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Joined: 11 Oct 2017
Location: Macedon, NY
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Posts: 113 		Direct Link To This Post Topic: Antenna replacement
    Posted: 18 Dec 2018 at 3:25pm
We ended up with a King Jack antenna on our 2018 RP-189.  I'm not overly impressed with it. Most of the places we camped at this past summer we had no stations. I was thinking of getting an Omni directional and putting it on top of my flag pole to get some elevation.
2017 Chevy Silverado 1500 4X4
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Joined: 26 Feb 2016
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Posts: 1407 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 18 Dec 2018 at 10:26am
Originally posted by StephenH


Originally posted by TheBum

Another approach I've considered is adding a stepper motor with an Arduino or Raspberry Pi controller. I could just turn a 360-degree potentiometer to aim it or even make it auto aim by using the signal strength LED voltages as inputs.
That would be interesting to see. Mom and dad had an antenna turner many years ago which had a dial that one turned and the motor on the antenna shaft would aim the antenna. This sounds like an updated version of that idea. I have no idea how much force it would take to turn a King Jack antenna or if a stepper motor would be able to exert that force.[/b If you try it, I would like to at least read about it if not see it in action.


Who words: gear reduction. I plan to 3d-print a couple of gears as well as the housing for the stepper and antenna gear. My initial thought is to use a 10:1 gear ratio, which will require 1/10 of the amount of torque out of the stepper as a direct drive would. It will also increase the precision. I can always tweak the ratio and the control software if need be. I've already ordered the parts and plan to experiment with it over the Christmas break.
Alan
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Joined: 29 Nov 2015
Location: Wake Forest, NC
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Posts: 6288 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 17 Dec 2018 at 8:07pm
Originally posted by TheBum

Another approach I've considered is adding a stepper motor with an Arduino or Raspberry Pi controller. I could just turn a 360-degree potentiometer to aim it or even make it auto aim by using the signal strength LED voltages as inputs.

That would be interesting to see. Mom and dad had an antenna turner many years ago which had a dial that one turned and the motor on the antenna shaft would aim the antenna. This sounds like an updated version of that idea. I have no idea how much force it would take to turn a King Jack antenna or if a stepper motor would be able to exert that force. If you try it, I would like to at least read about it if not see it in action.
StephenH
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Joined: 26 Feb 2016
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Posts: 1407 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 17 Dec 2018 at 1:14pm
Originally posted by StephenH


Originally posted by TheBum

I have a King Jack antenna ready to go in our 2016 179 to replace the batwing. I've been kicking around ideas for bringing the rotation mechanism and signal strength meter down through the top of the wardrobe and forward, but haven't come up with a good solution yet. I may use timing belts and toothed pulleys.
I thought of replacing the batwing with a King Jack antenna. Like you, I was wondering how to get to the mechanism to operate it. I thought of cutting an opening in the area behind where the television docks for travel in the area right of the outlet and antenna booster through which I could have reached in and gotten to the rotation mechanism. The other alternative is to put the opening where the outlet and booster are currently located and move them to the right. That would actually make it easier to reach the mechanism. Instead, I opted for the omnidirectional antenna so I would not have to do that modification.

Another approach I've considered is adding a stepper motor with an Arduino or Raspberry Pi controller. I could just turn a 360-degree potentiometer to aim it or even make it auto aim by using the signal strength LED voltages as inputs.
Alan
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Joined: 29 Nov 2015
Location: Wake Forest, NC
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Posts: 6288 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 17 Dec 2018 at 12:06pm
Originally posted by TheBum

I have a King Jack antenna ready to go in our 2016 179 to replace the batwing. I've been kicking around ideas for bringing the rotation mechanism and signal strength meter down through the top of the wardrobe and forward, but haven't come up with a good solution yet. I may use timing belts and toothed pulleys.

I thought of replacing the batwing with a King Jack antenna. Like you, I was wondering how to get to the mechanism to operate it. I thought of cutting an opening in the area behind where the television docks for travel in the area right of the outlet and antenna booster through which I could have reached in and gotten to the rotation mechanism. The other alternative is to put the opening where the outlet and booster are currently located and move them to the right. That would actually make it easier to reach the mechanism. Instead, I opted for the omnidirectional antenna so I would not have to do that modification.
StephenH
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ouR escaPOD mods
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Posts: 1407 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 17 Dec 2018 at 10:33am
I have a King Jack antenna ready to go in our 2016 179 to replace the batwing. I've been kicking around ideas for bringing the rotation mechanism and signal strength meter down through the top of the wardrobe and forward, but haven't come up with a good solution yet. I may use timing belts and toothed pulleys.
Alan
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Joined: 29 Nov 2015
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Posts: 6288 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 15 Dec 2018 at 9:09pm
For me it does seem to work better than the batwing antenna. I think this is mainly because the diameter of the flying saucer is larger than the circular center of the batwing antenna. Both are omnidirectional. A lot depends on what is available nearby. In urban or suburban areas, there are usually sufficient stations nearby so that one can get reception. OTOH, when we have been traveling out west, we were often way too far from any transmitters to get reception. The one thing we can't do is raise the antenna. That would help but I wouldn't want a mast pole sticking through the wardrobe in our R-Pod to accomplish it.
StephenH
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ouR escaPOD mods
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Joined: 15 May 2017
Location: N. California
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Posts: 2629 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 15 Dec 2018 at 6:21pm
Originally posted by StephenH

This post has the link for the one I used: http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7712&PID=107696&title=our-escapod-mods#107696, however, the one I used is not currently available. This one looks to be similar: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00USE3JF6/
However, the attachment to the mast section seems to be by some sort of clip-in instead of the bolts the original antenna and the one I purchased used. The big advantage is in not having the batwings to catch things. It also does not rattle in the wind.
It also appears to be omni-directional. Typically omni antennas have far lower gain than a directional antenna, although at DTV frequencies, the difference is probably small. Does the omni work better for you than the batwing (performance wise, disregarding the wind effects)?
bp
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Posts: 4 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 15 Dec 2018 at 12:34pm
That’s it 😂thanks
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Joined: 29 Nov 2015
Location: Wake Forest, NC
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Posts: 6288 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 15 Dec 2018 at 11:50am
This post has the link for the one I used: http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7712&PID=107696&title=our-escapod-mods#107696, however, the one I used is not currently available. This one looks to be similar: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00USE3JF6/
However, the attachment to the mast section seems to be by some sort of clip-in instead of the bolts the original antenna and the one I purchased used. The big advantage is in not having the batwings to catch things. It also does not rattle in the wind.
StephenH
Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,...

ouR escaPOD mods
Former RPod 179
Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS
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