Wingman

[vannooch-HILO]

Does anyone use a wingman on their antenna?
How's it workin' for ya?

 

[DebW-FRF]

Vannooch,
Yes we do use a Wingman on our Winegard antenna on our 1996 Hi-Lo 26ft. Hubby says he thinks it makes some difference. We have a different make of antenna on our 2004 31ft and the Wingman doesn't work on that one.

 

[bugman-HILO]

We installed one on our 98 tow lite and it works great. We were camping a few weeks ago and saw some friends camping not far from us. They were able to pick up 3 channels with a standard antenna while we picked up 12-15 channels. The only difference was the wing man.

 

[vannooch-HILO]

Cool, so they're worth twenty bucks.
Amazon here I come!

 

[RichR]

Make sure you have a Winegard antenna, the Wingman does not fit on the AntennaTek antennas. That's what we have.

 

[vannooch-HILO]

Didn't know that there were different manufacturers, thanks Rich.

 

[RichR]

There is also the Jack antenna that replaces the present antenna. It supposedly fits up to the existing mast.

Jack® | TV For Free

I have been looking for real technical acid test reviews to see how it compares to a Winegard antenna but haven't had any luck so far.

 

[vannooch-HILO]

I have no idea what mine is, it looks like a winegard and I assumed that is what it is, but I've never checked.
I'd better look into that before I go and order something.
Boy it sure is great to have all of you veteran rver's giving guidance to us rookies, Rich you rock brother!

 

[RichR]

The AntennaTek looks like the Wingard but has a slightly different shape than the Winegard. You will have to look for the name on the antenna head. Both our 1705 and 2310 have them.

 

[PopRichie77]

If it say Signal Commander on the top it is made by Antenna Tek and the Wingman won't fit.

 

[retiredcamper47]

If it is a Winegard, that name shouldl be stamped in the white plastic housing underneath the bat wings.

Bob

 

[vannooch-HILO]

Winegard installed!
It does look different from the new ones though, will the wingman work on an 18 year old antenna? It appears to be a Sensar II.

 

[RichR]

You got me there. Maybe, with luck, you can track that down in the Winegard website. There could be instructions available. I know that it is just a matter of removing a couple plastic or rubber plugs and snapping the Wingman into place. There is no electrical connection. In antenna terms the Wingman is a set of directors that makes the antenna tune sharper direction wise. So you have to be turned more closely in the direction of the station, that is what increases the gain of the antenna.

 

[RichR]

This says the Wingman is compatible with all Sensar antennas built after 1990.

SENSAR RV VHF/UHF Television Antenna - #1 Antenna in the RV Industry!

Look in the technical documents section.

 

[vannooch-HILO]

Nice! You're on top of it again, thanks.

 

[captbobster]

I replaced the Wingman head with the Jack for $40 and the reception is great, you just pop the 2 pins out that hold the antennae to the square tubing and put on the Jack, 15 mins tops and smaller antennae with better results.

 

[vannooch-HILO]

I replaced the Wingman head with the Jack for $40 and the reception is great, you just pop the 2 pins out that hold the antennae to the square tubing and put on the Jack, 15 mins tops and smaller antennae with better results.

What's a "Jack"?

 

[RichR]

Look here: Jack® | TV For Free

 

[Atlee]

I replaced the Wingman head with the Jack for $40 and the reception is great, you just pop the 2 pins out that hold the antennae to the square tubing and put on the Jack, 15 mins tops and smaller antennae with better results.

Since the later models of Hi-Lo's were supplied with Antenna Tek antenna's rather than the Winegard Sensor, I've emailed King Control (maker of the JACK) and asked if the JACK replacement head would fit the Antenna Tek.

I'll let everyone know the answer, if I get an answer.

EDIT: I got an answer, but the answer is, we don't know. Actually they asked another question which I don't have the exact answer for, yet. I don't have the new (to me) Hi-Lo yet. Get it tomorrow.

King Control's question was whether the Antenna Tek had 2 or 3 aluminum bars in the upright where the antenna head attaches. I think they are two, but I'll have that definitive answer tomorrow.

 

[RichR]

I was told by King Control that it would fit the AntennaTek. But I also read on the RV.net forum that the Jack antenna may not sit quite level when cranked up. That may of little consequence however unless it is very out of level.