Message Forums

Hi all,

Just returned from a very enjoyable extended weekend caravan break at little lakes stourport-on-severn, we took along with us this time our brand new flat screen lcd tv, connected it up as normal to our status (outside wall mounted) ariel, and as normal, picture quality was rubbish! to the point I didn't bother turning the tv on again.

I do know and understand that omni directional ariel's will never be as good as a home installed ariel's, but I have only on one or two occasions using this ariel received a fair picture worth watching.

Can we use freeview in our caravans? and if so how, what do I need and whats the best to buy (vfm) and all that.

Any tech advice would be appreciated.

PS yes I do use a signal amp, and its still usually rubbish!

Thanks Acker

Hi Acker

Yes you could use freeview in your van but signal would depend on where you are   camping - not all transmitters carry the digital signal yet.  Having said that you would still be relying on your status aerial to pick up the signal. ( we have an echostar freeview box purchased from tesco for about £44 - but now use a sky digibox and dish, but thats another story)

I would look at your aerial connections to check their is no break in the wiring. Have you checked the patch lead that goes from the aerial inlet socket to your tv If this is too long or is not up to scratch it will affect your reception. Alternatively perhaps look at investing in a multiband directional aerial mounted on a pole through the jockey wheel hole.

Av   

In posts a year or so ago, about Status aerials, it was reckoned that a lot of them didn't work properly because caravan manufacturers weren't fitting them properly when vans were being built.

Regarding Freeview, there's no reason why you can't use it in the van, as long as your in an area where it's possiblt to get it.  Go to the Freeview site and put in the post code of the site you're going to and it'll tell you whether you'll get digital reception.

Thanks both,

I think the first thing I need to do is to check the connections on my status ariel, I have looked before and they look ok but looking isn't the same as checking properly i.e re-making the connections.

Thanks Acker