Directional ariel, poor performance.

[TerryIvybridge]

Evenin' all. I seem to keep picking the wrong sites for telly reception? 9 times out of ten, I end up putting up the oldest ariel on top of the alloy pole, at a height no greater than the 'vans fitted one and getting a great reception? I've bought and fitted another booster box, but still no better. Anyone got any advices please?

 

[JTQ]

I would systemmatically undo each coax plug starting at the aerials fly lead and check that there is not a "wisker" of the screen braid copper shorting it out. Has been a too common fault arising from rushed poor caravan manufacturing practices.
Must be worth a try.

 

[TerryIvybridge]

Thanks for your response JTQ. i'll try that, but I fancy that the booster box I've installed has a problem tbh. The "on" light is very fickle, not always coming on when switched on? Just want to buy a good/best replacement. (must also learn how to spell aerial correctly too!)

 

[Sproket]

When mine had a problem more-so around the digital switchover I replaced it with a
Maxview-12-24V-Variable-Aerial-Signal-Booster
I find it better than just having the high or low strength slide button on the original one.
The only thing that will require changing is the normal aerial plug to a 'F' type connector...

There are other types of variable amplifiers available now

 

[JTQ]

You are aware that the Status directional aerial has had at least two incarations? Assuming we are talking the Status unit?
The early ones had the amplifier in the aerial itself and the box was just a means to inject power up to the amplifier.
Then they did away with the inhead amplifier, placing the amplifier now in the box.
You have to match the right amplifier with the right aerial, they are not interchangable; is your correctly matched?
I believe they changed the colour of the transfers on aerial and boxes when they made the change. I could be wrong as I have not the aerial to hand but I think the latter one has RED transfers. Somebody will correct this if wrong.
Anyway aerial and box transfer colours ought to match.

 

[Sproket]

This is the one that I have fitted to the van & it has the orange decal fitted.
It is the one's fitted with the purple decal that have the amplifier built into the head

So back to the OP

What colour is your decals on the aerial & the power pack ?

 

[TerryIvybridge]

Hi Sproket, Orange decals on my 530 and the box i've fitted is the Maxiview. I plan to check all co-ax connections and give it another try. Failing that, guess another booster box is on the cards, but which one?

 

[Sproket]

Have you tried one of these ? .....
I always use mine & plug it into the co-ax that goes into the tv, so that hopefully while turning the mast i can get the best signal before i plug the co-ax into the tv, that way it will only need a small tweek either way for the weaker stations......

 

[JTQ]

As your aerial is an Orange logo one then the amplification is in the box not the aerial. So it should work whether it is a Status, Maxview or any other half decent amplifier.

 

[Percy1]

Transmitters are either vertical or horizontal alignment try rotating the aerial 90 degrees. Use f type cable (satelite cable its better than standard coax). The sites could be in a weak area look at whats on the top of houses, if the aerial is bigger than yours theres your answer.
This link can help http://www.ukfree.tv/maps.php

 

[Steve L]

You have a good point Percy. We often went to Fforest fields at Builth wells mid Wales where we got a great signal from our conventional tv airel turned from horizontal to vertical aspect. Those were the good old days before sky tv.
My previous van 2005 Abbey, had a status ariel with booster and we never got a good signal. So I used our satalite set instead. With a good quality needle dial signal finder and the dish mounted on a video camera stand I am able to get our sky plus dual signal box set up within 20 mins.
Being "old school" at heart I don't fix the setup if it ain't broke.
If you are ofaye with stand alone satalite dish setting up Terry, I'd go that route as you can get tv anywhere unless you have the dish pointed directly towards a tree or simlar physical obstruction. That situation can usually be resolved by simply moving the dish a few yards to get around the tree. I frequently have set my dish up inside our awning without loosing signal strength.

 

[TerryIvybridge]

Well, back now after a 5 day break up at Burnham. Again, just could not get a signal on the 530 Status. Up goes the old aerial and managed to get a result, albeit a pixielated affair. So on the second day, I noticed that different 'vans in the site had same 530 set-up as myself, but all pointing in different directions! I gave in and went out and bought a new Vision+ aeriel for the pole. So, do I give up altogether on the 'vans aeriel, or should I look further (where?) and try and resolve this? Terry.

 

[TerryIvybridge]

Wahayyyy! and Eureka! sorted the problem! Using a newly purchased Argos digital signal finder as suggested, I started at the Maxview box where I found a strong signal. Working thru' the 'van, I found a joint previously made, presumably during manufacture, that was causing the fault. Thanks all for your help.

 

[Sproket]

Glad you have got it sorted