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Subject Topic: Status 550 or 560 - opinions from users? Post Reply Post New Topic
PersonG7ACU
23/2/2013 at 6:40pm
 Location: West Mids
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I'm going to upgrade from the current Omni-directional (and optional external aerial on a mast) to fit a Status 550. This model is the more common being being fitted to most new vans, but the odd exception use the Status 560, which has the longer mast.

In my opinion, at the height you would normally have available from a caravan roof, I can't accept there would be any increase in gain from using the 560 with taller mast; I've worked with directional aerials on and off and can't see any benefit. However I would welcome opinions from those who might have had experience with BOTH models during their 'vanning.

So, if you happen to have used either the current 550 and 560 Status aerials, or the earlier 530 and 540 models and can draw a direct comparison between using the standard and taller mast, I'd appreciate your comments.

Obviously Grade must feel there's some benefit in producing the taller mast version, but given the height available, I'm not convinced the extra £20 is justified.

-------------
Paul

Every day's a school day!


Persongeoff+emmy
23/2/2013 at 7:16pm
 Location: Huddersfield
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We have the short mast and have never failed to get a decent picture..Is the booster included in your deal?


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PersonG7ACU
23/2/2013 at 7:40pm
 Location: West Mids
 Outfit: Swift Ace Statesman & X-Trail 2.0 View G7ACU's Profile View Profile   Reply to G7ACU Reply   Quote G7ACU Quote  
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Yep, all in. Our booster has failed and as I've been intending to upgrade for a while, this has spurred me into action; plus a decent discount from local retailer which is always a benefit.

Other advantage I've only just realised is that the 560 includes the adjustable base which the 550 doesn't, might may be beneficial in fitting. The 550 is reliant on a horizontal roof line for mounting while the 560 allows for a degree of variance.

-------------
Paul

Every day's a school day!


PersonJTQU
24/2/2013 at 7:49am
 Location: Hampshire
 Outfit: Hymer Nova S View JTQU's Profile View Profile   Reply to JTQU Reply   Quote JTQU Quote  
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I have direct experience of the long and short masted 530 aerials; I honestly can't say there was any difference in performance but of course they were never compared back to back.

My first was the long masted which I fitted in place of the omni directional Status in that van. It has a lower support block to give mechanical stiffness whereas the shorter one has not and its strength relies only on the bending stiffness of the van roof. A downside of the lower block is that it needs both a support surface and accurate alignment with the upper gland during installation, and of course a deeper locker/wardrobe to take the lowered tube.
The next van had a factory fit short tube aerial, stupidly placed in the centre of the wardrobe where again a stupidly short cut cable "screws up" the hanging of clothes. Neither failings of the aerial but the lack of thought of the Hymer designer and the installer who cut the cable unnecessarily short.
If choosing again and with an installation that could accept the longer tube that is what I would opt for simply because height must, if even slightly improve performance and with the lower block it is better supported so hopefully less likely to leak from roof seal fatigue.


Post last edited on 24/02/2013 07:58:50

Post last edited on 24/02/2013 07:59:47


Personadrian06
28/2/2013 at 12:00pm
 Location: S E Hampshire
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Hi JTOU

I have to replace an older status and I have looked at the 530 and it's newer cousins 550/560. How difficult was the re-fit? bearing in mind your comments about lower support.
Thanks in advance
Adrian

-------------
Adrian


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Personjohn#mel#3kids!
28/2/2013 at 12:58pm
 Location: west yorks
 Outfit:  Vango inspire 600xl 5m bell tent View john#mel#3kids!'s Profile View Profile   Reply to john#mel#3kids! Reply   Quote john#mel#3kids! Quote  
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i would like to replace my flying saucer with the newer type, is it an easy job? or should i be calling the pro's to do it for me?


PersonJTQU
28/2/2013 at 1:50pm
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The lower support is only used with the long mast version, in my case the 530, I only assume the 560 also has this feature as the longer tube potentially can cause more leverage and damage to a roof.

The only issue with that lower bracket is that it has to be fixed to something and in a precise position otherwise the tube would jam. Therefore you have to get the roof hole in the right place or get the bracket in the right place; things not really important with the short mast version, that requires no other bit to be lined up.

The job itself is dead easy apart from the courage to drill a big hole in the roof. I did things by working out inside the wardrobe exactly where I thought it needed to be, working from the pre-fixed bottom bracket upwards. Then with a piece of 1mm dia piano wire with ground off sloping end I drilled, from within the wardrobe with a hand drill a pilot hole right through the roof. Treble checked everything whilst only a pin prick of a hole before boring with a suitably sized saw cutter half way down from the top and up from the bottom through the roof. Well worth doing in analoge days. Mine came with special self sealing gasket. They sell a patch, a very expensive plastic patch for the old 350 aerial hole.

Post last edited on 28/02/2013 13:56:57


Personadrian06
28/2/2013 at 4:24pm
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Hi JTOU

Thanks for the above. Precautions noted and will be observed!
Thanks again
Adrian

-------------
Adrian


Personmichael
28/2/2013 at 4:34pm
 Location: Lancashire
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see

http://www.visionplus.co.uk/assets/pdfs/Grade_Catalogue.pdf

http://www.visionplus.co.uk/shop/status-antennas/



-------------
the only silly question is the one you do not ask.


PersonG7ACU
28/2/2013 at 5:55pm
 Location: West Mids
 Outfit: Swift Ace Statesman & X-Trail 2.0 View G7ACU's Profile View Profile   Reply to G7ACU Reply   Quote G7ACU Quote  
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Thanks for the links Michael, already checked out.

JTQU, you make a good point with regards to support. As it happens, I've checked again the location for install and while the mast will be within a wardrobe, there's also chance too that the aerial head itself could potentially foul the edge of the roof-light depending on direction required for use.
I've opted for the longer masted model (560) because of this.
Thanks for taking the time to post your opinions.

-------------
Paul

Every day's a school day!


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Personmichael
28/2/2013 at 10:31pm
 Location: Lancashire
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 many have been told to point the pointed bit forward when travelling on the 550,this is wrong it must point towards the rear of the caravan or motorhome to prevent strain on the shaft and roof fittings.

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the only silly question is the one you do not ask.



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