A getaway on your recreational vehicle can mean independence from the modern and updated forms of entertainment. This is very enjoyable for some RV enthusiasts as they can fully concentrate and enjoy the splendid sight of beautiful Mother Nature.
However, you cannot always stay outdoors all the time and staying in your RV for a long time can lead to boredom. Fortunately, you can always improve your RV’s primary entertainment by installing the best television and TV antenna.
The best RV TV antennas ensure that you have access to multiple channels. Regardless of your location, you can watch your favorite shows as well as get the latest weather report and the latest news. News and weather updates can help you adjust your travel as needed for a more comfortable journey.
We have listed a few RV TV antennas available in the market that we think will suit your needs as an RV owner. Before we check them out, let us understand what an RV TV Antenna is and what are its features. Consider it one the RV gadgets to place at the top of your shopping list.
Table of Contents
WHAT IS IT?
An RV TV antenna is simply a television antenna that normally installed on your house, or in this case, a trailer. Travelers and campers often use this during camping. This is because even if they are in the middle of nowhere, they can still get good reception and watch their favorite channels as long as there’s an RV antenna attached to their TV.
BENEFITS
As we have stated above, your RV antenna gives you good reception and wide coverage so you can access multiple channels to keep you entertained and updated on your trip. Having an RV TV antenna on your recreational vehicle will give you the following benefits:
You can watch shows in HD – You can get great reception with your RV TV antenna. With this reception, you can get the very best signals that would allow you to watch your favorite shows in High Definition.
No subscription needed to view local shows – This great RV antenna benefit will help you save money. You normally have to pay a monthly cable or TV subscription fee to enjoy the local shows. With an RV TV antenna, you will no longer need to pay any fee to watch the local shows. The RV antenna picks up those local channels signals so you can watch those for free.
It gives you internet connection – An RV TV antenna that can detect a signal can most definitely give you internet connection through Wifi properties. If the internet connection at your location is strong enough, you can even stream movies. You can also use the connection to download a program on your laptop. If you worry about leaving some unfinished work, you can still finish those tasks even while camping as you have an internet connection.
You will not miss any episode of your favorite television shows even while traveling – An RV television antenna has a wide range of coverage. This means that regardless of your location, even if you are deep in the woods or on a mountain, you can still get the channels and shows that you normally watch at home. You do not have to worry about missing an episode of your regularly watched show.
THINGS TO CONSIDER IN BUYING AN RV TV ANTENNA
If you want to get the best channels, just any RV antenna will not work. You have to find the best antenna that can pull the greatest reception. A great reception can get you the best signal that can give you your favorite channels. So how do you know which one to buy?
There are so many RV TV antenna brands available in the market. To find the RV antenna best suited to your needs, you should know what to look for.
Price – If you are someone who does not look at the price when buying a product, I envy you. Price is always something most buyers consider when making a purchase. Cheaper RV antennas are lighter on the pocket. However, your RV antenna will accompany you on a long journey in unfamiliar terrain and weather. It would be best to shell out a little extra for a good quality RV TV antenna. Cheaper antennas might not give you the performance and the life span you expect.
Weight – If you are going for an outdoor RV antenna, take a close look at its weight. If you are going to or will be passing by a windy or strong weather region, choose a bulkier RV antenna. You can easily handle the lightweight and flimsy antennas, but they are not suitable for areas with many low hanging tree branches or strong winds.
Wifi Capacity – The Internet has become a necessity for most people nowadays. It is not surprising that most RV TV antennas come with Wifi capabilities. If you are someone who cannot live without the internet, find an RV antenna with a strong and stable Wifi capacity so have internet access even in the middle of the woods.
VHF and UHF Signals – Check the antenna description very carefully. Some antennas can only pick up the VHF channels or only the UHF channels, but they cannot pick up both. You would want to go for an RV antenna that can pick up both channels so you can receive all the DTV signals coming from the surrounding areas’ stations. VHF channels are TV channel 2 to channel 13. UF channels are TV channel 14 to channel 51.
Material – You should check the material composition of an RV TV antenna before making a decision. Most RV antennas are made of plastic although there are others that are made of aluminum. Plastic antennas are great indoors but not recommended for outdoors. Aluminum-made antennas are the best choice if you are planning to install it outdoors as they do not rust even they get wet from the rain. They are also durable and sturdier than the plastic ones.
Type – The antenna type is also something you should consider when buying one. Do you want an outdoor antenna or an indoor antenna? Outdoor antennas are bulky but they can give you better coverage. Indoor antennas as the name suggests can fit indoors or inside your RV, as they are more compact. However, they have lower coverage.
Reception Coverage – You should know your antenna’s range (how far it can reach) and the types of satellites it can access. Go for antennas with higher coverage to enjoy your RV antenna’s benefits at its fullest. If you already have one, but it has a low reception distance signal, instead of buying a new one just get an RV antenna booster.
With so many things to consider, we reviewed some of the best RV TV antennas that can help keep you entertained and informed while on a road trip.
THE TOP RATED RV TV ANTENNAS
- Pros
- It comes with a 12-month warranty
- It has a sleek and modern design
- It has a sturdy mount
- Its range of channel coverage is wide
- Its reception is omnidirectional
- You can install it easily
- Cons
- Its power supply is 12 volts
- Its availability of service is dependent on the location
- Pros
- It has a nice and sleek design
- Its coverage range is wider
- You can do a retrofitted upgrade to its digital HD
- You can install it easily
- Cons
- It can be unstable
- Pros
- It has a better signal so you can have more channels
- It has many high-tech and modern features
- It comes with a clear and precise manual
- It is aerodynamic and compact allowing a stable installation on the top of your RV
- It includes a built-in signal finder for a maximized reception
- Cons
- It does not include a mounting roof plate
- It has a limited warranty
- Pros
- It automatically gets the signal
- It is portable
- It picks up a lot of your favorite local channels and programs
- You can set it up easily
- You can watch from different TV’s (multiple-viewing feature)
- Cons
- It can only capture 101 satellite’s local channels
- It does not capture HD programming
- Pros
- It has five modes so you can easily control it
- It is compact and handy
- It is easy to install
- You can connect it to any Winegard models
- It helps you in effectively finding every channel’s best and highest quality reception
- Cons
- It only functions for signals that are over-the-air
- Limited two-year warranty
- Pros
- It is weatherproof
- You do not need to aim it
- It has a signal reception that is 360-degree
- It has an amplified RV TV antenna
- It gives you free access to digital television programming
- Cons
- Its range is only up to 25 miles
- You might need professional help to install it
- Pros
- It can capture 51 UHF channels and 13 VHF channels
- All channels have clear reception
- It comes with a mechanism that you can easily install
- It is compact and easy to handle
- Cons
- Its design is rather flimsy
- Bad weather has an impact on its reception
- Pros
- It has good reception
- It has rotational features so you can get the best angle
- It is durable due to the powder coating that protects it
- It has printed instructions
- It is lightweight and easy to handle and carry
- It has a built-in amplifier
- Cons
- It is flimsy when mounted
- It is almost the same as the previous Winegard model
- Pros
- It is a high range antenna product
- It receives VHF HD and UHF signals
- It is easy and quick to install
- You can easily rotate, lower or raise the antenna even when inside your RV
- It comes with a step by step manual
- Cons
- It contains plastic parts that are not durable
- It has a short mount
- Pros
- It is compatible with the programming of DIRECT HD or a Genie receiver
- It has an omnidirectional antenna that is self-auto-tune
- It gives a very strong signal
- You can watch different channels simultaneously
- Cons
- It requires professional help for installation
- The package does not include the receiver for DIRECT HD and HD viewing programs
OTHER THINGS TO CONSIDER
TYPES AVAILABLE
RV antennas come in two different types. The most common is the outdoor antenna. It is the most widely used type that you often see on the roofs of houses or recreational vehicles. The indoor antenna is the other antenna type. It is also common although not as widely used. Here is a little more information about them.
Indoor – This antenna has a lesser range compared to its outdoor counterpart but it offers more convenience. As implied by its name, you install or just place this antenna indoors. You can usually see this on the top of the television set where you can just turn it one when needed. This type of antenna is ideal if you are not very particular with the variety or quality of the channels you get. A really great indoor RV TV antenna though can give you a very good high definition quality and range.
Outdoor – You place this antenna on the roof of your home or your trailer. Since it is outside, it can effectively pick up reception, which makes this the most used antenna when traveling in an RV. As it is outdoor, the tree branches and leaves that fell on it can sometimes block its capabilities. To avoid this, make sure to check and clean your outdoor antenna if needed. You can also fold it if you are not watching TV.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
RV antennas are of course not perfect and you will most likely experience a few issues from time to time. Here are a few questions asked by RV antenna users.
How do you troubleshoot a King Jack RV TV antenna?
If you are using a King Jack Antenna and you do not have any reception or you are seeing a pixelated screen, troubleshoot your antenna following these steps. Check the rotational knob and look for a switch. Once you find it, switch it on to turn on the King Sure Lock Signal Meter and power injector. When those are on, slowly turn your antenna’s attenuator to your right then press a button that is on the knob. Continue to rotate the attenuator and pressing the knob until you get clear reception of the channel that you want.
When using the RV antenna, do I need additional hardware?
Most RV antennas come as ready to use with no extra device or accessories needed. However, if you want to enhance your RV antenna experience, you can get the signal booster and the signal strength meter. You use the meter to monitor the strength of the signal and you use the booster to enhance or improve the signal.
When using camper antenna, how do I receive better reception?
To make sure that you get good reception with your camper antenna, we suggest that you purchase a good antenna booster. Antenna boosters help pull in signals so you can access more channels with high definition quality. Do not feel discouraged if you experience problems during the first couple of times of using your RV TV antenna booster, you will fully enjoy your booster’s benefits once you know the proper way of using it.
Where should you point the RV TV antenna?
There is no exact direction for pointing your RV antenna. You actually adjust your antenna to look for the best channel reception. You just have to turn your antenna in a direction then scan to check what channels it can capture. If you do not get the right reception, slowly turn your antenna to another direction or a quarter more in the same direction and scan again. Just keep on rotation and adjusting your antenna until you find what you are looking for.
How do you use the RV antenna?
Most of the antennas we have mentioned above are generally just plug & play. You just have to install it and you can now use it. There are no installation fees to pay. Just make sure that you follow the instructions stated on the manual and you can immediately scan for channels after installation. Do not forget to check channel reception after each installation so you will know if you are receiving a good reception.
CONCLUSION
TV entertainment and watching your favorite shows are a comfort that you should not forego when traveling in your RV. Those are not just a luxury but also a necessity to keep you updated on the news and weather conditions. Being aware of traffic and weather conditions is crucial for a safe and convenient trip.
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Investing in a good RV TV antenna is a good choice but choosing the best one that suits your needs can be challenging. You need to consider many things and you must know what you need including the material, weight, coverage, and reception of the antenna.
Use the guide that we have created above to find what you need. Know which features you need and check user reviews on the best RV antennas. Keep in mind though that there is no perfect RV antenna as it all depends on each individual’s needs. In choosing the best RV antenna for your RV and your family, do not forget to consider your usual travel area and your preferred channels.
