Chris Bryant
DeLand, Florida, USA
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Joined: 03/26/2003
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rockhillmanor wrote:
I do think that down the line somewhere, if the economy recovers you will see new and quite different antennas on RV's that receive digital better.
The technology is there- they are called smart antennas, but the caveat is that the television or converter box needs an interface to control it.
While there are some converter boxes that have smart antenna jacks, I'm not sure if many (even any) televisions have them.
Honestly, to get any better reception than the batwing (which is quite good), Google "DIY coat hanger antenna".
A few bucks and it will outperform just about anything out there for UHF. It was designed in the 1960's  .
-- Chris Bryant
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rockhillmanor
On the Road
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Joined: 12/06/2003
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Chris Bryant wrote:rockhillmanor wrote:
I do think that down the line somewhere, if the economy recovers you will see new and quite different antennas on RV's that receive digital better.
The technology is there- they are called smart antennas, but the caveat is that the television or converter box needs an interface to control it.
While there are some converter boxes that have smart antenna jacks, I'm not sure if many (even any) televisions have them.
Honestly, to get any better reception than the batwing (which is quite good), Google "DIY coat hanger antenna".
A few bucks and it will outperform just about anything out there for UHF. It was designed in the 1960's .
 Coat Hangers?
That just brings back more memories of when we put tin foil on the ends of our rabbit ears, we digress I think! 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EWQhlmJTMzw
We must be willing to get rid of the life we've planned,
so as to have the life that is waiting for us.
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joshuajim
Mojave Desert
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Joined: 04/29/2006
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Quote:Are you really in Mojave? What do you expect to see with this, because off the top of my head you might have a chance at seeing Barstow (1ch) and that's about it.
Actually, with the Winegard Wingman, I actually get 12 channels. Unfortunately most are Mexican. A couple from LA in English.
Moderator's edit: Repaired the close quote tag.
* This post was
edited 07/30/10 02:46pm by an administrator/moderator *
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rockhillmanor
On the Road
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Joined: 12/06/2003
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joshuajim wrote:Are you really in Mojave? What do you expect to see with this, because off the top of my head you might have a chance at seeing Barstow (1ch) and that's about it.
Quote:Actually, with the Winegard Wingman, I actually get 12 channels. Unfortunately most are Mexican. A couple from LA in English.
Why IS that? If I am parked where I can not get a good signal and can not get any american stations period. There will always be 4 or 5 spanish channels that come in loud and clear?
Its all about signal strength and what the station is willing to pay for it. Does this mean that the spanish speaking channels are paying more to broadcast than the american channels do?
* This post was
edited 07/30/10 01:26pm by rockhillmanor *
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camperpaul
Wherever I park my travel trailer
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Joined: 05/10/2006
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rockhillmanor wrote:
Its all about signal strength and what the station is willing to pay for it. Does this mean that the spanish speaking channels are paying more to broadcast than the american channels do?
The Mexican stations have different (much higher) power limits than those allowed to US stations.
Paul
Ham Radio - K9ERG (since 1956)
Was a campground host at IBSP (2006-2010) - now retired.
Single - Full-timer
2005 Four Winds 29Q
1982 6.2L Diesel Suburban 1500
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rockhillmanor
On the Road
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Joined: 12/06/2003
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camperpaul wrote:rockhillmanor wrote:
Its all about signal strength and what the station is willing to pay for it. Does this mean that the spanish speaking channels are paying more to broadcast than the american channels do?
The Mexican stations have different (much higher) power limits than those allowed to US stations.
Well, there you go! I didn't know that and everyone I asked didn't know either. Tks!
I guess the US had better get up to speed here now don't you think? Sure would solve this digital TV mess trying to get the stations tuned in if at all.
Although I am starting to like watching the dubbed movies, albeit the one with Eddie Murphy in it was a bit much to listen to in Spanish instead of English!
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Fredzo
SoCal
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Joined: 08/28/2006
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joshuajim wrote:Quote:Are you really in Mojave? What do you expect to see with this, because off the top of my head you might have a chance at seeing Barstow (1ch) and that's about it.
Actually, with the Winegard Wingman, I actually get 12 channels. Unfortunately most are Mexican. A couple from LA in English.
Moderator's edit: Repaired the close quote tag.
I get four Bakersfield channels in Palmdale. Nothing from LA since the changeover. Can barely see blips on a SpecAn. I'm in the shadow of the mountains.
2005 Georgetown 342DS XL
1989 Wrangler Sahara Toad
2005 Liberty Renegade Toad
Blue Ox Tow Bar, Brake Buddy
Retired on Jan 1, 2010!!!
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SCVJeff
Santa Clarita, CA.
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Joined: 07/28/2006
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Bakersfield/ Palmdale is 150 miles from the border , both sitting in valleys with mtns 5000'+ to the South. ANYTHING seen in either of these places is local.
While I agree that very few of the AM stations in Mexico are running 1/2MW+ (XERB and a few others), that's not the norm (we've had a few too), the revised TV band is a completely different animal.
Jeff - WA6EQU
'06 Itasca Meridian 34H, CAT C7/350
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