Is this an antenna and what's it for?

[kthornton]

On my new 2021 salem fsx 179dbk I noticed this and was wondering what it is. There is no paper work on it and I can not find anything that looks just like it on the web. Thanks

[MedicJim]

Yes that is your tv antenna should be a dial underneath it to turn it in the direction of the best signal in conjunction with the amplifier

[Bob_T329]

No rotation on this style of antenna, it’s a permanent mount, omnidirectional.

[LittleBill]

Originally Posted by kthornton

On my new 2021 salem fsx 179dbk I noticed this and was wondering what it is. There is no paper work on it and I can not find anything that looks just like it on the web. Thanks

Definitely a directional antenna. Going by your picture, it doesn't look like it is a King, think it may be a Winegard Rayzar z1 (going by the base of the antenna in the picture) - https://winegard.com/industry/recrea...ayzar-z1-white

Here is a link to the operation guide for the Winegard Rayzar - https://d38mfwkkxtsm2m.cloudfront.ne...ts/2452370.pdf

Hope this helps. Good luck.

[Reverse_snowbird]

Need a closeup picture, but it looks a lot like ours. As MedicJim says, it may have a dial on the ceiling with lights around it that indicate signal strength. Or it may be an omnidirectional. They seem to use the same housing on different antennas.

[Bama Rambler]

It looks a lot like our Rayzar Z1, but I don't see the little elements on it, so it may be a knockoff or it just may be turned away from the photo.

Which wall plate do you have for it? If it's the Sensor Pro you need to get the manual and learn how to use it to get the best reception.

[Bob_T329]

This appeared to me to be the same style antenna on my 20RDSE which I know is an omnidirectional style antenna. Clearly there are lots of models out there with different options.

We've owned almost every style camper there is over the past 35 years, I have to say I was less than thrilled with this "new" style antenna on our new unit, however I've been pleasantly surprised at the additional; channels it picks up over our other units.

[DustyRoads]

Looks like mine. It is Omnidirectional. No ability to turn it. It has terrible reception. If I watched much TV in the trailer I would replace it.

[TheWolfPaq82]

Omnidirectional, No adjustment, worst Antenna ever made.

[kthornton]

This is the (not my pic) plate on the inside. I agree it's an omnidirectional antenna but I can not find one that looks like it or the plate. I will try to get better pics of the antenna. It did not come with any documentation. Thanks for all the replys.

[aceinspp]

Its a piece of junk. Maybe you can find a way to replace as ther is no adjustment to turn to find channels. Later RJD

[Bama Rambler]

That plate says 'King' on it, so if that's exactly the plate you have you also likely have a 'King Jack' antenna. King does make an omnidirectional antenna and that may be what Salem used on these RV's.

After looking at some pictures of the RV, it looks like it'd be easy to replace it with a directional antenna that could be rotated.

[DougW]

To answer the question in the thread title, it is an antenna and it is there for driving you nuts while you try to figure out why your television doesn’t get many channels.

I hate these low profile omnidirectional antennas, they just don’t get the reception of a crank up rotatable directional antenna. The one on our motor home is within an inch of the AC so anything to the curb side is blocked from the antenna. Poor choice, poor design, poor location.

[cajun bill]

looks like the same POS I have. Been wondering how to convert it to a directional. Would appreciate it is someone knows how.

[Freon]

My king omnidirectional picks up a lot of channels. We were 20 miles outside of Madison. Wi. And I picked up about thirty channels. Basic 2. 5. And 7 for local morning news. Was made aware of i90 shutting down about 40 miles down. We made a detour and missed it all. I think someone may have mentioned past post of the different region you are in. We also picked up a bunch just outside of Austin. 50 miles? Just my 2 cents.

[ibicycle]

Looks like the piece of garbage that was installed on top of my camper, too. Anybody have any suggestions for a replacement that actually will pick up a channel?

[Bama Rambler]

I replaced ours with a Winegard Rayzar Z1 and it does a much better job. The king jack would also be a good choice.

It requires you to drill a hole in the ceiling, but that's not a big problem.

I removed the omni antenna and took an ice pick put it down through the existing hole and punched a small hole in the ceiling below. That makes sure the hole in the ceiling is lined up with the existing hole on the roof. Then just use a hole saw to drill a hole in the ceiling. Just make sure that you don't damage the coax as you'll reuse that. Then mount the antenna according to the instructions.

I also replaced the OEM wall plate (splitter/power supply) but the OEM one should work with most antennas.

[EseLoco]

Originally Posted by kthornton

This is the (not my pic) plate on the inside. I agree it's an omnidirectional antenna but I can not find one that looks like it or the plate. I will try to get better pics of the antenna. It did not come with any documentation. Thanks for all the replys.

The plate also served as a power injector for the antenna. Turning it on should improve reception.

[RichB]

The picture of the wall plate shows what looks like a small button, and says on/off. The omni-directional TV antenna only works well when the power button is 'ON', which powers up the antenna booster amplifier. To watch over the air TV, the power button must be 'ON', to watch cable, the power button must be 'OFF'. The booster also helps FM radio reception.

[Ken1967]

Originally Posted by TheWolfPaq82

Omnidirectional, No adjustment, worst Antenna ever made.

Agree 100%. Junk. Can’t get tv worse yet cant get any radio stations. JUNK