You don’t have a TV antenna for your RV, camper, or motorhome? Now is the time to get one before ATSC 3.0 becomes a thing.
Now, I know what you’re thinking. This blog is filled with posts where Stuart and I try to convince you to get DIRECTV for your RV. We still think this is a great idea, but that’s a subject for another post. Right now, we want to talk about ATSC 3.0 and how that can benefit RV owners. Besides, you can incorporate a TV antenna within your DIRECTV setup; but, like I stated above, we’ll talk about that later.
ATSC 3.0 Means Better TV
We’re always trying to convince RV owners to get DIRECTV that we don’t talk about TV antennas enough. For the record, we still believe in DIRECTV for RVs, but that’s a subject for another post. Right now, we want to tell you about another reason to get a TV antenna in your motorhome, and that’s ATSC 3.0. When it rolls out, it has the potential for:
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On-demand content
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4K programming
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Addressable advertising
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Watching TV while moving (Passengers only, please!)
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And more
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Some of these features will require an internet connection. While you’re looking at upgrading your antenna, why not consider a mobile cell booster?
Just think about it, all this will become the new standard in TV viewing! That’s exciting enough for RV owners, but we possibly have even more good news…
…You Won’t Need a New TV Antenna
That’s right. You won’t need a new TV antenna to enjoy ATSC 3.0. Today’s TV antenna are all compatible with ATSC 3.0. That means if you already had one installed on your camper or motorhome, you’ll probably be future-proofed for whenever ATSC 3.0 rolls out. In case you’re wondering, it will likely be the same for cables and other equipment.
TV antenna cables are designed to accept channels 2-83, from 54-890MHz. As long as your cables aren’t damaged or corroded, we believe they’ll be able to handle the higher digital bitrates on the 6MHz channels associated with ATSC 3.0. To be fair, this is all speculation on our part because…
…ATSC 3.0 Hasn’t Officially Rolled Out
Right now, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is testing ATSC 3.0 in certain areas. The organization wants to see how this is all going to work in the real world. It could be just as we said: that current TVs, cable, and other equipment can easily handle the demands of this new standard. Then again, things could go sideways. (We honestly don’t think they will but you never know.)
When it comes to the nationwide implementation of ATSC 3.0, there’s something else we’re not sure of. That’s when new TVs will be manufactured to the standard. Currently, the FCC allows ATSC 3.0 signals to be broadcast, but no current TVs are able to receive them. There’s also no timeline for requiring ATSC 3.0 tuners to be placed inside new TVs being made. We believe these things will become clear when the FCC gets closer to its official ATSC 3.0 rollout.
RV Owners, Here’s What We Recommend…
…If you want to watch TV in your RV, then get one of the many TV antennas made for recreational vehicles. Many RF engineers believe that the new ATSC 3.0 standard won’t require new antennas or cables. If that’s the case, and we believe it is, your antenna and equipment will be future-proofed. More importantly, you’ll be able to watch FREE local TV nearly anywhere you travel.
As I said earlier, a TV antenna for your RV will probably future-proof you for ATSC 3.0. The more immediate benefit is watching free local TV pretty much wherever you travel. Solid Signal has the largest online selection of today’s top TV antennas. This includes at least three that we recommend for RV owners, which include a bowtie antenna, UFO antenna, and a compact UHF/VHF antenna.
So, which one of these antennas is best for your RV? Why don’t you give us a call and let our experts make a recommendation? They’ll ask you a few questions to help determine the one that’s best for you. That said, we know what you might be thinking. You’re also wondering about…
…DIRECTV for RVs
That’s a good question and we have the answer. What else would you expect from a DIRECTV Authorized Dealer? We suggest you get DIRECTV for your RV and keep that TV antenna. You can use it alongside the satellite TV in your RV. You’ll get more live, local TV channels when you do this. And, the programming you get with your TV antenna is still FREE. It’s a great combo for anyone who enjoys TV. If you have any questions, give us a call at 888-233-7563 or fill out the form below.
