Thread: Caravan comms update

I don't like TV or watching TV but I do like that TV antenna, I bought a new van just before Covid started , haven't used it yet, got 17km on the odometer. Its got a horrible wind-up antenna and I hate it with a passion. I might replace with one of those Milenco units.

I'll be bringing my StarLink dish with me for internet, hopefully fully deployed by the time we actually get away. And have external weatherproof Xclaim access point mounted on the truck to send internet to the van and surrounding area. Not for watching TV but uploading photos etc.

Just for comparison My antenna is an ALDI small amplified antenna which I hoist on a long tentpole which is fitted to a custom socket on my drawbar. ( made from two bits of water pipe welded together via shock absorber washers! sat in a redundant jockey wheel socket)

I was getting pretty clear signal from Newcastle to Hawkes Nest about 80Km away and while at Byron Bay 100KM with more interference.

I have now added another telescopic section to the tent pole so I have about 5-6 metres height. (different tent pole actually. This one aluminium and and the inner of a steel pole fits neatly inside the smaller end.)

It's the height that is important.

Regards PhilipA

Originally Posted by PhilipA

Just for comparison My antenna is an ALDI small amplified antenna which I hoist on a long tentpole which is fitted to a custom socket on my drawbar. ( made from two bits of water pipe welded together via shock absorber washers! sat in a redundant jockey wheel socket)

I was getting pretty clear signal from Newcastle to Hawkes Nest about 80Km away and while at Byron Bay 100KM with more interference.

I have now added another telescopic section to the tent pole so I have about 5-6 metres height. (different tent pole actually. This one aluminium and and the inner of a steel pole fits neatly inside the smaller end.)

It's the height that is important.

Regards PhilipA

Much of a wobble in windy weather?

Yep, bigger is better with antennas,
Our 4leaf clover wind up antenna got blown off at a camp before near Broken Hill,, the next day in the Racetrack park in BH I was one of half a dozen with broken antennas..
I'd kill for a starlink dish..
Have they fixed the "Dish must remain in one place" clause yet?

Much of a wobble in windy weather?

Well I haven't tried the new one yet , but the steel tent pole was pretty stable, and it doesn't seem to matter much as most of the interference is from trucks, cars or other man made causes between the transmitter and the receiver.

Of course any wobble will be amplified by the height but the joints are pretty tight and the head is pretty small, light and streamlined.

I use the app "Antenna Mate" to orient the antenna to a strong signal. The antenna is like the "King" one on ebay but with 2 telescopic arms in a V shape.
Regards PhilipA