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Subject Topic: Satellite vs Aerial for TV?
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PersonJimmy1980
05/1/2015 at 8:42am
 Location: Consett County Durham
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Hi All,

Now the festivities have passed in thinking about my Easter trip away! Since I started caravanning I've generally favoured a satellite dish and used an old sky box. But now with the digital switchover I'm wondering whether this is necessary and am thinking a simple telly with freeview built in and an outdoor aerial is probably a lot easier? I presume you can get a reliable aerial signal in most places now. I'm curious - do most people use freeview now? I noticed when I was camping in October a distinct lack of satellites. What are people's thoughts - should I retire this extra bulk?!

Thank you!


PersonAndysueandsidthedog
05/1/2015 at 8:53am
 Location: Birmingham
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Hi.
I was very much the same,used a satellite dish pretty much everywhere I went.
I've since converted to a TV with free view built in and find I can get a signal most places we visit via the status caravan aerial however,there have been a couple of occasions where we couldn't pick up a signal so had to revert to the satellite dish.
The only advice I can give is to use the free view because of the ease of setting up but carry the dish,if your space permits,for the hard to find signal areas.

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It's easy to set up a satellite dish.


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PersonJimmy1980
05/1/2015 at 9:02am
 Location: Consett County Durham
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Thanks for the reply!

I've actually got an external aerial that I was forced into buying when I was at a site surrounded by trees so satellite didn't work and the circular useless thing on the van never works! . Iit was only after buying this it got me thinking is the satellite pointless. I've an app that tells me the direction and polarisation for the aerial and whenever I use it there never seems to be an issue setting it up. Think I just want to spend more money on technology really - but like the idea of a simple aerial/tv setup!


PersonWhatamess
05/1/2015 at 9:19am
 Location: North Wales
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I only use an aerial and have found I get a signal of some sort on most sites unless they're really remote. Quite a few sites now have aerial connection if the signal's really bad.

Nora


VangoMan02
05/1/2015 at 9:47am
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Same here, use external aerial or site connection if available.
Aerial and 3 piece pole weigh next to nothing and I just clamp it to the jockey wheel..

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It is a wise man who has something to say.
It is a fool who has to say something.


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PersonFrancais
05/1/2015 at 10:47am
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I think for UK use a TV Aerial should suffice as not only did they switch of Analog they then increased the Power Output of the Digital Transmitions.

However I would still carry a Satellite Antenna as back up, something like the SELFSAT or Attisat FL500 these Flat Plate antennas store very neatly and are quick and easy to set up when needed.

Also I would always prefer to use a dedicated Freesat receiver and would only choose a Sky Box if subscribing.

The problem with Freeview reception is that if you can get line of sight to a main Regional Transmitter then you will almost always get enough signal as they have a very high power output, unlike the localised Transmitters which are often low powered, and of course only carry a fraction of the Freeview channels.


Personbirdman101
05/1/2015 at 12:02pm
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Had satellite in van for use when a poor aerial signal for years, but last year never used it once as had good signal on van aerial.But it will be sod's law if i leave it out i will find it needed somewhere.


PersonMrs. Bonce
05/1/2015 at 3:46pm
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We take our Sky box and card, and satellite dish of course, essential for a football nut like my OH. We also use the aerial on overnight stops and in the summer.

Anne


PersonG7ACU
05/1/2015 at 5:36pm
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Since full digital changeover and increased signal output, I've not had any problem getting a TV signal through the Status directional aerial. I have been in a few locations though where I've managed to pull a signal in, while others nearby haven't.

I would suggest a variable output signal amplifier which will help in more remote locations; this example has an integral strength meter too. Otherwise, a decent signal strength finder can be invaluable anyway. I've used the phone apps, but I find a decent meter allows fine positioning of the aerial.

It takes me no more than 2-3 minutes setting up the aerial for proper operation.

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Paul

Every day's a school day!


VangoMan02
05/1/2015 at 6:11pm
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I would agree that since digital changeover my status aerial seems to work better but not all the time, a bit hit and miss.
Probably due to prefering remote Scottish sites and to be honest if I don't get a decent signal with either, I am not really too bothered as we don't watch TV much anyway or we could just watch a DVD..if we need a fix

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It is a wise man who has something to say.
It is a fool who has to say something.


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Personcheckley1973
05/1/2015 at 6:26pm
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We changed to aerial as we don't watch much tv and the kids were forever knocking the satellite dish out of line!!

The arial is fixed to the roof so out of their way and it's one less thing to set up in the rain, all can be done from inside.


Personjohnks
07/1/2015 at 9:56am
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Our satellite went to the tip. Only use the Status aerial and when we go to France we don't want TV anyway.

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John


Personbarney68
07/1/2015 at 12:41pm
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can I get Netflix on smart tv in caravan using my Netflix account

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Barney


PersonRob12
07/1/2015 at 7:51pm
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Used to use satellite, now have newer van and use aerial, seems to work well.


PersonJimmy1980
07/1/2015 at 8:02pm
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Thank you for all your replies! I tend to go to sites that aren't very remote so I think an aerial will suffice. I spent a lot of time this summer hiding the sky box away and adding a magic eye to make it all neat and tidy but I think I might get rid of this and move to just the aerial and will invest in a signal finder too.

Now to convince the better half that I "need" a new LED TV with built in free view.....that's the next challenge.


PersonThe 2 Tops
08/1/2015 at 12:02pm
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We use a satellite dish for France, but I have now extended this for use in the UK. We have a Manhatten top box which has 300Gb recording facility, so I use a twin LNB. This allows us to record programmes we want to watch, and at a convenient time when we would normally be in the van. Thus our socialising and sight-seeing are not compromised.
Another advantage is, with the onboard TV aerial also connected, we can watch a live programme and record two others at the same time.
Bertie.

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The 2 Tops



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