Just Lee
California
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Joined: 02/02/2004
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Wingman Antenna Up-Grade
Has anyone used this to up-grade your antenna to receive HD.... I am about to replace my old TV's...
Thanks
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J Walker
Oakton, Va
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Yep. Wingman boosts the signal and makes more precise aiming necessary. Digital or HD TV don't need anything special except signal strength and they probably don't need any more signal than the old analog TV. However, most of the digital TV channels are currently UHF and they don't extend as far as the old VHF signals, so you are more likely to need more gain now. Looking at the Wingman, I am sure it is optimized for UHF where most digital signals are. It is a very worthwhile addition for about $30. Thank goodness we don't have to start from scratch with a whole new antenna. My Wingman works fine and was very easy to install.
Jim Walker
2000 34' Damon Ultrasport DP
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pulsar
Lewisville, NC
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You can find many threads discussing the Wingman. Here is one in which SCVJeff reports on his serious analysis.
Winegard 'Wingman" comparison results
Tom
2008 Journey 37H
2006 CR-V toad
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wa8yxm
Wherever I happen to park
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Basic info
The "Batwing" is a VHF UHF television antenna with the emphasis on VHF
Adding the Wingman, (Which is a UHF director array) just about doubles the UHF performance so that there is no longer an emphasis on VHF (They are about equal)
Now, VHF, in the old days was divided into two bands Low and high
VHF-Low was NTSC channels 2 through 6, HIGH was 7-13 and UHF was 14 and up
When they went to all digital most stations went to UHF So, for example channel 7 in Detroit (Southfield) Michigan is broadcasting on, as I recall without checking, the old NTSC channel 41 (UHF)
Some however are still on VHF (Channel 2 Detroit, (VHF low) is now broadcasting on, of all things. Channel 7 (VHF HI) for example)
There are still some in the VHF low too but they are few and far as it were
But the deal is the Wingman improves UHF performance (just about double the performance with it installed) so it's a good thing.
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brobox
Sunny SW. Florida
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Joined: 11/18/2003
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I installed one and it has it's pros and cons.
Pro: it does pull the signal in stronger and if all of your station are in one general location, it works great.
Con:
You have to be more accurate on aiming the antenna. If the stations are scattered, in location, you will be moving the antenna to fine tune them in.
Chuck
02 Travel Supreme, 2 street side slides
09 Toyota Tacoma 2WD
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CROSSBOLT
Whiteville, TN USA
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We are parked about 60 miles from the tv stations in Memphis, TN and our Wingman drags in almost all of the channels available and the HD is GREAT!
Karl
Karl
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fpresto
Maryland
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The Wingman is great but don't expect it to make something out of nothing. It gives about 3db of gain. As an example every one of the common splitters or couplers that you put in line add about 3db of loss. If you are getting a weak signal that is breaking up then it will probably help. As was said it does make aiming more critical. It is definitely worth the money.
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J Walker
Oakton, Va
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fpresto wrote: As an example every one of the common splitters or couplers that you put in line add about 3db of loss.
That makes me wonder what my box that switches inputs costs in signal loss. Has anyone checked this?
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Viewfinder
Western, NJ
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Be sure to check the roof for clearance when in the down position. Then enjoy it.
jim
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fpresto
Maryland
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J Walker wrote:That makes me wonder what my box that switches inputs costs in signal loss. Has anyone checked this?
Without knowing the type of switch box that you have it is imossible to say. Generally, but not always, you get what you pay for and the reason some cost a lot more is the use of better components to reduce line loss. Any switch in the line will add at least some loss. Some switchs include a built in amplifier which will overcome the losses.
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