Winegard Sensar Aiming Question

[jrdpttrsn]

With a Winegard Sensar antenna, to get the strongest signal, how is the antenna supposed to face the TV transmission tower?

Is the long edge of the antenna supposed to go perpendicular to the line of direction to the TV transmission tower, or is one of the short edges supposed to point the length of the antenna in line with the line of direction to TV transmission tower?

If I follow the arrows on my antenna rotator knob that puts the antenna length almost inline to the TV transmission tower, but I believe the arrows on the rotator know are primarily for ensuring the antenna is in the correct orientation for cranking down into the stowed position.

I know it’s a silly question, I am guessing the correct answer is the long edges is supposed to go perpendicular to the line of direction to the TV tower, regardless of what the arrows on the rotator/cranking knob indicate, but my searching has turned up conflicting information, so I am hoping for a documented instruction or logical explication.

[Camper_bob]

Not a silly question at all. I had the same question and did the research last winter. The long edge of the antenna should be PERPENDICULAR to the direction of the tower. The arrows on the rotator knob indicate the storage position for the antenna.

There might be two tiny marks on the rotator to indicate the signal direction, but I just used a magic marker and drew a line on it to point where the antenna is supposed to point.

[jrdpttrsn]

Thank you Camper_bob.

[Camper_bob]

No problem!

[thomasmnile]

Try tvfool.com. Armed with your destination address or zipcode, it will plot stations you can theoretically receive in the area. Provides transmitter coordinates and compass headings. Carry a pocket compass with you and you're in business and an easier time aiming than 'the wheel of fortune' aiming method.

[bigbird]

Originally Posted by thomasmnile

Try tvfool.com. Armed with your destination address or zipcode, it will plot stations you can theoretically receive in the area. Provides transmitter coordinates and compass headings. Carry a pocket compass with you and you're in business and an easier time aiming than 'the wheel of fortune' aiming method.

tvfool.com is great. I keep a (search)copy of every area we camp at and just use the signal meter in the menu button of your remote for the close stations that are suppose to be in that area. Turn the antenna to get the best signal then just put them in your favourites.

[jrdpttrsn]

Yep, tvfool.com is it. Last time out I used tvfool.com and the local zip to get the direction and the compass on my iphone to point the antenna, but since I don’t even really have to raise or point the antenna at home, I couldn’t tell if the pixelated picture was because of the weather or maybe I wasn’t aiming the antenna correctly. Eventually I will probably add a Wingman, but wanted to make sure I was at least pointing the antenna correctly. Thank you again.

[Camper_bob]

From what I've seen, the Wingmans get mixed reviews. Some absolutely swear by them, and some notice no difference at all. I don't know why all the inconsistency, you'd think they work or they don't.

[bigbird]

I use a scrap piece of paper and cut a 4" hole in the middle then taped(masking) it to the ceiling(fits around antenna handle). Once I get the best signal I mark that station on the paper where the pointer is. Just use a new paper every trip. I have the wingman and don't believe it helped very much but if I can get one or two more stations that's a bonus when your lucky to get 5 stations anyway in remote areas.

[Jeff61]

Originally Posted by jrdpttrsn

With a Winegard Sensar antenna, to get the strongest signal, how is the antenna supposed to face the TV transmission tower?

Is the long edge of the antenna supposed to go perpendicular to the line of direction to the TV transmission tower, or is one of the short edges supposed to point the length of the antenna in line with the line of direction to TV transmission tower?

If I follow the arrows on my antenna rotator knob that puts the antenna length almost inline to the TV transmission tower, but I believe the arrows on the rotator know are primarily for ensuring the antenna is in the correct orientation for cranking down into the stowed position.

I know it’s a silly question, I am guessing the correct answer is the long edges is supposed to go perpendicular to the line of direction to the TV tower, regardless of what the arrows on the rotator/cranking knob indicate, but my searching has turned up conflicting information, so I am hoping for a documented instruction or logical explication.

I have the wingman on my sensar antenna. That would be perpendicular to the front of the antenna that says Winegard on it. Raise your antenna, note which way the front is at this time. I put a black dot with a magic marker on the rotating ring in the location of the front side. I carry a compass with me and know approximately what direction the signal should be coming from. Orient the black dot to that heading and you should pick up the majority of station you can fine tune from there

[jtownstumpjumper]

I'm using "TV Antenna Helper FREE", an app on my android cell phone....comes with maps, compass, etc......shows signals with directional arrows and color codes into strong, moderate, weak, and very weak.