Which aerial for motorhome? Forums

PaulandJackie

I am about to go pick up a Avtex W102D (analogue & free-view) from my local Discover leisure store.
What I am wanting help on is, what would be a good aerial to get for a descent reception, I can remember we had some sort of status on our old caravan, but never used it, Any help would be most appreciated.
THANKS Paul

Edit - We won't be wanting satellite.

cabby

This is the arial we have and works fine.

http://www.leisurepower.co.uk/acatalog/Status_530_5_Directional_Active_UHF_VHF_FM_Antenna.html

cabby

drcotts

Hi Paul
It will all depend on if there is a signal near to where you are staying. The digital terrestrial network isnt up to speed yet so its a bit hit and miss if your moving about. For all round reception where you dont know where the transmitter is you may find you need an "omnidirectional" antenna like the mushroon style "status" type (although these are only good if the signal is fairly strong) and a Yagi (the type like you get on a house) which are directional. In the case of a yagi you have to trun it to get the strongest signal but when you find it the picture is usually better.

Digital signals Lock on so if you have to search a few times with the antenna in different posotions.

Will your new unit let you search for non digital tv too.

Digital and No digital dont always come from the same transmitter.

Phill

bsb2000 · NE Rally Co-ordinator

I'm with cabby on this one, very easy to set up and great reception. We've got the /10 version installed in a wardrobe, gives a little more height if you can spare the space inside.

Ian

cabby

Just thought I would add that the link I used does not suggest buying from them, they just had a picture and information on that arial.As Ian has pointed out they do two models, one gives extra height.

cabby

PaulandJackie

Thanks Guys, ideally I would like a aerial that I can fix & then just forget about it, as long as I get a reasonable reception, rather that having to set the aerial up each time we stop somewhere.

Rapide561

Hi

The day I get a decent pic with my status aerial, I shall show my bare bottom in Woolworths window.

Speaking of Woolies, I have an indoor aerial from Woolies that cost a few pounds. Works better than the Status. No idea why I cannot get along with the Status, but this is my second van to have one.

Russell

bsb2000 · NE Rally Co-ordinator

"I have an indoor aerial from Woolies that cost a few pounds. Works better than the Status"

............and you can recieve Freeview/Digital on it ??

Ian

safariboy

I would caution against an omni-directional aerial. OK if you have a strong signal but many campsites do not. It does take more setting up - and do not forget you need to get the polarity right - but the result will be much better.
The problem with an omni-directional aerial is that it does exactly that and not only picks up your station but a load of rubbish as well. You also need a good amplifier. The low cost ones are O.K. for analogue but can make digital worse by introducing noise. I used to use one and found it did not work very well but our new van has a good quality one (status I think)and it is works much better.
For good digital reception the quality of the signal is more important that its strength.
Some caravan club sites have a good analogue signal on their electricity posts and a connecting lead is useful if you want to use these. (25m of coax with normal TV type plugs is usual)

PaulandJackie

Thanks again Guys, I after your comments & trying to research on the web, I seem to be steering towards something like the Status 530/5.
Paul