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Jeffrey99's avatar
Jeffrey99
Explorer
May 09, 2016

New antenna or tv amplifier?

Hello all. Wife and I have TT setup at a permanent campground along with my parents. My parents pay for satellite tv, as a cord cutter who doesn't even have cable or sat at home, I'm not paying for it at RV. LOL

My question is we have a 2005 Hornet TT that I believe still has factory antenna on it. It does have a included amplifier. The campground is about 63 miles from local channels. Is there a antenna or amplifier that we could buy to better our reception? We can pick up about 2-3 channels in the 40-50% signal with the built in amplifier on. Without it we get nothing.

My home antenna has a Channel Master amplifier that works great. But not sure if that'd work with RV or if there is a better option.

Thanks,
Jeffrey
  • coolmom42's avatar
    coolmom42
    Explorer II
    May 09, 2016
    Whatever works at home should work with the RV. Beware of terrain issues, and trees. Put the antenna up as high as you can get it. I have a large Wineguard at home, with amplifier. My signal is much better in the winter before the leaves are on the trees. I'm pretty much surrounded so no options except a super-tall tower. But that's OK I mostly watch Netflix & Amazon video.
  • Jeffrey99's avatar
    Jeffrey99
    Explorer
    May 09, 2016
    RoyB wrote:
    The NATIONAL BROADCAST has moved to the HIGH VHF and UHF channels for their HDTV broadcast from the local towns...

    If your roof OTA Crank-up Antenna does not look like this then you need to add the SMALL DIPOLES like shown in this picture. ALot of the older trailers did not include the small dipoles... Takes just a few minutes to mount the kit... You can find these add-on kits on AMAZON

    This will help your reception very much...



    This BATWING antenna shown here would be pointing to the transmitter station to the right of the photo...

    Roy Ken

    My antenna doesn't have the Dipoles. A quick look on Amazon and I didn't see anything that looked like those. Will look more later when I have time.
  • GordonThree's avatar
    GordonThree
    Explorer
    May 09, 2016
    RoyB wrote:
    The NATIONAL BROADCAST has moved to the HIGH VHF and UHF channels for their HDTV broadcast from the local towns...

    If your roof OTA Crank-up Antenna does not look like this then you need to add the SMALL DIPOLES like shown in this picture. ALot of the older trailers did not include the small dipoles... Takes just a few minutes to mount the kit... You can find these add-on kits on AMAZON

    This will help your reception very much...



    This BATWING antenna shown here would be pointing to the transmitter station to the right of the photo...

    Roy Ken


    These little clip-ons help a lot. If you need even more help, consider installing a Sensar Pro. It supplements the small amplifier built into the antenna with an adjustable amplifier inside the RV. it also lets you scan for channels and fine-tune antenna direction for best reception.
  • Lynnmor's avatar
    Lynnmor
    Explorer
    May 09, 2016
    The amplifier is in the antenna head. The switch is to turn on the power to that amplifier as well as disconnect the antenna when turned off. Many think that the amplifier does so much, but it just overcomes signal loss in the coax.

    If you have space, just install a good home style antenna and that will give you the best performance.
  • BB_TX's avatar
    BB_TX
    Nomad
    May 09, 2016
    I agree the add on as shown above will help. But over 60 miles is a long way to pick up OTA with that small antenna. Likely the 2-3 channels you are picking up are from some smaller markets closer to your location.

    We have the same problem at our hunting cabin. Get 2-3 independent channels from local towns very strong. But may or may not get channels from two large cities (one 60 miles, one 70 miles) even with a larger pole mounted antenna.
  • Toddupton's avatar
    Toddupton
    Explorer
    May 09, 2016
    Funny, I have a new camper and I don't have those dipoles on mine and I still get stations over 50 miles away.
  • RoyB's avatar
    RoyB
    Explorer II
    May 09, 2016
    The NATIONAL BROADCAST has moved to the HIGH VHF and UHF channels for their HDTV broadcast from the local towns...

    If your roof OTA Crank-up Antenna does not look like this then you need to add the SMALL DIPOLES like shown in this picture. ALot of the older trailers did not include the small dipoles... Takes just a few minutes to mount the kit... You can find these add-on kits on AMAZON

    This will help your reception very much...



    This BATWING antenna shown here would be pointing to the transmitter station to the right of the photo...

    Roy Ken

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