TV Reception (1 Viewer)

[Nigel L]

Hi all, we have noticed that the tv reception on our tv has been extremely frustrating of late.
We only have the basic/standard Ariel that our van came with (Pic above) and a Avtex TV. Sometimes the picture is fine, but at other times, the picture keeps freezing or is non existent a lot of the time.
Have been talking to the guys at Vanbitz who have been very helpful, and they recommend the VuQube 2 system, which looks like the way we will be going.
Didn’t really want to put a dome on the roof, but looks like this will be the only way, unless we have it free standing, but then you have got to find space to store it etc.
What do others do?
Not really interested in getting loads of channels, just the normal ones etc.

 

[tonka]

Do you have a lead connecting from the tv to a wall socket ??
If yes, was it a cheap shop bought lead ??

If you have then it may be worth making up a lead with some good cable and plugs.. This is often the weak link in a TV aerial system.. When digital TV came out and i had my satellite / aerial business we cured lots of issues just by supplying a decent lead. Also may be worth checking the back of any wall plate to ensure cable connection is ok.. All worth a try..

 

[Nasher]

As above, check the leads & connections.

Failing that, I use a Necvox ANT-536 & it's great:

http://www.mrx-24-7.co.uk/necvox/necvox-ant-536-2231734-373576-859835.php

May find it cheaper elsewhere

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[hilldweller]

That looks a low gain omnidirectional aerial.

These are the proper job ones......
https://www.olearymotorhomes.co.uk/the-new-status-580-directional-tv--radio-antenna-system-101-p.asp

https://www.olearymotorhomes.co.uk/status-digital-aerial-530-unboxed-2179-p.asp

 

[Nigel L]

Hilldweller - that is the sort that we had in our previous van (Coachbuild) and we did get a better picture, than we currently do in present van.
Our current Ariel is based right above our bathroom, hence no space for a pole to be inserted.
Nasher - Yes, have checked the leads , all ok. It’s a New Autotrail van, so all leads will be new. I may well try the Necvox ANT -536 to start with. At that price, its worth a go, before starting to get into the 000’s for a dome arrangement.
We are not big tv watchers, so find it difficult to justify the bigger outlay required for dome type arrangements, but would like to have a picture that we can watch when required.
Thanks for your input, it is much appreciated.

 

[hilldweller]

hence no space for a pole to be inserted..

What nowhere ? What is above your wardrobe ?

I have just ripped off an Oyster and fitted one of these and it works well.

Why rip off the Oyster, needed solar charging more.

We actually watch more recorded than off air when on the move, got a big HD full of transferred DVDs and off air recordings.

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[TCG]

get yourself a Snipe - excellent piece of kit, and reasonably priced

 

[Nigel L]

get yourself a Snipe - excellent piece of kit, and reasonably priced

Do you have a link?
Not sure what a Snipe is!!

 

[scotjimland]

Even with a good arial terrestrial TV is often difficult to pick up, a lot of sites are outside strong signal areas.. I've been on sites where there is no signal.

some of these sites now provide a TV arial connection..

You have an Avtex so it will have a built in Satellite tuner.. ?

My solution was to buy a BROKEN LINK small size and very easy to set up, can be used on a tripod, or sat on a table or on the ground.. they get excellent reviews.

bought mine second hand for £40.. generally some on Ebay

Will also receive Astra 2 UK channels down to the bottom half of France.. further afield , Spain Portugal etc you will get Astra 1 with some English channels

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[Bognor Saint]

Surely sometimes the signal will be dependent on your location and have nothing to with whatever aerial you have. I've certainly found this to be the case.

 

[TCG]

Do you have a link?
Not sure what a Snipe is!!

www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SELFSAT-Snipe-3-GPS-Skew-SAT-System-Camping-Fully-Automatic-Satellite-Antenna-/391994544198?clk_rvr_id=1600069606161&utm_medium=cpc&utm_source=twenga&utm_campaign=twenga&utm_param=eyJlcyI6MCwicyI6OTcyMDIzNywiY2kiOiIwM2FkMzAyYjliZWUyZjlhNmM1NDVhY2NkY2VkY2U3NCIsImkiOiIzODI1MjUyNDk4MzEzNjk1NjI3IiwidHMiOjE1MzE3NDc2NzcsInYiOjMsInNvIjoxNTAwLCJjIjoxNzc1OTl9&rmvSB=true

 

[raysalaugh]

I think I've spotted your problem, your roof is too clean and is reflecting the signal.

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[irnbru]

Do you rescan the channels each time you stop?

 

[catspyjamas]

As above, check the leads & connections.

Failing that, I use a Necvox ANT-536 & it's great:

http://www.mrx-24-7.co.uk/necvox/necvox-ant-536-2231734-373576-859835.php

May find it cheaper elsewhere

That looks an interesting solution for me. Could put it on the roof (I have a ladder and checkerplate up there), and feed the lead through the skylight.

 

[suavecarve]

www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SELFSAT-Snipe-3-GPS-Skew-SAT-System-Camping-Fully-Automatic-Satellite-Antenna-/391994544198?clk_rvr_id=1600069606161&utm_medium=cpc&utm_source=twenga&utm_campaign=twenga&utm_param=eyJlcyI6MCwicyI6OTcyMDIzNywiY2kiOiIwM2FkMzAyYjliZWUyZjlhNmM1NDVhY2NkY2VkY2U3NCIsImkiOiIzODI1MjUyNDk4MzEzNjk1NjI3IiwidHMiOjE1MzE3NDc2NzcsInYiOjMsInNvIjoxNTAwLCJjIjoxNzc1OTl9&rmvSB=true

I followed the link and looked at this for about 2.3 seconds when the price appeared !

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[TCG]

I followed the link and looked at this for about 2.3 seconds when the price appeared !

Yes it is rather good value for what it is isn’t it

 

[DanielFord]

I have a snipe, best bit of kit out there. I could post a dull video of it locking on to a satellite, but that would bore everyone to tears!

 

[pappajohn]

www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SELFSAT-Snipe-3-GPS-Skew-SAT-System-Camping-Fully-Automatic-Satellite-Antenna-/391994544198?clk_rvr_id=1600069606161&utm_medium=cpc&utm_source=twenga&utm_campaign=twenga&utm_param=eyJlcyI6MCwicyI6OTcyMDIzNywiY2kiOiIwM2FkMzAyYjliZWUyZjlhNmM1NDVhY2NkY2VkY2U3NCIsImkiOiIzODI1MjUyNDk4MzEzNjk1NjI3IiwidHMiOjE1MzE3NDc2NzcsInYiOjMsInNvIjoxNTAwLCJjIjoxNzc1OTl9&rmvSB=true

I see in the link they are still showing the old Astra footprint.

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[suavecarve]

Yes it is rather good value for what it is isn’t it

I must be so out of date or so tight fisted !

 

[TCG]

I must be so out of date or so tight fisted !

Ha ha.... your call which one

 

[suavecarve]

Ha ha.... your call which one

I know which one i am regularly and the one which i am very regularly

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[mitzimad]

What nowhere ? What is above your wardrobe ?

I have just ripped off an Oyster and fitted one of these and it works well.

Why rip off the Oyster, needed solar charging more.

We actually watch more recorded than off air when on the move, got a big HD full of transferred DVDs and off air recordings.

we have that and we can never get anything how do you find which angle direction to set it

 

[hilldweller]

we have that and we can never get anything how do you find which angle direction to set it

First thing is look for other aerials. This latest one has a built in strength meter and it's very sensitive.

Previously we used the signal meter in the TV.

 

[pappajohn]

​

First thing is look for other aerials.

But NOT the aerials on other VANS.
These tend to point in the last direction when the owner gave up trying which is why there's never more than a couple pointing the same way.

Look for house aerials nearby or even in the last village you passed through.
You also need to look which way the aerial 'fingers' are pointing... Horizontal or Vertical.. This Can be critical to getting a picture or not.

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[ChrisL]

You may find the following website useful for finding which direction to point your aerial, you can enter your location by various means, postcode, lat and long etc. and select different methods of choosing a transmitter, i just use nearest, and it will give you a bearing (Azimuth) and other information and you can see the direction on google maps.

http://www.macfh.co.uk/JavaJive/AudioVisualTV/TerrestrialTV/TerrestrialCalculator.shtml

There are also some apps available for phone or tablet but i haven't tried any of those yet.

 

[Nigel L]

OK, after spending some time looking at the Norfolk show, and speaking with Vanbitz, the 2 solutions which we are considering are, the VuQube 2 system which comes out at £1039 fitted to the roof, and the SATFi system which comes out at £1499 fitted.
Would be interested in hearing if anyone has either of these systems, and how they preform.