T.V. displays 'No signal'.......?

mickysf

Here is an interesting site which explains the significant deficiencies of the omni type aerials and recommends alternatives which work far better in both weak and strong signal areas.

http://www.aerialsandtv.com/touringaerials.html#ProblemsOfTouringAerials

Spriddler

I appreciate all the comments and feel better informed now but I'll leave it until we can try again when the 'van is in different locations. TBH I'm beginning to feel that being able to watch T.V. isn't worth the faffing around and I'd be better off just getting a couple of jigsaw puzzles (and an extra couple of bottles of St Emilion)!

Trini

We have a Moonraker DTV Digi PRO portable and an Avtex fitted in the 'van. Neither can get a signal on our current site. 

The owner says he cant understand why - there are 2 masts to choose from and everyone else on site has no probs.

We have tried every option inc. changing cables and connecting direct to the TV. We also have 2 TVs and neither can get a signal.

On a site with TV hookup we have no probs.

Is it just that both TV aerials are rubbish or are we missing something?

Vulcan

Interesting site but years out of date now. The fact is that since the terrestrial digital change over a few years ago Freeview transmitter outputs are higher and there are very few sites where an Omni will not work.

Fozzie

I have come to this post rather late,and could I suggest plugging in a signal strength meter into the aerial socket in the van and see what indication this gives you.

Maplins or any good caravan shop sells them.

I always set up aerial first with the finder then set up the television.

 

 

ABM

Fozzie,  the  Status  315  is  an  omnidirectional  aerial  and  only  needs  switching  on--  there  is  no  other  'setting  up'  to  do  but  the  sig strength  meter  would  help,  but  is  it  worth  buying  one  for  a  'one  off'  jobbie  ?

mickysf

Unfortunately today there are still areas across the country, many in those beautiful 'remote' areas caravaners enjoy visiting, which have a weak signal. The principals of gain and polarity blight omnis in these areas and better options are available. 

mickysf

Sorry, I forgot the other main drawback/deficiency of an omni being used today in those less than strong signal areas, the lack of directionality.

Vulcan

Lack of directionality as you put it is the whole idea of an omnidirectional aerial, hence its name and far from been a "drawback/deficiency", is a distinct advantage in normal signal areas as it does not need directing. 

mickysf

But only in strong signal areas, anything less and you probably will need a directional one! That's why there have been problem occurring with those new caravans with omni aerials fitted in certain areas of the country. As the 'researcher' says, 'a metal coat hanger' may be better than the omnis!

JVB66

The Status 315 "omni directional" aerial has a known reputation for being anything but, unless in strong signal areas,hence most manufacturers are now fitting directional aerials

mickysf

Just look up to the roofs down every street in every town. How many houses have omni aerials fitted, none possibly I'd bet. Why? The answer is that they are inferior compared to directional ones and ill suited to many locations. Beggars belief that the manufacturers  still fit them to caravans in my opinion.

Justus2

Out of interest, here is our list, from the past 12 months, of sites where our omni was not good enough and we had to use either our satellite dish  or TV on the bollard :- 

Twyllite private site Banbury, CC&C Moffat, CC Strathclyde, CC Maragowan, CC Brora, CC Stonehaven, CC Yellowcraig, CC Dunnet Bay, CC York, CC Buxton, CC&C Keswick, CC Grassington, CC Bury, CC Barnard Castle, CC Broadway, CC&C Corfe Castle ... I would hardly class this number as very few... quite the reverse, there a very few in our experience, where it DOES work ..

Justus2

I've been on a few sites where the leaflet says that your aerial should be in the vertical plane, sadly we can't do that with our omni directional. Result was that neighbours get a watchable signal and we get nothing.. no channels found 

ocsid

A big factor in houses not having omni direction whereas caravans can have must be most houses don't relocate their position?

I have no argument though with not liking any omni I have yet come across, even very expensive marine ones. I much prefer directional types that can inherently have some level of "gain", before any amplification electronics come into play.

mickysf

And that's where the rotational and polarity changeable directional aerials out perform the omni types, They provide the flexibility required in order to 'find' that optimal signal. We've been on sites in rural areas which have the possibility of tuning to either the main transmitter or a more local repeater. That's one circumstance when the directional ones can come into their own!

0026442140

We find we have to retune the telly wherever we go , just find menu/auto tune set it off and wait , usually 5mins , you may have to move ariel about for best results but a quick look at your neighbours on the park will show you which way to point it.

DSB

This is what we do.  You can, however get a phone app which tells you the best direction for your ariel.

David 

PhilHeller

I use Antenna Aligner which has been spot on every time and it's free👍😋