new tv antenna
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URL: http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=8835
Printed Date: 24 May 2025 at 6:05pm
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Topic: new tv antenna
Posted By: wbmasche
Subject: new tv antenna
Date Posted: 26 Sep 2016 at 5:58pm
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Hi,
Just had my trailer in for more warranty service and noticed that some of the 2017's have a different TV antenna. Just wondering what brand it is? It is much more compact.
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Bill
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Replies:
Posted By: blimey
Date Posted: 27 Sep 2016 at 6:01am
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I did some comparisons from the pics and videos I have seen and think its this one,could be wrong tho'
http://www.winegard.com/rayzarz1 - http://www.winegard.com/rayzarz1
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Posted By: TheBum
Date Posted: 27 Sep 2016 at 10:36am
It's actually a King Jack antenna.
http://kingconnect.com/product/king-jack-antenna/ - http://kingconnect.com/product/king-jack-antenna/
The main advantage the King Jack has over the Winegard is a built-in RF signal strength meter to aid in aiming it. I will probably be installing one on our 179 next spring, after the factory warranty expires.
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Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 27 Sep 2016 at 1:26pm
It might not be so simple. The current location of the antenna looks like it is inside the cabinet behind the Jensen unit (in the RP-179 and, I presume, the 180). The current antenna is omnidirectional. This one requires being able to get to the bottom to turn the antenna. The antenna would need to be relocated or the cabinetry would need to be modified to allow access to the rotation knob. The picture I saw of the new antenna looks like it is located behind the pantry, near the power center.
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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
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Posted By: TheBum
Date Posted: 27 Sep 2016 at 2:05pm
You are correct on both counts, Stephen. The knob of the new factory directional antenna is in the entryway of the 179 according to photos Travis posted either here or on FB (don't remember which).
Replacing the older factory antenna would require sealing up the original hole, cutting a new one, and probably running cable along the roof to the new location. The factory installs surely have the cable inside the walls, which might be possible to do as a retrofit with a probe of some sort, but it may not be worth the effort.
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Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 27 Sep 2016 at 3:07pm
Agreed. I don't think it would be worth the trouble, especially since the old hole would be a potential source of leaks.
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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
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Posted By: podvader
Date Posted: 27 Sep 2016 at 3:18pm
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I think that is a really nice upgrade on the new pods. I use a dish portable so fine with the old one but for those times I can't this would have been great to have.
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Posted By: BuckeyePod
Date Posted: 27 Sep 2016 at 3:46pm
The King Jack on the pods does not have the built in signal meter. Kind of a bummer.
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Chris & Mandy
2017 R-Pod 179
2011 Chevy 2500 HD
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Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 27 Sep 2016 at 4:02pm
The antenna is definitely the Winegard. Pause https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7F18dEyPZCY - this video when it gets to the antenna at 1:35 and look carefully. You will see the two sets of elements on the front side of the antenna (Winegard) and not the single set at the back (King).
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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
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Posted By: BuckeyePod
Date Posted: 27 Sep 2016 at 4:09pm
We have a 2017 model, actually 2016.5 if being technical, titled as 2017. We definitely have a King Jack.
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Chris & Mandy
2017 R-Pod 179
2011 Chevy 2500 HD
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Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 27 Sep 2016 at 4:15pm
In that case, specifications changed after the video was made. It is also possible that depending on price and supply, either one might be installed.
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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
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Posted By: TheBum
Date Posted: 27 Sep 2016 at 4:44pm
Originally posted by SerendiPODy
The King Jack on the pods does not have the built in signal meter. Kind of a bummer. |
Cost cutting move, I'm sure. Could you add it?
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Posted By: TheBum
Date Posted: 27 Sep 2016 at 4:47pm
Originally posted by StephenH
Agreed. I don't think it would be worth the trouble, especially since the old hole would be a potential source of leaks.
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A plate of some sort and generous amounts of lap sealant should take care of that. Since most of our camping is boondocking, the antenna and whatever DVDs we bring along are all we have for video entertainment.
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Posted By: BuckeyePod
Date Posted: 27 Sep 2016 at 5:02pm
Originally posted by TheBum
Originally posted by SerendiPODy
The King Jack on the pods does not have the built in signal meter. Kind of a bummer. |
Cost cutting move, I'm sure. Could you add it? |
It doesn't bother me too much. If it did, I guess one could order the "base plate" with the LEDs and replace it.
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Chris & Mandy
2017 R-Pod 179
2011 Chevy 2500 HD
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Posted By: blimey
Date Posted: 28 Sep 2016 at 6:06am
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Just watched a video that couch rv has on the 180 they just received and the control inside does indeed look like a king jack. Perhaps there was a change and the one I saw earlier was a prototype?
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Posted By: Vector1952
Date Posted: 28 Sep 2016 at 11:37am
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Just purchased new blue 179 picking up in October...definitely has th King antenae
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Xxxx7
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Posted By: mjlrpod
Date Posted: 28 Sep 2016 at 7:20pm
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Question: I haven't gotten my new 172 yet. does the t.v. play dvd's ? thru the entertainment center?
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2017.5 Rp-172
2020 R-pod 195
2015 Frontier sv 4.0L 6cyl
I'll be rpodding
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Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 29 Sep 2016 at 12:53am
Unless they have changed things drastically, the Jensen entertainment center has the capability of playing DVD's. You will need to change the input on the TV so it will show the DVD.
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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
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Posted By: TheBum
Date Posted: 29 Sep 2016 at 11:44am
Originally posted by StephenH
Unless they have changed things drastically, the Jensen entertainment center has the capability of playing DVD's. You will need to change the input on the TV so it will show the DVD.
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The photos I saw show the same Jensen system in the 2017 as in the 2016.
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