TV aerial extension for caravan - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

Tim · 5th Jun 2006, 11:09 pm

Hi all.
I want a decent TV aerial for the family touring caravan. I am thinking along the lines of a 12 - 18 element wide band and plug in amp and a 12 foot pole(2X6 foot) to ensure a reasonable signal in different parts of the country. However an aerial of this size would be rather large, and I only have limited storage aboard the caravan. To save space I was thinking of chopping four or five elements off the end, and adapting the aerial with a sort of metal tube affair so the remaining elements could be added if required.
Surely it's not that simple?
What does the team think.
Cheers
Tim

Station X · 5th Jun 2006, 11:13 pm

Yes it is that simple. The boom of a multi-element aerial doesn't have to be conductive. Wood will do the job just as well as metal. Just make sure that the joint in the boom is either well insulated or has a good conductive path. Otherwise the signal may get noisy as the resistance of the joint changes in a wind.

Sean Williams · 6th Jun 2006, 3:09 am

And throw the plug in amp in the bin!

- unless you are going to spend a huge sum of money for a really good one, you may well just end up inviting trouble.

Cheers
Sean

Heatercathodeshort · 9th Jun 2006, 6:42 pm

Hello Tim,
I doubt very much if an 18 element aerial will pull in more signal at the sort of height you are talking about. You would probably be better off with an 8 or 10 element affair with a lot less storage hassle. Unfortunately most caravan stop off sites are in well shielded areas surrounded by trees and reception is variable. It will be very interesting to see if we will ever receive digital tv under adverse conditions..... Why bother with the telly? Just lock the van up and spend the evening in the local inn......Regards, John.

5th Jun 2006, 11:09 pm	#1
Tim Dekatron Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Bradford on Avon, Wiltshire, UK. Posts: 3,310	TV aerial extension for caravan Hi all. I want a decent TV aerial for the family touring caravan. I am thinking along the lines of a 12 - 18 element wide band and plug in amp and a 12 foot pole(2X6 foot) to ensure a reasonable signal in different parts of the country. However an aerial of this size would be rather large, and I only have limited storage aboard the caravan. To save space I was thinking of chopping four or five elements off the end, and adapting the aerial with a sort of metal tube affair so the remaining elements could be added if required. Surely it's not that simple? What does the team think. Cheers Tim __________________ "Nothing is as dangerous as being too modern;one is apt to grow old fashioned quite suddenly."

5th Jun 2006, 11:13 pm	#2
Station X Moderator Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Ipswich, Suffolk, IP4, UK. Posts: 21,289	Re: TV aerial extension Yes it is that simple. The boom of a multi-element aerial doesn't have to be conductive. Wood will do the job just as well as metal. Just make sure that the joint in the boom is either well insulated or has a good conductive path. Otherwise the signal may get noisy as the resistance of the joint changes in a wind. __________________ Graham. Forum Moderator Reach for your meter before you reach for your soldering iron.

6th Jun 2006, 3:09 am	#3
Sean Williams Dekatron Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: St.Ippolyts, Hitchin, Hertfordshire QRA IO91UW Posts: 3,518	Re: TV aerial extension And throw the plug in amp in the bin! - unless you are going to spend a huge sum of money for a really good one, you may well just end up inviting trouble. Cheers Sean __________________ Engineers make things work and have spare bits when finished

9th Jun 2006, 6:42 pm	#4
Heatercathodeshort Dekatron Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Warnham, West Sussex. 10 miles south of DORKING. Posts: 9,147	Re: TV aerial extension Hello Tim, I doubt very much if an 18 element aerial will pull in more signal at the sort of height you are talking about. You would probably be better off with an 8 or 10 element affair with a lot less storage hassle. Unfortunately most caravan stop off sites are in well shielded areas surrounded by trees and reception is variable. It will be very interesting to see if we will ever receive digital tv under adverse conditions..... Why bother with the telly? Just lock the van up and spend the evening in the local inn......Regards, John.