wineguard or saturn aerial?

jack biggles · Senior Member

wineguard or saturn aerial?

davkar · Senior Member

If you want a good aerial you can not go past the foldaway at www.foldawayantenna.com.au For about $120.00 we have had tv reception where the type you are taking about have not you can get a booster model as well. We just have the Std model made in Brisbane PH 075445 6806.
Regards

Cupie · Guru

Hi ..

I have used a Winegard for 12yrs with no reception problems. I have recently fitted their Wingman attachment to improve UHF reception even though I had no problems with it. UHF reception is important in the digital age.

The only issue with Winegard is that it is set up for horizontal polarised signals. There are & will continue to be a signifigant number of vertically polarised signals. I can manipulate mine to receive vertical signals. Would be nice if I didn't have to do that.

I am not familar with the Saturn but their web site claims it to be good for UHF, VHF vertical & horizontal signals so that is a definate advantage. I did not look to see if it has a mast head amplifier one would assume so but check ... it's essential that you have one, for the best analogue reception that is.(12v of course).

Of course we all have firm views on TV aerials, so expect to get lots of differing opinion.

-- Edited by Cupie on Tuesday 14th of June 2011 07:43:34 PM

Landfall · Guru

smile Anothert vote for the Winegard.

This is the second caravan we have had a Winegard on and we have been happy with the reception.

On the odd occassion we have been unable to get anything decent I have asked vans around us what their reception has been like and usually the response is the same.

Ove the Christmas break we usually go to The Bay of Fires (Tas) where the signal is vertical on all the main channels. The Christmas just gone, before going I fitted the Wingman accessory to the Winegard and received all but one channel without any hassles.

I have since come home and modified the inegard by drilling an extra hole in the forward vertical strut. Now by simply pulling the pin out at the base of the strut and lifting it about 50mm to the new hole, I have a horizontal and vertical receiving Winegard.

Dusty

Dreamcaster51 · Senior Member

Would love to see a couple of pics Dusty, Winegard vote as well, if you can get TV Winegard seems to work IMHO at Peterborough at present. Owners said no very good TV signal, put up Winegard no problems exept ABC. 7 9 10 & 11 all good pic on HD.

Esmeralda · Guru

Jack I have an Explorer aerial - easy to put up and works a treat.

Landfall · Guru

Dreamcaster51 wrote:
Would love to see a couple of pics Dusty, Winegard vote as well, if you can get TV Winegard seems to work IMHO at Peterborough at present. Owners said no very good TV signal, put up Winegard no problems exept ABC. 7 9 10 & 11 all good pic on HD.

Will see what I can do today, running out of time to get away. smile

Dusty

_wombat_ · Master (of Mischief)

have used the wineguard for a few years until we got the sat dish (analouge) recently changed to the vast system, no problems now with signal anywhere.

Tamey · Veteran Member

I have just converted my winegard and had a saturn with the phone aerial installed. No fiddling or twiddling to get reception, just wind it up and get a great reception. It also enables you to get phone reception where it wouldnt be possible without it. Puts a hole in your pocket, but I reckon its worth every cent

Landfall · Guru

OK, here are the photos.

The original hole is at the bottom (Black arrow) the hole for the vertical adjustment is the top hole (White)

To alter position I just take the pin out of the bottom hole and reposition it into the top hole.

Cupie · Guru

Thanks for that

.. an excellent solution. Far better than mine ..

I started at the other end & just detached one arm ... the head then swings freely & can be held in position with a strap (as does the disconnected arm).

I'll certainly be using your solution in future ..

thanks again

Cupie · Guru

jack biggles wrote:
Hello Friends,
My van is coming together & I'm starting to get nervous about my selected TV Antenna.
What do you guys have to say regarding the Wineguard aerial or the Saturn one?

Any imput would be appreciated.

regards
Jack

Jack ..

After taking the time to look at the Saturn stuff on the net, I would be inclined to go that way, ie a Roof Mounted Saturn. Primarily because of the combined horizontal & vertical polarisation feature.

.... And this comes from a long time satisfied Winegard user.

(There are lots of places with both horizontal & vertical signals)

Landfall · Guru

Would agree, if I was starting out a Saturn would be my first choice.

Dusty smile

yeoeleven · Guru

I have a Saturn Fringe Area Antenna and it works very well here in the caravan park where I live. The horizontal and vertical feature is good but also it is multidirectional.

I use it along with a dongle to gain tv on my lap top and currently receive 45 stations. Have only used it once elsewhere but was using the lap top on battery mode and believe that with the 240 volts would have done better.

Have just bought a 16" led TV with PBR functions and expect to get even better reception from the Saturn Antenna when it arrives. I use it with a painter's pole extended and anchored to the bull bar for elevation.

John

jimricho · Guru

I use an Explorer antenna and I'm quite happy with it. I have it set up on a short length of aluminium tube that I just clip onto the side of the van.

I haven't tried any others so I'm not in a position to compare. I agree with the comments regarding horizontal and vertical reception and, all else being equal, I would regard the mixed polarisation feature of the Saturn to be a definite plus.

jack biggles · Senior Member

Heaps of great replies, THANKYOU VERY MUCH. Sorry its taken me a while to reply, my internet woes continue MEANWHILE most other things are coming along nicely. I think I might give the Saturn a whurl & see how it goes, although at any moment I could change my mind and go for the wineguard......it will only be too late when the aerial is connected to the van, which should happen any day now.

regards
jack

_wombat_ · Master (of Mischief)

jack, have you considered the VAST satellite system?

jack biggles · Senior Member

_wombat_ wrote:
jack, have you considered the VAST satellite system?

Yes sir, I most certainly did consider the VAST Satelite system & have wired accordingly for it in the future when funds are a little more plentiful. That could be a little while down the track & even when fitted there are a few places I can wedge myself where the vast might not work (ie: can't see the northern sky etc) where one of the other aerials might obtain some local signal. I admit that might mainly happen when in Tassie or a few places like that, but when I finally get down to Tassie I might be staying for the best part of a year (minus the winter) wink

_wombat_ · Master (of Mischief)

Friend of ours just got a complete vast system in WA for $535, and I have found there is nowhere in Aus that you cannot get a signal, just need to have a clear view of the sky towards NNE and NE

jack biggles · Senior Member

_wombat_ wrote:
Friend of ours just got a complete vast system in WA for $535, and I have found there is nowhere in Aus that you cannot get a signal, just need to have a clear view of the sky towards NNE and NE

A COMPLETE VAST SYSTEM for $535? WOW, Do you think he could get another one for me.....lol.

That must have been second hand, I have seen quotes for up to 10 times that amount for the full system, including the decoder & all the fitting etc. STREWTH!

_wombat_ · Master (of Mischief)

where abouts in Aus are you?

have a look here http://www.satplus.com.au/pages/Contact-Us.html

the $535 was in WA, but we had to haggle

-- Edited by _wombat_ on Thursday 23rd of June 2011 10:51:33 AM

jack biggles · Senior Member

_wombat_ wrote:
where abouts in Aus are you?
have a look here http://www.satplus.com.au/pages/Contact-Us.html
the $535 was in WA, but we had to haggle

-- Edited by _wombat_ on Thursday 23rd of June 2011 10:51:33 AM

Hi Wombat,

Now I am on the same page as you. Yes, Ive seen those kits, not as cheap as yours. I thought about one of those for a little while and a friend had one and after speaking to him and watching him drive it I decided I was too stupid to operate it without having a burning desire to frisby it down a canyon somewhere

I have champagne taste on a beer budget. I thought you were referring to the Oyster digital Automatic one....which are about $5,500.

Its all food for thought I guess and with the wires in place for either the system you are talking about or the one that I was wishing for, I will have to wait and see.

THANKS FOR THE LINKS