Jensen TV compatibility with antenna?

Jay_and_Kat

This past weekend we were hanging out in our camper, I figured I'd see what might be on TV.  I thought the small "whip" antenna on the side of the camper was for radio and TV (I should know better,) so needless to say, we got no TV...

I'm thinking about getting a digital TV antenna, one of the "flat" antenna, does anyone know if one of these will work with the entertainment system in a T@B 400?  I'd hook it to the cable connection in the Nautilus compartment, probably attach it to the side of the camper with the velcro Command Strips so we could pack it up for travel, yet still get some height out of it.

I also know, if there's no digital broadcast stations within range (and it'll be less than advertised for the antenna, due to mounting height,) we still won't get any broadcast TV.

Thanks!

pthomas745

The little antenna on the trailer is for the radio, as you discovered.

There have been many TV antenna setups, from the very simple to the elaborate.

This is one thread with the most obvious "off the shelf" sort of options.

https://tab-rv.vanillacommunity.com/discussion/11920/best-and-cheapest-tv-antenna-yet

This is a search for "tv antenna" with the images from the search displayed. Some interesting designs, as you would expect from this group. Click the image for access to the threads.

https://www.google.com/search?q=best+tv+antenna+site:tab-rv.vanillacommunity.com&client=firefox-b-1-d&sxsrf=ALiCzsbD9LiuaDOB8jXNMyKWboi6PvYRqA:1657201362778&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwi1srKU9Ob4AhXWDkQIHfZ3AhoQ_AUoBHoECAEQBg&biw=1920&bih=1088&dpr=1

kurt

I have used one of the flat panel TV antenna's on my TAB 400 by connecting it to the exterior coax connector that is next to the outside shower. I had it taped to the back side of the camper, and it did pick up allot of the over the air TV stations, you might get more stations/better reception with height/positioning.

jbajor

Does anyone have any experience with the Dish 'Tailgater' for receiving satellite?

Towhee

We used the Amazon flat antenna on our boat with good results.

jbajor

Towhee, Could you show link for the amazon antenna that you use?

Denny16

There there are several dome style digital RV antennas thst can be installed on the TaB roof, similar to the cell antenna shown in Thomas’ link above.  

Cheers 

jbajor

Denny16 said:

There there are several dome style digital RV antennas thst can be installed on the TaB roof, similar to the cell antenna shown in Thomas’ link above.  

Cheers 

yes, have had any experience with any of them?

Denny16

Not on a TaB, but I have seen they work quite well on a friend’s RV.  They do need an electronics black box installed inside the RV and 12VDC power to make them work.
  Cheers 

gulfarea

I am still using the mod see attached and it works great Art 

https://tab-rv.vanillacommunity.com/discussion/comment/149165#Comment_149165

SLJ

Besides camping we use ours for traveling, music festivals, antique shows, etc. Wanted a permanent antenna with good range but no holes in the roof and no set-up. Used a portable King Omni antenna and mounted it on a telescoping pole. I get around 50 channels in my driveway and where ever I've been so far I've gotten all the major networks plus. Before it I used a old set of rabbit ears in the window which usually got me a few stations.

Mickerly

This may sound silly, but did you switch the monitor to TV and sense stations before trying to watch? Not sure how the 400 works, but the 320 the antenna input goes directly to the monitor. Until you have the TV look for channels, it doesn't see any.

Slackers

We use the same "rabbit ears" as shown by @SLJ.  I scrounged a small section of PVC pipe that just fits over the radio antenna (as a mount). It lifts most of the rabbit ears above the roof.  It works but nobody is wrong to seek better options.

Oinfront

Ive been using this the few times I want to watch TV. Just a coaxial cable with the sheathing cut away and wire exposed. It actually does a great job! Really small for storage and easy to install. lol I was really impressed with what it was able to grab. Try it out. If you have some coax laying around it costs nothing!

Jay_and_Kat

OK, I'm going to have to try the coax with the sheathing stripped antenna!

Oinfront

Cool I’d be interested in hearing how it works for you 👍

Dame_plume

I too, use a telescopic painter pole with antenna  attached to the handle of my 320S. Works great but I will try the coax with expose wire as well.  Great find !