jorge1958
oregon
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Hey folks I am thinking about getting one of these Winegard Wingman TV antenna boosters. I am sure some of you have purchased one and I would like to know what you think of it. It has received good reviews from what I have read.
2010 Wind River 250RLS 30ft
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ktmrfs
Portland, Oregon
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jorge1958 wrote:Hey folks I am thinking about getting one of these Winegard Wingman TV antenna boosters. I am sure some of you have purchased one and I would like to know what you think of it. It has received good reviews from what I have read.
It will help on some channels (frequencies). If you already are getting good reception, probably not much change.
2011 Keystone Outback 295RE
2004 14' bikehauler with full living quarters
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fordsooperdooty
Southern California
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When is weak or fringe reception areas, you'll pull in signals that you didn't know were even there! When you scan for new channels at your favorite campground you'll be suprised. It works.
My posts shouldn't be taken for factual data. They are purely fictional, for entertainment purposes and should not be constituted as actually related to scientific, technical, engineering, legal, spiritual or practical advice. Amen. 
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Old-Biscuit
Across the USA
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Joined: 06/20/2009
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We travel FT, use OTA TV only and have to find channels at every new location
Things I have noticed after installing Wingman Add-On:
1) Didn't change reception capabilities on VHF channels (2-13)
2) Did allow for more/better reception of UHF channels (14-51)
3) Increased range.....channels farther away could be picked up (not just the strong signal ones)
4) Antenna had to be 'aimed' more precisely.
Item #4 is the most frustrating.....
Without the Wingman Add-On, if a some channels where in the same general direction (say some channels at a heading of 203* and some at 207*) you could aim antenna at 205* and get them all (provided they have strong/good signal strength)
With the Add-On those same channels won't come in....either the ones on 203* or the ones on 207*....can't aim antenna at 205* and get them all. But the signal strength is better when you get the channels
That has been our experience with the Add-On
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SCVJeff
Santa Clarita, CA.
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I'll agree with the above with the exception of the extreme directionality claims. I did the Wingman Comparisons when it first came out and posted them Here.
While it is a TAD more directional, it can't separate a 5 degree spread, it is simply too broad. The gain derived from the Wingman really comes from the improved front to back ratio, although there is ~5db difference at 45 degrees off access, but that's a big turn (see pix).
Jeff - WA6EQU
'06 Itasca Meridian 34H, CAT C7/350
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We Cant Wait
Jamestown NY
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I tried the Wingman and didn't really notice any real difference. I then swapped the whole head/antenna out for a King Control Unit that I ordered on line (Camping World has them now) and saw a BIG improvement in OTA reception. I've gone 1 step further this year. I have a 25' 5 piece flag pole I bought at Lowes that hooks on the tongue of the trl (with brackets I fabricated). I now have a large squard UHF antenna mounted on the pole just below the flags lowest point. This make a REAL BIG difference in OTA reception and I run the coax from the antenna in the cable plug in on the side of the camper.
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chuggs
Florida
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I installed the wingman based on those occiliscope tests... I can't do better than an electronic diagnostic tool as far as recommendations.
I just wanted to throw out...
I found a useful tool for my Android phone. If you don't already have it... you might find it helpful.
TV Antenna Helper
I launch the app... press on the GPS symbol...it will find your exact locations. Then do a search...it will seach the database based on your location and return the azmuth and expectied signal strenth to all the local Over-the-air tv stations in your locality. You can select the compass view, or a sattelite map view to help you aim your antenna.
Sure beats trial and error --- or aiming your antenna the same direction as everyone elses... Techniques that I used before TV Antenna Helper.
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CavemanCharlie
Storden,MN
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Well, I'm one of those people that know nothing about how TV works. I just turn the darned thing on and use it. With that in mind I have to say in a lot of ways this digital TV they shoved down our throats a few years ago kinda sucks. I mean sure, in theory, I get a lot more channels when I'm at the park. But, the slightest breeze and the antennae moves just a bit and all those TV channels will suddenly not come in. It's frustrating to be in the middle of a show and all of a sudden the wind picks up and your screwed. I was happier getting less channels that would actually come in then getting a lot of channels that only come in a quarter of the time.
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SCVJeff
Santa Clarita, CA.
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Unless your antenna is token and literally flopping in the wind, most likely whats happening is that to are already on the fringe of the signal to begin with, and the wind coming up also brings along a temp swing and inversion (time for a period...) .
That being the case, a wingman may likely fix that.
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CavemanCharlie
Storden,MN
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SCVJeff wrote:Unless your antenna is token and literally flopping in the wind, most likely whats happening is that to are already on the fringe of the signal to begin with, and the wind coming up also brings along a temp swing and inversion (time for a period...) .
That being the case, a wingman may likely fix that.
Well, I admit I'm on the fringe areas. Heck, were ont he fringe of everything out here. My old camper had a universal antennae that you pushed up. My new one has a Winegard crank up antennae with a booster that you have to turn on. I get a few more channels with the new one but, as someone stated I do have to turn it to tune in each channel for the best reception for that channel. Then the wind picks up and it's all over. Not the antennas fault. And, I don't see any solution. I'm just saying this is how it is now. I got better reception but, on fewer channels before the digital switch.
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