LOL Cath, I know what you mean, some people have status aerials and get a great picture using freeview as we do, others need a aerial on a 12ft pole to get a decent picture, and it may all change once more areas switch to digital, I would just use your status and see how it goes, if it doesnt work, then you would have to buy an aerial, all I can say is that our status on our 2001 dart picks up a great picture using freeview at sites that have coverage as given on Freeviews website.
Hi MJ. Just had a look at that. It's probably absolutely great if your caravan is parked in the field next to the transmitter. Otherwise, I doubt it is worth even considering. Invest in a proper aerial on a pole. It probably won't cost you that much more and it far more likely to work.
Pete
This type of aerial worked moderately well with TV's about 40-50 years ago when TV was transmitted on VHF with 405 line resolution - nowadays (as we're on UHF/625 lines - if not HDTV), if you're lucky, you may get BBC1 and ITV1 as they are the strongest signal - BBC2 and CH4 perhaps, and Five - I very much doubt it..... As for digital, forget it - just ask any (elderly) friends about "Rabbit-ear" aerials.....
Gram
------------- What's the difference between a chicken?
I've decided that untill everywhere is switched over I am going to manage with radio and the 100's of dvd's we have got. I will decide later which route I am going down but I really dont fancy setting up a sat dish. They are unsightly and I have heard a pig to tune in.
Your correct there are many ways of doing the same thing but I can tell you from experience with my last 2 vans the following.
Sterling Topaz with Saucer type ariel, Next to useless so bought the external Status and poles. With this we never failed to get a signal and freeview provided you were not in woods or on a site that provided their own booster system because of bad reception.
Now have Bailey Vermont with Status 530 Ariel and this has never let me down on regular TV or Freeview in area's were this is available except of course the normal blackspots as mentioned above and we have been to many sites over the last 2 years with this van.
I should also mention that the freeview sometimes works using the sites booster system as well.
Hmmm, all very interesting information. I have a status 315 arial with a 3way booster splitter fitted, always had a good signal no matter where we've been. I recently brought a second digital tv so we can watch while the kids are watching, but i've had loads of trouble getting a good signal or even any at all on it, however my first tv continues to get very good reception wherever we've been. I've checked my new tv at home and it works perfectly.. This is very confusing as my first tv (mitsibushi) works perfectly in all arial outlets in my caravan but my new Alba digital tv struggles to pick anything up! Are all digital tv's the same? I'm beginning to think not, do some have better ability to use a signal than others?
My Alba TV also struggles sometimes although my previous TV did not, I suspect some TV's have built in boosters and maybe the Alba is not as good. I am thinking about buying another plug in signal booster to try.
Check the aerial lead from the TV to the caravan socket - some are cheapie construction with little shielding and pick up interference from other electrical devices. Also some of the aerial cabling in caravans leaves a lot to be desired in terms of quality and assembly of connectors.
------------- 'A sure cure for sea-sickness is to sit under a tree'