Our antenna connection with the booster button is buried out of site in our camper. I start scanning, especially the first camp-out of the year, get frustrated 'cause I'm not getting anything, and then I remember the little green light needs to be on. . .DOH. . . .!! Nice video! Again, we learn a lot about something!! :-)

I'll be doing that tomorrow Ray. No doubt the o ring is dried out on my old rig. I had to replace the $9 handle and it turns a bit stiff. Thanks so much for showing me how it comes apart and goes together! - Hal

Thanks Ray for the info on the TV antenna, I never thought about checking mine out on my Cougar. I will now. Thanks again

Hi Ray, good information. We're in Tuson now, headed to Gilla Bend tomorrow. Finally good weather. Safe travels.

I appreciate your maintenance tips. I'm definitely climbing up and doing mine come spring! Thank you!

Great video as always. On my last RV I discovered a leak around the little rubber collar that goes around the coax cable where it enters the RV. I saw you touch it and mention it looks okay. I found the rain water would build on the cable and work it’s way past the rubber seal. It was enough of a leak to stain the ceiling. I now put a dap of caulking around that seal/collar whenever it’s looking like it needs it.

Love your videos. I didn't even know there was maintenance to perform on my antenna. Thanks to you I'll be lubriczting mine when we get our Winnebago trailer out of storage this spring and I'll be installing that digital upgrade as well which hopefully will result in more channels. Paul from Toronto, Canada.

'Old' antennas like that seem to work a lot better than the new ones. I've had both.

Thanks Ray! Didn't know to do that!!When spring gets here I'll lube my antenna up!!!

FYI.... for anyone doing this, the "C" clips and pins should not have to be removed unless there is a raising/lowering problem you are trying to fix... for genreal maintenance, the black plastic plug on the top is all the access you need... remove this plug and use pliers to grab the end of the shaft and unscrew it up out of its seat to remove it very easy and quick... lube the o-ring and the gears and reassemble, the opposite way that you took it apart.. ANOTHER thing to check is the coax connection into the antenna, which can work loose if it wasnt tightened properly, and if the little rubber boot leaks or is missing, it can corrode a little bit, weakening the signal thats allowed to pass... I use silicone grease liberally (aka; dielectric grease) on the connection while its apart, then assemeble it and slip the rubber boot back on (if the boot is missing or damaged, it can be purchased seperatly)... the silicone grease will fill any voids within the connection preventing any moisture in, preventing any corrosion... because the boot by itself helps, but it seldom will seal out the moisture by itself.... ALSO.... if anyone needs to replace the rubber boot on the coax, it can be done simple, without cutting the coax... using a rope fid... get a fid (or make something similar) that is the same size (very slightly larger is ok) as the largest diameter of the connection, which is usually the retaining nut itself, and then grease up the boot and slowly slide it onto the fid, which will stretch it open big enough that while you hold the fid next to the connector, you can slide the boot off of the fid and onto the connector.... which you can then slide it fully on to the cable.... MAKE SURE you put it on it the correct direction, which would be the SMALL end on first, so that the big end can be slid up on to the connection after you get it connected and tightened......

Just lubricated our antenna today. Excellent video. Thanks.

Thanks Ray! I just finished maintaining the antenna and it works better than it ever has!! Just a week before the 1st camp out of the year for us!!!

As usual Ray, you’re the best in maintaining your rig. Thank you for this instruction and you snd Anne enjoy the winter in Arizona.

Nice maintenance tips Ray. I have that same antenna and haven't done anything to it yet. Now I know what to do.

Thnx for vid... I agree with other posts here... keep the batwing antenna... our new RV has the low profile style... just not as many channels. I did add the LED signal meter & that helps pinpoint strongest signals. Enjoy the desert !

I have the low profile omnidirectional winegard and like it. All the cables are internal so there is less chance for water intrusion. It seems to work pretty good. Thanks for another great video. These small things are not thought of by us part time rvers

Thanks Ray. Your videos are great - you explain everything in detail. We haven't entered the RV world yet but I have a much better idea of what to expect from following your channel !

Excellent maintenance video Ray!!

Thanks for all your great videos!

Great video! Followed the procedure and now the antenna is SO easy to crank up & down. Thanks for the help!

Wow, is there nothing you can’t do? I enjoy watching your videos Ray, they are so helpful, thanks again!

Love my one way WIFI. Gets 45 miles easy. Years ago got rid of my file cabinet for manuals and put everything on Dropbox

I use plastic compatible grease on the antenna gears and seals. Being heavier bodied than silicon spray, it reduces friction more and does not evaporate as quickly. The nylon worm in the gear train is prone to stripping its teeth. Although Winegard and Antenna Tek antennas look very much alike, their internal parts are not interchangeable. Be sure the get the right make parts. (I learned this the hard way.)

Good job on the maintenance the WInegard requires. But that's why I replaced mine with the Jack antenna. Works about as well as the WInegard as far as I can tell. And I never forget to put it down. Don't ask how I know about that . . .

Great learning experience. Going on a vacation in March to the flordia keys. Will check my antenna. Thanks

thanks for sharing very useful information and easy to understand and follow safe and enjoyable adventures

We have the low profile HD antenna on our 5th wheel. Fantastic reception when we use local channels.

Excellent, Mine was binding pretty bad amazing what a bit of silicone will do.

Thank you for another helpful entertaining video.

I just feed magnets to the wife, wrap her up in aluminum foil and have her sit on the roof next to the batwing. I don't get any more channels but i sure laugh and laugh. 😁

Great video. If I ever need to lubricate the internal mechanism of my antenna now I know how to disassemble it. Once or twice in the past in haste I shot some WD-40 down from the top on the gears. Luckily it's never leaked but from now on I'll use the silicone spay.

Thanks for the help. While fully lowered my antenna caught the wind and the head was damaged. I have the replacement head. I really wanted the head with the Wingman UHF addition but my antenna sits between the A/C and the refrigerator roof vent so there is no room for it.

Thanks. Great information.

Thank you Ray!!

01:23 - I keep all my manuals. In fact I search for them online and then download them and keep them as PDFs on my computer. Nearly all manuals are available online these days.

Hi Ray. I read in the comments that you'd like to replace this antenna with the Winegard RZ-6000 Rayzar. The RZ-8500 is significantly more expensive, but it's the same height, has a great amplifier, automatically rotates and is maintenance free. Since your ConnecT 2.0 videos were popular, hopefully Winegard would be willing to send an RZ-8500 for review.

Thanks Ray, I bought my class C last year, and it had been parked for a number of years, been busy changing fluids and any other maintenance that needs to be done, and every time I look up at the antenna handle in the coach, is says to lubricate twice a year but the documentation that was included with the antenna does not tell you what points need to be lubricated or any other maintenance, I will be up on the roof tomorrow 😎

Low profile = low reception. We have a King Jack antenna mounted to the roof where the broken Winegard used to be. Gears were broken and it wasn't digital. So, we bought a low profile. I'll be purchasing the winegard risers to attach the King Jack to. If that doesnt help, I'll get the Winegard Digital head installed.

Thanks for the video Ray oh, I was running out of things to do. Up to the roof I go

after reading some of the comments, there is one other thing I feel a need to mention.... any type of grease that you use that is NOT silicone grease will NOT be waterPROOF... yes, silicone grease is the only commonly available grease that is WATERPROOF and will NOT dry out or break down/separate...... rather than like other grease types, which are only temporarily water resistant, then, when exposed to the atmosphere for awhile it will dry out as it separates the oil from the fillers in the grease, then get stiff and gummy .... regular grease is hygroscopic, due to the ingredients that its made from... SILICONE grease, which is identical to the much more expensive "dielectric grease"... marketing is the only difference.... its a good idea to keep some silicone grease AND silicone DRY spray, as the silicone is what is used as a rubber dressing to protect all types of seals and rubber products..... and any of the grease or spray that remains "wet" and exposed, will collect dust, so the use of either the wet grease or the dry spray will be determined by the application and exposure... but its also good to remember that ANY lubrication is better than no lubrication at all..... keep the regular grease for use on the chassis and wheel bearing where extreme heavy duty lubrication is needed, and only use silicone grease on the coach and body parts and pieces.....

Thanks Ray.

Very good. Thanks

A few years ago my Batwing bit the dust & I replaced it with a King Jack antenna...which worked great until one day it tore loose from its mount while driving down the road. The Jack was then replaced with a Winegard Razar Automatic antenna. Initially the Razar worked great but then started having problems with the motor...kept throwing an error and wouldn’t go through its rotational station scan. After going through *3* warranty replacements, including a “redesigned” version the antenna still had the same problem. Winegard’s diagnosis was that the motor was stopping due to excessive current draw but had no solution other than to send me a new antenna. After thinking about it I wondered if the “excessive current draw” was due to friction as the antenna sits on a spindle with a gear-driven connection to the motor. I removed the cover and antenna, applied a light coating of lithium-based grease to the spindle shaft and gearing and then reassembled the unit. I haven’t had any problems with the antenna since then and have been very satisfied with its performance. Turn it on, push a button to start the scan and after a couple of minutes the antenna is positioned at its optimal orientation and displays the number of stations found. Like the WI-Fi unit you added (looking forward to getting one of those!) the antenna is in an enclosed housing to protect it...and I never have to raise or lower it 😉. Given the caveat about lubrication I highly recommend the Winegard Rayzar Automatic antenna.

You will like that little bat wing

The antenna you have is tons better than the low profile wing ones. If the one you have goes bad, I would recommend you replace it with a new sensor antenna.

cool if you made a dial you could align with the compass of your rig and use the website to help find a specific channel. then you will know which way your antenna is pointing.

I really need to do that yo my antenae. I don't emember ever lubing it and it is getting hard to crank. Thanks for the reminder.

Is there a device that helps locate the stongest signal, using your antenna, before you program your TV?

Interesting

Love Your RV I have a 2005 travel trailer, I am sure it is just VHF, how can this be upgraded to digital? It is winegard)

I replaced the Winegard batwing on my parent's rv with low profile King unit. We checked the channels before and after we replaced it and it picked up the same number of channels that the Winegard did.

Sometimes old fashioned still gets the job done! Let us know what you choose?!

Thank you for videos Mr Ray. I remember you had video with the heating water tanks. My question is the fifth wheels equipped with the heating element or you have to do it? I plan to stay in winter up north. Please advise. Thanks Ray.

VALUABLE info - thanks! Are you anywhere near the Cavecreek/Carefree area?? (been awhile since I've been out there).

great video ray, did you ever replace the batwing

you managed to get a analog channel on your tv? Jeesh, you don't see the much anymore, I was surprised that you even managed to get the channel, I wonder if it's either one of those low power channels or a channel from Mexico or something. I know that supposedly that all high power analog channels were supposed to shut down by June 12th 2009, and I think all low power analog channels were allowed to shut down by September of 2015. Which, I didn't even realize that that was going to be so, I thought ALL over the air analog channels were supposed to shut down by June 12th 2009. Anyways, as for the video and the antenna, I never thought much as for antenna maintenance ray, you gave me something new to do if and when I do get a camper of my own. :P

Can you tell me the name of the county park. Heading that way in March and need some ideas on where to stay. Thanks

Hey Ray did you replace the TV that came with your RV or is that the one that came with your rig?

Don't change your antenna to those low profile one RoadStar RS-3000 It only has a 30 mile to 35 mile range. You're antenna picks up more channels.

you tubes ""i'm not Chuck:: demonstrates how to find tv stations using this kind of attenna

Ray, don't change your antena. I have had rigs with both types of antennas and perfer the high rise crank up old style over the low mount. Reason : Better reception over all and more channals.

We can read the label

Is available at amazon? Item number? Cost? Thanx

Can't I just unhook my co ax from my roof top rv antenna and screw in my new outdoor house antenna and use the bedroom hook up for tv

Ray I upgraded to a King jack batwing antenna ( KING OA8500 Jack HDTV Directional Over-the-Air Antenna with Mount and Signal Finder - White www.amazon.com/dp/B01N1MLFGK/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_tai_TdMpCbMNEDEV1 ) and I regret it now. I had the old type like yours and thought I would like the low profile, well low profile also means that I can not get the reception I would with the raise type. Which I have a 30’ travel trailer and we camp a lot in the north georgia mountains which is where I have the most problems. Just wanted you to consider that, it was something I did not consider until after the fact.

What kind of TV is that?

Hate to tell you but if you check the label on the silicone spray cans they have a lot of petrochemicals and very little silicone. It will eat away the rubber in time. Try dow dc4 or a good pool store lub for pool gaskets.

I like to think of myself as a person of average height (5'9"), but my raise and lower handle seems like its at the highest point in the fifth wheel. If I don't have my shoes on, I can't reach the damn thing. Thank goodness I tower over my wife by 7", which makes my ego feel a little better. She has to use a step stool.