TV Aerials

stephen p
stephen p Forum Participant Posts: 194
100 Comments
edited April 2017 in Caravans #1

New Elddis Crusader Storm out for its first trip last weekend, and it left me wondering why manufacturers still fit TV aerial amplifiers (apart from because it saves money) without basic signal strength direction finders. Unless I am missing something, digital TVs only let you know the signal was not good enough at the end of a lengthy search, then what? move the aerial a bit a try again??

I know there are mobile phone apps. that will tell you direction/polarity etc but it would be interesting to hear from anyone who has a method of tuning in without signal strength indication!

Comments

  • JVB66
    JVB66 Forum Participant Posts: 22,892
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    edited April 2017 #2

    Look which direction the site staff have theirs pointingwink

  • EmilysDad
    EmilysDad Forum Participant Posts: 8,973
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    edited April 2017 #3

    I think they do fit amplifiers with direction finders now ..... my 2013 Coachman has one

  • ChrisRogers
    ChrisRogers Forum Participant Posts: 435
    edited April 2017 #4

    I have a 'stick' aerial on the caravan roof, just press the retune button on the TV handset, sorts the channels giving a perfect HD picture. If in a poor signal or no signal area, then I get the sat. dish out.

  • stephen p
    stephen p Forum Participant Posts: 194
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    edited April 2017 #5

    They have dummy aerials facing the wrong way.

  • EmilysDad
    EmilysDad Forum Participant Posts: 8,973
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    edited April 2017 #6

    But the 'stick ' aerial wasn't generally pooular  .... quite a bit of bad press.

  • JVB66
    JVB66 Forum Participant Posts: 22,892
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    edited April 2017 #7

    wheres the winkcool

  • ChrisRogers
    ChrisRogers Forum Participant Posts: 435
    edited April 2017 #8

    Works OK for me, followed the very good instructions on the Elddis websitewinkinnocent

  • Vulcan
    Vulcan Forum Participant Posts: 670
    edited April 2017 #9

    I too have used an Omni aerial for many years, excellent for 99% of the time and as ChrisRogers said on the few occasions it doesn't work I use the satellite dish, directional aerials are a pain in the neck.

  • JVB66
    JVB66 Forum Participant Posts: 22,892
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    edited April 2017 #10

    Our Bailey has an amp with what could be a signal strength "meter",  there is a light that changes colour between red, yellow or green,

    note to self read handbook!!!surprised 

  • Vulcan
    Vulcan Forum Participant Posts: 670
    edited April 2017 #11

    That was in the days before the Freeview changeover was completed and transmitter output was increased considerably.

  • EmilysDad
    EmilysDad Forum Participant Posts: 8,973
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    edited April 2017 #12

    Never used a stick .... just repeating what I'd heard. I believe Coachman swapped to the stick, but then swapped back. 

  • davetommo
    davetommo Forum Participant Posts: 1,430
    edited April 2017 #13

    Useless bit of kit MM had the stick aerial on my coachman swapped 3 times and useless so gave up bothering. End result took van not 3 years old for part exchange, when dealer did the damp check there was an 80% damp reading in the cupboard where the aerial cam into the van. 

  • EasyT
    EasyT Forum Participant Posts: 16,194
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    edited April 2017 #14

    Although we don't watch TV for our 120 nights touring for more than 3 nights I tried out or omni arial on around 17 sites one year after the digital changeover just out of interest. I found it worked fine. We have no problem with the directional aerial, but then we only use it 3 nights on the same site over Christmas and know which way to point it. Was a bit puzzled lastChristmas until I realised that the booster was turned off. smile

  • Oneputt
    Oneputt Club Member Posts: 9,145 ✭✭✭
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    edited April 2017 #15

    As someone who never takes a TV with them it would be nice if manufacturers offered a WiFi booster antenna instead.

  • dmiller555
    dmiller555 Forum Participant Posts: 717
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    edited April 2017 #16

    The amp in my Lunar Clubman is fitted with a light that changes colour as the signal strength changes. One like this. 

  • EasyT
    EasyT Forum Participant Posts: 16,194
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    edited April 2017 #17

    What year is the clubman? 

  • stephen p
    stephen p Forum Participant Posts: 194
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    edited April 2017 #18

    No I was serious they really do. wink

  • stephen p
    stephen p Forum Participant Posts: 194
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    edited April 2017 #19

    I have one like that and used it to find the best signal but it does not support radio so I then had to revert to the Elddis supplied amplifier because it supports radio as well.

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