For a lot of Australians there is nothing better than packing up the caravan and heading off for a weekend getaway or to do the “big lap” of Australia.
But when you’re on the road, getting a good TV signal and reception can be challenging.
If travelling around our beautiful country, or even through your state, you may be receiving anywhere from hundreds to thousands of signals from different transmitter towers, in different locations.
This can make choosing an antenna or satellite system for your caravan difficult and is often the secondary cause of reception issues.
When it Comes to Caravans We Can Help You by:
- Troubleshooting Reception Issues
- Advising the Right Solution for Current Needs
- Assisting with Long Term Travel Solutions (Antenna and Satellite Installation)
Choosing the Right Antenna or Satellite for Your Caravan
Where will you be using your TV?
Australia has a multitude of transmission towers servicing metro, regional and remote locations. The polarity, and frequency of these towers can change from location to location so it’s important to know how the TV signal is being transmitted to the areas that you’d like to travel to.
In Australia major cities usually transmit VHF frequencies, while remote and regional areas tend to use UHF signals.
If you want to travel between the city and the country, we advise that you invest in a hybrid antenna.
If you know that the signal strength in some of the areas you are travelling to will be weak, consider choosing an antenna with a built in amplifier. This will give you better signal strength and resolution.
How Often Do You Plan to Use Your TV?
If planning to watch TV regularly, you may like to have a look at antennas which fold or retract when not in use, or those which have a low profile and do not need dismantling. You could also consider installing a VAST satellite system if you would like TV reception from almost anywhere.
Those who don’t intend to use their TV as regularly may be interested in an antenna which can be easily dismounted and stored.
That being said, if travelling from rural to metro areas we do not recommend investing in a fixed antenna. Signal quality in different areas varies greatly with an antenna’s location and height.
For example, in mountainous regions the signal is refracted over the tops of the hills. This means that the best signal is often quite close to the ground. Whereas in metropolitan areas, a high antenna generally receives a better signal.
In Australia major cities usually transmit VHF frequencies, while remote and regional areas tend to use UHF signals.
If you want to travel between the city and the country, we advise that you invest in a hybrid antenna.
If you know that the signal strength in some of the areas you are travelling to will be weak, consider choosing an antenna with a built in amplifier. This will give you better signal strength and resolution.
A Note on Satellite/VAST Systems
Satellite set-ups are more expensive than antennas, as VAST systems support better signal reception while travelling. They also offer access to paid TV.
Generally, roof mounted satellites are favoured as they are considered a more reliable option, however travellers also have the choice of a portable satellite system.
A roof mounted satellite will allow you to pick up reception from almost anywhere in Australia, whether you’re travelling through the outback or entering the city.
At Jim’s Antennas, Caravan Satellite Systems and Installation starts from only $795.
A Note on Omni-directional vs Directional Antennas
When it comes to caravanning, omni-directional antennas are considered superior to directional antennas. An omni-directional antenna can receive a signal from all directions, while a directional antenna must be oriented towards the closest transmission tower.
Although slightly more expensive, an omni-directional antenna will save you the hassle of having to reorient your antenna at each new location.
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At Jim’s Antennas we have over 150 franchisees servicing most locations around Australia. No matter where you are, our team is readily available to assist you in getting the best TV reception available. Services start from $125 for the first hour.