Caravan TV Aerial

Another perennial question often raised is what is a good TV aerial for the caravan and how how should it be mounted on the caravan.

On the MSN Groups Caravanforum there have been a number of posts. Relevant images and details follow.

Aerial Mast

In order to raise and lower the aerial consider using an extending swimming pool pole, but make sure that it has an external collet locking mechanism. The outer part of the pole is attached to the van, and the inner part is then raised to hold the aerial. An 8 foot to 16 foot pole is around $50 from a Bunnings Warehouse.

You may need to modify the pole so that you can attach the aerial as the “fitting”. The end which usually goes down into the swimming pool is the bit which goes up in the air with the aerial attached.

Check out the images below.

[View with PicLens]

Aerial

A Digimatch Explorer aerial which is available from Dick Smiths Electronics or Jaycar is suitable for all areas of Australia. This aerial is around $70.

LT3172 – Digimatch VHF/UHF Economy 7 Element Receives Band 3, 4, and 5 (ch 6-12 and 28-69)

Features:

• Perfect for Caravans or space-conscious metropolitan areas
• Designed to enable positions in all horizontal, vertical or horiz/vert. polarities
• Suitable for all transmitters across Australia
• High Performance
• Heavy Duty construction
• Stainless Steel connection screws
• Black UV resistant plastics
• Boom length: 720mm
• Max. width: 880mm
• Supplied in stout, compact cardboard packaging
• Powder coated boom (blue)

Aerial Amplifer

Couple the above aerial with a Kingray Amp MHW34GLV U/V S&S 12volt DC injector aerial amplifier and you will have the best caravan TV setup available and at a much cheaper cost than many others.