Satellite dishes on 'vans

[(RIP) PLANK]

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Status-image-...14&_trkparms=72:1683|66:2|65:12|39:1|240:1318

i have a really old one of these, i bought it with no cable second hand about 12 years ago for £1 and it has allways worked very well for me!

I htink the big thing is being able to get it up high enough to get a signal past any obstructions, ground mounted dishes are even worse as if another unit pitches up in front you have to start again, and i just cant be arsed to keep messing all the time im not that much of a telly addict.

 

[zippy656]

we dont have TV when away in the caravan.

just family time, playing games and reading.


the kids love it


we do have twin screen dvd player, for then rainy evenings.

 

[CaptLimey]

Hi Plank & Zippy

Yeah I think you have it about right, no TV is good TV!

We also, like you, do a lot of reading as French TV is worse than that in the U.K and I can't imagine what Spanish T.V. might be like - but we have yet to be educated!

So our primary focus is not for access to local/national terrestrial TV signals in Spain/Portugal but more towards international (Freeview) satellite transmissions. We just like to keep abreast with national/international news.

However I'm becoming less convinced that all the grief of buying/installing/co-ordinating the necessary gear is actually worth the effort? We can always go to the TV room of our chosen camp site!!!!

We're more Internet addicts and so we're inclined to put our emphasis on seeking camp sites with WiFi access, as we find surfing the 'Net and logging in to 'The club' much more entertaining.

Another thread contributor has suggested a mobile phone network USB plug in pay-as-you-go gizmo, for the country in which we are touring. We have no experience of these, therefore any recommendations of how to progress in that direction when caravanning abroad, initially for us it will be in Spain, would be much appreciated.

Regards CL

 

[zippy656]

family time is what campiang and holidays are all about.

 

[CaptLimey]

Hey Zippy don't worry about the thinking head, we love you just the way you are!

Regards CL

 

[Thomas-the-Terrano2]

I've been wondering about wifi access, cos it could be hampered by fact your
in a tin box. suppose its possible to get an external aeriel for wifi then cable it
into 'van, perhaps a router or access point to allow more than 1 lappy to share
improved signal.

what would be handy is if sites adopted network over mains where the signal
is placed onto the voltage with a mains adapter type of thing in van to then
remove it and put onto ethernet cable. would be cheaper for site than running
ethernet to each pitch though would make super pitches super duper.

 

[zippy656]

I've been wondering about wifi access, cos it could be hampered by fact your
in a tin box. suppose its possible to get an external aeriel for wifi then cable it
into 'van, perhaps a router or access point to allow more than 1 lappy to share
improved signal.

what would be handy is if sites adopted network over mains where the signal
is placed onto the voltage with a mains adapter type of thing in van to then
remove it and put onto ethernet cable. would be cheaper for site than running
ethernet to each pitch though would make super pitches super duper.

laptop.. wifi.. you ment to me away, on holiday relaxing.. chilling out.

also would put the cost up more

 

[zippy656]

Hey Zippy don't worry about the thinking head, we love you just the way you are!

Regards CL

thats good, cause ive not found it yet.

 

[Paul]

I've been wondering about wifi access, cos it could be hampered by fact your
in a tin box. suppose its possible to get an external aeriel for wifi then cable it
into 'van, perhaps a router or access point to allow more than 1 lappy to share
improved signal.

what would be handy is if sites adopted network over mains where the signal
is placed onto the voltage with a mains adapter type of thing in van to then
remove it and put onto ethernet cable. would be cheaper for site than running
ethernet to each pitch though would make super pitches super duper.

Bit of topic, but the other weekend when we had the blinds down we had no signal on our moblie phones, so was thinking we will get the same when we take the laptop to use the internet.:nenau

 

[Paul]

This any good to anyone?
Just seen it..

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/CARAVAN-ADAPT...286.c0.m14&_trkparms=66:4|65:10|39:1|240:1318

 

[dinky]

Most sites now have wifi for small charge,also use phone as a modem and connect through that.OK if you can get signal.

 

[rogerneale]

Hi to all 'vanners.

Has anyone information, experience or a good website regarding satellite dishes that are suitable for mounting on a caravan to receive U.K. broadcast signals in Spain and/or Portugal?

Regards CL

You'll need a 2 metre dish in Spain to receive any of the UK based channels.

If you use a smaller dish, you'll only be able to get the signals from Hotbird on 10.3 degrees and the old Astra on 19.2 degrees. Most of this is German, Italian, Belgian or Dutch , unless you count the Pornography from Luxembourg.

Use you're jockey wheel clamp to mount a 5 foot pecie of tube and put your dish on that, it'll be much more stable. It's easy really and they have a good selection of receivers etc in Maplin.

 

[CaptLimey]

Many thanks to Dinky, Paul and Rogerneal

I'm fast coming to the conclusion that perhaps the effort and kit necessary to receive UK TV signals direct to our 'van in Spain is just not worth the hassle. I can't imagine carrying, unloading and mounting a 2 metre satellite dish every time we move camp site. So thanks guys for all the good advice, it has helped me decide to use the new DVD/freeview equipped TV just for DVDs!

Regarding WiFi access at camp sites, those who are internet junkies, like us, might be interested in a gizmo I've just bought from the U.S. I haven't had the opportunity to use it just yet but the claimed performance might be useful at sites that offer WiFi access. Check out the 'Wi Fire' long range directional antenna at www.hfield.com.

Regards, CL.

 

[(RIP) PLANK]

Many thanks to Dinky, Paul and Rogerneal

I'm fast coming to the conclusion that perhaps the effort and kit necessary to receive UK TV signals direct to our 'van in Spain is just not worth the hassle. I can't imagine carrying, unloading and mounting a 2 metre satellite dish every time we move camp site. So thanks guys for all the good advice, it has helped me decide to use the new DVD/freeview equipped TV just for DVDs!

Regards, CL.

I agree I dont like carting allthat stuff about either, even for UK use there isnt anything on the TV worth going to that much trouble for! Some caravaners make me smile they have that much stuff their caravan arrives on site like a mobile shed and they have to empty half a ton of loungers microwaves bikes sattelite dishes, water prters, waste masters, fridge freezers etc etc before they can even get in and have acup of tea! I like to keep our caravans ready to use! Just wind the legs down and put the kettel on thats enogh work for me!
:thumbs

 

[Paul]

I agree I dont like carting allthat stuff about either, even for UK use there isnt anything on the TV worth going to that much trouble for! Some caravaners make me smile they have that much stuff their caravan arrives on site like a mobile shed and they have to empty half a ton of loungers microwaves bikes sattelite dishes, water prters, waste masters, fridge freezers etc etc before they can even get in and have acup of tea! I like to keep our caravans ready to use! Just wind the legs down and put the kettel on thats enogh work for me!
:thumbs

Like the TV or radio on just for background noise, living on a main road we have noise 24/7 so feels odd without it. (If you know what I mean)

 

[(RIP) PLANK]

I agree paul, I have a small wind up radio for background noise it is usefull when our 4 year old is asleep so talking doesnt disturb her. As for traffic noise i think it is difficult to truly get away from that no matter where you go these days!

 

[Paul]

I agree paul, I have a small wind up radio for background noise it is usefull when our 4 year old is asleep so talking doesnt disturb her. As for traffic noise i think it is difficult to truly get away from that no matter where you go these days!

Tell us about it, so used of cars & that passing in the day & night, feels odd when it's all quite

 

[(RIP) PLANK]

Tell us about it, so used of cars & that passing in the day & night, feels odd when it's all quite

have you noticed when there are less cars they seem to go faster and make more noise so you dont win either way! and the 'revvin kevin's' with thier sub woofers you can hear the bass coming before the big exhaust :lol