by Dave Head 95 U320C SE 40 12/13/09
This morning I decided to install the new Sensar III head. In our area, our ‘favorite’ channel is channel 2. It was always weak on analog in the RV, and when we shifted over to digital I could barely pick it up when we were using a D/A converter with the old TVs.
I first raised the old antenna, turned on the amp and scanned the TVs. Channel 2 barely came upon the Sharp. It was alternating between ‘digital signal too low’ and a blocky picture. The Viore didn’t even pick it up! I wanted to establish a ‘baseline’ for comparison purposes.
I didn’t try to do any further tuning – turned off the amp and went up top with the new Sensar head, a pair of needle-nose pliers and a small straight screwdriver. The needle nose pliers are used for removing the 2 mounting circlips and loosening/tightening the cable connection. The screwdriver is used for popping off the rubber pads and prying out the plastic rivets on the Wingman.
The first thing noted – the new head is about 60% lighter than the old one. It’s also not as wide. I didn’t measure but I think that with the Wingman it’s about an inch less wide which may improve clearance issues for some people. Removed the old head (pull off the circlips, pull out the ‘bolts’ and unscrew the cable connection). New ‘bolts’ and circlips are thoughtfully provided. I then removed the Wingman. The Phillips head on the pushpin rivets won’t ‘unscrew’. You have to gingerly slip your small screwdriver ‘between’ the head and the outer ring and gently pop it up. Moving from the old to the new, you only need 3 rivets so you can actually screw one up trying to figure it out if you need to…
DO NOT INSTALL THE WINGMAN PRIOR TO INSTALLING THE HEAD! I remembered this before I got started, but lost the precaution in the middle, so I got to experience it first hand! The issue is that the Wingman is designed to fit the old and new heads – so it actually sticks farther on the left side and ‘blocks’ access to your pliers install the circlip on the lower (aft) mounting bolt.
Results: Amazing – a total transformation of weak signals. On the rear Sharp, the signal meter went from zero bars to 100% on channel 2. I had to rescan the Viore to pick up the channel, but after it also showed full strength/GOOD!
It’s such a difference that I would actually recommend replacing the head FIRST if you want improvement. Then if you need more, do the Wingman. For those worried about clearance issues, the new head actually is less wide by an inch or so – that translates to 1″ more ‘room toward the center of the coach. Considering that both combined are readily available at any Camping World for under 100 bucks and its a 5-minute job, this one’s a no brainer!