Its all about Status

[ThePlotter]

No this post is not about our absent Lordship.For many years I have gone to france Portsmouth - Le Hvre with P&O but this year got to go Portsmouth - Caen following the demise of the P&O service.No problem there but if I leave my Status ariel on the cost is over £40 more ( thats a lot of red wine)so the question is how do I remove it,I have the instructions which are not very clear,how do I ensure it is watertight?

I never use a TV in the van anyway so I might as well leave it off so long as water ingress is not a risk.Discuss!

 

[emmerson2]

Can't help you there, sir Anthony.Haven't got telly at home, never mind in the van! Wether proofing would depend on the size of the hole though, wouldn't it?

 

[AnthonyVJ]

Our caravan is supplied from new without an aerial as standard, so I kind of assumed that there would be a plug of some sort over the aerial socket. Perhaps its worth checking out! We're not planning on a TV for the caravan at present.The dealer did not mention that there would be a problem so is it safe to assume it must be OK?

Helen

 

[Guest]

As far as I am aware the Status aerial is removed by extracting 3 self tapping screws on the base. I haven't got one, or have ever done it, but am merely repeating what was written in a magazine article some time back.

 

[RogerL]

If you buy a retro-fit Status the kit includes a plug, specifically to seal the hole when the Status is removed to reduce height. I don't know what caravan manufacturers do with all these plugs - they don't leave them in the caravan for the owners!

I've a vague memory of seeing them on sale as an accessory at a caravan dealer.

 

[chrissie2]

I'd be interested to know how to remove the mushroom, too. We rarely watch TV at home, so certainly never want to when we are away in our 'van, enjoying ourselves. As far as I am concerned, it is yet another of those 'must haves' that contribute to the weight and cost of the modern caravan, with no consideration as to whether the end-user actually wants it, or not. Does anyone know of a caravan with built in grand piano? (We made our own entertainment, in those days). Sorry, I'm just a grumpy old woman...

 

[Damian]

The plotter,

You should have been given, withthe new van, a plastic bag with the Status instructions , an allen key and a blanking plug.

The aerial is basically 3 parts, the base unit, which is screwed to the caravan roof, the aerial , which slots into the base unit and the spike.

To remove the aerial, unplug the cable from the Power Pack unit, use a stepladder to access the top of the van, and using the allen key, loosen the two grub screws atthe base of the aerial, just above the join where it meets the base unit.

Pull the aerial gently upwards to free it from the base unit, and feed the cable, complete with plug, up through the centre hole in the base unit.

When all clear , use the blanking plug to seal the centre hole from water ingress.

If you have not got the allen key and blanking plug, ask your dealer where it is,it is yours, not theirs, unless you have a second hand van, in which case the previous owner may stil have them.

Alternatively call Grade on 0115 986 7151 and ask them if they can supply the items.

 

[ThePlotter]

The plotter,

You should have been given, withthe new van, a plastic bag with the Status instructions , an allen key and a blanking plug.

The aerial is basically 3 parts, the base unit, which is screwed to the caravan roof, the aerial , which slots into the base unit and the spike.

To remove the aerial, unplug the cable from the Power Pack unit, use a stepladder to access the top of the van, and using the allen key, loosen the two grub screws atthe base of the aerial, just above the join where it meets the base unit.

Pull the aerial gently upwards to free it from the base unit, and feed the cable, complete with plug, up through the centre hole in the base unit.

When all clear , use the blanking plug to seal the centre hole from water ingress.

If you have not got the allen key and blanking plug, ask your dealer where it is,it is yours, not theirs, unless you have a second hand van, in which case the previous owner may stil have them.

Alternatively call Grade on 0115 986 7151 and ask them if they can supply the items.

Thanks that is much as in the pack with the van so i will give it a try,but as i say bit concerned about the scurge of caravans water.

 

[ThePlotter]

Excuse me lets not get into discussion about size of holes!No telly at home do you still not have a signal down that part of he world?

 

[PaulT]

Has anyone ever actually had the height of their caravan measured? The height groups on Brittant Ferries are (1) up to 2.6 mtrs, (2) up to 3 mtrs and (3) up to 4 mtrs. The height of my Senator Indiana (according to the handbook) is 2.71 mtr including the aerial. The handbook says that the aerial can be removed, reducing the height to 2.68mtr - still above the lower height limit. In other words, removing the aerial would make no difference to the cost.

I always book in as an "up to 2.6 mtr" van and have never been checked. Have I just been lucky?

 

[vauxhall2]

hi this may help

http://www.gradeuk.co.uk/products/antennas/status.asp

 

[whitetop]

I have the "Flying Saucer" type which if I am being polite, is at best rubbish. If you do not need it you could try here

http://www.gradeuk.co.uk/store/product.asp?spc=09-6073&shelfid=49S53S1
Hope this helps

David

 

[Willy_5041515]

Has anyone ever actually had the height of their caravan measured? The height groups on Brittant Ferries are (1) up to 2.6 mtrs, (2) up to 3 mtrs and (3) up to 4 mtrs. The height of my Senator Indiana (according to the handbook) is 2.71 mtr including the aerial. The handbook says that the aerial can be removed, reducing the height to 2.68mtr - still above the lower height limit. In other words, removing the aerial would make no difference to the cost.

I always book in as an "up to 2.6 mtr" van and have never been checked. Have I just been lucky?

My Sterling measures 2.69 m, including an Electrolux air conditioning unit on the roof. I always book in as 2.6 m as there is never any shortage of clearance on current Brittany Ferries on the Portsmouth/Caen route. The old "Duc de Normandy" was another matter! I once had a jolly French matelot clamber up the side of my previous caravan (no air con) to unscrew the top part of the Status aerial! Even then we only just squeezed in.

 

[milliemop]

check with the ferry company again and make sure they mean the whole unit!!----when I went over last year, they asked me to remove the pointed spike of the aerial which unscrews from the saucer piece--it will be tight, ---use pliers---make sure you grip it at the bottom just where it enters

 

[ThePlotter]

It was select sites that said it was too high unless I remove the 'saucer' I like others have never had the heaight of the van measured unless it is done with a beam of some sort,but sods law says that this will be the first time if I leave it on!