Here’s a topic that I keep going back and forth on. I’m a big fan of live TV, and I’m a big fan of TV antennas. I think they’re a great way to get the content you want, for free, even if you have poor cell service near your RV. But should you go to the trouble of mounting one to your RV? Let’s look at the pros and cons.
PRO: You’ll be ready to watch TV pretty much instantly.
If you’re as much of a fan of live TV as I am, you’ll want to watch every night when you park. There’s a lot of great programming on network TV, and you’ll also get news and local traffic that can help you when you’re ready to ship out. This kind of info may not be available to you if your RV park is way off the beaten path.
If your antenna isn’t permanently installed, you’ll have to set up an antenna every night and aim it, which can be a little bit of a pain. There’s also the matter of storing the antenna and the tripod in the RV, where space is at a premium. You might not have enough space to store the antenna you need to get great reception.
CON: Reception only works when you’re parked anyway
With today’s digital TV systems, you’ll run into a pretty big hurdle. If the RV is going faster than about 15 miles per hour, you’ll lose signal. This wasn’t the case with the old system they used in the ’90s and before, but it’s true of today’s systems. When today’s system was designed, computer technology was a lot further behind than it is today. Engineers had to choose between a system that worked real well standing still or one that didn’t work as well but could work while in motion. They chose to make the system work really well while it wasn’t moving.
So, I could see this making you a little less enthusiastic about live TV in your RV. If your passengers can’t watch it while you’re driving, what’s the point?
First of all, while you’re driving, your passengers probably can use their phones. If they can’t, consider a cell phone signal booster from Solid Signal. The antenna system will work at night, the phones during the day. That’s not a perfect solution but it is a solution.
The long-term solution is on the way, though. A new system for broadcasting is being tested now and hopefully will be adopted in the future. I’m hoping that by the end of 2023 you’ll be able to buy an inexpensive adapter that will let your RV get these new channels, even while it’s in motion. So, putting up an antenna now is just smart. You get some benefits now, and more benefits down the line.
The antenna you should consider
This is KING’s OmniPro RV antenna. It’s one of the many great KING RV antennas we offer at Solid Signal. It will get signals from all directions and doesn’t need to be aimed. It mounts permanently and is available in colors to complement your RV. The OmniPro installs easily, and if you’re handy with tools you can do the install yourself. It’s designed to hold up to the rigors of driving and also deliver great reception no matter where you are.
It’s only one of the RV products you’ll find when you shop at Solid Signal. But of course I wouldn’t just dump you off at a web site without help. I believe in real customer service and so do the people at Solid Signal. If you want to know about the best RV upgrades, call us! We’re here during East Coast business hours. Call 888-233-7563 or fill out the form below!
