Antenna - Montana Owners Club

Mel B. · 06-19-2017, 05:23 PM

Well I raised the antenna up on our 2004 2955RL the other day and pulled down on the round piece that lets you turn it. Well it fell apart in my hand. Seems when I had the roof resealed a few months ago They locked My antenna in place with Dicor. So any advice on a new TV antenna?

rohrmann · 06-19-2017, 11:38 PM

You may be able to trim away the excess Dicor enough to allow the existing antenna to function again. In any case, the Dicor must be removed enough for a replacement, so working with your antenna is worth a shot.

jcurtis934 · 06-21-2017, 10:09 AM

Agree, free the top swivel part, replace the plastic internal part, and see if you can salvage it.

Mel B. · 06-21-2017, 10:20 AM

Well I knew I would have to clean, remove the Dicor. I was just thinking since I have to do that anyway it might make sense to up grade? The coach is 14 years old so the antenna can't be the best choice out there. Or is it as good as a newer one. I was talking to a guy with a 2017 SOB his Tv antenna looked like an arrow and was pointing in one direction about 8" tall, But he didn't seem to know much about it?? except he said it didn't work. He was looking at my decals that some are peeling, He said he payed an extra $6000 for a protective coating so he will never have to worry about his paint or decals. I told him for $6000 I would have taken my chances. I think he made a salesman's day.

WaltBennett · 06-22-2017, 05:20 AM

Winegard has a thing that attaches to their standard bat-wing antenna to boost digital strength. I had one on our old TT and it does help some, but haven't gotten around to adding one to the Montana since the basic one works fairly well as is. Those new stationary ones don't work any better than the old bat-wing from what I've heard. The ability to aim seems to really make up for being old.

Mel B. · 06-22-2017, 07:20 AM

Yeah I've had this same antenna on other rigs. Not sure I'm going to ba able to fix this one, Been to hot to get on the roof. 105 today. But if I can't fix it I'll buy the same kind.
Thanks everyone

prndl · 06-22-2017, 11:41 AM

It sounds like what you observed was a King Jack Antenna. It is the one that looks like an arrow head.
I have installed three of these as replacements for the old Winegard antennas on my motorhome, then on my previous 5th wheel and now on my Monte.
I have had very good success with these antennas in comparison to the old Winegard. I have only had the opportunity to compare at my house as I was not away from home when I replaced them.
I do get better reception with the Jack. I also use a signal strength meter to get the best signal. There is one from King if you order the Jack antenna or there might be one built in to your TV (Jensen).
The point of the Jack antenna is actually the back end. The flat part is the end that faces the signal.
There will be other opinions but it works for me.

pjstaffieri@gmail.com · 07-13-2017, 07:29 PM

We want to replace the batwing with the King Jack on the roof. Is there a problem with installation due to the arch of a Monty roof?

prndl · 07-14-2017, 09:04 AM

Just install the King Jack that installs on the batwing mast. Takes about 15 minutes.

pjstaffieri@gmail.com · 07-14-2017, 10:11 AM

I am hoping to mount the king antenna directly to roof to get rig of needing to raise and lower. Any knowledge regarding that install and complications resulting fron the arch of the roof?

jimcol · 07-14-2017, 02:32 PM

Installed the jack on mine several years ago. We are very satisfied. Since we RV in many of the same parks around Missouri, know for a fact they do improve reception. We put ours' on the same mast the Winegard bat wing was on. I suggest you do the same because as Walt alluded to direction is still important even in the digital world. As far as the mechanism coming off in your hand I think they must have missed installing a cotter or roll pin when they reinstalled it. I'll look for the diagram I have as I disassemble mine every couple of years and lubricate the internal parts. The diagram may be available on the Winegard site but I got my copy from someone on this forum. Might try a search.

Army Nurse · 08-06-2017, 09:36 AM

I have the King Jack on ours. Reception was poor where we were, so I thought the little KJ might be better (as advertised). Seems to be about the same to me, but I do like the signal strength indicator. The real benefit is that I no longer have to remember to put the antenna down before leaving.

pjstaffieri@gmail.com · 08-06-2017, 10:49 AM

Was the KJ installed in the same place as your bat wing antenna or do you have both? Thank for responding?

Army Nurse · 08-06-2017, 01:41 PM

Same place as the original. I just peeled up the old caulk, unscrewed the old, and installed the new one. I used the adapter plate they sell at CW to cover the holes from the original's foot plate. Ran a little Dicor self leveling sealant under the edge of the plate and around the screw holes. Then, I put a 2" border around the edges of the plate and the bottom of the antenna. No leaks, and fairly easy process.

Kimo · 08-06-2017, 03:34 PM

I just installed the King Jack with the signal meter. Make sure everything is tested prior to installing. I learned the hard way when my meter did not work. Turned out to be a bad connection in the antenea. I had to take it completely off, new Dicor sealant and all to fix it. Other than that, very happy with it.

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