racer99
channahon
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I am trying to figure out how I can get TV stations at state parks without spending couple hundred dollars-I was told to go to Walmart and buy a inverter box-I went back later and the people that told me had packed up and left so I didn't get alot of info or see what it looks like but the lady said she paid 50 bucks at Walmart-Any help would be appreciated-RICH
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rr2254545
Minnesota/New Mexico
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No way that I know of you were misinformed.
2012 Winnebago Journey 36M Cummins 360
131 Campgrounds since we retired in July 2009
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rgatijnet1
Florida
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Perhaps they were talking about an on air antenna and amplifier box. This would help you get local channels only but would not be of much more use than your standard crank-up antenna.
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Dale.Traveling
Newport News, VA
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Rich, I'm going to guess that with an older coach your TV is a non-digital model and you cannot receive the free to air broadcasts. Plus there’s no telling how far out in the woods you’ll be staying heading to various state parks. A digital to analog convertor will fix that but I have found the convertors are a bit lacking pulling in distant or weak signals.
Going to satellite on a budget is possible. Your largest expense is the service provider box. Each has their own just like cable TV and you don't have to buy the box from the provider. I found mine on eBay for just over $120. For an antenna you can find a former residential model on Craig’s List, eBay and restores for next to nothing. Antenna setup and aiming is an art and will take practice but isn’t impossible.
Before you buy anything you will need to pick a service provider which will dictate which antenna and receiver you will need. I went with Dish and my monthly subscription is $30 without HD channels. The former owner of my coach installed the roof mounted in motion antenna but I find staying in the Virginia State parks the trees block the antenna’s view of the satellites and I end up using a former residential manual setup and aim antenna most of the time. Also I replaced the analog tv in my coach with a digital HD model and double my free channels over what the convertor box was giving me.
Dale
2006 Hurricane 31D aka 'Moby' the Whale
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Clay L
Sioux Falls, South Dakota
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I suspect they were talking about a converter box that will allow your older TV to pick up "off the air" (OTA) TV stations. Since most TV stations went digital a few years ago the converter box is required to pick up OTA stations. Used with the usual Winegard batwing antenna with built in amplifier you can pick up local STATIONS.
Clay (WA5NMR), Lee (Wife), Katie (cat).
Full Timing in a 2004 Winnebago Sightseer 35N, Workhorse chassis, Honda Accord toad
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2oldman
Winchester WA
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Satellite?
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rvrepairnut
bc
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racer99 wrote:I am trying to figure out how I can get TV stations at state parks without spending couple hundred dollars-I was told to go to Walmart and buy a inverter box-I went back later and the people that told me had packed up and left so I didn't get alot of info or see what it looks like but the lady said she paid 50 bucks at Walmart-Any help would be appreciated-RICH
best thing to do is bit the bullet and install a new LCD TV and a good wineguard Roof antenna
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wny_pat
Western NYS
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Clay L wrote:I suspect they were talking about a converter box that will allow your older TV to pick up "off the air" (OTA) TV stations. Since most TV stations went digital a few years ago the converter box is required to pick up OTA stations. Used with the usual Winegard batwing antenna with built in amplifier you can pick up local STATIONS.
X-2! The "inverter box" was probably a "digital converter box" which allows old TVs to receive the new digital channels.
As to "trying to figure out how I can get TV stations at state parks without spending couple hundred dollars", exactly what is the problem? Old TV, poor signal, or no signal. There are lots of factors which can affect us in receiving TV signals. Maybe we can help diagnose the problem and help solve it.
* This post was
edited 03/09/12 12:05pm by wny_pat *
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racer99
channahon
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OK let me give more info since I am totally confused-I replaced the batwing with the Jack antenna but there is no amplifier or booster in the system-with the jack's antenna I am getting one local station very clear but nothing else no matter where I turn antenna-fellow at local RV center told me a red light is suppose to light up but I haven't found any light yet-still open to suggestions-Thanks Rich
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steelpony5555
Copperas Cove Texas
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Ok you replaced your batwing with a Jack antenna. The batwing is normally an ampified antenna and needs cranked up and down. The Jack does not need cranked up and down but it is powered or ampified according to the instructions. I do not have one or do I know of anyone that does but it says that a LED light comes on on the antenna if there is power to it and the ads say it is an ampified antenna. Just with the Jack it is built in and the batwing there is a wall plate with a tiny button to turn it off and on. The box they were telling you about was a digital converter box and yes Walmart should have them for $50. Most over the air channels are now digital but your older TV's are analog so they do not pick up digital siganls. So make sure you have power to the antenna....get a converter box and you plug the coax from the antenna into the box and the out coax from the box to your TV. Now you will have to do a channel search on the box not the TV to locate channels. You will have to change channels with the converter box remote and operate the sound with the TV's remote. Believe me this is all a big PITA and you will want to go back to Walmart and buy a digital flat screen as soon as you can.
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