TV Antenna for a new pop topcaravan, suggestions and comments on good ones

Submitted: Tuesday, Jan 02, 2007 at 13:07
ThreadID: 40795 Views:6121 Replies:5 FollowUps:1
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Hi Everybody, "hope that 2007 is kind to you all"

We are just putting the "comfort" things in now prior to our first long trip. Something easy to errect, plus simple and easy to store and carry between places is appealing to us but not necessarily the best way to go

Is one fitted to the roof and wound up and rotated from the inside feasible on a pop top ?

We saw a neat looking external type called a "Stubby" which simply described was the mast fitted with a screw on head. The head had two 300mm arms that could be rotated from vertical to horizintal to accommodate the type of signal being chased. There was nobody at the van to ask... This one any good ?

Thanks folks

SKI'er

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Reply By: Member - Andy Q (VIC) - Tuesday, Jan 02, 2007 at 13:23

Tuesday, Jan 02, 2007 at 13:23
G'day SKI'er,
You are not going to believe this but this was my next posting question!! Could I use the household Digital antenna, small feather shaped one. I get perfect digital reception out here in Warbuton,Victoria I have just sold the property and as we are going on the road just wondering if this antenna would be good enough.

andy
AnswerID: 212853

Reply By: billv - Tuesday, Jan 02, 2007 at 18:17

Tuesday, Jan 02, 2007 at 18:17
The vexed question of "good" antennas has been the subject of loads of comment. My experience, and the experience of many others, is if you want to have good or reasonably good reception well away from the built-up centres, the older bulkier types are still hard to beat. The wind up adjustable types seen on most new full-height caravans are apparently very good but I've never seen them fitted to a poptop. They are called Windgard or something like that I think. Experience says that there is no such thing as a very effective and non-bulky antenna for the "outback".
AnswerID: 212887

Reply By: Mikee5 (QLD) - Tuesday, Jan 02, 2007 at 18:37

Tuesday, Jan 02, 2007 at 18:37
Hi Ski'er.
We have a poptop Royal Flair off road caravan, we had a Winegard antenna fitted during construction. That is the one that can be raised, turned and lowered from inside. When wound down it lays alongside the solar panels no worries. The antenna wire is in the loom that also supplies the roof lights. Fitting during manufacture is obviously neatest.

Mike.
AnswerID: 212893

Follow Up By: Gob & Denny - Tuesday, Jan 02, 2007 at 19:40

Tuesday, Jan 02, 2007 at 19:40
we have had the wynguard on 2 vans personally i reckon they are ok
also you dont have to dive out in the jocks to retune when the missus says ""its of tune again"""

steve
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FollowupID: 473097

Reply By: Nick R - Tuesday, Jan 02, 2007 at 22:36

Tuesday, Jan 02, 2007 at 22:36
I'm just going through the process now so we don't miss the Aust open while we are away.
Personally I will be using an antenna similar to my one on the house, 800mmx400mm and nearly flat, good for rural and poorer signal areas and then I think I have tracked down a 12v mast head amplifier.

You can also get hold of books that list all the transmission sites in oz, if you then have a GPS it shouldn't be hard to know where to point the antenna.
NickR
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AnswerID: 212942

Reply By: Member - SKI er (NSW) - Thursday, Jan 04, 2007 at 10:16

Thursday, Jan 04, 2007 at 10:16
Thanks to the 5 people who replied.

I will try to get a Winegard fitted in the time we have left between the post Christmas return and our departure failing that it will be the Stubby because of its compactness.

The thought of me out in my jocks retuning has brought about a "master's policy decision. I will do the original out in the open set up to the Mrs satisfaction. After that it is her task to be outside "jocks and all" to retune.

PS. I have put a new post on the site re small DVD players that will couple as TV receivers via a desk top box.

Thanks again
SKI'er
AnswerID: 213178

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