Best TV Aerial

davetom
davetom Forum Participant Posts: 39
edited February 2016 in Caravans #1

I would like some advice on the best aerial to buy for my caravan to pick up freeview. I have on my van a Status Aerial which isn't always very good in poor signal areas. I have purchased a pole to go on the side of my van to use a ordinary TV aerial with.
I tried a small aerial which i had kicking about in my shed which wasn't very good. I am prepared to buy a better aerial but which one please ?

Thanks David

Comments

  • Unknown
    Unknown
    edited February 2016 #2
    This content has been removed.
  • mickysf
    mickysf Forum Participant Posts: 6,474 ✭✭✭
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    edited February 2016 #3

    This website may help! 

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

    Looking at the aerials down our street they seems to point in all directions, some are also in vertical polarity whilst others are in horizontal. Omnis are only good in relatively strong signal areas. But when they work they work well, but so would a coat hanger, apparently!

  • ocsid
    ocsid Forum Participant Posts: 1,395
    1000 Comments
    edited February 2016 #4

    By my definition of “best” the Status directional are well to the top, not on performance alone but judged on overall practicality with performance.

    IMO, if the Status is not pulling in the signal then anything better is going to be a significant contraption in bulk and hight of deployment with all the associated hassle and sensitivity to wind etc that comes with it. Undoubtedly a high gain aerial selected for the location and placed on a very high pole reaching significantly higher than the van's roof mounting will be a bit better.

     

    IMO, what I do is the more viable solution. If the Status is not adequate, then deploy a small free standing satellite dish. Here in the UK only a small dish is needed, one like Go Out Doors sell integrates the tripod and will be far less bulk and hassle than a large aerial array the pole and its securing guy lines.

    http://www.gooutdoors.co.uk/fastfind-easyfind-satellite-p185175

  • TheAdmiral
    TheAdmiral Forum Participant Posts: 506
    edited February 2016 #5

    Avtex Stick Aerial, best we have ever had in over 40 years, now this will cause uproar on here

    Admiral

  • KENNYG
    KENNYG Forum Participant Posts: 215
    100 Comments
    edited February 2016 #6

    If your status airial won't work i use a vision plus on a pole that usually does the job,that is what I use if it is a weak signal, if that doesn't work then you have to go for the satalite options hope this helps.

  • SteveL
    SteveL Club Member Posts: 12,311 ✭✭✭
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    edited February 2016 #7

    Would agree that if the directional status does not work, then anything to improve on that would have to be large and high. Even in weak signal areas we usually get the basic channels on freeview, just not all the supplimentaries. Also depending where you are, even if the signal is good you may not get everything, as smaller repeater masts in remote areas do not carry them. In general, trees permitting, I prefer to use satellite as it is generally more dependable. The OP does not say if they mainly use club sites or CL's as club sites in weak areas often  have a TV socket on the EHU. Up to 25 m of coax may be required to connect however.

  • mickysf
    mickysf Forum Participant Posts: 6,474 ✭✭✭
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    edited February 2016 #8

    The aerial you use is only as good as the signal it is receiving so if you only ever visit sites with strong signals then even the poorest ones will appear good! However, I've been on some sites where the signal has been poor and only the best aerials will
    work, on one site even the pitch made a difference, fine on one but the one next to it impossible. 

  • commeyras
    commeyras Club Member Posts: 1,853 ✭✭✭
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    edited February 2016 #9

    Davetom.  I assume you have switched it to high power?  My Status Directional works well in most locations.  A small cheap disc and digi box may be required.

  • Jennyontour
    Jennyontour Forum Participant Posts: 26
    edited February 2016 #10

    Our recommendation would be a Vision Plus 430 aerial (with four poles to ensure it is up high).  We have been using this for the last eight years and had no problems.  It has been excellent with an easy storage, when travelling in the outside locker.  It
    is THAT good we even had to use it once at home in the loft for the main TV, when our old aerial had problems!!!  Wink

  • ABM
    ABM Forum Participant Posts: 14,578
    1000 Comments
    edited February 2016 #11

    The  important  thing  to  remember  is,  if  you  intend  using  the  aerial  whilst  touring,  you  must  ensure  that  any  "Signal  Grabber"  is  WIDEBAND  and  if  possible  adjustable  between  Horizontal  &  Vertical  polarizing !!

  • davetom
    davetom Forum Participant Posts: 39
    edited February 2016 #12

    Thanks for all your replies. Its given me something to think about. I mainly only use CLs so getting a good signal is very often hit and miss. If i was to go down the Sat dish route how good would these be in mountainous regions such as Scotland or Wales.
    Do the mountains sometimes mask out the Satellite. I know the same thing would happen with a directional aerial.

  • Unknown
    Unknown
    edited February 2016 #13
    This content has been removed.
  • rogher
    rogher Forum Participant Posts: 609
    500 Comments
    edited February 2016 #14

    Your aerial could be omnidirectional or directional. You may consider the omnidirectional one to be ‘best’ because you don’t need to do anything with it and they work most of the time. A directional one requires pointing in the right direction and with correct
    orientation (vertical/horizontal). That’s added ‘faff’ but will be better for picking up weaker signals. You could add an amplifier to boost the signal you do get. 

  • davetom
    davetom Forum Participant Posts: 39
    edited February 2016 #15

    The satellite option is looking more appealing now. I presume once your TV is tuned in to tuner box, job done. Just a matter of pointing the dish in the right direction. Thanks

  • Unknown
    Unknown
    edited March 2016 #16
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  • peedee
    peedee Club Member Posts: 9,392 ✭✭✭
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    edited March 2016 #17

    The satellite option is looking more appealing now. I presume once your TV is tuned in to tuner box, job done. Just a matter of pointing the dish in the right direction. Thanks

    Just a matter of pointing the dish in EXACTLY the right direction....

    this will take a little practice if the dish is a floor mounted one....

    If you already have a omni arial and amplifier installed I would go for a portable satellite dish. You then have the opportunity to use either if for what ever reason one of them cannot receive a signal. I find that combination works pretty well. This is
    what I have on my roof.

    peedee

  • SteveL
    SteveL Club Member Posts: 12,311 ✭✭✭
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    edited March 2016 #18

    Nice clean roof, wish ours looked like that

  • mickysf
    mickysf Forum Participant Posts: 6,474 ✭✭✭
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    edited March 2016 #19

    If you go down the free standing SAT route this kit includes the 'fast finder' technology and a 12v receiver box. The 'easy find' LNB it uses looks good too.

    http://www.gooutdoors.co.uk/fastfind-easyfind-satellite-p185175

  • Kennine
    Kennine Forum Participant Posts: 3,472
    1000 Comments
    edited March 2016 #20

    Nice clean roof, wish ours looked like that

    Write your comments here...You're lucky. Since recently downsizing to a Bungalow I can no longer look down on the roof of my van from the house. I've no idea how dirty it is at the moment, must get the ladders out of the Garage. Thanks for the reminder. 

    Nice professional looking installation on your van roof Peedee  Looks good

    K

     

  • peedee
    peedee Club Member Posts: 9,392 ✭✭✭
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    edited March 2016 #21

    Nice clean roof, wish ours looked like that

     

    Nice professional looking installation on your van roof Peedee  Looks good

    K

     

    The annual roof spring clean, lots of elbow grease and Autoglym. Must admit though I was quite chuffed with my solar panel installation. Next job, hopefully tomorrow is upgrade my Alde heating controls then give the sides a good clean and polish at the next
    opportunity.

    peedee

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