Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×
 


Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
 
Old 10-29-2010, 04:35 PM   #1
Winnebago Camper
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 34
TV Antenna Switch Box

My Winegard TV switch box has failed. The booster no longer works and I can't receive any VHF channels. Mine is a Model VS-0503 and they don't make it any more.
Does anyone had this problem and found a replacement for it?
__________________
2007 Itasca Suncruiser 38T
Workhorse W24
2008 Ford Edge toad
agiledog is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-29-2010, 05:13 PM   #2
Winnebago Owner
 
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Indiana
Posts: 64
Have you checked all of your fuses and breakers? Sometimes they are the problem. Good Luck, Indiana Journey
indiana journey is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-30-2010, 12:35 PM   #3
Winnebago Owner
 
dc8cappie's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Palm Harbor, FL
Posts: 181
By any chance did you install a digital tunner between the antenna and the switch box? If you did the power will not pass through the digital tunner and there for not power the amp. They make a power unit to place between the digital tuner and the antenna to power the amp.
__________________
Earl
05 Meridian, 39K, 350 CAT. '13 F-150 4X4, Blue Ox Aventa LX, Roadmaster 9160, or 2016 Spyder RT in 7x12 trailer, USAF Retired.
dc8cappie is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-30-2010, 04:39 PM   #4
Winnebago Master
 
wa8yxm's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2009
Posts: 851
You said the switch box has failed, and the booster no longer works.

Though a failed switch box can fail to provide power to the booster, the booster is NOT PART OF THE BOX.

If you go topside and disconnect the cable from the antenna and put a test light on it (12v) or volt meter do you get battery voltage or bright light? If so it is the booster. not the switch, in all likely hood.

THere are basically 2 switch boxes one fits in a wall box (Like an electrical outlet) has one single switch, This is still made, though the current one may be different (IE 4 connectos on the back instead of 3)

The other has many buttons. And is still being made, though the current offerings may have more buttons.

Finally.. IF you do not get good voltage at the cable end.

CHECK the power to the switch, and also the cable itself. That cable is shorter than you think it ends just below the antenna in the roof. (Another cable takes over there, this cable does not ... normally... Go bad)
__________________
Home is where I park it!
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
wa8yxm is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-10-2010, 11:07 PM   #5
Winnebago Camper
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 34
Since the only part of the switch box was the booster, I went to Radio Shack and bought an inline RF amplifier (1501170) for $40. Because the RV antenna already has a booster, I didn't need the inline amplifier that came with the RF amplifier. Works good. It uses an AC adaptor instead of 12v but you need 110V for the TV anyway. This was a lot cheaper than a whole new switch box. I disconnected the 12V line going to the switch box and covered up the push-button that no longer works. I cannot find this online except they have a manual here: http://www.radioshack.com/graphics/u...1170_PM_EN.pdf
__________________
2007 Itasca Suncruiser 38T
Workhorse W24
2008 Ford Edge toad
agiledog is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-11-2010, 09:58 AM   #6
Winnebago Master
 
wa8yxm's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2009
Posts: 851
Quote:
Originally Posted by agiledog View Post
My Winegard TV switch box has failed. The booster no longer works and I can't receive any VHF channels. Mine is a Model VS-0503 and they don't make it any more.
Does anyone had this problem and found a replacement for it?
First question: Are there any VHF stations in your area to receive? NOTE: just because the display says, for example, 4-1 does not mean it's a VHF station (Both in Detroit, and here in Fair Play, SC, channel 4 is a UHF station now days, Channel 2 in Detroit is still VHF, but it's really broadcasting on seven, (VHF-HI) not 2 (VHF-LO).. I know, confusing.. Your TV knows the deal)

Second: The booster is NOT in the box, never has been

Now, time to go hunting.

First: Does the light on the box come on? (If so fuses and wires good to that point)

Then:
Start by grabbing your presonal communications device (Cell phone/2-way radio) and parking your partner with the matching device inside.. Go topside (On the roof) and with the power switch on the antenna switch TURNED OFF disconnect the coax from the antenna.

CAREFULLY hook up ye-old digital volt meter (or an analog one for that matter, Or a test lamp)

Have your parther turn on the box. and if needed select ANT for at least one destination.. Light on/12 volts present.. NOT THE BOX. It is the booster itself that's bad or.. The connection.

The booster is in the antenna "Head" (The plastic housing in the middle of the antenna) and replacement of the antenna is indicated if it is bad.. But first.

Have partner turn off again, (light out, zero volts) and re-connect.. Sometimes that fixes it.
__________________
Home is where I park it!
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
wa8yxm is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-11-2010, 10:43 AM   #7
Winnebago Camper
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 34
Everything works fine now. I replaced the antenna when I found out the booster was in the antenna. THEN I checked for 12V at the end of the coax at the antenna, nothing. Checked for 12V coming out of the switch box, nothing. Now with the RF amplifier and new antenna, which I didn't need, it all works.
Anyone need a good antenna with the "wingman" added onto it?
__________________
2007 Itasca Suncruiser 38T
Workhorse W24
2008 Ford Edge toad
agiledog is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-07-2012, 10:09 PM   #8
Winnebago Watcher
 
Join Date: Jan 2012
Posts: 1
power unit

Quote:
Originally Posted by dc8cappie View Post
By any chance did you install a digital tunner between the antenna and the switch box? If you did the power will not pass through the digital tunner and there for not power the amp. They make a power unit to place between the digital tuner and the antenna to power the amp.
Where can i buy that power unit?
tomcosa is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-08-2012, 12:49 PM   #9
Winnebago Master
 
wa8yxm's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2009
Posts: 851
If the switch box fails to provide power to the antenna (AND NOTE This addresses another issue with Digital adapters) Winegard (And other companies) make a device, I thik Winegard calls it a power "Inserter" it is a small (Ice cube size or 2-way splitter size) Device that has a 12 volt in an a pair of antenna connections, ONE labeled ANT one labeled either RV our "out" or some such.

Does the job of the switch box as far as tne amplifier is concerned, Way less than a 50 dollar Radio Shack Pre-amp.
__________________
Home is where I park it!
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
wa8yxm is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Power Switch Automatic Transfer Switch rptipp Electrical | Charging, Solar and Electronics 9 06-19-2016 11:55 AM

» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by Winnebago Industries or any of its affiliates. This is an independent, unofficial site.


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 03:34 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 1
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.