TV Antenna ripped off roof - which cable RG6 or RG59?

[tundrwd]

Well, Winegard Razar antenna ripped off the roof. No idea what ditch it's in. I have a replacement, and the cable isn't marked whether its RG6 or RG59 (yeah, same impedance, but different shielding).

I don't know yet if the cable survived (it was just sticking up), I need to put a new F connector on it and just hook it up by setting the new antenna on the roof, and see if things work. My fear is that it broke the cable internally, or did some other damage to the booster. Will find out tonite. If the cable is no good, I suspect there's absolutely NO way I can pull/snake a replacement through the roof and wherever else it goes.

IF - big if - the cable is no good on the run in trailer, I'll have to relocate the antenna and probably figure out how to make the cable come up under the trailer and route it somehow. Hence the question about what cable should be used here - the RG6 (I've got a spool in my shop), or RG59. I'll use the stock Razar booster, etc. that came with the new unit if I need to - but might need to pull new cable around, and need more than the 20ft that came with the new antenna.

So - RG6 or RG59?

[5picker]

RG6

My last three R/Vs had RG6 and I can't imagine a 2018 would have RG59 in it.
59 doesn't work well for satellite so the factory wouldn't keep two different cables, one for the satellite/cable feeds and another for the roof top antenna. It's all 6. Different colors yes, but all 6.

Compare the center conductor of the piece sticking up to the reel you have. RG6 has a larger center conductor.

[NMWildcat]

Exactly what 5picker said.
The next question is if you actually use your antenna? Since we have satellite tv, we have never use the roof antenna. When I had to replace a skylight, I actually removed the tv antenna and patched it. One less thing that seemed to need patching every year The exposed cable had disintegrated years ago anyway.

[tundrwd]

Ok - I'd probably use RG6 anyway - better insulation and less signal loss.

And yes - the TV is used for the grandkids. If I didn't use it, I'd get a piece of aluminum and seal it down and be done. I gave up on satellite 15 years ago. Too expensive for not much - at least for us.

[NMWildcat]

Originally Posted by tundrwd

Ok - I'd probably use RG6 anyway - better insulation and less signal loss.



And yes - the TV is used for the grandkids. If I didn't use it, I'd get a piece of aluminum and seal it down and be done. I gave up on satellite 15 years ago. Too expensive for not much - at least for us.

Understand.
We have Dish at home and just move one of the home receivers to the RV when we travel, so really no extra cost except the initial outlay for the portable satellite dish itself.

[tundrwd]

Ok - confirmed the cable run was still good - lucked out there.

Question - the base is marked "forward" - what's the front of the antenna? The side with the 2 fins (Winegard Razar) - or the rounded side?

[Outsider]

Technically the 2 fins are the front but they face rearward when traveling.

[BRinSCupstate]

Originally Posted by NMWildcat

Understand.
We have Dish at home and just move one of the home receivers to the RV when we travel, so really no extra cost except the initial outlay for the portable satellite dish itself.

I’m curious what you use to set up your dish? Do you use a tripod?

[NMWildcat]

No tripod. Sometimes I place it on the RV roof, sometimes on the ground.

[BRinSCupstate]

Originally Posted by NMWildcat

No tripod. Sometimes I place it on the RV roof, sometimes on the ground.

What portable dish do you use? It doesn’t sound like you’re using a pole mount. I’ve seen tailgate style dish but thought they needed a dedicated receiver. Can you provide some insight.

[NMWildcat]

Originally Posted by BRinSCupstate

What portable dish do you use? It doesn’t sound like you’re using a pole mount. I’ve seen tailgate style dish but thought they needed a dedicated receiver. Can provide some insight.

I use the newer smoke dome King Tailgator Pro. Wide stable base so I don't need a mount of any kind. It does require a receiver, but not sure what you mean by dedicated. The receiver is a Wally that I move from my house Dish system to the RV. I hook it up in the house mainly to keep the updates current so I don't have to wait for that when I start it hlup in the RV.

[BRinSCupstate]

Originally Posted by NMWildcat

I use the newer smoke dome King Tailgator Pro. Wide stable base so I don't need a mount of any kind. It does require a receiver, but not sure what you mean by dedicated. The receiver is a Wally that I move from my house Dish system to the RV. I hook it up in the house mainly to keep the updates current so I don't have to wait for that when I start it hlup in the RV.

I have what I believe is a VIP211 in my shop, connected to a pole mounted dish. From reading information, it looks like it might work with the King Tailgator Pro. I didn’t realize that was possible.

[NMWildcat]

Originally Posted by BRinSCupstate

I have what I believe is a VIP211 in my shop, connected to a pole mounted dish. From reading information, it looks like it might work with the King Tailgator Pro. I didn’t realize that was possible.

Yes it will. In fact, that is what I had before I got the Wally. Frankly, I liked it better.

[tundrwd]

Originally Posted by Outsider

Technically the 2 fins are the front but they face rearward when traveling.

Thanks - that's what I was looking for - making sure I was travelling with it correctly - and was. I did find that the screws in the unit I just got last week were larger, longer, and had hex heads to ratchet them down. The ones that were on the trailer before looked like the typical factory "I've got TONS of square drive #6 screws - USE THEM" kind of approach. These are #8 - so larger and will get a better bite.

Got it on Saturday in about an hour - works fine.

[melvinjo]

Didnt read all the responses, but if you still have cable exposed, but there is no end connector (ripped or torn off) they make very cheap repair/splice kits. Cable guys use them all the time: Takes about 30 seconds Check Amazon

[tundrwd]

Originally Posted by melvinjo

Didnt read all the responses, but if you still have cable exposed, but there is no end connector (ripped or torn off) they make very cheap repair/splice kits. Cable guys use them all the time: Takes about 30 seconds Check Amazon

yeah - the F connector had gone bye-bye with the antenna. I've got several screw-on types for RG6 (cable was RG6 by the way), so it went on. I prefer the crimped on type - but couldn't find my tool, and only had the screw-on types.

[desuhu]

Originally Posted by NMWildcat

Yes it will. In fact, that is what I had before I got the Wally. Frankly, I liked it better.

A DISH tech who came to install the Hopper there told us the 211 wouldn't work anymore. He lied. It would have and I wish we still had it instead of the Wally.