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02-23-2012, 07:44 PM
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#1
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Junior Member
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Rhode Island
Posts: 27
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TV Antenna system
I just bought a 2004 Montana 3685FL, I have all the owners manuals but I can't figure out the TV antenna system. The book talks about a signal booster but I can't find it. I also can't figure out how the coax runs throughout the camper. I can't get the TV to pick up and stations. I have a brand new flat screen, it's not the old anolog TV.
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02-23-2012, 08:04 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: SoCal
Posts: 1,739
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The booster is usually on the outlet panel where the cable goes into the wall. Trace the cable coming from the TV to where it plugs into the wall. My outlet panel has a small button with a green light to signal that the booster is on. Though the Montana might be different, but it shouldn’t be. If it’s not right there, keep checking wall plates where your coax plugs in, as I think some fivers have multiple patch panels.
As far as how the coax runs through the camper, I think it depends on the mood of the installer at the time. There are no guarantees.
If you want to troubleshoot, find a working cable TV feed, such as one at a campground, or Basic Cable at your house. Is your TV acting like it’s in tuner mode? As I recall, mine has different options between Cable or Digital TV Antenna.
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-Scott, DW, DG, DB, and DD
2011 Passport 2590BH
2009 Ford F150 SuperCrew F X4 5.4L w/Max Tow
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02-23-2012, 09:09 PM
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#3
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Site Team
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Venice
Posts: 5,346
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Somewhere in your paperwork that came with the trailer will be a manual for your Winegard Sensar antenna. It will have instructions on how to raise and aim your antenna towards a local station. If you do not know where stations are in your area go to Antenna Point and find your stations. At your entertainment center there will be 12v dc outlet (cigarette lighter type) with a small button you press to turn on the "Booster" amplifier. (a red or green light will come on) Now you must go to the setup menu on your tv and select "Antenna" as your RF input. Then "Auto scan" for channels that are in range. If you still don't receive any channels it still does not mean there is a problem there just may not be any in range of the antenna. Good luck ... I hope this helps. Remember to lower the antenna before moving. Every time you move you will have to re-aim antenna and Auto-scan again. Isn't technology grand??????
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Hank & Lynn
2007 Cougar 290RKS, E-Z Flex, 16" XPS RIBs ( SOLD .. Gonna miss her ... looking for new 5r)
2004.5 Dodge 2500 QC, LB, 5.9HO, WestTach gauges, Ride-Rite
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02-24-2012, 12:26 AM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Northville NY in the Adirondacks
Posts: 2,128
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winegard.com if you need a manual.
The antenna booster is contained in a panel similar to this.
Flip the switch so the LED comes on, and the antenna should work for over-the-air broadcast.
On our Cougar, the antenna and booster are at the front of the trailer by the bedroom.
The entertainment center is way in the back, but we still have to turn on the booster in the front to watch tv.
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'11 Cougar 326MKS loaded with mods
'12 Ford F250 SuperCab 6.7 PowerStroke Diesel
Amateur Radio: KD2IAT (146.520) GMRS: WQPG808 (462.675 TPL 141.3)
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02-24-2012, 05:06 AM
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#5
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Junior Member
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Rhode Island
Posts: 27
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Great info everyone, thanks
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02-24-2012, 08:34 AM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: WESTERN,CT
Posts: 2,095
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You a front living room? That pannel is in the right side cabinet top half
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BARNEY AND CHRISTINE
2010 MONTANA 3750FL
2005 DODGE 3500 DUALLY TD
2 RESCUE PUPS: SUSITNA AND CRYSTAL. RIP ALYESKA!
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02-24-2012, 12:36 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Hermiston or
Posts: 128
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you might have to upgrade the antenna to HD to get a signal
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02-24-2012, 03:19 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2010
Posts: 692
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Digital
Quote:
Originally Posted by golfpro
you might have to upgrade the antenna to HD to get a signal
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While you may have to update the TV's, not sure the antenna has limitations for the OTA signal.
__________________
2011 F350 DRW 4X4
"The Beast"
2011 Cougar 325 SRX
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02-24-2012, 03:52 PM
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#9
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Site Team
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Venice
Posts: 5,346
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Scarpo, Most of the digital channels in your area are UHF. If you have a problem with these channels adding a "Wingman" to your present antenna will help increase the UHF signal. It does not do much for VHF channels. It is under $30 and installs in five minutes without tools. It is not necessary to replace your antenna to receive HD OTA (Over The Air) Digital TV. Let us know how you make out, Hank
__________________
Hank & Lynn
2007 Cougar 290RKS, E-Z Flex, 16" XPS RIBs ( SOLD .. Gonna miss her ... looking for new 5r)
2004.5 Dodge 2500 QC, LB, 5.9HO, WestTach gauges, Ride-Rite
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02-25-2012, 06:01 AM
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#10
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Junior Member
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Rhode Island
Posts: 27
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We acutually will be at a seasonal site that has cable access so the antenna may not be an issue depending on what Cox charges for a few months of service. Great info, thanks again for all the help.
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02-25-2012, 06:26 AM
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#11
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Site Team
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Gaylord
Posts: 26,997
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Scarpo, If you do get cable, remember to turn the TV Amplifier off. It's only used for antenna reception, not cable. As for the wingman add on for the antenna. It works great, but really decreases the angle of reception. Without it, point the antenna anywhere close and you're OK, but with it, you've got to be much closer to the right direction or you won't get much reception. Easy to work with, just letting you know so you don't think it's not working...
__________________
John
2015 F250 6.7l 4x4
2014 Cougar X Lite 27RKS
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02-25-2012, 08:18 AM
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#12
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Junior Member
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Rhode Island
Posts: 27
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Thanks JRTJH, you info will be a great help
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02-29-2012, 11:55 AM
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#13
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Junior Member
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Noth Carolina
Posts: 11
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Hi,
I noticed on the inside handle of my antenna a note which states the gears need to be oiled twice a year.
I assume this is done from the roof side. Is that right? Also what lubricant do you use?
Thanks!
__________________
2012 Springdale 303BHSSR
2008 Toyota Sequoia Platinum
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02-29-2012, 12:14 PM
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#14
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Site Team
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Venice
Posts: 5,346
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Your Winegard manual will show you where to lubricate and with what. The use of "oil" may gum things up and if you get it on the roof will damage the EPDM rubber. JM2¢, Hank
__________________
Hank & Lynn
2007 Cougar 290RKS, E-Z Flex, 16" XPS RIBs ( SOLD .. Gonna miss her ... looking for new 5r)
2004.5 Dodge 2500 QC, LB, 5.9HO, WestTach gauges, Ride-Rite
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