Not Picking Up Channels
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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=8434
Printed Date: 09 Jun 2025 at 6:29pm
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Topic: Not Picking Up Channels
Posted By: Nittybelle
Subject: Not Picking Up Channels
Date Posted: 22 Jul 2016 at 10:10pm
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Does anyone else have problems picking up channels using their Antennae on the Jensen TV for a 2017 R-Pod? We have checked the booster, auto scanned, researched on tvfool.com. We know there are channels we should get, but we are not getting any pictures. Any ideas?
Nittybelle 2017 R-Pod "Snow Pea" Toyota Tundra Crew Max Utah ------------- Nittbelle |
Replies:
Posted By: Beachguysc
Date Posted: 23 Jul 2016 at 7:45am
| We are using our 182 only 10 miles away from home this weekend and only get 2 of the 4 local channels. I know they are available because our non-cable tv at home gets them. The odd thing is, we get channels from Charleston and Wilmington which are 50 to 60 miles away. |
Posted By: M0tl3y
Date Posted: 23 Jul 2016 at 10:40am
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When you've "checked the booster", did you get more channels with, than without? My setup only gets about 2 channels (in my driveway) when the booster is off, but over 40 when it's on. When traveling I've also noticed a significant difference. It's almost as if, without the booster, that the signal is impeded so you can get almost no channels. If you're not noticing a difference with/without, then that might be the problem. ------------- The 178 club |
Posted By: Oldgeezer
Date Posted: 23 Jul 2016 at 1:22pm
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I get 42 channels near where we camp with booster on, however they are approximately 10 channels aired 4 times each of the 42. |
Posted By: ChetC
Date Posted: 24 Jul 2016 at 9:41pm
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When you're scanning for channels using the rooftop antenna, make sure you have the channel type set to "air". ------------- Former 2017 rPod 180 owner Now in a 2019 Little Guy MAX Full timer who logs more than 35,000 miles per year. |
Posted By: timpamt
Date Posted: 30 May 2017 at 9:14pm
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What is this 'booster' you are talking about? I have 2017 r-pod 179 - do I have a "booster?" If not - can I get one? I just got my cable working. Or work-around anyway - using the satellite cable to hook up cable at campground, and switched tv hookup to the satellite connection too. Even that didn't work until I removed the plate and tightened the connection. So I still have not succeeded in getting the legitimate "cable" to work. There are some electronics behind the plate - must be something haywire with that. Saving it for the dealer's attention next time in the shop! Working on getting tv to work on battery. I have spent a while - at least 3 HOURS - looking through posts. I have upgraded to two 6 volt golf cart batteries, so I'm planning to get an inverter - but lord have mercy so many to choose from, 300 to 400 watt pure sine wave $35 in one place, and another model more than $200 - both appear to do the same thing? I'm tempted to spend more 'just because' I want it to work for as long as I own the pod - and because I don't know what I'm doing! Might just wind up getting a 12v tv to keep it simple - might upgrade to a dvd blue ray too. got some wireless headphones to watch tv when the ac is roaring. So anyway.... what is this booster again? What am I missing? ------------- Tim and Pam 2017 R-Pod 179 - "Little Bear" 2014 Toyota Tacoma Crew Cab |
Posted By: Beachguysc
Date Posted: 30 May 2017 at 9:44pm
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Timpamt, the booster is a small button On the wall plate where the cable comes out. Turn it on when using antenna. Turn it off when using cable, or it interferes with your cable signal. The first time we hooked up cable, I thought it was broken. I spent money buying new cables, checking connections and even complaining to th campground that their cable did not work. Felt pretty silly when I learned all I had to do was press that little button. And to update my previous post from last summer.... I got rid of our bat wing antenna and replaced it with the king air. I get some of the channels I could not get with the old antenna. I believe the new models come with the antenna I just installed.
------------- Tim and Melina 2016 182G 2015 GMC Canyon crew cab 4x4 SLT = main Tv 2017 Toyota Highlander Hybrid-TV |
Posted By: timpamt
Date Posted: 31 May 2017 at 5:13am
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Thanks Tim and Melina - I'll check it out on our next trip!! Little things like that make a big difference! ------------- Tim and Pam 2017 R-Pod 179 - "Little Bear" 2014 Toyota Tacoma Crew Cab |
Posted By: GlueGuy
Date Posted: 31 May 2017 at 10:10am
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Don't forget to turn the booster off when parking/storing your RV. It doesn't use a lot of juice, but it is constant. Just check the little red light next to the on/off button. ------------- bp 2017 R-Pod 179 Hood River 2015 Ford F150 SuperCrew 4WD 3.5L Ecoboost |
Posted By: timpamt
Date Posted: 31 May 2017 at 1:26pm
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Thank you.
We had a battery cutoff switch installed when we upgraded the battery setup to avoid trickle drains like that. Now.... I just have to remember to turn it to "off" when we park it in storage. Thank you for your thoughtful and helpful comments!! ------------- Tim and Pam 2017 R-Pod 179 - "Little Bear" 2014 Toyota Tacoma Crew Cab |
Posted By: henryv
Date Posted: 31 May 2017 at 4:32pm
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What kind of wireless headphones do you use? do they work as good as the wire kind? ------------- |
Posted By: timpamt
Date Posted: 31 May 2017 at 8:21pm
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Kinda pricey - but yes. $89 "insignian" brand at Best Buy was on SALE this week $50! might try your local store - or... I see them on Amazon... 9 pair in stock. haven't hooked them up in camper yet - have to figure all that out - but they worked great when I tried them here at home. http://www.bestbuy.com/site/insignia-over-the-ear-wireless-headphones-black/4219008.p?skuId=4219008 https://www.amazon.com/Insignia-600603165054-Wireless-Over-the-Ear-Headphone/dp/B00N3B2F3I/ref=sr_1_1?s=aht&ie=UTF8&qid=1496323270&sr=1-1&keywords=insignia+wireless+headphones ------------- Tim and Pam 2017 R-Pod 179 - "Little Bear" 2014 Toyota Tacoma Crew Cab |
Posted By: rawest50
Date Posted: 16 Jun 2017 at 12:22pm
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I have a 2017 179. You have one. When the booster is on the light will be green. ------------- 2017.5 RPod 179 2017 Jeep Unlimited Wrangler 2017 Chevy Colorado Z71 Off Road Crew Cab 2 Weiner dogs Great wife puts up with my BS ❤️ Thoroughbred Racing. 
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Posted By: Richand Cindy
Date Posted: 16 Jun 2017 at 1:27pm
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Nobody mentioned this but did you "rotate" the antenna? There is a knob with a button on the side on the ceiling near the door. Pushing the button unlocks the mechanism so you can rotate the knob. You can rotate the antenna almost a full 360 degrees. When I get to the campsite I point the antenna straight ahead (there is an arrow on the knob hard to see as it is an indentation not painted) do a channel scan and see what I get. If I cannot get cbs, nbc and abc I move the antenna 90 degrees and repeat scan. Usually this works to find some stations.
------------- OLD 2017.5 RPOD 180 + 2015 Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk NEW: 2018 Passport Elite 23RB + 2017 Ram 1500 Diesel |
Posted By: Weekend Warrior
Date Posted: 27 Jul 2017 at 4:28pm
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By now I assume you have figured out what the antenna booster button is all about. The booster works off of 12 volts and it amplifies the antenna signal. When you want to scan and set air channels just make sure your coaxial cable is connected to TV and the button is illuminated red. If you go to a fancy camp ground that offers cable TV or you attach a satellite dish to your camper, then you would connect to the satellite/Cable coax connection and turn off the red push button. ------------- |