Winegard RayZar Z1

[cjturnbow]

My new Montana 5er has a Winegard RayZar Z1 antenna on it. This is the first camper we have had with a RayZar Z1. I was wondering if anybody else has one and if you are having good luck picking up stations with it? This is our 7th camper and we are very used to antennas. Seems to not pick up as well. I have tried numerous times and different campgrounds and have picked up some but not as many stations as I used to. I have checked all connections! Thanks!

[ctbruce]

Booster button on? All connections tight?

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N910A using Tapatalk

[JRTJH]

I have always preferred the Winegard "crank-up" antenna with amplifier. That system just seems to be more capable than the smaller "360 degree electronic gizmo" antennas.

That said, TV reception includes much more than "just what's on top of the RV"... From the antenna, the signal travels through multiple co-ax connections, an amplifier/booster, some switches to the TV where there is a signal "interpretor". The receiver in the TV is just as important as all the rest in getting "good reception".

In recent years (read flat screen TV) the industry has turned more to HDMI/component/composite/USB inputs and increasingly turned away from "over the air" reception. In fact, Samsung, and possibly other manufacturers, have introduced a complete line of TV MONITORS that look like TV's but don't even have an OTA receiver section in them. To use an antenna, you've got to buy a separate receiver to attach to an HDMI connection on the monitor.

So, it may not be your antenna that's reducing your viewing experience, it may be the co-ax cable/splitters or even the TV itself that has a "sub-grade" receiver. Have you tried a TV from the house to see if reception improves? If not, that might be a first step......

[kfxgreenie]

I have always preferred the Winegard "crank-up" antenna with amplifier. That system just seems to be more capable than the smaller "360 degree electronic gizmo" antennas.

That said, TV reception includes much more than "just what's on top of the RV"... From the antenna, the signal travels through multiple co-ax connections, an amplifier/booster, some switches to the TV where there is a signal "interpretor". The receiver in the TV is just as important as all the rest in getting "good reception".

In recent years (read flat screen TV) the industry has turned more to HDMI/component/composite/USB inputs and increasingly turned away from "over the air" reception. In fact, Samsung, and possibly other manufacturers, have introduced a complete line of TV MONITORS that look like TV's but don't even have an OTA receiver section in them. To use an antenna, you've got to buy a separate receiver to attach to an HDMI connection on the monitor.

So, it may not be your antenna that's reducing your viewing experience, it may be the co-ax cable/splitters or even the TV itself that has a "sub-grade" receiver. Have you tried a TV from the house to see if reception improves? If not, that might be a first step......

Very true on the different grade of Tuners used in TV's. I prefer LG televisions because not only can you auto tune them to receive the channels on your initial scan, you can also manual tune them to get a channel that you may have missed, or the tower is in a different direction than the other stations. This is coming from someone who sold TV's and did antenna work for over 15 years, before an accident.

I tried a "King Jack" antenna due to the good reviews, but the crank up Winegard with the Wingman out performed it in my test, so it went back and the Winegard is still on the roof. Different strokes for different folks.

[chuckster57]

I have seen some excellent results with the Triple vision “UFO” looking omnidirectional used on Tiffen motorhomes. It seems placement on the roof of the RV will affect the low profile omnidirectional ones.

[JRTJH]

I have seen some excellent results with the Triple vision “UFO” looking omnidirectional used on Tiffen motorhomes. It seems placement on the roof of the RV will affect the low profile omnidirectional ones.

Location (placement) on the roof is a vital part of how the antenna performs. Go to any "CB antenna" installation guide and you'll see the "RF band spread" depicted. How the antenna reception is affected can be dramatic. Just having the air conditioner 6' vs 7' away can make or break TV reception. I wonder if anyone in the design section has any idea how antenna positioning can affect the antenna's performance ??? Here's an example of how positioning can affect reception. As you can see, placement can affect reception, making a 360 degree antenna unable to receive some signals if the antenna is placed near the edge of an RV or if there's something blocking reception (like the air conditioner) or in the case of a sloped roof fifth wheel, any signal from an area where the roof "blocks the signal" (if the antenna is located near the rear of the trailer and the roof slopes up to the bedroom)....

[cjturnbow]

I've checked all the connections but haven't replaced the splitter. I understand what your saying about the different TV's have different receivers. I haven't tried any other TV's because this is my home. My 2008 Montana had the crank up Wingard with a Wingman; worked great. There is an air conditioner about 18" from the antenna. I'm sure it obstructs it. I've been somewhat close to TV towers and the antenna works great. When I'm in the fringes it sucks! I'll keep trying different things. If it doesn't satisfy me I will replace it with a crank up to get some height! Thanks for all the replies!

[wiredgeorge]

I live about 30 miles from any tv transmitting antenna. Yesterday, I replaced the old batwing Sensar with a King Jack directional that is lower than the Sensar when it was extended and it gets a bit better reception as I now can pull in fringe channels I was not able to before.

I can always stick the Sensar back up if dissatisfied while camping in more remote areas.