We are looking for a tv aerial for our caravan but there are so many about. Can anyone recommend a good particular one please?
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Quote: Originally posted by denfrain on 20/6/2011
We are looking for a tv aerial for our caravan but there are so many about. Can anyone recommend a good particular one please?
You need the one the locals have on their houses in the area you intend to stay it.
The TV transmitter doesn't know you're in a caravan and doesn't broadcast special signals for caravaners.
up until very recently we were using a 'vision plus,' directional antenna, which we found very effective,even in poor or low reception areas, especially when used in conjunction with a signal finder, ( although some times we were limited to 1 or 2 watchable channels)
most caravan accesory out lets stock these types of antenna, cost's range from £30 -£50 depending on where & which model you go for.
have recently aquired, via a family member ,a satallite system but as we ,as yet havn't tried this out ,i'll be taking the old one too as back up
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Quote: Originally posted by PaulDG on 20/6/2011
You need the one the locals have on their houses in the area you intend to stay it.
So we need a stock of various TV aerials to carry do we?
With the progress to digital TV, there is no longer any need for different grouped aerials and in fact any reasonable aerial will do the job. Personally, I have A VisionPlus aerial as per this link and it works a treat in the rare occassion I need it; I use the van's own aerial generally and only fit this when I need it. What you do need to be aware of is the polarity of the aerial in the area you're visiting, whether the locals are fitted horizontally or vertically.
Someone on here (can't remember his tag for the life of me) uses and highly recommends a flat grid type aerial that works very well in all areas too; hopefully he'll pop along and link to it.
Quote: Originally posted by PaulDG on 20/6/2011
You need the one the locals have on their houses in the area you intend to stay it.
So we need a stock of various TV aerials to carry do we?
With the progress to digital TV, there is no longer any need for different grouped aerials and in fact any reasonable aerial will do the job. Personally, I have A VisionPlus aerial as per this link and it works a treat in the rare occassion I need it; I use the van's own aerial generally and only fit this when I need it. What you do need to be aware of is the polarity of the aerial in the area you're visiting, whether the locals are fitted horizontally or vertically.
Someone on here (can't remember his tag for the life of me) uses and highly recommends a flat grid type aerial that works very well in all areas too; hopefully he'll pop along and link to it.
yep,thats the same one we use, not had no prblems with it, it's always worked for us
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are you looking for a fixed aerial or a portable type? we have got a sgl gold digitop amplified aerial,works a treat.you can pick one up at asdas for about £18 i think.
Thanks all. So most of you swear by Vision Plus, guess we will have to buy one of those. :)
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I use a small one that I bought from Maplins about 4 years ago. it is very small cost about £28 at the time and I can get all the free view channels on it no problem.
I have used it in Devon Somerset Dorset and Norfolk.
Just have to retune the TV set for each county.
John
I don't know if your van has a fitted aerial (Status model?), but the VisionPlus aerial is compatible with the later version aerial amplifier that's usually fitted in the van too.
I installed an external aerial socket and ran the cable to the amplifier. This allows me to use either the vans built in aerial which I try first, or swap over and route the external aerial into the amp which in turn feeds the aerial sockets in the van.
Paul I don't think our caravan has had an aerial fitted before. It's an old caravan Alpine Sprite GL 1984. So I'd need an amplifer and an aerial? Sorry for being a bit thick but I am so used to camping under canvas with no tv. :)
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Quote: Originally posted by PaulDG on 20/6/2011You need the one the locals have on their houses in the area you intend to stay it.
So we need a stock of various TV aerials to carry do we?
You might. It depends where you want to go.
I say again, the TV companies do not transmit special signals for caravans - if the locals can get their TV via a damp piece of string, it'll work in the caravan. If they need super-amplified, narrowband, triple masted 72 element aerials of the sort you'd associate with a radio telescope, that's what you need too.
It's not about your caravan; it's about where you want to put that caravan!
Quote: Paul I don't think our caravan has had an aerial fitted before. It's an old caravan Alpine Sprite GL 1984. So I'd need an amplifer and an aerial? Sorry for being a bit thick but I am so used to camping under canvas with no tv. :)
It depends where you want to go. The make and age of your caravan is of no interest to the TV transmitting company - they are broadcasting a particular type of signal and people living in the area have been told what they should be buying and if they need amplifiers (or at least TV aerial installers in the area know where to look up this information on the Internet. i.e. here: http://www.aerialsandtv.com/digitalnationwide2.html)
To get proper reception, you need the aerial (and amplifier or not) that matches the requirement in the place you're going to be staying.
Depending where that is, you might get away with one of those plasticky aerials Argos sells as a caravan aerial or you might not - so don't rely on having the TV unless you're prepared to do the research and buy the right kit.
(If you want to be sure of getting a signal no matter where you stay (in the UK), well as long as the place you camp isn't covered by trees so you can see the Southern sky, a Satellite system is what you want.)
Quote: Originally posted by denfrain on 21/6/2011
Paul I don't think our caravan has had an aerial fitted before... So I'd need an amplifer and an aerial?
I only happen to have an amplifier because it's fitted in the van. The VisionPlus aerial I've linked too works very well and has only let me down on the odd occassion, in the remotest of location (a site within a former quarry in Cumbria springs to mind) and in these instances I just get a book out. I'm no longer bothered with satellite TV setup's, however if you must ensure you never miss your dose of "Cora's", then satellite might be worth considering (providing you can always get a clear view to the satellite position).
It wouldn't hurt to have an amplifier at the ready too, but to be honest they boost not only the quality of original signal, but boost the 'noise' too, so unless you've got fairly good reception in the first place, they're of little or no benefit. Most of the 'cheapo boosters' aren't worth diddly squat as the amplifier transistors are too 'noisy' themselves and deliver poor results.
If you do consider a VisionPlus aerial, I'd suggest opting for their own signal amplifier too (see this link), but you'll need to either rig up a 12v supply for this off your battery or add the optional 12v power supply too.
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Topic: TV Aerials
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