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Old 05-29-2017, 05:00 AM   #1
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Roof top antennas

I know you can rotate the roof top antenna. But is there a direction it should face? I set it up then it takes a couple minutes to search for channels and then I am up and running. But should I turn it a certain direction before I even start to get the best reception?
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Old 05-29-2017, 05:14 AM   #2
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It can't hurt and can definitely help in receiving "fringe" stations from wherever you are.

I use an app on my phone called DTV Antennas that uses your location and then shows you not only the direction of the station's broadcast towers nearest you and how far they are from your location but also their network affiliation and call letters. I then point the antenna in that general direction before running my scan and has worked great for us so far in getting a few more stations we might not have otherwise gotten.
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Old 05-29-2017, 05:38 AM   #3
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We had the standard Winegard Sensarvantenna, but changed out the top piece or head with the Rayzar (Winegard). We hadn't rotated anything since. Worked very well and it was $ 48 +/- USD
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Old 05-29-2017, 07:00 AM   #4
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Someone gave me one of those add ons. It made the antenna too directional for my taste. I had to move it to watch some channels. It's gone!
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Old 05-29-2017, 07:06 AM   #5
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We start by pointing it towards the closest city and fine tune it based on the Winegard Sensarpro beeping. Then we run the TV scan.
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Old 05-29-2017, 07:13 AM   #6
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It can't hurt and can definitely help in receiving "fringe" stations from wherever you are.

I use an app on my phone called DTV Antennas that uses your location and then shows you not only the direction of the station's broadcast towers nearest you and how far they are from your location but also their network affiliation and call letters. I then point the antenna in that general direction before running my scan and has worked great for us so far in getting a few more stations we might not have otherwise gotten.
I looked on my app store and do not see that app. Does it have another name. Only one I see when searching for "DTC antenna" is one called Signal GH.

Sounds like something that may help pointing at a group of stations. Lots of times the broadcast antennas my not be in the general direction of the city they claim.
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Old 05-29-2017, 07:18 AM   #7
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Do you have a model number? I searched rayzar. Many models. Only one around $100. Maybe they cost more now.

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Old 05-29-2017, 07:19 AM   #8
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I looked on my app store and do not see that app. Does it have another name. Only one I see when searching for "DTC antenna" is one called Signal GH.

Sounds like something that may help pointing at a group of stations. Lots of times the broadcast antennas my not be in the general direction of the city they claim.
My bad. I quoted the name as it appears on my phone. The app is named Digital TV Antennas in the Google Play Store. Not sure if it is available for iPhone.
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Old 05-29-2017, 07:21 AM   #9
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I found it. Downloading now. I think I'm too far in the sticks. I need to find a better antenna. Preferably something that'll mount up to the existing spot so I don't have to drill more holes, etc.

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Old 05-29-2017, 07:24 AM   #10
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Do you have a model number? I searched rayzar. Many models. Only one around $100. Maybe they cost more now.

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I assume he was talking about this one. It's the same that came on my 2017 Eagle TT. Retrofit models (drop down menu) are about 50.00 where the full install model is 100.00 give or take. You may find them cheaper on sites like Amazon.

Winegard Rayzar z1 Amplified HDTV RV Antenna
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Old 05-29-2017, 07:35 AM   #11
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My bad. I quoted the name as it appears on my phone. The app is named Digital TV Antennas in the Google Play Store. Not sure if it is available for iPhone.

Thanks for the info on the app. Downloading it now.
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Old 05-29-2017, 07:37 AM   #12
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My bad. I quoted the name as it appears on my phone. The app is named Digital TV Antennas in the Google Play Store. Not sure if it is available for iPhone.
If anyone can find a comparable app on iPhone I would appreciate having it. I have searched every way and don't see it on iPhone app store.
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Old 05-29-2017, 08:53 AM   #13
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Ok dumb question. What is the front of the antenna? How do I know what to point towards the tower?
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Old 05-29-2017, 10:36 AM   #14
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I have the King Jack antenna on my fiver. Works very well, and seems to pick up well even when aimed backwards. Liked it enough to put one on the house. I believe there is a difference in the tuners on the tv sets. I have a Vizio in the living room and a Sony in in the master bedroom in the house. The Sony will pick up more channels than the Vizio, on the same antenna, at the same position.
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Old 05-29-2017, 12:09 PM   #15
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Ok dumb question. What is the front of the antenna? How do I know what to point towards the tower?
Depending on what type of antenna you have will help in figuring that out.

If you have the older crank up antenna, then the antenna should be rotated so that the front of the T is facing the tower. In other words, make sure you have as much of the antenna surface elements pointing towards the signal source to collect as much signal as possible.

If you have the newer disc type antenna like the Winegard Rayzar Z1 (like I have on our 2017 Eagle TT) there is a small metal element sticking out of the disc. This type of antenna is supposed to be more "omnidirectional" in that they can receive signal from basically any direction but the small metal element is what you should point towards the tower to ensure the strongest signal possible.

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Old 05-29-2017, 12:23 PM   #16
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If anyone can find a comparable app on iPhone I would appreciate having it. I have searched every way and don't see it on iPhone app store.
If you go to the AP Store, type a search for TV Antennae and it comes up with several choices.
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Old 05-29-2017, 12:45 PM   #17
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If you go to the AP Store, type a search for TV Antennae and it comes up with several choices.
Thanks, TV towers USA did it.
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Old 05-29-2017, 12:54 PM   #18
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Ok dumb question. What is the front of the antenna? How do I know what to point towards the tower?
When your antenna is raised it is a Dipole Antenna. It will pick up any signals from either side of the widest part of the antenna in either direction. When you add the Razor attachment, it makes it more sensitive to signals coming from the direction it is pointing. The length of the components determine what frequencies it will pick up.

Don't want to get to technical. Here is something to read if you want more:
http://www.arrl.org/files/file/Techn...df/9106023.pdf
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