Smaller, older TV Antenna replacement

seadaddler · Jun 18, 2013

Older

I purchased one of these top of the line power ant less 2 ago and did get extended warranty because it stopped working and so went to WM and they saidit was no longer made and any way gave me a newer model which is different but alot like what I had and replaced it with the new one with all new stuff and it is working great,
Just go to WM or the internet and replace it with a new one.
nick

Sailvayu · Jun 18, 2013

I would check the connections on the coax wire make sure they are in good shape. Also check if there is a connection at the base of the mast. You can also check for shorts in the antenna wire with an ohm meter. I will also use a coax end cap you can get from home depot and install that at the antenna end to check the cable. These caps have a 75 ohm resistor in them that will allow you to verify the the resistance of the cable. If everything is good you should get something like 78 ohms at the other end of the cable. It does not take much to loose reception with the new digital signals. If you are sure all connections from the antenna to the back of the TV are good tight and clean and you feel the antenna is truly bad I would look into a 10" Glomex antenna. They are without a doubt the best out there and get surprisingly good reception. They are not cheap but worth the money. Good luck

Rick D · Jun 18, 2013

Similar Issue

....sorta. I replaced a couple of TV's so I could get VGA input (another story). The old ones had digital converters. Well, the new TV's are fine, but... the receivers are not nearly as sensitive and I drop channels all the time. I have a small 9" powered antenna. Anyhow, I called Shakespeare and told them the issue. They told me all else being equal, bigger is better since the digital bands are best received with a larger array. So, I got a 21" (no longer made but still available new). Dang, that's big! Slightly bigger than my radar. In fact, I may mount it on the radome. It currently is under it on the radar stern pole. Anyhow, if reception is not an issue, stick with one of the smaller units. Shakespeare has a new model worth considering too. Good luck!

Chief RA · Jun 18, 2013

Sailvayu,Cap'n Canning is telling you the right stuff! That antenna likely isn't bad as the coax, the connectors, antenna power supply, are all much more likely suspects. Eleminate all other options first. Antenna size or age isn't near as important as quality and maintenance of the overall antenna system. If you have voltage out of the lower box thats a good thing, so next find out if its present at the antenna/amplifier. Try another TV on the system too! Chief

Chris Patterson · Jun 18, 2013

Chief RA said:
Sailvayu,Cap'n Canning is telling you the right stuff! That antenna likely isn't bad as the coax, the connectors, antenna power supply, are all much more likely suspects. Eleminate all other options first. Antenna size or age isn't near as important as quality and maintenance of the overall antenna system. If you have voltage out of the lower box thats a good thing, so next find out if its present at the antenna/amplifier. Try another TV on the system too! Chief

yup..

Rick · Jun 18, 2013

I am really thrilled with this one. You dont actually have to use the USB. Its just a power saver. Just plug and play.

http://www.winegard.com/get-free-tv/hdtv-antenna/flatwave-amped/

Chief RA · Jun 18, 2013

Rick: You just located one of the new era sets of "rabbit ears"! UHF frequencies are virtually line of sight, (VHF has 10% max curvature) so the lower your antenna the more signal attenuation! The small, long coax cable they brag about means even more signal loss! If a person seldom watches TV on his boat, then one of these would probably suffice. Chief

kenn · Jun 18, 2013

Mike D said:
The tv recpetion has stopped working and I think I need to replace the antenna.

Tell us about your TV... does it receive DTV? Just checking...

Reception rarely 'stops' unless something has failed utterly. Usually, if something is failing or wearing out, reception gets poorer, but the strong stations still bang in. You should be able to receive strong stations with just a small antenna or a 10" loop of wire at the back of the TV.

Rick · Jun 18, 2013

Thanks for you insight Chief. I used to have digital rabbit ears but these "rabbit ears" tucked behind my window nicely. I have noticed nothing in degredation other than a better picture., but your mumbo jumbo is probably accurate from a teki standpoint. I am not a rocket scientist. TO each his own. And actually VHF is line of sight not UHF. We are not talking about bouncing a signal around the moon. 31 years of flying.

All said, I dont go to the boat to watch TV,so you have me there. I checked on the US Open cruising up the coast of California with no problems.. cuz I was off watch.

All is well.

Chief RA · Jun 18, 2013

Rick: Your not an Electronic Engineer either as you are incorrect about VHF signal trajectory concepts. No problem, but you can be sure that I would not presume to correct you about flying concepts as I am not knowledgable in aviation!

A shame Phil didn't win the US Open.
Chief

Steve Dion · Jun 18, 2013

Take alook at the Mohu Leaf.

Amazing reception for something that is paper thin with a cable.

MrUnix · Jun 18, 2013

This is hands down the best, costs next to nothing antenna I have ever used. I have one on a pvc pole running my whole house and several with a suction cup added (see picture) so I can stick it in a window or other flat surface when in the boat. No power needed. Made from a coat hanger, piece of wood and some screws. The fractal design allows it to be wide banded while also being really small (approx. 6"x7").

Cheers,
Brad

Chris Patterson · Jun 19, 2013

Is it horizontally or vertically polarized?

Smaller, older TV Antenna replacement

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