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Winegard Air 360+ and Gateway Router Installation in 315RLTS

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  • Winegard Air 360+ and Gateway Router Installation in 315RLTS

    I didn't like having to adjust the King antenna supplied by the OEM on my '19 315RLTS and also did not like setting up the Ubiquiti airGateway system (WiFi extender) every travel day. I'm referencing the physical setup of the Ubiquiti hardware, not the process of connecting to campground WiFi.

    So after a lot of research into the alternatives I decided on a single system from Winegard. The Air 360+ has a single coax, like the original King Jack, for the TV and FM. I used the original wiring in the camper and also the original booster behind the living room TV.

    The other feature of the 360+ is the option to add a WiFi + 4G extender / router. (I'm not using the 4G as it requires a separate data plan.) The only hard part of the router install was figuring out how to get 12vDC to it. Ultimately I decided to use a converter plugged into the AC outlet behind the bedroom TV. (Pics below.) This is not what I wanted to do, but getting an active 12v line to the area was going to be very tough to do without disassembling a wall--not something I was eager to try.

    Setup of the WiFi extender in the router was very simple. The directions are clear and everything worked exactly as expected. I think even those with minimal computer skills (you know whom I'm referencing!) can do it. The ethernet cable from the router to the smart TV in the bedroom is great--no configuration required on the TV for internet access (once the router is connected to a WiFi source, of course).

    The antenna on the Winegard worked fabulously. It picked up many more stations than I've ever seen with the camper in my back yard. Really like that there's no aiming involved.

    Below are install pics with short descriptions. If you have any questions, fire away.

    1) The physical removal of the King Jack and installation of the Winegard was easy. Time consuming to gently peel off the old sealant from the roof. I used a heat gun very carefully to aid the process.

    Only disappointing item I found was there is zero, none, nada insulation under the antenna. The entire strip from the wall to the air conditioning duct was open space. :(

    Click image for larger version  Name:	Winegard on Roof.JPG Views:	2835 Size:	136.9 KB ID:	9881


    I drilled a 7/8" hole in the cabinet ceiling and routed the 12v line from the converter to the hole in the ceiling for the router. I drilled 1.5" holes in the side of the cabinet for the 110v electrical plug and ethernet cable. I put the switch in upside down, so when the router is "on" the red section on the bottom is visible to the viewer. (The switch is in the "off" position in the pictures.)


    Click image for larger version  Name:	Wiring 01.JPG Views:	0 Size:	80.9 KB ID:	9877

    Click image for larger version  Name:	Wiring 2.JPG Views:	0 Size:	120.1 KB ID:	9878

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    Last edited by howson; 12-02-2020, 08:45 AM.
    Forum moderators are not GD employees--we are volunteers and owners presumably just like yourself. Unless specifically mentioned otherwise, we have nothing to gain should you choose to purchase a product or engage a service we discuss on this forum.

    2017 Ford F-350 DRW, '19 315RLTSPlus

  • #2
    I neglected in my first post to acknowledge boyscout (Mark) who, through his informative posts and experience with his Winegard, directly contributed to the success I had with my project.

    Thanks again, Mark!

    -Howard
    Forum moderators are not GD employees--we are volunteers and owners presumably just like yourself. Unless specifically mentioned otherwise, we have nothing to gain should you choose to purchase a product or engage a service we discuss on this forum.

    2017 Ford F-350 DRW, '19 315RLTSPlus

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    • #3
      Very nice write up Howard, as usual. Pics are great!
      Steve, Sue, and pups Sky & Sierra
      2017 Grand Design Reflection 297RSTS
      2017 F350 CC, LB, 4x4, 6.7 Blue Ox WD

      Comment


      • #4
        Howson - Great tutorial and pics! We need to do something like this and are lost for the time being....
        Rick & B
        2018 F-350 6.7L SRW FX4
        2019 Reflection 337RLS, 1000w solar, 400ah batteries, Disk Brakes, MorRyde SRE 4000, GY Endurance tires, Truma water heater

        Comment


        • #5
          That was incredible!!! Thanks so much!!
          Scott M. Barlag, RV Product Specialist, NW Indiana

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          • #6
            howson
            Great info Howard!
            We are constantly swinging our directional antenna back and forth between two signal source directions. I was looking at the Winegard 360 which has a separate feed for the AM/FM. I did not realize that the 360+ had a single connection like the OE and did not require the router (which we don't need). Thanks for the research . . . mine is on order.

            Rob
            Cate & Rob
            (with Border Collies Molly & Angel + Kitties Hazel & Elsie)
            2015 Reflection 303RLS
            2022 F350 Diesel CC SB SRW Lariat
            Bayham, Ontario, Canada

            Comment


            • #7
              howson
              Hi Howard,
              My crank up antenna base is quite close to the edge of the roof. The 360+ installation instructions require a centerline 18" from the roof edge and from the nearest obstruction. I have "just" that with 36" between the roof edge and the hatch. Do you see any problems with centering the 360+ in this space even though it won't be centred over the hole in the roof?

              Rob
              Attached Files
              Cate & Rob
              (with Border Collies Molly & Angel + Kitties Hazel & Elsie)
              2015 Reflection 303RLS
              2022 F350 Diesel CC SB SRW Lariat
              Bayham, Ontario, Canada

              Comment


              • #8
                Originally posted by Cate&Rob View Post
                howsonDo you see any problems with centering the 360+ in this space even though it won't be centred over the hole in the roof?
                Here's a look at the bottom of the Winegard 360+. You'll have a lot of options once the gray coax exits the Winegard and down into the trailer--the wire will not have to be directly over the hole. Note how there's already a gap between the bottom and the edge, and when butyl tape is used (as suggested) around the edge it leaves even more room under there for the wire to freely move if needed.

                The Winegard itself is marked "FRONT" on the case, so that you'll have to align, but that alignment shouldn't affect the cable hookup.

                The small wires taped to the bottom are for the router.


                Click image for larger version

Name:	bottom.JPG
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ID:	12179
                Forum moderators are not GD employees--we are volunteers and owners presumably just like yourself. Unless specifically mentioned otherwise, we have nothing to gain should you choose to purchase a product or engage a service we discuss on this forum.

                2017 Ford F-350 DRW, '19 315RLTSPlus

                Comment


                • #9
                  howson
                  Thanks Howard!
                  That picture (and explanation) are what I needed to know.
                  Some online "evaluations" say that the King directional antenna lifted on the original Batwing arm (which is what I have) has the best signal reception. Your experience is that the Winegard 360+ has better reception than your previous directional King (but you did not have the lift arm). Based on your advice that the 360+ can be attached to the existing coax, I will do this and evaluate the two antennas side-by-side before doing the full installation.

                  Rob
                  Cate & Rob
                  (with Border Collies Molly & Angel + Kitties Hazel & Elsie)
                  2015 Reflection 303RLS
                  2022 F350 Diesel CC SB SRW Lariat
                  Bayham, Ontario, Canada

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    Originally posted by Cate&Rob View Post
                    howson
                    Thanks Howard!
                    That picture (and explanation) are what I needed to know.
                    Some online "evaluations" say that the King directional antenna lifted on the original Batwing arm (which is what I have) has the best signal reception. Your experience is that the Winegard 360+ has better reception than your previous directional King (but you did not have the lift arm). Based on your advice that the 360+ can be attached to the existing coax, I will do this and evaluate the two antennas side-by-side before doing the full installation.

                    Rob
                    Hi Rob,

                    I find this discussion very timely! I have been considering changing our antenna as well. It was coming down to the King Jack or the Winegard Sensar IV...until I saw this post. As you know we also have the lift arm and the same roof obstructions. Did you find that you had better reception (more channels) when you changed to the King Jack? The winegard Sensar IV claims up to 55 mile range. Maybe I will wait and see your test results when using the Winegard Air 360+


                    Jim
                    Jim&Deb
                    2016 Reflection 337 RLS
                    2015 GMC Denali 3500HD Duramax, 4wd, Crew Cab 6'6" box, SRW

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                    • #11
                      howson Jim & Deb

                      Received the Winegard 360+ today and did a back-to-back scan test of each antenna. The Winegard 360+ does NOT receive the more distant channels received by the directional King Jack on the lift arm. I connected the new antenna using the OE coax and booster (as Howard did). Is it is possible that the disconnected, but adjacent, King Jack is somehow interfering with the Winegard reception? The red arrows on the picture show the two key signal directions. Stations are missing from both directions with the Winegard. Any other suggestions?

                      This may just be our physical location between two doublewide homes. The extra 3 ft of lift from the King Jack arm may be the difference.

                      Comparing the King Jack (which we have had for two years) to the original batwing on the same lift arm, reception is about the same but the King Jack is more stable. The batwing would flutter in the wind, cutting out the signal.

                      Rob
                      Attached Files
                      Cate & Rob
                      (with Border Collies Molly & Angel + Kitties Hazel & Elsie)
                      2015 Reflection 303RLS
                      2022 F350 Diesel CC SB SRW Lariat
                      Bayham, Ontario, Canada

                      Comment


                      • #12
                        Originally posted by Cate&Rob View Post
                        howson Jim & Deb

                        Received the Winegard 360+ today and did a back-to-back scan test of each antenna. The Winegard 360+ does NOT receive the more distant channels received by the directional King Jack on the lift arm. I connected the new antenna using the OE coax and booster (as Howard did). Is it is possible that the disconnected, but adjacent, King Jack is somehow interfering with the Winegard reception? The red arrows on the picture show the two key signal directions. Stations are missing from both directions with the Winegard. Any other suggestions?

                        This may just be our physical location between two doublewide homes. The extra 3 ft of lift from the King Jack arm may be the difference.

                        Comparing the King Jack (which we have had for two years) to the original batwing on the same lift arm, reception is about the same but the King Jack is more stable. The batwing would flutter in the wind, cutting out the signal.

                        Rob
                        Interesting. Certainly every location including the angle of the signal, signal strength, obstacles, and even the wiring in the camper will cause variances. I actually got more stations here at home!
                        Forum moderators are not GD employees--we are volunteers and owners presumably just like yourself. Unless specifically mentioned otherwise, we have nothing to gain should you choose to purchase a product or engage a service we discuss on this forum.

                        2017 Ford F-350 DRW, '19 315RLTSPlus

                        Comment


                        • #13
                          I will admit that I am rather disappointed in the "first test" of the Winegard 360+ performance based on their claims WRT reception.

                          For "test 2" I am going to set the 360+ on a stool at about the same height as the King Jack on its lift arm. I will lower the King Jack so that it is well out of the way. There is no way that I could permanently mount the 360+ like this, but this will eliminate the height difference variable.

                          If the 360+ can match the King Jack at an elevated height, I will completely remove the King Jack antenna and again try the 360+ at its roof mount height. If it can't pass this test . . . it goes back in the box and back to Winegard . . . with my "test report".

                          Gotta luv the "engineering test projects" that we get into on this forum .

                          Rob
                          Last edited by Cate&Rob; 02-10-2020, 03:29 PM.
                          Cate & Rob
                          (with Border Collies Molly & Angel + Kitties Hazel & Elsie)
                          2015 Reflection 303RLS
                          2022 F350 Diesel CC SB SRW Lariat
                          Bayham, Ontario, Canada

                          Comment


                          • #14
                            Rob

                            Could you raise the King Jack out of the way and perform another test?

                            If i recall you acquired some plastic panels at the last rally. You could use a piece of this to make a flat circular mount for the Air 360 to attach it to the lifting arm. The nice thing about the Air 360 is you do not have to rotate it. I am interested in your reports as well.

                            Brian
                            Brian & Michelle
                            2018 Reflection 29RS
                            2022 Chevy 3500HD

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                            • #15
                              Originally posted by Country Campers View Post
                              Rob

                              Could you raise the King Jack out of the way and perform another test?

                              If i recall you acquired some plastic panels at the last rally. You could use a piece of this to make a flat circular mount for the Air 360 to attach it to the lifting arm. The nice thing about the Air 360 is you do not have to rotate it. I am interested in your reports as well.

                              Brian
                              Hi Brian,

                              I am going to accomplish your idea in another way. (See post 13). I am going to set the 360+ on a kitchen stool at the height of the King Jack on its lift arms. I will lower the King Jack below the 360+ ( so that even if disconnected it should have no affect on the 360+ reception. Doing this means that I can use the OE coax connection that previously went to the King Jack. If this solves the 360+ reception problem, I will completely remove the King Jack antenna, set the 360+ on the roof and try again.

                              Mounting the 360+ to the lift arms is an idea that I had not thought of . . . swinging the King Jack between our two source directions is not a big enough problem to justify this . . . unless the 360+ pulls in more signals than the King Jack from the 3 ft higher position.

                              More to follow tomorrow . . .

                              Rob
                              Cate & Rob
                              (with Border Collies Molly & Angel + Kitties Hazel & Elsie)
                              2015 Reflection 303RLS
                              2022 F350 Diesel CC SB SRW Lariat
                              Bayham, Ontario, Canada

                              Comment

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