First and most important - do not pay extra just because an aerial is labelled as "digital" - an aerial is an aerial, whether it is for digital or the (nearly extinct) analogue TV. A directional aerial (like those you see on rooftops) is best; as a rough rule those with more elements (the "cross" bits) are more sensitive, but therefore harder to aim at the target (transmitter).
I have an ordinary house-top aerial (like this), and this mounted on a twelve-foot pole has practically never failed me. If you make sure you buy decent quality cable and and an aerial described as fit for low strength signals, you should be OK. As to where - a small TV/aerial installer shop will be the best rather than places like Argos, Comet etc, as the salesman won't know about aerials, only selling the most expensive thing he can.....
Gram
------------- What's the difference between a chicken?
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I've got one of these which had never let me down - I even got signals where it recommended satellite only! The suckers aren't that good, I just throw it on the roof and point it in the direction everyone elses's aerial is pointing in! The suckers stop it sliding down the roof slope and also stop it scratching the roof, so quite useful, even if they don't suck like they should. Saves having to faff about with a mast as well.
If you look at the 2nd pic down in my profile, you'll see what it looks like in operation.
One thing you do need to know about this type of aerial though is that the prongs can be quite sharp, so watch your fingers! It comes 'ready to assemble' which will keep you good for some time. I store mine in the caravan 'boot' with just one bar to swivel and one wing nut to tighten.
I've tried others, including the plug in booster sort, but they are gathering dust as I've always gone back to using this one.
thank you so much i've put the one on ebay on our watch list as we was looking last night to purchase and only found ones that was costing over £70. thanks again and will look at the pics on ur profile jax and see it in the real lol
Try Asda Home and Living Stores We got ours for 4.99 along with 20m cable, and it never lets us down, Previous ariel was an old knackered one which i drove over after taking it down, however the picture were much better than the new one. The older one had multiple horizontal elements and could be rotated between vertical and horizontal signals.
Chris W
Quote: Originally posted by Jax365 on 24/5/2012
I've got one of these which had never let me down - I even got signals where it recommended satellite only! The suckers aren't that good, I just throw it on the roof and point it in the direction everyone elses's aerial is pointing in! The suckers stop it sliding down the roof slope and also stop it scratching the roof, so quite useful, even if they don't suck like they should. Saves having to faff about with a mast as well.
If you look at the 2nd pic down in my profile, you'll see what it looks like in operation.
One thing you do need to know about this type of aerial though is that the prongs can be quite sharp, so watch your fingers! It comes 'ready to assemble' which will keep you good for some time. I store mine in the caravan 'boot' with just one bar to swivel and one wing nut to tighten.
I've tried others, including the plug in booster sort, but they are gathering dust as I've always gone back to using this one.
Post last edited on 24/05/2012 21:41:07
we tried to get ours to pick up channels yesterday but it wouldnt are we doing anything wrong? is there anything we cud do to make it change?
Have you got it on the roof of your 'van and pointing in the right direction?
If you have previously got signals at this location, try a different direction for the aerial.
Have you searched for new channels and deleted the old list on your tv? The tv won't find a signal if you tuned it and saved the channels when you were at home, then went away from the area (even just down the road to storage sometimes!). Do a complete retune starting from scratch. Make sure the area you are in has digital coverage and try the D.V.B-T before trying to scan for analogue.
Another thing I thought of - are you on EHU? A 12v TV just working on battery power might not be powered enough to pick up signals.
If you are at home, check the aerial has been put together right by using it with your indoor tv, you should get something there!
Number plate - just take your log book and ID to your nearest automotive shop, they will make up a plate for you in approx an hour usually. You need to look on your caravan for what size/shape you need.
You don't say the area you live in, so can't help further on the location score.
go here to check coverage in the area you're in. A lot of places in the middle of nowhere don't have a signal anyway, regardless of what aerial you have.
remember tranmetters in different areas send out horizontal signals and some transmit vertical signals , so in some areas you may need to turn your aerial around to suit the transmitter ,
right my plonker of a partner had put the wire into the connection wrong and it was earthing itself out. we have managed to get a picture now and fingers crossed it will work down our pond today. i was a pain but once we got someone round that new what they was looking at it work lol. wish us all look for this week our first trip out yey lol thanks again jax ur a star with the advice
Don't forget you'll need to retune the tv when you get where you're going! - and have a wonderful time, I hope the weather brightens up for you - and you manage to get a signal!
just come home to top up one battery as the other 2 we have we dont think are working right. the weather was nice on and of yesterday. we have managed to get a signal and are loving sleeping in the caravan. feels like our own little home. we got the number plate sorted in a local shope as people was saying your v5 has to be sent of so was doggy about sending it threw post.
I have bought many ariels over the years and spent quite a few pounds in the process but the one that gets us the best signal is an internal ariel I both from Asda for £20. I do have a portable satellite dish too but we only use that now when abroad.
Quote: Originally posted by sophie211 on 05/6/2012
just come home to top up one battery as the other 2 we have we dont think are working right. the weather was nice on and of yesterday. we have managed to get a signal and are loving sleeping in the caravan. feels like our own little home. we got the number plate sorted in a local shope as people was saying your v5 has to be sent of so was doggy about sending it threw post.
Glad it all worked ok and you had a good time.
3 batteries???? That's a lot of weight to tow about! You're not using an EHU then? If you were, you could just take a battery charger to charge the battery. Water pumps and 12v tvs, plus (the worst culprit) the fridge will flatten a leisure battery in less than a day.