No TV Reception

[Deleted User]

Hi, I just bought my T@B January 2015 and I just took it out for the first time this past weekend. All went well, but for the life of me, I can't figure out the tv! I did the air scan numerous times, the cable is connected in the back which I assume goes to the little black antennae on the left side of the trailer.  What the heck and I doing wrong?

Thanks,
Robyn

Verna

Robyn, while I don't own a T@B, my understanding is the antenna on the side is for the entertainment center, or radio.  There should be an antenna connection also on the outside of the T@B that you would need to run a coaxial cable either to a satellite or cable TV or an external antenna.  I have an internal antenna called a Leaf that gets me local over-the-air channels within 30 miles, more or less.  I also keep a 50' coaxial cable with me to connect to the campground's cable TV (if available), or to my satellite antenna. 

So, look on the outside of the T@B for a small round or square connection that looks like a cable connection.  This is where you need to connect to.

jkjenn

Verna is exactly right! TV antennas vary in price. I have a cheap little $12 one from Amazon, others have Wingate antennas that come in around $50. Some campgrounds that offer cull hook ups offer cable. From the best I can tell, many national and state parks won't get reception unless you go the satellite route.

Nomad

Digital TV doesn't have the range that the old analog signals had and it's generally line of sight. A powered antenna has better range than non-powered. The downside is it takes power. If you go powered, make sure you get a DC powered version - the AC versions are for home use.
I've got a cheapo non powered and have given up getting any reception unless I'm really close to a city/antenna

Michigan_Mike

I use a Rayzar and as noted the antennas are "line of sight" and unless you are near a large metropolitan area your reception will be limited.  Take some DVD's and pack a few bottles of good wine and you'll be good to go.  

They are available in the Teardrop Shop.  

[Deleted User]

Thanks everybody! It sounds like a simple fix now that I know what the problem is. Thanks for the reminder on the powered vs nonpowered versions also.  Time to go shopping!  I'm kind of a news junkie, so I hope to at least be able to tune in for some local news.  

Nomad

Shopping - Just be aware that the powered antennas you find in places like Walmart or BestBuy are AC powered.

cbarnhill

Jenn..I believe on an earlier post, you provided the link to Amazon for the antenna you purchased. Would you mind providing it again? Thx

jkjenn

cbarnhill said:

Jenn..I believe on an earlier post, you provided the link to Amazon for the antenna you purchased. Would you mind providing it again? Thx

Here you go: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004Y2898U/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

jschemel

we are news junkies too but we found if we couldn't get TV reception we could usually get something on the Jenson radio

jkjenn

robyn769 said:

I'm kind of a news junkie, so I hope to at least be able to tune in for some local news.  

Me, too. I wish Sirius didn't charge the same price per unit. That would be a great solution. There is no way I will pay the fee twice, though.

jkjenn

For anyone who uses the Rayzer or Windward, and were at Tearstock, were you able to get reception?

Verna

Jenn, I didn't get back inside the Silver Shadow early enough to watch TV at Tearstock.  We all sat around talking until after 11 every night.  It was get in bed and go right to sleep.

Bonnie

Robyn:  The little black antennae you referred to,  is for the radio reception, not the TV.  I used an amplified Rayzar leaf and fixed it with a suction cup to the side of my T@B  facing towards the nearest city I new of and got 11 channels.  I was about 50 miles from that direction, and thankfully, distance was over water so probably no interference.  Was super happy with it.

Mouseketab

Actually Sirius does have something known as "family pricing" We have 6 radios on our account, and pay a smaller amount for the extra units. Before I got my new truck with built in Sirius, I had a portable unit that I moved between the truck and T@B. I installed a cradle and antenna in my T@B and wired the cradle to my radio with an FM modulator (or something to that effect).

My new truck has built in Sirius, so I got a permanent XM receiver and new radio for the T@B.

Another option is to get the Sirius online and download the Sirius app to your phone. I "think" you can attach your phone to the aux on your T@B radio and run it through your speakers.

As far as TV antenna when no cable is available. I have a Wineguard Hideway antenna that I mounted to a 6ft piece of electrical conduit. I pound a 2 ft piece of rebar into the ground and slide the conduit over the piece of rebar. With 50ft of coax, I can position the antenna to the best advantage.

jkjenn

Mouseketab said:

Actually Sirius does have something known as "family pricing" We have 6 radios on our account, and pay a smaller amount for the extra units. Before I got my new truck with built in Sirius, I had a portable unit that I moved between the truck and T@B. I installed a cradle and antenna in my T@B and wired the cradle to my radio with an FM modulator (or something to that effect).

My new truck has built in Sirius, so I got a permanent XM receiver and new radio for the T@B.

Another option is to get the Sirius online and download the Sirius app to your phone. I "think" you can attach your phone to the aux on your T@B radio and run it through your speakers.

As far as TV antenna when no cable is available. I have a Wineguard Hideway antenna that I mounted to a 6ft piece of electrical conduit. I pound a 2 ft piece of rebar into the ground and slide the conduit over the piece of rebar. With 50ft of coax, I can position the antenna to the best advantage.

I will have to call them, again. Last time they told me it was full price for a second unit. Streaming probably won't be too great in some of the areas where I go and it is a limited line up. I really do enjoy it in the Jeep, though.

Tweedrvr

I have a cable TV question.  At the last campground, which offered cable TV, I connected my coax cable to the post and to my T@B.  With the remote, I followed the Jensen instructions and Sourced to AV, but there was nothing.  I tried all the other Sources (TV, HDMI, etc.).  Am I missing a piece to the puzzle?  I didn't get to ask the owners of the campground about it before I left, so am just wondering for next time.  

Verna

You should have used the source of TV, and then there is another screen where you need to select cable (air would be for an external antenna), and then you need to let the TV auto select the available channels. After you've done a couple of times, it becomes old hat.;). AV would be audio visual, HDMI would be using the HDMI plug in the TV, DVD is self explanatory, and I forget the rest...

Tweedrvr

Verna, that makes sense. Thank you. 

jkjenn

Don't forget to scan for channels, too.

Playc

I used a basic antenna for a very old Sony TV.  I received all the channels the same as my other TV with a high priced digital antenna.  I believe the reception depends on location.

GlennBeck

jkjenn said:

cbarnhill said:

Jenn..I believe on an earlier post, you provided the link to Amazon for the antenna you purchased. Would you mind providing it again? Thx

Here you go: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004Y2898U/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Thanks both of you!  I just ordered one, now let's see if I'm ever inside long enough to watch TV!

mawebb

The Jensen TV's aren't the most user friendly. As noted, source is TV, then scan foe channels based on cable. You have to do this each time you relocate and the availbale channels are different. 

Verna

mawebb said:

The Jensen TV's aren't the most user friendly. As noted, source is TV, then scan foe channels based on cable. You have to do this each time you relocate and the availbale channels are different. 

Martin, the Jensen's menu is identical to the NAXA and to the other brand name I had in my Silver Shadow.  It almost seems to be an industry wide standard (yeah, hard to believe!) to get to over the air HD signals or to get to the portable satellite menu. 

Michigan_Mike

I watched DVD's when I was up in Alaska and only had a cable hook-up once on the trip.  It was nice to be out of the national news lime light for 5 weeks and never missed it at all!  

GlennBeck

Only time the TV ever comes on is if we are in a torrential rain storm.  Always a good time for a Syrah and a good old movie to compliment the retro-ness.

Verna

Night time comes early in the Arizona desert.  Computer games get old, you can only read so much, there's not much local TV (and I really don't want to watch the news...), but NCIS reruns on DVD's don't get old!  

GlennBeck

Point well taken, Verna!  Gotta love watching' Gibbs.

TaBFan

Not to HiJack, Love the program too, but Abby's line of "Gibs, Gibs, Gibs, Gibs, Gibs" is wearing a little thin.
Verna, feel free to delete.

Verna

TaBFan said:

Not to HiJack, Love the program too, but Abby's line of "Gibs, Gibs, Gibs, Gibs, Gibs" is wearing a little thin.
Verna, feel free to delete.

We're all entitled your opinions. I think Abby's character is a riot!  ("JINORMOUS" is the word that I catch people using....) Gibbs is my favorite, but I miss Kate, Ziva, Mike France, and the other characters from early years. 

Now back to TV in the T@B.  The Jenson can be used for DVD's, no matter what your selection. Personally, when I'm boon docking, I use a portable DVD player so I can conserve my battery and so I don't have to get up out of my warm bed to change DVD's. Of course, this experience is from last winter in AZ in my Silver Shadow when I only had heat if I had an electrical hookup.