Original television antenna on our Montana 375 is the Rayzor:
The problem with this antenna is the simple fact, it sticks up above the roof, has those prongs on the front and my Montana is pretty high already. What does that mean? It's subject to low hanging tree branches. Not necessarily big branches, even the little tiny ones can catch those prongs and flip the antenna around.
When that happens, the PLASTIC shaft inside breaks.
The first time this happened, Rayzor warranty replaced it and my dealership installed it (absolutely no charge).
Then, the replacement shaft broke again some time later. I was able to get the right parts and replaced them, pretty cheap, but still frustrating work and time.
Move forward again. I'm pretty sure when it happened again. End of July, 2022, Brown County State Park, our arrival. On the main road leading into the campground were some lower hanging branches ... small ones, that I'm pretty sure touched the top of the trailer. This was enough to break that shaft again.
Forward again. End of July all of August, September and now October, when arriving at a new site, I'd climb on the roof and turn the antenna. OK, I'm tired of this. So decided it was time to fix it and fix it right!
I considered another Rayzor but ONLY if I could get some kind of cover or protection over the top of it. I did some Google internet searching and found a roof vent cover that was large enough to fit over the top of the antenna, IF I purchased another one. But, before purchasing, I figured I better go to my "go to people" ... my absolute trustworthy RV dealership ---j old school cooter --- parts department guy! So I went this morning.
We talked, shared my problems. He listened. And then we talked about changing to a completely different antenna.
I looked around the parking lot at the new campers there (all Keystone products), and noticed they ALL had Wingard 360 plus on them. So we talked about alternatives. The more we talked, the more I did not want another Rayzor because of the vulnerability of that shaft breaking again.
Well, he convinced me (and it did not take much convincing) to with the Wingard 360 plus. Although it has the WIFI (stuff) available, we'll never use that (so maybe that was a waste). We just want over-the-air television. He said, for over-the-air television, now power is required. Power is required for the wifi stuff and what not. Just plug in the coax on the camper and you are ready to go.
Well, I walked out the door with the Wingard and tube of Alpha self leveling lap sealant. Got home, pulled off the old Rayzor, plopped the Wingard down and viola!
Now, we are parked at home right now, and our over-the-air reception is pretty good, but directional. We draw television stations from Indianapolis, sometimes Fort Wayne, always Muncie, Lafayette, and even Bloomington. Sometimes we can pick up Cincinnati, Ohio. I know that sounds incredible, but it's true.
So, normally, in the camper, on both televisions, with the Rayzor (and booster turned on), we got about 65 stations with the antenna pointed toward Indianapolis.
The Wingard pulled in 89 stations and do not have to constantly flip the antenna around and around and around any more!
I think we have a "Winner Winner... Chicken Dinner!"
Linear Mode
