1993 Antenna

[fieldphoto]

This may be a stupid question, but how to I go about figuring out what brand/model/specs antenna I have on my 1993 Scamp? It is whatever Scamp would have installed at the time. I am assuming it is an analog, not digital... but, it is just old enough that I would wonder if it is, in fact, digital.

Thanks!
-Ginny

[sokhapkin]

There is no difference between analog and digital TV antennas. Antenna catches radio waves. It's up to TV to understand which information is carried by that waves.

[Darwin Maring]

Digital Antenna: It should pickup the digital signal. Take a TV out there, connect it and set it to scan and see what happens.

They advertise Digital antennas to get you to buy a new one when the old ones already work.

Over-the-Air Antennas - Camping World
TV Antennas - Indoor - Solid Signal

[Glenn Baglo]

The only difference between HD digital and analogue antenna is the label on the box that says HD Digital and the price increase.

[Darwin Maring]

The New TVs need to SCAN each time you arrive to a new location. You can not just turn it on and expect to see a signal. Should you change your antenna direction, you will need to do a new SCAN to get the channels. You can purchase a KING antenna signal finder that will tell you when you have your antenna aimed in the best position then you go ahead and do a SCAN.
King Controls SureLock Digital TV Antenna Signal Finder - $24.12

Adventure: I have purchased several items from this seller.

[fieldphoto]

100th Post... woohoo!!

Ok, so follow-up question.

Assuming old antenna is good (didnt really pick much up on new TV, but it did before... so I figure in my yard under a tree isnt really conducive for good signal)...

I had one coaxial cable coming in from the roof into the upper cabinet (over sink/stove). I had another coaxial coming in from the side of the camper as a 'cable in' should the campground offer such a service.
Long story short, I have put a TV elsewhere, and have removed both of these connections from the side of the cabinets, and would instead like to run the upper coaxial, down to below the sink where the 2nd coaxial is. Connect them with a RF combiner (though I am under the impression that a combiner will actually mix signals, so I may actually need an RF switch). Then run only ONE cable line over to the new TV, so that I dont have to plug and unplug.

1. Is this a reasonably decent idea?
2. Am I correct in needing an RF switch, not just a combiner?
3. There was an amplifier on the line- does this work, is it necessary with digital input, and if I should still use it is there a newer, better technology available?
4. If I should use the amplifier, where on the line should it go? Before or after they are combined into one line?

Thanks!!

[Byron Kinnaman]

Originally Posted by fieldphoto

This may be a stupid question, but how to I go about figuring out what brand/model/specs antenna I have on my 1993 Scamp? It is whatever Scamp would have installed at the time. I am assuming it is an analog, not digital... but, it is just old enough that I would wonder if it is, in fact, digital.

Thanks!
-Ginny

There is no difference in Analog and Digital antennas. It's all RF.

[fieldphoto]

Darwin,
I don't believe I can move or change the direction of my antenna that came with the Scamp.... but I am familiar with re-scanning each time I set up- that is not a problem.

[Darwin Maring]

Just use a barrell connector to conect the 2 coax wires to make one long coax wire.

[fieldphoto]

I understand how to connect coax to coax, but what I am trying to do is connect 2 coax in to 1 coax out.
I think I will use this:
Coaxial A/B Switch

So the further question becomes, should I use an amplifier on the line, and if so, does it go above the splitter (only on the antenna line) or below the splitter (will work for coax and cable)?? Can anyone recommend an in-line coaxial amplifier?

[Darwin Maring]

No problem with the A/B switch. Do you have one?

[fieldphoto]

Just ordered it on amazon... hopefully will have it in a few days!

I think I will skip the amplifier for now- from what I read (and I know its dangerous!) the amplifier doesnt really boost a weak signal incoming (makes sense) it really only helps with long connection lines- amplifying the existing signal as it goes. In a 13' scamp, I cant imagine the lines are that long lol. We are going to use these so infrequently (usually just use DVD's or stream netflix) that I really am not too worried about it.

If anyone has any additional thoughts, of course I am open.

[Sid]

Originally Posted by Darwin Maring

The New TVs need to SCAN each time you arrive to a new location. You can not just turn it on and expect to see a signal. Should you change your antenna direction, you will need to do a new SCAN to get the channels. You can purchase a KING antenna signal finder that will tell you when you have your antenna aimed in the best position then you go ahead and do a SCAN.
King Controls SureLock Digital TV Antenna Signal Finder - $24.12

Adventure: I have purchased several items from this seller.

Or you could use a free phone app called Smartenna ( at least I think it was free).
I have used this for the last couple of years. Gives channels, direction of transmitters, and signal strength. If you know where north is you will be able to decipher the direction you should point the antenna.

[k corbin]

Originally Posted by fieldphoto

Just ordered it on amazon... hopefully will have it in a few days!

I think I will skip the amplifier for now- from what I read (and I know its dangerous!) the amplifier doesnt really boost a weak signal incoming (makes sense) it really only helps with long connection lines- amplifying the existing signal as it goes. In a 13' scamp, I cant imagine the lines are that long lol. We are going to use these so infrequently (usually just use DVD's or stream netflix) that I really am not too worried about it.

If anyone has any additional thoughts, of course I am open.

The amplifier will indeed help boost a signal and I know this because I have experimented with that situation. I use them even on short lines and see a significant difference in strength of signal when it is turned on.

When HD broadcasting began I had fun making my own portable Fractal antenna for receiving that signal. There are a lot of plans online for them. Not difficult to do but you will need a few connector fittings. I use them along with a USB Tuner device for watching TV on my laptop. I likely someday will get a tuner for my small android tablets. It would be handy when stuck waiting on appointments or things like having a tire fixed, oil changes, etc.

Of course if you are camping out in the country side a long distance away from the TV towers you will need to plan on using long range antennas, signal boosters and some reference material as to where the TV towers in the area are located.

[fieldphoto]

Thanks all for the replies!
I will post pictures, but this is what I ended up doing...

1. antenna line from top cabinet, thru RF booster, down to below sink
2. cable line in from below sink
3. both meet at A/B switch, which will be mounted under sink area where I can switch back and forth
4. single line leaves A/B switch, travels thru bench and up behind ratfur- connects to TV mounted below the over dinette cabinet.

The only remaining question/issue is- I have a boomerang antenna on the top that came with my Scamp- it does not seem to be moveable/rotateable... does that sound correct?

Thanks!