I have a VW T5 pop top and need an Antenna to be fitted. Can I get a clamp to fit somewhere or does it need to be on a pole.
Assuming that you are talking about TV antenna. Basically the higher the antenna is, then the better reception you can get, as an example there are still some 50 foot high antennas in areas away from a TV tower
Also I need the antenna and when having a look on internet I got confused with all the different kinds and prices.
There are basically three types of TV antennas (could be more as I am not an expert) Horizontal pole (some TV stations send out horizontal signals) Vertical pole(other TV stations send out vertical signals) Hybrid of both Horizontal and Vertical poles (these will pick up both types of signals, but each signal is not as strong)
I only mainly do free camping so needs to be suitable for that!
This depends whereabouts you plan to travel If you are close enough to a town, you will get a signal from an antenna Away from the towns, (from experience as the wife wants her telly). If you want TV everywhere, then you will have to get a satellite dish But... some satellite systems do not seem to work, everywhere Below is a link to the brand of satellite dish I have, and it has not failed me yet
TV in Australia is now digital so you need a digital antenna. Used to be you needed great long arms on the thing, not any more, they are quite short now. A good fringe antenna will cost about $100. Someone mentioned polarity. And yes polarity matters. But if you are erecting the antenna all that's needed is for you to turn it to horizontal or vertical. Height of the thing is problematic. You need to see the transmitter. Not physically, because the signal does curve with the earth though will not go down gullies. There are several other factors too complex for this explanation. Cable is very important, cheap cable will ruin a good antenna. Buy the best. for a buck or so a meter more its well worth it. DO NOT tightly wrap this type of cable that will ruin it. Fittings, get whoever you get the cable from to fit plugs. You don't have the tools and cheap do it yourself fittings can ruin a good antenna. If I were to advise a supplier, it would be Academy TV in Geelong, they sell on line, have a website you can rummage around in, and its where the professionals go. Rob.
TV in Australia is now digital so you need a digital antenna. Used to be you needed great long arms on the thing, not any more, they are quite short now. A good fringe antenna will cost about $100. Someone mentioned polarity. And yes polarity matters. But if you are erecting the antenna all that's needed is for you to turn it to horizontal or vertical. Height of the thing is problematic. You need to see the transmitter. Not physically, because the signal does curve with the earth though will not go down gullies. There are several other factors too complex for this explanation. Cable is very important, cheap cable will ruin a good antenna. Buy the best. for a buck or so a meter more its well worth it. DO NOT tightly wrap this type of cable that will ruin it. Fittings, get whoever you get the cable from to fit plugs. You don't have the tools and cheap do it yourself fittings can ruin a good antenna. If I were to advise a supplier, it would be Academy TV in Geelong, they sell on line, have a website you can rummage around in, and its where the professionals go. Rob.
Thank you - that information was clear and understood by me!
Not disputing any of the above information, I find it almost amusing that one of the antennas I have in permanant use at home is one that I have had for over 40 years, and it has the same perfect reception as other 'digital' antennas on the property.
Cheers, John.
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"My mind is made up. Please don't confuse me with facts."
Not disputing any of the above information, I find it almost amusing that one of the antennas I have in permanant use at home is one that I have had for over 40 years, and it has the same perfect reception as other 'digital' antennas on the property.
Cheers, John.
You have a right to dispute the idea about "digital antennas." People seem to have great orgasms over them. Yes you don't need antennas with 2 metre long elements any longer, they died before digital TV took off. Many of those band I & II channels were cleared to make way for FM radio. When digital TV came on board the channels selected for the new services were adjacent channels to the ones used in the analogue service. This was done so that both the network transmitters and the home receivers could continue to use the same antennas. Most of the problems at the receivers where poor digital reception was encountered were the result of poor cable rather than the wrong antenna being used.
It's not the antenna that is sensitive to the type of signal. It is the TV set that is the thing that needs changing. All the antenna does is to pick up electrical signals, its the TV redceiver taht sorts the signals out.
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PeterD Nissan Navara D23 diesel auto, Spaceland pop-top Retired radio and electronics technician. NSW Central Coast.
One of my compatriots has installed TV in his Land Rover. The system uses 4 amplifiers & there is a aerial behind each of the D column external plastic trim panels & 2 more aerials behind the rear bumper.
TV in Australia is now digital so you need a digital antenna. Used to be you needed great long arms on the thing, not any more, they are quite short now. A good fringe antenna will cost about $100. Someone mentioned polarity. And yes polarity matters. But if you are erecting the antenna all that's needed is for you to turn it to horizontal or vertical. Height of the thing is problematic. You need to see the transmitter. Not physically, because the signal does curve with the earth though will not go down gullies. There are several other factors too complex for this explanation. Cable is very important, cheap cable will ruin a good antenna. Buy the best. for a buck or so a meter more its well worth it. DO NOT tightly wrap this type of cable that will ruin it. Fittings, get whoever you get the cable from to fit plugs. You don't have the tools and cheap do it yourself fittings can ruin a good antenna. If I were to advise a supplier, it would be Academy TV in Geelong, they sell on line, have a website you can rummage around in, and its where the professionals go. Rob.
Thank you - that information was clear and understood by me!
Helen
Hi Helen
Like you we like to free camp and watch TV as well. Here is my experience. All the previous comments are good.
We have a 'flat' type of high gain antenna fitted with a booster at the antenna and a 12V power connection for that at the TV end with quality cable. It is similar to a house antenna with a booster and a regular supplier will do one for you. The flat antennas are easier to find a signal, than a longer Yagi type which need more accurate pointing, in my experience. I had a flat box that I fit the antenna into with the cable so it does not get damaged as they are flimsy things not designed for travelling. Note that I look at the antennas on any houses that I pass in the area to see if the antenna should be straight up or on its side for the correct polarity and the direction to point.
Next there is the problem of height. If you can see a broadcast antenna near you then you can just point your antenna at it any way you want and get a good signal. EG you are near a country town or the hill with the broadcast tower. Sweet ! But if you are out in the bush and down near the creek you might not be able to pickup anything. So in between you do need to get the antenna up on a pole of some modest height. The higher the better. So your choice what length pole you can fit in and how to hold it up. I have an excellent cut down windsurfer mast ~4M which is light and strong and did just fit in our MH along one side. But we changed the layout and now use a couple of extendable tent poles which are shorter. We often tie them to the grab handles near the side door or to a fence or similar.
There are some ideas and possibly there are commercial antennas that you just buy and they work OK. But the gain is not as good possibly.
This thread is four years old - it was only raised from the dead by a very annoying spammer who may rest assured I shall never buy or recommend his products.
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"I beseech you in the bowels of Christ think it possible you may be mistaken"
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I had noticed the 4 year old thread & did my bit to drown out the spam. One can make your own aerial out of wire as in the photo & not waste money on rubbish.
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