| Replacing the Batwing [message #324758] |
Mon, 09 October 2017 15:19  |
tphipps
Messages: 3005
Registered: August 2004
Location: Spanish Fort, AL
Karma: 9
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I elected to replace my aged Winegard Batwing. I chose the Winegard Rayzar Z-1 because Winegard pushes it as a direct replacement.
This is not entirely true. The big problem is the footprints are not the same. Winegard, dealing in the initial plastic molding for the roof mount could have easily made it identical to the Batwing footprint. Putting the Rayzar on the roof to use the drilled hole existing in the roof does not cover the mounting holes from the Batwing footprint. You must either fill the existing screw holes or fashion a cover over the original mounting point and mount the Razyar to your new mount.
An additional difficulty in mounting the Rayzar, due to design, you must use a 90 degree drill to fasten the mounting screws into the roof. A conventional drill is too large. Just another 'fun' thing while you are on the roof.
I used the highly advertised 'leak seal' to seal the mount screws and edges. It worked extremely well, holding up to Hurricane Nate and it's heavy rain fall. 4.5 inches during the storm and 1+ inch the next day. No leaks yet.
Performance is excellent. In my yard, I received 37 viewable stations. Batwing received far less.
As an afterthought, the King Jack, a similar antenna system, actually sells a mounting plate that will cover the old Batwing mounting holes. Perhaps I should have gone that way.
Tom, MS II
2012 Phoenix Cruiser model 2552
KA4CSG
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| Re: Replacing the Batwing [message #324766 is a reply to message #324758] |
Mon, 09 October 2017 19:36  |
Carl S.
Messages: 4186
Registered: January 2009
Location: Tucson, AZ.
Karma: 13
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"As an afterthought, the King Jack, a similar antenna system, actually sells a mounting plate that will cover the old Batwing mounting holes. Perhaps I should have gone that way."
That is what I did, used the King Jack (and mounting plate) with similar results. My old batwing leaked. The new King Jack does not.
Carl Stouffer
'75 ex Palm Beach
Tucson, AZ.
Chuck Aulgur Reaction Arm Disc Brakes, Quadrabags, 3.70 LSD final drive, Lenzi knuckles/hubs, Dodge Truck 16" X 8" front wheels, Rear American Eagles, Solar battery charging. GMCSJ and GMCMI member
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| Re: Replacing the Batwing [message #324787 is a reply to message #324758] |
Tue, 10 October 2017 09:15 |
jhbridges
Messages: 8412
Registered: May 2011
Location: Braselton ga
Karma: -74
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Well, mine (Batwing) has a short in the cable someplace which will require replacement. Sigh. Works great if i run a piece of RG-59 out the toll window from the power injector to the antenna.
--johnny
Foolish Carriage, 76 26' Eleganza(?) with beaucoup mods and add - ons.
Braselton, Ga.
I forgive them all, save those who hurt the dogs. They must answer to me in hell
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| Re: Replacing the Batwing [message #324792 is a reply to message #324787] |
Tue, 10 October 2017 10:54 |
roy1
Messages: 2126
Registered: July 2004
Location: Minden nevada
Karma: 6
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Senior Member |
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Amplified king Jack and rayzar are good antennas certainly better at bringing in distant stations then an omnidirectional antenna. However it is tough to beat a good functional amplified bat wing for distant stations. At best they would be similar I believe around 80 or 90 miles is there limit.
Roy Keen
Minden,NV
76 X Glenbrook
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| Re: Replacing the Batwing [message #324857 is a reply to message #324758] |
Thu, 12 October 2017 10:42 |
Scott Nutter
Messages: 781
Registered: January 2015
Location: Houston/San Diego
Karma: 4
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Tom, Carl.
Would the Rayzar and/or kingJack antenna portion bolt to the existing Batwing extending poles?
My amplified Batwing works fine, but a updated digital antenna could be better. You never know till you try-or if it ain't broke don't fix it?
Also a great tool in learning Spanish........
Thanks, Scott
Scott Nutter
1978 Royale Center Kitchen, Patterson 455, switch pitch tranny, 3.21 final drive, Quad bags, Dave Lenzi super duty mid axle disc brakes, tankless water heater, everything Lenzi. Alex Ferrera installed MSD Atomic EFI
Houston, Texas
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| Re: Replacing the Batwing [message #324859 is a reply to message #324857] |
Thu, 12 October 2017 11:11 |
roy1
Messages: 2126
Registered: July 2004
Location: Minden nevada
Karma: 6
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There is a king Jack kit that will adapt to your batwing assembly . It replaces the bat wing head but from what I have seen from a few folks that did the modification it didn't improve reception of a good working batwing. I would only do it if the batwing was not working properly. My brother replaced his non amplified batwing with an amplified king Jack and it was a big improvement but he got less stations then I did with my batwing that were 90 miles away while camped next to me.
Roy Keen
Minden,NV
76 X Glenbrook
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| Re: Replacing the Batwing [message #324875 is a reply to message #324873] |
Thu, 12 October 2017 18:16 |
tphipps
Messages: 3005
Registered: August 2004
Location: Spanish Fort, AL
Karma: 9
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Senior Member |
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Both Winegard and King Jack make a replacement head only unit. Much easier and cheaper than the total replacement.
Tom, MS II
2012 Phoenix Cruiser model 2552
KA4CSG
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