We have been trying out a Portable TV roof aerial with a magnetic mount. The reception is very good but, unfortunately, the roof of our motorhome (2010 Elddis Autoquest) is not magnetic. We can sit it on the roof unanchored, which is not ideal. The cab is metal and it will stick there but this does, potentially, restrict the signal. Wondered if we could put something on the inside of the van roof, would the magnet be strong enough to pass through? Any advise?
Many years ago my previous Van didn't have an aerial. So I bought a pole which had a clip which fitted in the offside awning channel and a rubber sucker and worked pretty good.
I hope that helps.
------------- if your car could travel at the speed of light and you turned on your lights what would happen?
Thanks for your reply. If there is no other solution I will try it. Not sure the magnet will be strong enough through the roof though - don't want a metal sheet falling on our heads.
Hi Chalkie,
We have been using an ordinary aerial that we attach to a pole that we then strap to the bike rack, which is a lot of faffing around. THis is why we hoped to get an aerial that just sat on the roof.
However, your suggestion sounds interesting "a pole which had a clip which fitted in the offside awning channel and a rubber sucker". Don't suppose you remember where you got this or what make it was.
We have a built in aerial on the roof but these are cheap and quite effective no electric I hide it behind the tv also have one for the bedroom at home very good reception.
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If pursuing the magnetic aerial route, you need to consider the thickness of any material (roof) between the external base and any internal steel plate. Magnetic force obeys an inverse square law with distance. ... If the distance between two magnets (or magnet and iron/steel surface) is doubled the magnetic force between them will fall to a quarter of the initial value. You may find that if the roof has a lining and/or insulating layer, then the magnetic attraction may be insufficient to hold it in place (and let the steel plate drop off inside too!). Obviously the magnetic base is intended to be attached directly to a steel panel and will have had it's magnetic strength designed for that, likely it will be relatively weak so that you can remove it with ease, consequently it may not have sufficient attraction to work through a greater distance as found with your proposed set up, you'd likely only know by trying it, as you already have the aerial, all you need is a piece of steel.
OR to complicate matter slightly, but increase magnetic attraction, use another magnet on the inside, orientated with the correct polarity to attract to the external base (DON'T put magnets together without some thickish NON-MAGNETIC spacing material between, likely you'd never get them apart!)! Something like the flexible sheets used for fridge magnets may do the trick, plenty on Fleabay, may need to use the 'wrong way' if adhesive coated to get the magnetic polarities to match.
Hi Irwin I believe it was a Maxview product. It was just a bracket and you supplied an aerial. I looked in the garage but couldn't find it (moved house).
Sorry
------------- if your car could travel at the speed of light and you turned on your lights what would happen?
I think the most ingenious and effective arrangement I saw for a portable aerial used one of those suction handles glaziers use to manhandle large sheets of glass.
It was attached to a touring caravan at Blue Anchor Bay. The chap had a satellite dish clamped to it but it would work for a normal antenna too. The suction was very strong and I’d think you could attach a standard house antenna to it with a couple of U bolts.
I asked the chap about it at the time and he showed me. It was very strong suction indeed!
Hi. Thanks to you all for replying with suggestions.
664DaveS I have now tried the magnetic base outside and a sheet of metal inside. It didn’t work.
Monty15 You are correct that it does not pass through the roof. If other solutions do not work I may look into an internal magnetic.
camcroft Thanks for the link. I would like to find a solution for anchoring the aerial we have as I am pleased with the reception but, if we have no joy, I will investigate the one you have recommended
Chalkie0456 thanks for the info
ratcatcher Yes we were considering whether fixing a sheet to the roof would be a solution. We have ordered some (what we hope are) powerful suckers. I f we attach the metal sheet to that we would be able to move it to different positions.
david8858 Our old system was an aerial on a pole and we did try using one of those suction handles to attach it to the van but, although it appear to stick alright, the suction didn’t hold. Perhaps it wasn’t powerful enough.
Just a suggestion.....
Maybe try one of these......Kampa Dometic Awning Rail Stoppers 7mm (amazon). Get a small piece of thin steel, oblong-ish. drill a hole for the rail stopper to go through. That will affix the steel to the van.
Then magnet the Ariel to the steel. Where ever you want on the awning rail, either side.
Only got the idea because I bought a pair of these......eBay item number:114333948910
Then though wow anything not tooo heavy could be hung off these rails.
Bye the way, the lights are great....
Just a thought.
Hi Kevin, Ingenious idea. We will investigate. To be honest we have never used the awning rail on the motorhome. There are probably other things we could do with it as well.
Virwin
For my satelite TV I bought a camera tripod and a dish and kit in a case.
I then fitted the dish to it, it may be be a better option for you.
We will suggest and you can whittle them down.
Good Luck
------------- if your car could travel at the speed of light and you turned on your lights what would happen?
Quote: Originally posted by David Klyne on 22/2/2022
Have you seen the replies you have had on other forums?
David
I have been monitoring them. The Camping and caravanning club discussion has moved on to other things. I cannot get to the caravan club one as I am getting a "server error page not available"
The suggestions received on all sites have been interesting and helpful. I now wish to end the discussions but cannot see how I can.
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Topic: Portable TV roof aerial magnetic base
via mobile 19/2/2022 at 1:55pm
