Broken antenna :(

[Boubou]

Very windy this weekend camping on the shores on lake Ontario. Not sure if the wind is to blame but had a hard time bringing the antenna down. I had to play with it for 30 minutes, it just would noT settle down on the roof properly then one arm just stayed up. Went up on the roof and that arm was sheared right off he base! No wonder it wouldnt go down. Tied it down for travel but now looking for a new antenna. Not sure if it can be repaired? Can high (probably as high as 65mph/hre winds) do that kind of damage? Any recommendation for a new antenna? Might as well get the best hdtv antenna upgrade I can now

[norty1]

You can buy parts for those antennas. Look on their site. http://www.winegard.com/kbase/upload/2452013.pdf

[Boubou]

Here's

[Boubou]

Meant to say: here's the gnarled antena

[glsimms]

Originally Posted by Boubou

Meant to say: here's the gnarled antena

Yep that's definately "gnarly" looking! :hihi:

[exjay1]

Not sure what they would charge to fix/replace it but if its just squared alum and your mechanically inclined I'd just go to Lowes and get a replacement piece.

[Boubou]

Lets see how much they want for it

[Boubou]

I just took a look at the parts list. I'll order the parts and see if Ican do the install myself. I don't like heights :O but wil give it a try.
Brigitte

[Jagiven]

If you live near the dealer I would try to have them do a warranty repair.

[RVhiker]

You might want to check the sealant around the base of the antenna, where it is attached to the roof. I think I see about a one inch long crack in the sealant at the base -- but the photograph may just make it look that way.

Since the wind was strong enough to break that aluminum tubing, there's a possibility some of the screws that hold the base to the roof pulled loose, too -- does the base seem to be firmly attached to the roof?

[Boubou]

You are right about the sealant! And not sure about the screws.
Going to dealer next week for some warranty work , we'll get it looked at

[Murphie]

Boubou,

I just replaced the two metal (tin) feet on our antenna. I forgot to put the antenna down when I was leaving a site and it caught a tree and broke the foot that the wire runs up. You will be surprised how cheap and thin the metal is. The local dealer wanted 22 dollars for each foot if I remember. I went to Home Depot and got two one inch aluminum square posts that were three feet long. You do not have to cut them but you do have to put a notch in the end of the one closest to the base to fit. I used a Dremel to make the notch which fits around part of the base. It's quite easy to do this repair and the posts fit perfectly and are way stronger. I chose to zap strap the wire rather than to drill a hole in the post for it. So far it works great and it was half the price.

[Boubou]

I am pleased to say that our dealer repaired the antenna and also noticed how the caulking was cracked and inspected the antenna and roof to ensure there was no leak. All under warranty. I had mentioned him that I had sent a tweet and message on facebook and he said that if Jayco refused the warranty claim, he would mention it.
Very pleased with this dealer and shop

[tlhdoc]

If you end up going with a new antenna I highly recommend the Jack antenna. I pick up 9 stations without moving the antenna. With the Winegard batwing antenna with the wingman attachment I had could pick up 7 channels, sometimes, but had to rotate the antenna.