TV aerial on Bailey

[woodsieboy]

We have just collected our new caravan, and think we have understood most of the workings, but we are concerned about the new TV aerial, our previous vans had the round status omni directional aerial,we just plugged in the television, pressed auto tune and settled down to watch the sport. The new aerial has to be pushed up on a pole from inside the cupboard,it has to have 2 car aerials pulled out from it and rotated and moved up and down to get the strongest signal. Can anybody advise the best way to do all this. Our dealer suggested standing on the step inside the caravan, opening the sun roof and pulling out the aerials by hand then pushing the pole up. Then look at everybody elses aerial and point ours in the same direction as theirs.At this stage I have yet to be convinced that this new aerial is an improvement, it seems to me that we could well need to invest in some sort of meter that would allow us to check the signal strength before plugging in the television, and spend valuable relaxing time setting the aerial up.

 

[Tim2]

Hi Keith

The Status 530 which sounds like the aerial you are referring to us IS a GREAT IMPROVEMENT on the Status omni-directional mushroom. I changed my "mushroom" after reading a review of the 530 when it came out. I have the short version which fits in an overhead locker. It has given me excellent reception all over the UK and on the continent which is more than could be said for those useless "mushroom" aerials.

Regarding setting it up I think your dealer is wrong. As I understand it the pull out telescopic aerials are only for VHF TV broadcasts, a thing of the past I think. No need to pull them out at all normally

Setting up is easy. Just push the aerial from inside and rotate until you get a decent picture on TV. If there are other vans nearby with directional aerials copy them!! When you have got the best set of programmes, they usually come from the same transmitter just lock Aerial pole in position with big plastic nut sit back and enjoy. No need to step outside.

Wonderful

Happy vanning and happy viewing too.

Best wishes

Tim

 

[Impy_5064111]

We have a new Bailey with this type of directional aerial - what we do is stand on the caravan step & pull out the radio aerial before putting up the awning, then I push up the aerial from inside the cupboard & connect the tv to the socket on the wall - then I use auto-tune/auto-search on the tv which finds all the stations available, when they are found I turn the aerial via the pole in the cupboard until we have the strongest signal & secure the pole with the nut....we have found that this aerial is far better than the omni-directional aerial on our previous caravan. On leaving the site it is the reverse, after lowing the aerial & taking down the awning we just push the radio aerial back in position & we are then ready for travelling - just have to remember to lower the aerial & put the radio aerial away!!

 

[craigmurray]

hi i must admit i dont have one of the ariels that you but i bought an external one which works fantastically and also i bought a cheap freeview set top box and this gives you crystal clear viewing even if the reception is not very good off the normal ariel....happy viewing

 

[John_5114775]

We have a 530 (replacing the mushroom which we found useless). Totally agree with everyone's advice about finding the right direction and orientation - just look at where everyone else is pointing! Alternatively, before you go try this website: www.wolfbane.com/cgi-bin/tva.exe? to find your nearest transmitters.

The telescopic extensions do not need to be pulled out for UK TV or radio reception, only for some VHF TV stations on the continent. So push them in and leave them there!

 

[john_5040735]

Totally agree with comments regarding quality of picture and ease of use - fantastic improvement upon previous status aerials. Digital reception seems good as well.

Telescopics are not needed in this country - and only needed in certain parts of the continent.

Enjoy

John

 

[woodsieboy]

Many thanks to all of you who replied, it seems that most of you are very happy with this new aerial, tried it last weekend,absolutely hopeless at Cirnecester,then found out the TV is no good on that site so had to hook up to the socket for the TV on the bollard, one other question, the radio is connected to the TV aerial, will I be able to get MW and LW on the aerial or will I need to fit different aerial for the radio.

 

[john_5040735]

Hi Keith - LW/MW is a no go so if you want these stations buy a separate aerial. Several on the market.

John

 

[Bigpow_5039962]

Maplins and Lidls do a freeview box and satalite now and again for