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How to Hook Up TV to RV Antenna
RV camping is one of the best ways to travel when you go on holiday. These wonderful vehicles give you a safe and cozy place to sleep at any given spot and you save a fortune on your holiday adventures so you can explore more of the world.
We all love to get out there and have some fun but missing your favorite TV shows isn’t quite that much fun. On every holiday there are also lots of occasions when you just want to sit back, relax and enjoy a few snacks while catching up with everything that is going on in the world over the news.
The good news is that there is a way for you to enjoy free TV on the go because you can upgrade your RV by getting a good antenna and TV set so you can catch broadcast signals as you journey. Here is a quick how-to on how to hook up TV to RV antenna.
What Accessories Do You Need?
If you want to enjoy free TV in your RV then there are a few products you will need. The right type of RV equipment will make a huge difference in your ability to enjoy entertainment on the road. Here are the basics you will need;
TV set – Most modern antennas function well on any TV set manufactured after 2015. This includes flat-screen HD TV sets so go ahead and get that space-saving flat-screen TV set for your RV.
RV antenna – Your antenna will be installed on top of your RV. It is important to choose an outdoor antenna that is weatherproof and UV resistant. RV antennas are nice and compact yet pretty powerful when it comes to range.
TV antenna rotator – One of the biggest hassles of watching TV on the road is adjusting the antenna. Every time you relocate or park in a different spot, you will need to readjust that antenna. This can be quite annoying since most antennas need to be manually turned in the right direction. An antenna rotator is a handy device to install with your RV antenna. This unit allows you to adjust the antenna direction via remote control. Many of these rotator units also come with a control unit where you can store a variety of channels. When you flip through the stored channels, the rotator will automatically rotate your antenna in the right direction so you can enjoy the best view. And when it is time to move you can easily adjust your antenna again without having to get out there on your roof.
Signal meter – If you are constantly camping out in different locations then it is probably best to invest in an antenna signal meter. These devices connect to your antenna cable and tests for signal and signal strength as the antenna turns. With a signal meter, you can seek out broadcasting stations in your region with ease and get your unit set up in as little time as 15 minutes.
How to Hook Up TV to RV Antenna
Once you have all of these essentials, it is time to get to work on setting up your RV TV set. The first thing you need to do is find out how your RV is wired, especially if your RV antenna is already installed. Investigate your antenna so you can see what cables you need.
Connecting the cables to your TV
The easiest way to connect your antenna to your TV set is by plugging the cable directly into the TV. Coaxial cables can be used on many different TV sets including HD TV sets. With your coaxial cable plugged directly into the TV set you will be able to reach signals by directing the antenna in the right direction. Switching your channels this way is however going to be challenging.
The better way to connect your antenna to your TV set is to use a control box. Antenna control units make it much easier to view different channels because you can pre-set the channels on the control unit. Once the channels have been programmed, you can flip through the broadcasting stations by simply switching the channels on the control unit. This method will only work effectively if you have an antenna rotator installed in addition to your TV antenna because your antenna might need to move in different directions to catch different stations for viewing.
Connecting your antenna rotator
Antenna rotators can differ in design so be sure to pay attention to installation instructions when you set up your antenna rotator. The rotator is installed directly to your RV after which the antenna is usually attached to the rotator. Antenna rotators usually work via remote control and come with a control box. When your rotator is set up, you will need to manually program the control box by setting different stations on different channels. When you flip through the channels, the rotator will direct the antenna in the right direction and you will be able to view different stations without struggling to find a clear signal every time you want to watch something different.
Install a signal meter
It is always best to install a signal meter in addition to an antenna rotator when you are connecting an RV TV set. Every time you move to a new location, the antenna might be out of range for certain channels and you might need to set up new channels. It can be hard to locate different broadcasting frequencies and this is exactly where a signal meter is handy. This unit is usually has a built-in amplifier that boosts your signal strength automatically. The signal meter is installed to your coaxial cable and can then be used to locate frequencies so you can set up your control unit easily. You can use your signal meter to identify several different channels so you will have a nice variety of entertainment to view while camping out.
Conclusion
If you want to enjoy watching TV on the go in your RV without feeling frustrated then it is best to invest in a complete unit. That extra antenna rotator and the signal meter will make it much easier for you to locate a variety of broadcasting frequencies in unknown locations and to set these stations up on your control unit so you can easily browse through the available channels. There will be no need for you to manually adjust your antenna every time you want to watch something new and the signal meter is excellent for identifying the strongest possible signal strength for each broadcasting station so you can enjoy the best view.
The right TV and antenna setup will save you lots of money on on-board entertainment and will allow you to still enjoy all your favorite shows even as you travel to distant locations. While you are shopping for the perfect setup, it is important to invest in quality products. Not all antenna equipment is adequate to provide you with a strong signal range and this could affect your view. For example; antennas with poor range won’t be able to pick up distant broadcasting towers where a stronger antenna will offer you so much more to view. If you want to get the best possible antenna accessories then we welcome you to hop over to some of our product reviews where you can shop for all the best TV and antenna products to get for your RV adventures.
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