Differences between Jack antenna models

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Differences between Jack antenna models

March 18, 2015, 12:06:50 pm

Yahoo Message Number: 151599

I tried to find out the differences between a King Jack and a regular Jack antenna but was not successful. Can anyone here shed some light?
Our batwing plastic broke and I'm considering loosing the tilt arm and going to the fixed King Jack that is roughly 2 feet tall. King Controls also makes a the batwing retrofit but I'm tired of raising and lowering and listening to it flap on the roof in gales.

Thanks Lydia

Re: Differences between Jack antenna models

Reply #1 – March 18, 2015, 12:14:57 pm

Yahoo Message Number: 151600

Lydia, as this post may indicate, my knowledge of TV antennas is virtually nil, but is it possible that there is only *one* antenna, i.e., the "Jack", and the confusion is due to the producing company's name being "King Controls" and the product being referred to as a "King Jack"?

Joan

Re: Differences between Jack antenna models

Reply #2 – March 18, 2015, 04:51:56 pm

Yahoo Message Number: 151603

Thanks Joan, I can understand that conclusion. However, I stood in front of two separate boxes at a Camping World. One is more expensive, but happens to be on sale and is called a King Jack, the other which is not on sale and thus more expensive, is just labeled Jack and both claim to have some HDTV capability and the internal house antenna turning device looks the same.
I would be very upset if I was only paying extra for a label and the ink on the cardboard box.
Now I suppose I could have tried to find somebody over there that would have told me a shoe shine story, but I wasnt in the mood.

Lydia

Re: Differences between Jack antenna models

Reply #3 – March 18, 2015, 05:20:39 pm

Yahoo Message Number: 151604

Sent you a PM.

Joan

Re: Differences between Jack antenna models

Reply #4 – March 18, 2015, 06:15:55 pm

Yahoo Message Number: 151605

In a digital world price is the only concern. Let me explain -- Analog is a wave, it can be weak to strong or any place in between. There are many types of devices to help caught a analog wave - generally speaking the more money you tossed at it to better the viewing of the 'wave'. Digital is either on or off. No inbetween. Sooooo if a cheap device works its as good as the most expensive device. Remember either on or off. There is no other place for a digital device to be.

Glen

Re: Differences between Jack antenna models

Reply #5 – March 19, 2015, 09:10:38 am

Yahoo Message Number: 151613

Since buying a "Jack" digital antenna to replace the original bat wing on our 04 LD, I too have seen Camping World's ads for a more expensive "King Jack" and wondered what this was. The antenna I purchased over a year ago is easy to install on the crank-up pole mounted to the roof and it has served us well in a couple of trips across the U.S. It works very well within a hundred miles or so of cities that have TV stations. It does not always pick up signals in rural and mountain areas. For less than $50, it has been very good. Our LD came equipped with a Winegard Roadtrip satellite antenna that we have not used since we do not have Direct TV or Dish Net at our home. We don't "have to watch" TV every day and the "Jack" has given us enough access. If we should decide to stay in a spot for a month or more, I might want to subscribe to a service and use the Roadtrip antenna.

I just received a Camping World catalog and the antenna I purchased and installed is listed as "King Digital HDTV Replacement Head #68415"; Reg price: $54.99.
Hope this information is of some use to you.

Jim, NC

Re: Differences between Jack antenna models

Reply #6 – March 19, 2015, 10:43:14 am

Yahoo Message Number: 151614

Glen, I disagree. TV broadcast signals, whether digital or analog, are broadcast on a wave. A very good antenna can result in a stronger signal going into the coax cable. From that point on, you are right. If the digital signal is strong enough, you get a crystal clear result, else you get nothing, while an analog signal may yield a snowy, static-filled picture and sound with lower signal rates. Either way, the signal being picked up by the antenna is a wave, and a poor antenna results in a weaker signal than a good antenna.

Ken F in NM

Re: Differences between Jack antenna models

Reply #7 – March 19, 2015, 04:35:13 pm

Yahoo Message Number: 151624

Ken,
Thanks for explaining antenna operation to the group. It is a science unto itself. I am willing to lose some reach if I don't have to crank up the arm.

All, I spent 10 minutes on hold with the CW store without even getting to ask my question.
King Controls confirmed my suspicions that they rebranded their products almost a year ago and that there are some old boxes out there. Also there is a model without the sure lock. Thus there may very well be four possible items out lurking depending on frequency of stock turn over.

That explains most of it to me.

Thanks everybody! Lydia

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