Satellite Dome / Omni directional TV

by nforrgolf Thu Aug 18, 2011 11:33 am

My Autosleeper Suffolk (2010) is fitted with the standard Telco Wing omni-directional TV aerial. The signal is boosted by a factory fitted unit.
Sadly I have to report that on my first trip from the south of England up to Scotland and back our success in receiving either Freeview or Analogue signals was very poor.
My dealer was advised of this but offered no help to rectify the problem. I do travel to Europe every year and decided to research Satellite reception. Having read a lot and spoken to Road Pro I decided to fit a 40cm Camos Dome. The engineer came to my house and without prompting asked if my present aerial was "any good" He made some phone calls and advised that
the roof profile which has high fibre glass ridges on both sides of the roof is blocking the signal and would probably do the same for a satellite dome. Since it is an expensive exercise and he could not guarantee that satellite signals might also be affected he advised against fitting. This was the first time he had encountered this roof profile. The next best option is a directional Status 530/10 with an extending pole .................not a lot of good in Europe mainland.
I have reported this to Autosleeper and am awaiting a reply.
Any one else fitted a dome recently?

by BobK Fri Aug 19, 2011 10:08 am

Hi nforrgolf ... I had exactly the same problems as you are experiencing, on my Rienza which had the same teleco wing and amplifier set up. It was never satisfactory, and I could get much better reception with a cheap aerial on an aluminium pole fixed to the bike rack. I was always going to look into the wiring connections as I couldn't believe that Autosleepers were doing this as a standard fit if it was so ineffective. Unfortunately a low bridge beat me to it but it gave me a chance to see the internals of the dish. My Rienza has roof profile ridges but the top of the dish which houses the actual aerial bit, sat proud of the ridges (hence its fate as described above)

Not wishing to cast doubt on Roadpro but I'd have thought the signals would be coming down from above (I stand corrected if my Techi knowhow is wrong on this point.

Will be interested to see any comments from Autosleeper. I was contemplating replacing my victim with a dome or dish of some sort.

regards Bob

by Neuvosleeper Mon Dec 05, 2011 8:19 pm

nforrgolf wrote:
My Autosleeper Suffolk (2010) is fitted with the standard Telco Wing omni-directional TV aerial. The signal is boosted by a factory fitted unit.
Sadly I have to report that on my first trip from the south of England up to Scotland and back our success in receiving either Freeview or Analogue signals was very poor.
My dealer was advised of this but offered no help to rectify the problem. I do travel to Europe every year and decided to research Satellite reception. Having read a lot and spoken to Road Pro I decided to fit a 40cm Camos Dome. The engineer came to my house and without prompting asked if my present aerial was "any good" He made some phone calls and advised that
the roof profile which has high fibre glass ridges on both sides of the roof is blocking the signal and would probably do the same for a satellite dome. Since it is an expensive exercise and he could not guarantee that satellite signals might also be affected he advised against fitting. This was the first time he had encountered this roof profile. The next best option is a directional Status 530/10 with an extending pole .................not a lot of good in Europe mainland.
I have reported this to Autosleeper and am awaiting a reply.
Any one else fitted a dome recently?

Reply-----confused too 2. Have you had a reply ? I have one on 2011 Nuevo its useless in the outbak. Neuvosleeper.

by nforrgolf Sun Aug 19, 2012 8:30 pm

After lots of deliberation and mixed advice I took the plunge and had a 40cm Road Pro Dome fitted with a Visitron receiver.
The reception is excellent and speed of lock very fast(15-20 seds) I have only used it in SE of England at the moment but
I'm off through France to N Spain on Saturday. i will report back.
Points to note: There are lots more channels than Sky and I get HD where available
I've only used the Astra south satellite. there are about four more available ( Mostly foreign though)
Road Pro offer 5% discount to Camping club Members.
I had it fitted by a Road Pro certified fitter. --£280.00.

by modelman Sun Aug 19, 2012 10:38 pm

I fitted & 40cm Roadpro to mine & it can scan 7 sats, all pre installed, & reception is perfect, love it smile!

by Neuvosleeper Mon Aug 20, 2012 9:40 pm

Several on the forum & C.C have Nuevo's > I for one experience poor reception from this inferior "dome" fitted std: by A/S. I am still under warranty and wonder IF A/S should consider the unit as "unfit for purpose" where fitted, its obviously unsuitable--- on this roof design. This is where a complaint by numbers may have an effect---Yes I know--Dream On. Brian K. thanksverymuch

by nforrgolf Tue Aug 21, 2012 9:02 am

From your entry above I assume you have a TELCO WING aerial which is omni directional: I have the same on my Suffolk. It has never produced
good reception and the picture breaks up quite often. This was reported to Marquis and AS early in my ownership so the wiring was checked and all
found OK. AS will not acknowledge there is a problem.
I agree the "not fit for purpose " is an accurate description but we would need more reports to support our case.

If any readers wish to support this cause then please make an entry to that effect and who knows we may be able to make a case.

by BobK Tue Aug 21, 2012 9:15 am

Hello all ... yes I would support this theme. It is definitely not fit for purpose. In my back yard when I first tested it (several years ago now) I could get next to nothing reception wise, and home is a good reception area. With a cheapie aerial on a short pole I was getting a perfect picture, and still use it all over the UK.

Bob

by Neuvosleeper Tue Aug 21, 2012 1:38 pm

So we have a start over my "not fit for purpose" report to A/S. How many on the Forum will give us support if only a short sentence so it is recorded. After which a controller hopefully will contact A/S. ? on our behalf. Brian K. up!

by Nuevo Thu Aug 23, 2012 9:18 am

surely if its not fit for the purpose you should lobby the manufacturer and not necessarily auto sleeper as you suggest ?

Dave

by nforrgolf Thu Aug 23, 2012 10:20 am

For me its been an on going problem since 2010. Marquis ( The AS Agent) cannot fault find any faults though the Marquis workshops are in an area of poor reception: so they tell me. They have apparently spoken to AS and the problem still remains, hence the conclusion that "it is not fit for purpose".
Using this forum I hope to raise awareness of the possible problem, but of course I can also accept that there are a few bad ones and most perform satisfactorily.
I'll give it more time.
Any more doubts as to the Telco Wing performance please add a reply.

by Neuvosleeper Thu Aug 23, 2012 9:24 pm

Dave,, with respect have you read the original post. I believe its the Nuevo roof "rims" which causes the loss of signal, or capacity to collect signals from N.S.E.or W without manouvering the whole vehicle, which of course is absurd. My opinion is that A/S retail the vehicle, surely every fitting is tried and tested before "launch" Therefore it is then up to A/S . do they approach the supplier, surely they will argue

their equipment is perfectly suited when positioned in the "open" i.e no obstruction, as we are all aware is necessary with the old systems. The starting point I feel is with A/S. Lets start the ball rolling what have we to lose. Brian K.

by Nuevo Fri Aug 24, 2012 8:03 pm

I got you now BrianK didnt think about the high sides. why did autosleepers fit these on some yet not others ? ours is an 2008 nuevo and i have the status jobby on a pole ? was the telco an option or fitted as standard then ?

Dave beer-drinking-smiley

by Neuvosleeper Fri Aug 24, 2012 8:41 pm

Nuevo wrote:I got you now BrianK didnt think about the high sides. why did autosleepers fit these on some yet not others ? ours is an 2008 nuevo and i have the status jobby on a pole ? was the telco an option or fitted as standard then ?

Dave

Fitted as Standard, as said not tried and tested. Brian K.

by murph Sat Sep 01, 2012 11:20 am

Hi All,
Over the years I have heard several reports of omni directional aerials being poor,though we have never used one, so when we bought our van which did not have an aerial at all we had Marquis fit a Status 530 directional which works well in most situations, providing you retune the TV every time, sometimes even when you rotate the aerial to try and get a signal from a different direction, and then occasionally you have to plough through the channels to find where you can get a picture, you probably have to do this with an omnidirectional.
Take a look at Tommydarcy,s posts on other threads about the troubles he has as a site warden in this respect.

Brian2

by Neuvosleeper Sat Sep 15, 2012 9:58 pm

Hi readers , I'm back from a tour needless to say T.V reception was optional !! Having now spoken to several " Antenna" suppliers I am well advised the Telco Wing is not to blame. I see from the Telco Wing fitting instructions--quote, " Fit away from any signal obstruction such as trunk holders, air conditioners etc: remember also T.V. signals deminish near trees." I have no doubt the Telco Wing is unsuitable as fitted to the roof surface by A/S its signal is obstructed by the "high sided roof profiles. I too will attempt to discuss this with A/S by e-mail once I obtain to whome contact is best made. Anyone out there with info--so far. Brian K. shrugg

by Neuvosleeper Wed Oct 10, 2012 9:01 pm

[center]September 15th my last post. have been touring --with Status 550 fitted by "Spinney" Knutsford. All wonderful but "cost us" Hav NEVER received any reply from A/S after I requested simply--who should I contact there re: technical matters. Its my opinion they should be re calling the Nuevo's with Telco Wing airels not fitted to Telco,s instruction schedule as I read it. Brian K. p.s come on lets do something ?? may now be too late for me.... shrugg

by Dutto Wed Oct 10, 2012 9:33 pm

Nuevo wrote:surely if its not fit for the purpose you should lobby the manufacturer and not necessarily auto sleeper as you suggest ?

Dave

Hi there,

Just to clarify things on the "who to sue" front - you should ALWAYS go to the person who SOLD you something.

The person who sells you stuff is the person responsible for making sure that it is fit for purpose and it is up to the Seller to contact the manufacturer NOT the Buyer.

Incidentally, and not wishing to upset any Daily Mail readers, it is YET ANOTHER thing that you should thank the EU for!

The law was changed by EU directive after many, many thousands of UK subjects had been told to "contact the manufacturer" only to discover that the "manufacturer" was a small hole-in-the-wall company in central China that didn't even have an address!!!!

Best regards,
drinksallround

by Neuvosleeper Wed Oct 10, 2012 9:43 pm

Duetto, All I'm saying is that these units are fitted by A/s "wrongly" The E.U. wont be interested. Also A/s did not reply to my e-mails. Tell me more. Brian K.

by Dutto Wed Oct 10, 2012 9:56 pm

Brian,

Sorry, but "Wrongly installed." isn't "Not fit for purpose." (Apples and oranges!) wave

I suggest that you give AS one more attempt at fitting it correctly before explaining your problem to the local Trading Standards Agency. allthumbz

This is assuming that, unlike other organisations available to Joe Public (e.g. the Citizens Advice Bureau) the current numpties in Whitehall haven't got rid of most of their staff or moved your nearest Office to the other end of the country! tap_fingers

Best regards,
drinksallround

Ian

PS Google "Trading Standards ..... " with county of choice for contact details.

by Neuvosleeper Wed Oct 10, 2012 10:08 pm

Dutto wrote:Brian,

Sorry, but "Wrongly installed." isn't "Not fit for purpose." (Apples and oranges!)

I suggest that you give AS one more attempt at fitting it correctly before explaining your problem to the local Trading Standards Agency.

This is assuming that, unlike other organisations available to Joe Public (e.g. the Citizens Advice Bureau) the current numpties in Whitehall haven't got rid of most of their staff or moved your nearest Office to the other end of the country!

Best regards,
Duetto, please re read my 1st post carefully. I've replaced it. + A/s have no interest in speaking to we who may cause trouble as I said. !!! Brian K.
Ian

by Dutto Wed Oct 10, 2012 11:41 pm

Brian,

I have only had limited dealings with AS and I had no problems.

That said, I am a number one pain in the proverbial backside if I don't get what was promised and I pursue these things like a dog with a bone!

In your case I would have taken advice from,

o Trading Standards.

o Citizens Advice.

o My solicitor.

In that order; and I would keep AS fully informed of progress!!

Remember, there are many ways to skin a cat!

Back in the 80's a hotel I did business with welshed on a "hand-shake" verbal contract and virtually wiped out three years of my work. The owners of the hotel were noted locally for their parsimony and naked greed so I responded by suing them for breach of contract.

It cost me £1,500 in solicitor's fees to take the situation to where we all had to appear in court and at that stage I paid off my solicitor (who also happened to be a friend) and de-registered the company with no assets.

My solicitor had a ball informing the solicitor representing the hotel what had happened - and suggesting that he approach them to pay the £4,500 that they apparently owed him!

Revenge is a dish best served cold - but it can taste vey nice! champagne

Best regards,
drinksallround

Ian

by **roli** Thu Oct 11, 2012 8:47 am

There has ben a lot published on here and elsewhere on the various omni directional aerials which at best are a compromise.

We have high sides on the roof which were designed as such to hold the built in awning canopy on some models. On buying the van new we insisted on a directional (Status 550) to eliminate any issues caused by roof design and I have never regretted this decision.

I smile when I read the wiring was checked, maybe connections were but I doubt if many caravan dealers staff have the ability to check the quality and losses of the internal coax used within the van.
I say this from experience on our last van (Executive) where the omni directional aerial was as much use as a chocolate fireguard and on checking found the coax braid so so loosely woven is was no use at all and when replaced the aerial performance was improved somewhat, so much I decided not to replace the aerial.

Many of the places we all camp could be in iffy signal areas anyway so you need an aerial with minimum losses

by Snelly Wed Oct 24, 2012 11:38 pm

Guys I need to clear some issues up. This is my area of expertise.

This countries terrestrial system is limited by the terrain and transmitter positioning, so even with a great aerial, results can be disappointing in some areas.

Omni-directional aerials do a hard job... they have to be able to sucessfully pull in a signal from any direction and normally through a thick layer of plastic to make it look more pleasing to the eye. Anyone with an omni-directional aerial needs to appreciate this!

Directional antenna are only any good if pointed in exactly the right direction. The digital signal is such a narrow thing, that if your slightly off you'll either get no channels or some with pixelation. Use a decent signal meter to get the aerial pointing in the right direction before you tune your tv. Note: Even with a good directional antenna such as the status 550 or image kits, your still at the mercy of the uk transmitter system. Inevitibly, dissapointment will result!

So whats the alternative?? ... satellite! On a small motorhome? YES! A few options, such as the portable Maxview VuQube and the roof mounted Oyster Caro, twinned with a decent free to air receiver or one of the latest tv's with built in satellite receivers will always give you great tv reception throughout any part o fthe UK and most of Europe... as long as your dish has a clear line of sight south.

As for the issue of high sides. With regards to the dome systems I fit, the dish sits inside the dome upon a platform containing motors etc... so its probably already 7-10cm from the base high. Then the dish itself looks up at least 19 degrees in northern Scotland and 27 degrees in Southern England, so unless your sides are very very high and the dome is right next to the sides, it shouldnt cause too much of a headache. Many coachbuilt motorhomes have these lipped sides and they have never caused an issue with dome or dish installs for me or my customers.

Hope that helps!

by nforrgolf Thu Oct 25, 2012 8:16 am

Having set this thread in motion I am pleased to note the level of interest it has produced.
The previous entry from Snelly ( is that connected to Snelly Vision?) is spot on.

My original purpose in raising the subject was to find out how good/bad was the reception from AS installed
omni directional aerials. I think the conclusion is clear that they are barely fit for purpose and should
never have been considered in the first place. I note that AS now fit directional aerials as standard and
in discussion with one of their reps at the recent NEC Motorhome show they knew that that it was not
the best choice hence the change. To publicly admit this would be rather expensive and they are
hoping it will go away.

Since I am now happily satellite equipped I am no longer hoping for any compensation but I am
prepared to provide evidence should any member wish to take this further.

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