Beverly Dimmitt, F193409
St. Louis, Missouri
Visit www.epestsupply.com/ants.htm, or phone (877) 500-0011. The Web page describes 14 varieties (in color) of the most common ants and offers plenty of information and products required to help eradicate the ants.
TV Converter Box
I have a motorhome with two TVs hooked up to the antenna through a splitter. I have a converter box with analog pass-through capability. Where should the converter box fit into the coaxial cable chain for TV number one? Should it be connected between the antenna and the satellite receiver; or between the satellite receiver and the splitter? I know I will need a second box for TV number two. I have reviewed everything I could find on the Internet without help. An e-mail diagram would be great.
Frank Helms, F270154
Gardendale, Alabama
Since the converter becomes the tuner, it should be the final device before the TV “” unless you have a VCR in the circuit. Just make sure the converter will allow throughput for the signals from the satellite receiver. All the diagrams you need should be included with the converter.
DTV Switchover
I have a 1999 Holiday Rambler Endeavor with analog TVs and a switch box. How do I connect the new DTV converter box so that my TVs will work on the antenna?
Charles Fender, F227263
Casa Grande, Arizona
Since you have multiple TVs that you wish to operate off the over-the-air antenna, the best scenario is that you have a converter box for each TV. The reason for this is that the converter box essentially becomes the TV’s tuner, so you will want to have it located near the TV so you can change channels via the included remote. Also, this will allow you to watch different programs on each TV. What you need to do is remove the coaxial cable that is currently going into your TV and plug it into the antenna input on the converter box. Then, use the coaxial cable that came with the converter box to connect the box to the antenna input on the TV.
If you were hoping to use a single converter box for multiple TVs, this is possible by connecting the converter box before the switch box in the antenna circuit. However, this means that you will receive the same programming on all of your TVs throughout the motorhome, and changing channels will have to be done in proximity to the converter box.
Additional information about the DTV conversion and how to install the converter box was included in the “Digital TV In A Box” story that appeared on page 60 in the August 2008 issue of Family Motor Coaching. It also can be found online at FMCA.com.
More Digital TV Questions
I have tried and tried to get an answer to my question. We travel in an RV and we have a new digital TV. But no one can tell us if there is an antenna we can get that will enable us to watch TV from 70 to 90 miles away. We do not have satellite. Can you give me an answer?
Shirley Sanders
Via e-mail
If you already have a digital TV, you shouldn’t need a new antenna; simply hook up to the over-the-air antenna you already have.
Will this antenna be able to receive programming from 70 to 90 miles away? That’s a difficult question, with the answer depending on a number of factors. First, you must consider the terrain between where you’re located and where the signal is being transmitted. If it is mostly flat, you have a better chance of getting good reception. However, if there are mountains, hills, lots of trees, etc., in between the motorhome and the broadcast tower, the signal could be impeded significantly. Reception also can be affected by the signal strength of the broadcasting station. The only way to determine whether you will receive at that distance is to experiment. Remember, you may need to move your antenna around a bit to get it oriented to the right direction.
Winegard recently came out with the Wingman, which is an add-on to the company’s Sensar batwing over-the-air antenna. It reportedly can improve DTV reception, particularly when accessing UHF channels (14-51). For more information, visit www.winegard.com or call (800) 288-8094.
Sun-Dried Tire Cover
My spare tire is mounted outside on the coach’s rear wall. The tire cover showed signs of being sunburned. When I removed the cover, the tire had a bubble on top, about 1-inch high and 18 inches long. Apparently the bubble was caused by excessive heat, which increased the tire pressure. Can I avoid this problem by adding cardboard under the cover to insulate the tire from the heat, or would reducing the tire pressure be better?
Bernie Larsen, F174124
Granada Hills, California
Reducing the tire pressure would help, as long as you carry an air compressor rated to restore the tire pressure to your coach’s operating pressure specs if you need your spare tire. A hard case spare tire cover that doesn’t contact the tire is another option. If your motorhome is a Type A, there may be unused space under the body between the frame rails where the tire could be mounted. Would it be possible to reorganize your storage areas and carry the spare tire in a lower compartment or under the bed?
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