TV displays 'No signal' on sites but good at home!

jackiepentrecoed
jackiepentrecoed Forum Participant Posts: 3
edited April 2019 in Caravan & Motorhome Chat #1

Hi, I'm wondering why my TV can't pick up signals on sites, I've been to two sites now and can't get the TV working.

At home it is just 'Plug and Play' no problems

Both sites had others watching TV from what appeared to be caravan fixed aerials the same as on my 2017 van, so I know it's not a site problem. I pointed the aerial in the same direction but nothing, not even a bad reception. 

I'm sure it's a simple solution but one that is confusing me!

Just got home and it's fine again, could it be somthing to do with site ampage? as when I'm at home I have the caravan plugged into the mains.

Comments

  • Tinwheeler
    Tinwheeler Forum Participant Posts: 23,142 ✭✭✭
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    edited April 2019 #2

    It won’t be the site electrics. It could very well be your aerial - the most likely cause. 

    I assume you are retuning the TV at each location and have turned the aerial on.

  • mickysf
    mickysf Forum Participant Posts: 6,474 ✭✭✭
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    edited April 2019 #3

    If you have retuned and that hasn't worked it may be this. The TV does not pick up the signal, the aerial does that and at home your Aerial  will be pointing in the right direction and in the right polararity orientation! The quality of a the aerial on the caravan and type will make a big difference. Then there is the cabling  between the Aerial and the TV and the joints between where problems can occur. As far as aerials are concerned a directional one is best. Those omnis are about as good as a coat hanger in areas with less than excellent strength signal from the transmitter. In some areas the transmitter will be vertically orientated so the aerial will also need to be turned through 45degrees to match this. You may also need a booster unit too if that signal in your area visited is week. Oh, such fun!

    this site may help explain things better

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

  • DavidKlyne
    DavidKlyne Club Member Posts: 13,860 ✭✭✭
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    edited April 2019 #4

    Jackie

    It sounds as if you have not re-tuned the TV to the local transmitter? Had that been done you wouldn't have got a picture when you got home because it would then need to be retuned for your home location. Assuming the aerial is pointing roughly in the right direction and you re-tuned you will usually get something on screen even if it is a poor picture which then requires fine tuning.

    David

  • moulesy
    moulesy Forum Participant Posts: 9,402 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    edited April 2019 #5

    I assume you're meaning non club sites or sites which don't have a TV connection on the EHU bollard? We've noticed several times that just pointing the aerial in the same direction as neighbouring vans won't necessarily work, particularly on CLs where it can depend on your exact location.

    We use an app called "freepoint uk" which normally gives a pretty accurate idea of where to point your aerial. But it will still depend on any obstructions. Hope that helps. smile

  • paul56
    paul56 Forum Participant Posts: 937
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    edited April 2019 #6

    Agree totally with DavidK above - every time you visit a new site you will have to re-tune your TV set.

    They have all got an auto-tune set up these days and usually takes just a few minutes. Our TV is so old it looks for analogue signals first (and unsurprisingly finds none) before going into digital mode and we usually end up with up to 100 channels of mostly garbage! Good luck.

  • jackiepentrecoed
    jackiepentrecoed Forum Participant Posts: 3
    edited April 2019 #7

    I think this is the problem; I'm not retuning, LOL, I knew it would be something simple.

    My daughter gave me the TV when I got the caravan in January, we just plugged it in, tuned it in our location (it had never been tuned before) and away it went, I assummed (rather ignorantly) that as long as the aerial was pointed in the right direction I would get a signal. embarassed

    Hey ho we live and learn.

    Thank you everyone for all the replies, I shall have to wait now to see if I can get it tuned in at the next site I go to.

    Best regards to you all.

  • Tinwheeler
    Tinwheeler Forum Participant Posts: 23,142 ✭✭✭
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    edited April 2019 #8

    Hope all is well next time out, Jackie. 📺

  • moulesy
    moulesy Forum Participant Posts: 9,402 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    edited April 2019 #9

    Take your granddaughter with you again next time, Jackie.  (I spotted your review of Caer Mawr). Kids can usually sort out those sorts of problem! laughing

    PS - and never worry about asking for help on site - we all had to start somewhere. smile

  • redface
    redface Forum Participant Posts: 1,701
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    edited April 2019 #10

    Kids can usually sort out those sorts of problem! 

    Reminds me of two kids looking at a book on the floor - one say to other 'I think  it is called a book - but I don't know where the batteries go'.

  • EmilysDad
    EmilysDad Forum Participant Posts: 8,973
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    edited April 2019 #11

    About 20 yrs ago I handed my daughter  .... she was about 10 at the time .... a Ewbank. She looked it over for a while & then said 'is it on?' 🤣🤣

  • jackiepentrecoed
    jackiepentrecoed Forum Participant Posts: 3
    edited April 2019 #12

    On this occasion my 10 year old granddaughter was no help at all but I remember when I first had a smart phone she said to me 'if you need any help just ask me cos I'm a techie'! she was seven!

  • mickysf
    mickysf Forum Participant Posts: 6,474 ✭✭✭
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    edited April 2019 #13

    Keep 😋Ing! Hopefully all resolved!

  • Merve
    Merve Forum Participant Posts: 2,333
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    edited April 2019 #14

    Jackie, You can normally retune manually or auto- it’s just one of the jobs you do on setting up the caravan. Not as important as everything else but still nice to have on that odd wet night! Glad the gang was able to help- they usually can!