Whats every body using, are you using booster or not. I can tell you what you need in my area (part of my business) but I am after the best system for a roaming reception. 
cheers
blaze

what is your area? Is it rural or close to the city?

The area I work is circular head on the nw of tassie, general only use 2 different arieals that will get reception for the few channels we have locally, need to boost if more than one outlet to a house. We set off on our big circuit next year and would really like a compact arieal of some sort that I know is going to work in most places without to much drama
cheers
blaze

I have a 7.5 db gain magnetic aerial, and a 12v inline booster Which gives me A good picture in most place .You, normally, have to scan for channels in each place. IT come down to how much money you want to spend. Bill

-- Edited by bill12 on Monday 18th of October 2010 05:47:16 PM

We have a $105 aerial with no booster. If we get a picture great, otherwise we read or use the d.v.d. Johnw

boosters will make a great difference, and will definately give you a better picture . Start with a good aerial, and get a good booster, ( mine is a 12v powered in line type andit will make a difference. Bill

I met a couple from the NT and they had a small satellite dish type aerial and said they picked up all the channels from the NT wherever they went. The only thing was they didn't know how to get the NSW channels.

One antenna that is popular with vanners is the Digimatch Explorer. I carry the Happy Wanderer DX Active 1. It costs more, has the same performance but is far more robust and packs into a smaller space.

Hi ...

I am surprised that your post hasn't attracted a swarm of responses from people who love one sort of antenna or other, along with the techos who love to discuss the signal types etc etc.

For my part, in my ignorance I fitted the standard Winguard (actually a simple dipole type with a built in masthead amplifier) to my Jayco when new in 1999.

It has been first rate & I have used it in most parts of Aus where there is bitumen.  I got good signals where ever others were.  I wouldn't think of changing except maybe to fit the latest attachment.  Goggle Winguard to get details.

What I would do is look at a few of the relevant articles by people like Colyn Rivers, who know what they are talking about.  This will give at least a rudimentary knowledge of the subject.

Select an aerial that suits my situation ....  eg. size, new van or retro fit, easy to use or best reception etc.

Make sure that it can be adjusted for both horizontal & vertical polarisation. I modify the Winguard to do this in the rare occasion that it is necessary.

Make sure that it has or can be fitted with an amplifier on or as close as possible to the mast head.

Keep your leads as short as possible & of best quality.

If not using a digital TV set (best quality set that is in the price range), then get a HD digital set top box.

Get a copy of the ACMA's publication 'Radio & TV Broadcasting Stations' Internet edition.  This will tell you what stations are broadcast in any area, their frequency, Location, polarisation & Digital or not.  This will let you know how to set up your aerial.

When you get to a location look at the PERMANENT aerials (not other vans) to find out the best polarisation & directions for the aerial.

Hope this helps




-- Edited by Cupie on Wednesday 27th of October 2010 06:45:13 AM

I'm using a vertical polarisation UHF TV antenna. I had it horizontal but in Cairns it needed to be vertical. Now in Lucinda I did a search and am very happy with the digital signal I'm receiving. I do have a booster as well. Looking around the park the antennas seem to be pointing in all sorts of directions, so that wasn't an easy option this time. It's a very compact antenna and is fitted to an extendable aluminium paint roller pole mounted on the back bumper of the van. I didn't detach it to travel, and it all seems to have gone very well. Wyngard make an antenna which seems to do everything to suit all Australian conditions. If you're prepared to spend the cash then go for the best there is, and there are a lot of variations. Good luck.

Hi  ..

Just a short follow up to my earlier post...

Sorry, couldn't spell  WINEGARD  .... so I looked it up in my dopcumentation.  However, I can't edit the earlier post.

(Bonus .. I found out that I aught to do some twice yearly mtce.  Haven't looked at the documentation since I purchased it .. 12 years ago.)

Correct me if I'm wrong Cupie, but it's my understanding that the Winegard doesn't accommodate vertically polarised transmissions very well. Jim

We have a Digimatch from Jaycar ($69) on a poolcleaner handle mast. The advantage over a Winegard is the ability to mount it vertically for vertically polarised signals. If you know where the transmitter or repeater is situated, it's a snap to point your aerial in the right direction. To find out the transmitter locations, look up http://www.acma.gov.au/webwr/_assets/main/lib100059/tv_9.pdf 
A compass teamed with a map of the area will get you within a few degrees of optimum reception and just a bit of directional fiddling will make it perfect if it's still analogue. With digital, if the picture is there, and doesn't drop out, the picture will be OK.
Cheers
Graeme

I have a $3000 dollar signal strenth meter that will find the best reception, but at the end of the day I wont even take that with me because that is what I am escaping from. So if I get a pic well and good if I dont I have some good books to catch up on. I read a lot about our early australian history, explorers, surveyors etc.
thanks to all that have supplied helpful info
cheers
blaze

I have a Happy Wanderer Signal Finder; works surprisingly well for a simple device. Needs to be inserted in the antenna cable on the TV side of the power injector for the booster however.

My primary means to check the signal direction and polarisation is to observe the neighbourhood antennas.

My antenna is an "Explorer" that I find quite effective

Adjusting the Winegard Antenna for vertical oriented signals

For vertically polarised signals, I raise the antenna, turn it 90 degrees & then drop it to the roof. 

This puts the head out to the side of the van.

I remove one of the elevator tube pins. 

This allows the antenna head to be swung into the vertical position. 

The freed tube is loosely supported by a short occy strap from the other, still attached tube but now plays no part in its normal function of horizontal positioning  the head.

Takes a few minutes but in the rare occasion that it is needed, it does the job.