T.V. antenna on R.V.

To anyone who has kept up with changing Tv equipment
?Does the TV antenna on an RV do any good any more; or is it mostly useless an redundant now? We have a 2002 Coachman that has, not only the tv but also the manufacture installed antenna on the roof. Was wondering whether to remove the lot or simply down size the tv to from a 24 to a smaller one, since, it is located at the center of the front window and I have hit my head on it several times when exiting the drivers seat.
Wm.

Digital antennas are smaller, and with an amplifier, better than the analog. I would also use a flat panel reciever to minimize space use. A quick release mount, or hinged mount would help. Jim

The only way it would be useful is if you watched over the air channels with a converter box.

At the state forest campground I stay at for hunting camp, I get no channels without the antenna and about 8 with it.

I have a crank up antenna on a 2016 26 foot Jayco. The antenna works great if you are camping in a location where you are close enough to where the channels are being broadcast. Both of the tv's I have can search for tv channels. I believe it takes a newer tv to do this. It is as simple as going to the menu section of the tv and selecting search for channels. There have been places we have camped at that have had as many as 20 plus channels and once in a while I get no channels. I do believe my crank up camper antenna works better than a little flat pad type antenna we occasionally use at home. I don't know if this answers your question or not?

thank you for your information. Over the winter we will do some work on the unit such as R&R the rug floor covering to hard floor and re cover some of the seats, then investigate the tv & antenna.
thank you again.
Wm.

I dont know if it right or not but our 2000 Motor Home still has crank up antenna and we use it with current model flat screen TVs. Depending of course on where we are we usually get some local channels. Receiving 15-25 stations at times. I use an app on my cell phone to help me determine which direction will get me the most stations.. The app is called TV Towers by Generally Helpful Software it is a freebie and works quite well especially in areas where one cannot fully discern what is North. In our coach it is amazing the TV in front and back are quite similar but when performing the auto channel search the back TV usually gets more channels, so some receivers obviously perform better than others. One other tip, we have a bright yellow Velcro strap on the antenna crank. When the antenna goes up the bright strap goes on the steering wheel as a reminder that the antenna is up.

1946, as one who has RVed for 50 years I feel your pain. I have used the old crank up rotational bat wing antennas,, as well as the King Jack rotational,, and the wing looking fixed RV rooftop units and found the King Jack best for UHF but the Bat Wing for VHF THATS BACK IN THE DAYS ALL THAT WAS OUT THERE......... If I had to choose ONLY ONE for over the air traditional TV signals it would still be the old crank up rotational bat wing like used for years. SURE a signal amplifier helps BUT ONLY IF THERES A REASONABLE SIGNAL TO START WITH. I also have the half dome Dish Network Tailgater antenna which works great just set it out and it aims itself and finds the satellites easy peasey.

THAT BEING SAID As time and technology progresses and as I RV travel all over the USA IVE PRETTY WELL ABANDONED ALL THE ABOVE in favor of Internet based streaming TV. With BOTH AT&T and Verizon Jetpack Hotspots unlimited with external MIMO and Cellular Antennas boosters and indoor re transmitting antennas coupled with ROKU and You Tube TV I GET MORE THEN I COULD EVER WATCH INCLUDING LOCALS LOL However much is because Im grandfathered in with great affordable internet programing for ATT ($23.49 per month) and Verizon.

Get a Bat Wing raise up rotational with an amplifier is about all you can do provided youre close enough to a tower.

John T Currently watching on my Verizon 8800 Unlimited JetPack (external MIMO antenna and amp) internet with my TV HDMI ROKU stick

You are welcome. Jim

(quoted from post at 10:56:30 11/28/21) The only way it would be useful is if you watched over the air channels with a converter box.

Click to expand...

A converter box for what purpose??
To use a twenty year old analog tv?

(quoted from post at 10:43:38 11/28/21)

(quoted from post at 10:56:30 11/28/21) The only way it would be useful is if you watched over the air channels with a converter box.

Click to expand...

A converter box for what purpose??
To use a twenty year old analog tv?

Click to expand...

Yes. A 2002 TV would need a converter to watch the newer digital signals. If he replaces the TV with a newer one the converter wouldnt be needed. I guess I should have mentioned that.

You will probably find the newer TVs have a different form factor than what you have; they're wider. You might have to do some modifications to your RV to install a newer TV. I'd first just replace the TV and hook it up to your existing antenna; chances are it will work well enough. If you're unhappy with your reception, then I'd upgrade to a crank-up, steerable RV antenna.

I use it all the time.....but for the FM tuner in the sound system. It works perfect for bringing in radio stations. I don't have a TV in the trailer.