Advice On Freeview Tv Please (1 Viewer)

Millie's Mum and Dad

Free Member
Aug 11, 2014
95
22
Funster No
32,776
MH
2008 Swift Bolero 630EW
Exp
Caravanning for 30 years, motorhome beginners
Hi
We're new motorhomers, having picked up our 2008 Bolero last week. It's fitted with a Status 530 aerial and we've had a VisionPlus LED16DVD telly fitted (12v and 240). We got a beautiful picture on the CL we stayed at this weekend, just to try everything out, but only a few TV channels and a handful of radio channels, although we expected to be able to pick up all the freeview channels (in particular I was looking for Create and Craft!). Am I missing something here? Do we need something extra to see Freeview. At home, we have Sky and as caravanners, we carried a spare Sky box and Camos PAPSA sat dish, so are pretty ignorant as far as freeview is concerned.
 
Feb 22, 2011
9,634
19,803
Newcastle under Lyme
Funster No
15,397
MH
Hymer B544 A Class
Exp
Since 2015
Sounds like you need a sat dish fitting to use your sky subscription. Free view channels will vary dependant upon signal
 
D

Deleted member 29692

Deleted User
The weather conditions will affect the freeview channels you pick up as well as where you are.
 

teensvan99

Free Member
May 17, 2015
231
250
Margate
Funster No
36,402
MH
coachbuilt
Exp
2005
Hi.

We fulltimed for over 7 years and the only cheap TV route to go is a crankup sat system. ÂŁ550 plus a cheap fortic star sat box from maplins will last you years and you can watch tv out of the UK. Our system on our last van was still working well when we sold it after 10 years of use.

steve & ann. -------------- teensvan99
 

TerryL

LIFE MEMBER
Mar 5, 2010
6,152
8,138
North East
Funster No
10,511
MH
Low Profile
Exp
2009
You seem to have all you need for Freeview reception, although I agree the Status 530 aerial ain't the best. Cheapest option might be to replace it.

By the way, you did re-tune your TV to the local transmitter didn't you?

Subscribers  do not see these advertisements

 

Wildman

Free Member
May 30, 2008
0
8,470
Ilfracombe, Devon
Funster No
2,913
MH
Amazon Ambassador
Exp
since 1967
The channels available vary from area to area as they use different multiplex so some channels will be stronger than others. Improve matters with a decent antenna or switch to Freesat using a sat dish and decoder.
 

pappajohn

LIFE MEMBER
Aug 26, 2007
43,204
48,797
Dark side of the moon
Funster No
172
Exp
Since 2005
I assume you are pointing directly towards the transmitter mast and have thecorrect orientation on the aerial...horizontal or vertical.....it makes a big difference..

Digital tv is critical for accurate alignment and a few degrees off the mast will lose most of the channels.
 

Cal54

LIFE MEMBER
Apr 25, 2014
3,778
61,434
Southport, UK
Funster No
31,130
MH
Leisuredrive Renoir
Exp
Since 1996
Why not invest in a signal finder. I have found it a lot easier to tune in my TV to the correct mast when travelling since investing in the little black box. Recommended to me by Dave Newell.

Subscribers  do not see these advertisements

 
Mar 23, 2012
9,447
31,629
sleights
Funster No
20,245
MH
c class
Exp
1
Depends also on the local area in Whitby the local transmitter only give the main chanels. Might be best to try a few other locations before spending more.
 

ABZSteve

Free Member
Banned
Jan 8, 2014
1,524
1,657
Aberdeen
Funster No
29,617
MH
2018, Apache 634 150 Auto
Exp
Since 2015
Why not invest in a signal finder. I have found it a lot easier to tune in my TV to the correct mast when travelling since investing in the little black box. Recommended to me by Dave Newell.
Hi Carol, can you post a link please, I think I will buy one of these, cheers, Steve.
 

Cal54

LIFE MEMBER
Apr 25, 2014
3,778
61,434
Southport, UK
Funster No
31,130
MH
Leisuredrive Renoir
Exp
Since 1996
n

This is the link I hope. You can get them at most accessory shops but I got mine from Amazon.

Subscribers  do not see these advertisements

 
Jul 5, 2013
11,713
13,681
Tunbridge Wells, Tunbridge Wells, UK
Funster No
26,797
MH
A class
Exp
Since 2013
Instead of paying you could get the free android app called UK aerial alignment.
Works well showing direction and wether vertical or horizontal
Yep this app is good. I have rarely found it any problem to get at least some digital channels. The cost of a decent satellite set up is such that I don't think it is worth it. There are enough crap channels on freeview, I don't need any more.
 

M1ke

Free Member
Mar 12, 2012
198
118
Huntingdon
Funster No
20,131
MH
Auto Trail Tracker FB
Exp
5 years
Every area you visit requires that you retune your television to obtain all the channels. Give that a bash before investing in any further equipment.

Subscribers  do not see these advertisements

 

Terry

LIFE MEMBER
Dec 27, 2007
11,904
8,969
Lincolnshire
Funster No
1,075
MH
A class
Exp
Can't remember ;)
may SOUND STUPID BUT THE 530 IS A DIRECTIONAL AERIAL -HAVE YOU TURNED/TUNED IT to where you are plus the tv will need to be retuned -usually first time installation
terry

Subscribers  do not see these advertisements

 
Sep 3, 2012
7,452
25,837
Cheshire
Funster No
22,759
MH
C Class Elddis 175
Exp
8+ years
Every area you visit requires that you retune your television to obtain all the channels. Give that a bash before investing in any further equipment.
We found this to be the best option when we had our status arial-never had any issues after a quick retune -give it a try before you spend any hard earned.(y)
 
Feb 9, 2008
4,086
5,902
SW Scotland
Funster No
1,453
MH
LP Coachbuilt
Exp
Since 2008 after caravanning for 20 years
The number of Freeview channels available varies wildly from one area to another. At home we only get 23 channels, the mainstream ones, yet when we visit Edinburgh I can get somewhere around 160. As someone said above it depends on how many multiplexes they use, are really how much the broadcasters are prepared to invest. A low population area will always have less channels than a densely populated are. Unfair as we all pay the same fee.
 

pappajohn

LIFE MEMBER
Aug 26, 2007
43,204
48,797
Dark side of the moon
Funster No
172
Exp
Since 2005
A lot of the Free view channels need internet to view. fun!!! fun!!! fun!!!
Since when ?

The only time you need a web connection is for extra encrypted/pay to view channels which are not free view.....the clues in the name......
we currently recieve 130 freeview channels at home inc around 20 radio channels and we dont connect to the internet.

Subscribers  do not see these advertisements

 

irnbru

LIFE MEMBER
Jun 27, 2013
13,503
31,101
Glasgow
Funster No
26,684
MH
Benimar 264
Exp
11 yrs
I assume you are pointing directly towards the transmitter mast and have thecorrect orientation on the aerial...horizontal or vertical.....it makes a big difference..
Aah so that explains why the app always says horizontal or vertical. Never realised I had to put the aerial that way and not just aim it in the direction shown Still usually get most channels but this is good to know.:dance:
 

pappajohn

LIFE MEMBER
Aug 26, 2007
43,204
48,797
Dark side of the moon
Funster No
172
Exp
Since 2005
Aah so that explains why the app always says horizontal or vertical. Never realised I had to put the aerial that way and not just aim it in the direction shown Still usually get most channels but this is good to know.:dance:
Yes, get the orientation wrong and you might get some channels....but not many and only the strong ones.
 

Join us or log in to post a reply.

To join in you must be a member of MotorhomeFun

Join MotorhomeFun

Join us, it quick and easy!

Log in

Already a member? Log in here.

Latest journal entries

Funsters who are viewing this thread

Back
Top