TV issues

[millar84]

Hello,

I need some advise please?

I have a LCD TV with built in freeview for my van. I've always had trouble with getting the TV to find reception & on my previous outing I coudn't get any. The Aerial I have has seen better days so I want to purchase a new one. Can anyone give any advise on the two links below please?
Would a dish be better? would either on these work for the TV i have?

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Avtex-STH2000-Suction-Mounted-Caravan/dp/B005LVFPJO/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1373909570&sr=8-2-fkmr0&keywords=tv+caravan+aireal

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Satgear-Portable-Satellite-Freesat-Channels/dp/B004GOHOFA/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1373910128&sr=1-1&keywords=tv+caravan+satellite+satgear

Thanks in advance

Dave

 

[WoodlandsCamper]

Hi Dave
You don't say if you do a re-tune each time you arrive at a site. This needs to be done.
Of your 2 links - I would have thought the first would not be much use in a weak signal area. The second is for satellite reception, not a Freeview TV.
I suggest you buy a normal house aerial from Wilkinsons or similar. An aerial about 2 feet long should be adequate and buy a pole to mount it on strapped to the jockey wheel. We did this and it never failed (as long as you point it in the right direction)
Anything you buy with 'caravan' in the title will be at least 4x the normal price.

 

[millar84]

Yeah, I always re-tune before I do anything else. I have one of those house aerial's you refer to, it just doesn't seem up to be that great.
Thanks for the advise though, I'm glad I didn't rush into buying anything!

Thanks

Dave

 

[millar84]

I've been advised to maybe buy this one...

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Comag-EasyFind-Camping-Caravan-Satellite/dp/B003BF6JD8/ref=pd_sxp_grid_pt_0_1?tag=carav-21

Any thoughts?

Thanks

Dave

 

[Dustydog]

Hi Dave

FIL had one. Never worked very well.
I'd go down Woodlands Camper suggestion. A cheap start that should be successful

 

[brian_c]

Hello Dave. I went down the satellite route when I was having occasional problems. I bought the dish and tripod from eBay and the box from Argos. The problem is it's another few items to carry and the dish is a nightmare to pack in the car with all the other gear like fishing tackle Cadac etc.
also you do need to have a clear view of the sky from the pitch you are on. The last 3 sites I have been on something was blocking my dish getting a clear line to the heavens. Very frustrating when I had taken the trouble to pack it. Also on two of the occasions I did get a good signal on the Status aerial on the van.
So I am reverting back to what the other people have advised you. although i did pay silly money for my aerial from towsure. But it is a lot easier to pack. And is only needed when the caravan one isn't quite up to it.
I hope you get sorted soon.
regards Brian

 

[WoodlandsCamper]

Edit
Woops - the website lost my reply and put in text from another thread, so I've deleted it.

 

[millar84]

Thanks for all the advie guys. The current TV aerial I have is quite old now so maybe I'll *** down to Wilkinsons & have a look at getting a new one. Should I face fact & realize that not all sites are going to provide aerial signal for TV'S due to it's location for example?
If I'm honest I'm looking to go away next year over the world cup & I'd be gutted if I can't get TV reception to watch some of the games whilst away

Thanks again

Dave

 

[Gagakev]

Yeah, I always re-tune before I do anything else. I have one of those house aerial's you refer to, it just doesn't seem up to be that great.
Thanks for the advise though, I'm glad I didn't rush into buying anything!

Thanks

Dave

Dave before buying a new aerial try a first time installation, a re-tune is not always successful.
Read your TV instuction booklet and it will tell you how to do a first time install, it,s further along the menu than a re tune
Hope this helps

 

[starlightdj]

hi just before replacing the aerial, have you checked the aerial lead itsself.

I was constantly having trouble so i got a voltmeter with an audible tone when you got a complete connection, I tested the ouside of the two end plugs then the inside pin.
But found when i touched the outside of one end to the centre pin at the other i still got a tone meaning i had a cross feed.

took the two plugs of and found some of the copper braid was touching the inner solid pin, fixed and refitted the plug and now got perfect signal.
hope this helps
John

 

[SirRogerFFS]

Hi Miller 84.Dave. I have just read the threads above all giving you sound advice.I will throw my 10 pence worth in and say if you go down the satellite route then The one you are looking at is easy to set up once you have had a couple of goes at it. The down side of that system is its on Free to Air not freeview and to add to that the channels are not in any order. The system does work well and is picture perfect but again you must have line of sight on the satellite.I have had mine for years and if you need instructions on how to set it up Parksy has my full guide on how to get there .Thats one idea for you to look at and of course.you can go down the aerial route Wilkinsons without a doubt.I now use the same dish the comag you are looking at but now use a Freesat receiver and all the channels are in the right order . I hope this will help you on which way to go .
Sir Roger

 

[Surfer]

Highly unlikely to be an issue with the current aerial which may work perfectly. Cabling would be the suspect as the inner conductor cable can break after being flexed a few times.. A new aerial may not solve your current problem. Best bet is to check the cable for continuity first to make sure there is no break in it.
We went down the route of having a satellite dish and leaving it in the caravan. You never have to retune the TV and hunt for a signal. See here for more info. http://www.satelliteforcaravans.co.uk/

 

[millar84]

The aerial I have needs replacing as the metal work has broken off the plastics. I have decided to go with a new aerial.
I do need further advise thought please. THe two links below are areials avaialble at Wilkinsons. Which is the best one to buy??
http://www.wilko.com/tv-aerials+boosters/wilko-digital-tv-aerial/invt/0255326?VBMST=aerial
http://www.wilko.com/tv-aerials+boosters/maxview-tv-aerial-digital/invt/0255327?VBMST=&VBMTC=b2b9f4c48bbd3dd467cd96050b8ab352
The second aerial is also avaialble through Aldi for £20.
Thanks
Dave