TV Reception via roof top aerial.
We have now done 3 trips and enjoyed everyone of them. Of our trips we've had great T/V reception via the roof top aerial in 2 of our sites whilst at Ludlow the reception was non existent.
Whilst we are not T/V mad we do want to be able to watch the box in our MH during the evening. In your experiences what percentage of sites that you've visited have good reception via the roof top? Have we been lucky with 2 of our 3 sites having good reception and this is the norm or is the experience we had at Ludlow more typical.
Thanks
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We do have a long coaxial lead and do use it if the site has a TV socket. Generally we have no problem with our roof, Status, aerial. We have a booster too, a switch in the cupboard there when we bought when motorhome 3 years old. We have had a poor signal and that tends to be because we've not put the booster on 🤔. Deciding where to point it used to be fun 😉. Hubby does like his TV 😯. We now have an app, as I'm on my phone at the mo I'll check what it's called after I've posted. I've gone away before and lost my post!
Edit it's UK aerial alignment
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Can vouch for UKAerial alignment app.
Logon - hold phone horizontal and aerial symbol comes up pointing to wards most powerful signal transmitter- tells you how far away it is and any near alternatives. Also tells you whether your aerial needs to be in horizontal or vertical plane as this can be vital if in very poor signal areas.
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We have a Status aerial and signal booster which is standard kit on our Swift caravan. We've had the same or similar on previous caravans for years. To set its direction, I use a signal meter, and find it just takes a jiffy to do this. Rarely are we not satisfied with the tv reception. Occasionally we use a coaxial cable to connect to a site booster.
After all that, we frequently turn the tv off because the programs are so bad, and listen to Classic FM on the radio!
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Unfortunately UKAerial alignment seems to be Android only. There is an app for iOS that gets reasonable reviews up to June 2015, but costs £2.99 and has not been updated since then. I suppose it depends on how much things have changed as to wether it would be of use.
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I live in Ludlow and can only pick up fourteen channels on digital TV it's one those grey areas where the relay station as not been up dated if your down by the river valley hard luck on higher ground you can pick up Ledbury or the Wrekin I use sat free view for my tv . Oh three or four of those free view you don't won't to no about
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Most site we have been on there has not been much adjustment at all. Usually works well just by raising aerial. If not give it a twist. Simples. Not sure I'd bother with an app but each tontheir own.
Only really bad reception has been Bolton abbey. Could only get 5 channels even when plugged into their own aerial.
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That's where the app is good. Set up aerial. Our TV needs retuned every time unless we've not moved far or been back to previous site without anywhere in between. A delight of our hobby. Our TV self tunes once it has a signal. It may want a tweak at times but factional turn.
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You can buy a cheap TV signal meter from the web to help you get the optimum direction before you connect the TV..
eg http://www.maplin.co.uk/p/maxview-hq-digital-tv-signal-finder-a72jx
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Last year I set off to visit poorly brother in France. The last thing I packed was my set top box. What a good decision that was! I was away almost 2 months without tv. The box won't tune in as well as my Avtex in the UK (so don't bank on it as a recorder) but in France catching up with old recorded stuff was a lifesaver at the time. This year history is repeating itself but I am determined not to stay that long so I left the box at home doing its stuff.
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If for some reason I can't get a satellite picture I use an Avtex aerial which I just stick on the side of the van and it seems to be able to get a picture. When we had a caravan I used to have a look to see what direction others units had their aerials pointing.
David
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Got to agree with you DavidK the avtex aerial is brilliant. We used to use ours before we had a roof top aerial and because my husband broke the sticker thing we used to hang it from the wing mirror!
but back to Ludlow, the site there doesn't seem to have tv reception so there's a socket in the services post. I would also say that we found their wifi really bad, constantly falling out or unable to connect, not worth the money.
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I agree the Status aerial seems to pick up the signal even on sites that both clubs says it should not. I have twice got a perfect picture on sites with cable connections available. Ours does have red and green lights to show where the best signal is but it is not that good. I did download the app and that is OK as long as you know where North is.
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Must admit I took the lazy way out. Got a roof mounted satellite unit that locates the signal by itself ( once turned on) and does not require the TV to be re tuned every time.
saves a lot of hassle but you may need deeper than usual pockets.
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