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03-26-2019, 01:36 PM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: North of Seattle, WA
Posts: 17,362
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Got tired of guessing which way to point antenna before scan
When I got ready to watch some TV in the evening when camping without cable hookup I got frustrated by long scan times and few channels showing up.
To alleviate this I installed one of these this weekend:
https://www.amazon.com/Winegard-RFL-...96496009&psc=1
Now I merely press select button (which turns it on by changing from park cable mode) and start a scan. The scan will locate the strongest signal in the area and I can adjust gain to help it reach out farther. Once a channel is revealed I can re-orient the antenna for max signal strength. If signal strength is high I can dial down gain and peak signal again by turning antenna. Only then do I do a channel scan on my TV.
If there is a specific channel I want after looking at an online map of OTA tv stations in the area I can select that channel and then dial in max strength for that channel alone. Comes in handy if you're watching a channel that is delivering an unsteady picture, often looking like a checkerboard. Merely adjust gain and antenna direction for max signal strength.
I know, it's more expensive than the signal strength meters sold for orientation satellite dishes but I find that it also does more. My house is in a location behind a hill from most of the area's TV towers. First scan after installing it yielded 10 more stations than before when using the original "on/off" amplifier. This is with the low profile "Millenium Falcon" antenna (Rayzar ZI) that came with the trailer, not a "bat-wing". I kind of like the low profile one. Less chance of driving off with it still up 
According to Winegard it works with all Sensar antenna's including the Rayzar's (Millenium - Falcon typs).
Anyone else using this Amplifier/Signal Strength Meter?
__________________
"A wise man can change his mind. A fool never will." (Japanese Proverb)
"You only grow old when you run out of new things to do"
2018 Flagstaff Micro Lite 25BDS
2023 f-150 SCREW XLT 3.5 Ecoboost (The result of a $68,000 oil change )
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03-26-2019, 02:39 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Mount Laurel, New Jersey
Posts: 9,230
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I use an app on my phone that shows where they are, how far, and if you can/cannot receive the signal.
__________________
2012 SunSeeker 3100SS Toad-1962 Futura Average 100 + days camping
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03-26-2019, 02:42 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2016
Location: Madisonville, TX
Posts: 251
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Quote:
Originally Posted by A32Deuce
I use an app on my phone that shows where they are, how far, and if you can/cannot receive the signal.
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Which app is it? I have the TV Towers app and it really doesnt work that well in my experience.
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03-26-2019, 02:46 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Mount Laurel, New Jersey
Posts: 9,230
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DTV antenna. Free and works pretty good. Use it every place we stay that does not have cable, which most don't. I like to keep track of local news/weather when out in the RV.
__________________
2012 SunSeeker 3100SS Toad-1962 Futura Average 100 + days camping
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03-26-2019, 02:55 PM
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#5
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Trailer Park Supervisor
Join Date: Sep 2018
Location: Northern NJ
Posts: 8,626
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Great tip Deuce. Will install it.
__________________
2019 Rockwood Geo Pro G19FD w/off road package
2015 Ford F150 XLT Super Cab 4x4 V8
Yes, I drink the water!
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03-26-2019, 03:17 PM
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#6
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Site Team
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Southwest Alabama
Posts: 9,850
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We have one of those and it works well. I won't say it's the best investment we've made, but it sure cuts down on the tv setup time.
__________________
Salem 29RKSS Pushing a GMC Sierra 2500HD!
Gotta go campin! 
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03-26-2019, 03:24 PM
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#7
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Site Team
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Goodyear, Arizona
Posts: 33,855
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I've been using TV Antenna Helper for years. Just downloaded Winegard Tower Finder but haven't used it.
Way easier and cheaper than buying and installing the Sensor Pro.
__________________
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
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03-26-2019, 03:35 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2012
Posts: 7,652
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Just step outside and see which direction everyone else's antenna is pointing.
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03-26-2019, 04:26 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: North of Seattle, WA
Posts: 17,362
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bikendan
I've been using TV Antenna Helper for years. Just downloaded Winegard Tower Finder but haven't used it.
Way easier and cheaper than buying and installing the Sensor Pro.
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I was using the Winegard app for quite a while but it didn't really help in telling what signal strength I'd get or help me "peak" the signal by re-orienting the antenna or increasing the gain. You also need a compass with "Tower Finder". The top of your phone screen will always be North but do you know where North really is where you are?
As for just looking which direction the antenna's are pointed, what do you do when none are pointed the same direction or almost everyone else has a satellite "dome"? 
__________________
"A wise man can change his mind. A fool never will." (Japanese Proverb)
"You only grow old when you run out of new things to do"
2018 Flagstaff Micro Lite 25BDS
2023 f-150 SCREW XLT 3.5 Ecoboost (The result of a $68,000 oil change )
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03-26-2019, 04:46 PM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Mount Laurel, New Jersey
Posts: 9,230
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There is a compass app for your phone.
__________________
2012 SunSeeker 3100SS Toad-1962 Futura Average 100 + days camping
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03-26-2019, 05:54 PM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: North of Seattle, WA
Posts: 17,362
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Quote:
Originally Posted by A32Deuce
There is a compass app for your phone.
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Only if your phone has the magnetometer installed on its circuit board. Not all phones do, especially the cheaper ones. I found that out after trying to install a compass app.
__________________
"A wise man can change his mind. A fool never will." (Japanese Proverb)
"You only grow old when you run out of new things to do"
2018 Flagstaff Micro Lite 25BDS
2023 f-150 SCREW XLT 3.5 Ecoboost (The result of a $68,000 oil change )
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03-26-2019, 06:30 PM
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#12
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Trailer Park Supervisor
Join Date: Sep 2018
Location: Northern NJ
Posts: 8,626
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Mike, we're all just jealous of your new tech toy. Us cheapos just don't want to pay 70 bucks for it. RV'ing is all about saving money, right? 
__________________
2019 Rockwood Geo Pro G19FD w/off road package
2015 Ford F150 XLT Super Cab 4x4 V8
Yes, I drink the water!
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03-26-2019, 07:45 PM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: North of Seattle, WA
Posts: 17,362
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Quote:
Originally Posted by NJKris
Mike, we're all just jealous of your new tech toy. Us cheapos just don't want to pay 70 bucks for it. RV'ing is all about saving money, right? |
I spent a big part of my life boating. In that world nothing was cheap. Guess I was just immunized.
__________________
"A wise man can change his mind. A fool never will." (Japanese Proverb)
"You only grow old when you run out of new things to do"
2018 Flagstaff Micro Lite 25BDS
2023 f-150 SCREW XLT 3.5 Ecoboost (The result of a $68,000 oil change )
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03-27-2019, 11:12 AM
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#14
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2014
Location: IL
Posts: 1,297
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A program called TV Fool and my compass app lets me point the antenna before the scan.
Rich Phillips
__________________
Rich Phillips
2019 K-2500 Duramax Crew Cab
2014 Silverback 33RL
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03-27-2019, 11:18 AM
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#15
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Denver To Yuma In 90 Days
Join Date: Mar 2018
Location: Yuma, Arizona
Posts: 3,882
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Paid $33 for this signal meter at Camping World.
Works great and proved to me that the phone apps are really not much help.
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03-27-2019, 11:30 AM
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#16
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Pickin', Campin', Mason
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: South Western PA
Posts: 19,149
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Mike,
Thank you for the write-up and the inside information on how to use it.
I am bookmarking this thread to add to my never ending "mods I'm thinking about" list!
__________________
2022 Cedar Creek 345IK 5th Wheel•Solar & Inverter•2024 Ford F-Series SCREW•7.3L•4x4•Factory Puck•B&W Companion•TST Tire Monitor w/Repeater•Sinemate 3500w Gen.
F&AM Lodge 358 Somerset, PA - JAFFA Shrine - Altoona, PA
Days Camped ☼ '19=118 ☼ '20=116 ☼ '21=123 ☼ '22=134 ☼ '23=118☼ '24=90
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03-27-2019, 12:44 PM
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#17
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: North of Seattle, WA
Posts: 17,362
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Quote:
Originally Posted by JohnD10
Paid $33 for this signal meter at Camping World.
Works great and proved to me that the phone apps are really not much help.
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I did consider one of these but the signal they receive is not channel specific. I wanted to be able to "zero in" on specific channels that would be carrying the programming I am interested.
Cant argue that this signal strength meter from CW isn't a big help, I just wanted more[emoji41]
BTW, for some unknown reason I gave up alcohol and now rarely eat out at a restaurant. I can rationalize more expensive "toys" based on the money saved on both of those former activities of mine. I like to cook so I still eat well and based on the amount of alcohol I used to consume during "corporate life" I'm saving a lot.[emoji16][emoji16]
__________________
"A wise man can change his mind. A fool never will." (Japanese Proverb)
"You only grow old when you run out of new things to do"
2018 Flagstaff Micro Lite 25BDS
2023 f-150 SCREW XLT 3.5 Ecoboost (The result of a $68,000 oil change )
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03-27-2019, 12:55 PM
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#18
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Warsaw,NC
Posts: 7,184
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I’m about like WC Fields when a reporter asked him about spending his money. Fields said half his money had been spent on women, drinking and gambling and the other half he waisted.
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03-27-2019, 12:55 PM
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#19
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: East Berlin
Posts: 734
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I have been looking at one of these since they came out. Does this have to be installed in the location of the old amplifier cable connections. For some stupid reason ours is behind our TV near the bottom, can just barely get my hand in to hit the on off button. Or can it be relocated to another area.
Thanks for your help.
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03-27-2019, 01:01 PM
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#20
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Tranquility Too
Join Date: Mar 2019
Location: Frederick, MD
Posts: 11
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You can also link to the FCC and either put in your location (zip) or have it find you, or you can zoom in and locate on the map. It will then give a listing of the channels and strength in your area. If you then click on the station you are interested in, it will show the direction from your location to the station.
https://www.fcc.gov/media/engineering/dtvmaps
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