Bad signal

armourer
armourer Forum Participant Posts: 218
edited July 2016 in Caravan & Motorhome Chat #1

just been away the last 3 week ends with our sprite major 4sb

seem to get a tv signal for about 20 min no problem then the fun and games begin it starts to loose signal for about 15 to 30 seconds then comes back ok for 2 -3 minutes then it starts all over again 

any idea whats going on and how to overcome the problem

Comments

  • MeatHome
    MeatHome Forum Participant Posts: 54
    edited July 2016 #2

    We're you at the same venue?

    Therefore could it have been interference?

    Could it be that the signal booster, if being used, is failing when it gets hot?

    Have you tried the tv set at home to ensure this is not at fault?

  • armourer
    armourer Forum Participant Posts: 218
    edited July 2016 #3

    been at 3 different sites same problem

    tv works ok at home in house

  • Pippah45
    Pippah45 Forum Participant Posts: 2,452
    1000 Comments
    edited July 2016 #4

    I often find that my Avtex tv works better after tuning a second time at a new site but what sort of tv do you have?  

  • Wildwood
    Wildwood Club Member Posts: 3,582
    1000 Comments 250 Likes Photogenic
    edited July 2016 #5

    Have to agree it may be the booster getting hot but it might also be the connectors being not quite right so I would check these. Not sure what aerial you have, is it directional as if so getting the direction right can be critical. You can download an app
    to get the correct direction, try Freepoint UK which seems to work for us.

  • Fysherman
    Fysherman Forum Participant Posts: 1,570
    1000 Comments
    edited July 2016 #6

    I often find that my Avtex tv works better after tuning a second time at a new site but what sort of tv do you have?  

    The auto tune might be finding a different transmitter perhaps?

    There are often more than one available but one will be a stronger signal than the other.

  • armourer
    armourer Forum Participant Posts: 218
    edited July 2016 #7

    my ariel is a round shape and you cannot turn its direction

  • Wildwood
    Wildwood Club Member Posts: 3,582
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    edited July 2016 #8

    Given it is not directional I would think the booster is the most likely thing but I would also check the connections are secure and the internal connections are sound. 

  • peedee
    peedee Club Member Posts: 9,389 ✭✭✭
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    edited July 2016 #9

    Sounds more like a poor signal and fading to me.

    Peedee

  • Wildwood
    Wildwood Club Member Posts: 3,582
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    edited July 2016 #10

    I suppose one answer might be when the problem occurs see if the caravan next door has a signal. 

  • peedee
    peedee Club Member Posts: 9,389 ✭✭✭
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    edited July 2016 #11

    I suppose one answer might be when the problem occurs see if the caravan next door has a signal. 

    Unlikely to prove anything WW unless the equipment was identical.

    peedee

  • mickysf
    mickysf Forum Participant Posts: 6,474 ✭✭✭
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    edited July 2016 #12

    Sometimes I believe weather conditions can effect the signal. On one site we had a near perfect signal one moment then wind got up and the picture started pixelating badly. Wasn't the aerial but as we were in a wooded area it must have been the tree branches
    moving.

  • Paulthebiker
    Paulthebiker Forum Participant Posts: 1
    edited August 2016 #13

    Have tried a stand alone aerial whilst on site? Just to narrow down any bad wires.

    Our Coachman has the'built in' system!!! Very sporadic reception, will pick up100+ one time and maybe11 the next. Manufacturer as no interest except advising to buy a4g filter to stop radio wave phone signals. Not a Scooby doo difference. We carry a small
    external aerial for if we get desperate!!!

  • Astro76
    Astro76 Forum Participant Posts: 62
    edited August 2016 #14

    What I'm hearing sounds like some thing that is heat related.  If it was a dodgy connection, there would not be a 20 min delay before the problems start.

    What I would do is whilst at home, try the TV on the caravan booster and arial and see if you get the same problem.  I'll bet it happens.    Next, I'd switch the whole arial setup to a portable arial just to test out, this way you can see if that solves
    the problem.    Doing this will mean that "You can get a stable signal in the van"     I'd look at the wiring of how the TV is connected to the arial.    I"m assuming that it's arial, to signal booster to tv.   So to next step would be to try a different signal
    booster and see if that solves the problem.

    After that, it'll be time to start checking the wiring of the various arial cables.  Check that each one is in good working order.

  • Brian1
    Brian1 Forum Participant Posts: 242
    100 Comments
    edited August 2016 #15

    Instant cure: instead of taking your TV away with you, take a break and do something else - eg walk, listen to music, read, admire the view, talk to each other, drive to somewhere interesting.

    It always amazes me how many people go away in a 'van - presumably to take a break from normal routine - and then spend their evenings watching TV (probably the same soaps they watch every night when at home) on a TV set probably as lot smaller than they
    have at home, on seats that aren't as comfortable as they have at home.

    Tongue Out