TV RECEPTION
Printed From: R-pod Owners Forum
Category: R-pod Discussion Forums
Forum Name: Podmods, Maintenance, Tips and Tricks
Forum Discription: Ask maintenance questions, share your podmods (modifications) and helpful tips
URL: http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=11116
Printed Date: 29 Jun 2025 at 1:18am
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 9.64 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: TV RECEPTION
Posted By: henryv
Subject: TV RECEPTION
Date Posted: 03 Feb 2018 at 8:21am
My tv reception is poor.. I have a 2016 with the fixed antenna. I don't think it can be adjusted. The picture breaks up, and scanning doesn't seem to help. The camper has been sitting for a while in the drive. Does anybody know how to pick up clear channels???  Oh, the little red light is on!
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Replies:
Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 03 Feb 2018 at 8:51am
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The good thing about the bat-wing antenna is that one does not have to mess with it as it is fixed. The bad thing is that reception is a problem. One person (I don't recall who) said that "reception is equally bad in all directions." I have repeated it, but don't claim the original. Check all your connections to make sure they are tight. A lot depends on your location and distance to transmitter towers. If you are in a fringe area, you may not get much, if any reception. We have been places where we have had none (southeastern Arizona). At home, we get some channels with good reception and some where the picture becomes pixilated if there is any weather. Digital signals can provide HD TV, but since most of them use the UHF band which requires more power than the old analog VHS signals, reception can be a problem. It would help if you could get the antenna higher since UHF is more line of sight. Since you can't do that, you are essentially stuck with what reception you can get. One thing is that if you have moved your R-Pod, you will need to re-scan for channels. Each location requires another re-scan since the stations in one area are not the same as those in a different area. That may help if you have not done so already. ------------- StephenH Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7712 - ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS |
Posted By: Larry-D
Date Posted: 03 Feb 2018 at 9:10am
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I've replaced the "stock" antenna amp with the one below on the pod and our larger TT. It works much better. Direct plug and play replacement. Is it as good as a outdoor antenna mounted on a house no but it's better than stock. https://www.amazon.com/Winegard-RFL-332-SensarPro-Signal-Strength/dp/B007AORLC4/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1517670536&sr=8-1&keywords=winegard+sensar+pro
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Posted By: henryv
Date Posted: 03 Feb 2018 at 10:47am
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I looked at that. But is that just a signal strength meter, or does it actually increase quality. Still looking for a viable solution or alternative. ------------- |
Posted By: Larry-D
Date Posted: 03 Feb 2018 at 2:03pm
| Its actually an amplifier. It addition to the digital readout it gives a signal strength and an audible tone/beeps that help aim the antenna. |
Posted By: mcarter
Date Posted: 03 Feb 2018 at 3:24pm
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Larry-D,
It appears to be a power supply and a signal strength meter. The older Pods have fixed antennas and the purpose of the installed adapter is to supply voltage to the amp. Not sure how this serves as an amp. I did read the Amazon advertisement. ------------- Mike Carter 2015 178 " I had the right to remain silent, I just didn't have the ability." |
Posted By: Larry-D
Date Posted: 03 Feb 2018 at 3:51pm
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Forgot about the fixed antenna. Had a TT with one of those, never did pick up well. On our larger TT with a batwing antenna it did help substantially. On the pod it help some but not as well as with the batwing. FWIW I did try a directional antenna on a 14' push-up tripod in comparison with the batwing with poor results.
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Posted By: henryv
Date Posted: 03 Feb 2018 at 4:02pm
What is TT? So it looks like you're saying the batwing system I have is good as it gets?  ------------- |
Posted By: mcarter
Date Posted: 03 Feb 2018 at 4:17pm
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TT is Travel Trailer, the fixed antennas are notorious for poor reception. I get 23 channels in my driveway, on the camp it's a crap shoot. ------------- Mike Carter 2015 178 " I had the right to remain silent, I just didn't have the ability." |
Posted By: mjlrpod
Date Posted: 03 Feb 2018 at 4:20pm
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I would replace it with the same one that comes on the newer pods now. The king HD antennae. I have it, and I get really good reception. It can swivel as well. Incase you wern't aware of it. ------------- 2017.5 Rp-172 2020 R-pod 195 2015 Frontier sv 4.0L 6cyl I'll be rpodding |
Posted By: henryv
Date Posted: 03 Feb 2018 at 4:30pm
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You mean newer than that batwing on my 2016? The King HD..? How much? Can I do it myself? How easy?
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Posted By: mcarter
Date Posted: 03 Feb 2018 at 4:34pm
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Major improvement, I agree. Personally I didn't by a RV to watch TV, though, many have as evidence of the big trailers no one comes outside. ------------- Mike Carter 2015 178 " I had the right to remain silent, I just didn't have the ability." |
Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 03 Feb 2018 at 4:51pm
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The problem with the older 179s is that the location of the antenna is such that there is no access to the antenna base to rotate it if it is replaced unless it is also relocated, leaving one with a hole in the roof to patch. I had thought of changing the antenna and modifying the wall to make an opening through which the base could be reached to rotate a King antenna, but we really don't watch enough to make it worthwhile. ------------- StephenH Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7712 - ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS |
Posted By: mcarter
Date Posted: 03 Feb 2018 at 4:54pm
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+1 - Excellent point. ------------- Mike Carter 2015 178 " I had the right to remain silent, I just didn't have the ability." |
Posted By: lostagain
Date Posted: 03 Feb 2018 at 6:30pm
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I guess we are minimalist. We took our TV out. I kept bumping my head on it and we rarely go where there is shore power available anyway. (Cancelled cable at home, too.) And, we cut back on gvw by at least 15#. If there is Verizon service, we can watch movies or listen to music on our computer or phone. I got a bluetooth speaker for about $30 and it works pretty well. And if there's no cell service, well, then we just talk, read, and enjoy the quiet. ------------- Never leave footprints behind. Fred & Maria Kearney Sonoma 167RB Our Pod 172 2019 Ford F-150 4x4 2.7 EcoBoost |
Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 03 Feb 2018 at 8:03pm
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Since I run Linux, I have used tools such as OGMRip to extract DVDs to files that I can take with me and play on either a computer or tablet. That way, we can watch a movie if there is no power or reception and we don't need cellular or wifi service either. Most of the time though, we read if we don't have power or reception. ------------- StephenH Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7712 - ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS |
Posted By: TheBum
Date Posted: 05 Feb 2018 at 10:56am
I'm working on a way to put a King Jack on our 179 and bring the rotation control and signal meter into the front of the wardrobe on our 179. It involves a couple of lengths of 1/2" PVC pipe as drive shafts with 3D-printed end caps and a 90-degree gearbox. I plan to have one shaft come down from the antenna and through a hole in the top of the wardrobe, where it will go into the gearbox. The second shaft will go from the gearbox to a panel I'll mount at the front of the wardrobe, where I'll mount the antenna's control unit. ------------- Alan 2022 R-Pod 196 "RaptoRPod" 2022 Ram 1500 Lone Star 4x4 Three cats |
Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 05 Feb 2018 at 11:18am
I am definitely interested in seeing the results. Do you have your own 3D printer? Is the gearbox in your design also 3D printed? ------------- StephenH Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7712 - ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS |
Posted By: TheBum
Date Posted: 05 Feb 2018 at 1:53pm
Yes, I have a cheap 3D printer (M3D Micro+). The end caps are of my own design and printed with my printer; I got the gearbox design from Thingiverse.com and had a friend print it (before I had my printer). I'm not 100% confident that the gears he printed will hold up; I may re-print them in a stronger material or, if worse comes to worst, order them printed by Shapeways. I have the end caps keyed so I can cut a slot in the PVC to prevent rotation within the cap. ------------- Alan 2022 R-Pod 196 "RaptoRPod" 2022 Ram 1500 Lone Star 4x4 Three cats |
Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 05 Feb 2018 at 7:08pm
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I just checked out the M3D Micro+. I'm impressed. I'm looking forward to finding out how well the antenna mod works.
------------- StephenH Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7712 - ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS |