FR Rockwood 2703 SS Travel Trailer
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06-26-2016, 11:17 AM
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#16
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Member
Join Date: Jul 2015
Posts: 46
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the coax isnt the problem its the crappy screw on connectors.
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06-27-2016, 09:20 AM
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#17
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Member
Join Date: Apr 2016
Posts: 44
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Quote:
Originally Posted by cableguy_hd
the coax isnt the problem its the crappy screw on connectors.
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The connectors on mine were actually compression and branded Ideal. They just never used the compression tool to finish the job, so the wire pulled right out. I have the compression tool, so I just did them myself, to avoid having to bring it in for a simple repair.
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2016 Coachmen Freedom Express 282BHDS
2008 Dodge Ram 1500 Quad Cab 4x4 Big Horn, 5.7L HEMI
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