TV Antennas

[101RRS]

I recently bought a 12v Kogan 22" HD LED LCD TV for use in my van. Picture is great, sound is crap and the tuner is very weak. Picks up local Tv stations on my house antenna but on rabbit ears in only receives half of them. Other TVs have no trouble on the rabbit ears.

I was going to get a basic antenna for the van but in view of the poor tuner I need to be more selective and will also need a 12v amplifier.

Can any one with a good antenna and amp point me in the right direction of what to get.

Thanks

Garry

[Hoges]

You might want to follow up on the suitability of a Yagi antenna
Yagi Antennas | 700 MHz & 800 MHz| VHF & UHF Directional Yagi Antennas | Stainless Steel | Ruggedised | Australia (http://www.rfi.com.au/wireless/base-antennas/yagi-antennas.html#.Tr0AfmhXvSE)
With the gain you might not need an amplifier.
cheers

[Blknight.aus]

or a partial rhomboid or a full rhomboid....

you can make a yagi to suit for about $30 in parts.

[101RRS]

Thanks guys but all a bit too technical for me :( - just need an off the shelf caravan antenna that works. Also it is a small campervan and those Yagis are up to 5m across.

Cheers

Garry

[Blknight.aus]

a yagi in the 700meg range need only be about 1m long but thats only going to get you maybe 5 db gain as you loose about 1 or 2 of getting through a balun/choke and maybe one more for its connector plus about 1db for every 14-15 ft of coax.

from the previous site....

http://www.rfi.com.au/downloads/wireless/base-antennas/yagi-antennas/YB700.pdf

you want YB 706-99.

while its not the smallest the gain from it is good the size of it isnt unmanageable and its not so tight that aiming its going to be an imperial pain.

[Graeme]

I'm on the lookout for the same thing and my son says these work well.
Caravan Boat HD UHF/VHF/FM TV Antenna w Booster EM900 | eBay (http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Caravan-Boat-HD-UHF-VHF-FM-TV-Antenna-w-Booster-EM900-/250819466694?pt=AU_Television_Accessories&hash=item3a660155c6)

[slug_burner]

a yagi in the 700meg range need only be about 1m long but thats only going to get you maybe 5 db gain as you loose about 1 or 2 of getting through a balun/choke and maybe one more for its connector plus about 1db for every 14-15 ft of coax.

from the previous site....

http://www.rfi.com.au/downloads/wireless/base-antennas/yagi-antennas/YB700.pdf

you want YB 706-99.

while its not the smallest the gain from it is good the size of it isnt unmanageable and its not so tight that aiming its going to be an imperial pain.

Those antennas are comms antennas and are matched to 50 ohm. For television 75 ohm impedance is used and therefore 75 ohn coax and baluns. If you don't feel comfortable about what a balun is or why different coax might be required it will be simpler to stick with an antenna already setup for television work. Otherwise you will have to change the balun or other such matching device.

[PhilipA]

Jaycar caravan Antenna about $99 plus a mast head amplifier.
I have this in my campertrailer.
It takes about 10 minutes to assemble and put up on a tent pole, but if space is not a problem for you , you could leave it assembled and just put it on the pole when needed.
The biggest problem with digital only tuners like mine is locating the station. if I am in a caravan park then I look at the other antennas , but sometimes they are all over the place.
Jaycar do a signal strength meter which is helpful, but I have not yet bought.
Regards Philip A

[101RRS]

Some research on some van sites indicates this might be the go - anyone used them.

They have got a signal direction indicator.

eBay Australia: Buy new & used fashion, electronics & home d (http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/160662340857'ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649)

More expensive than the TV though.

Garry

[Blknight.aus]

check your TV...

some units have an inbuilt signal strenght indicator that can be accessed using a hidden mode.

[adonuff]

Thanks guys but all a bit too technical for me :( - just need an off the shelf caravan antenna that works. Also it is a small campervan and those Yagis are up to 5m across.

Cheers

Garry

Hi Garry I have a good working van ariel, You are welcome to it , It is a small sturdy unit that works well. You might need to use an amplifier for remote areas but I would try it first then add the amplifier if needed.

It is no longer needed as our new van came with a wind up wyngaurd wich works well.

Yours if you want it, all you have to do is get it from Vic to Canberra, PM or ring me after hours if you want it (0419 567 460)

[101RRS]

Andrew,

Thanks for that generous offer - however I have been given a handme down that seems to work Ok - at least in the city area and I have been assured it works in more remote areas.

Cheers

Garry