Status omnidirectional - no signal?!

We cannot get a signal using the status omnidirectional aeriel on our Symphony. I assume this is due to the digital switch over and we need to upgrade. Any suggestions please that are sensibly priced! (We have a portable dish on a tripod which we used with our caravan but I think this is a bit bulky)
Many thanks

We have the same saucer aerial as you and since the digital switchover our signal is now great. We did have problems during the changeover period as signals were not at full strength but now that analogue has been switched off all digital signals have gone stronger and we can get a great picture virtually anywhere. I can only suggest you try the booster box switches in all variations of on/off and low/high and of course each time you move site, you do have to re-tune your TV (that applies whatever aerial you have). Lots of people ridicule these aerials but if you look around sites, thousands of caravans still use these aerials, they can't all be wrong. The other thing to check is all plug connections that go into the booster box.

Wow, what a quick response! Thank you. As I have only just got the Symphony I am assuming it is all working! I have only tried the aerial on the driveway so will try it on site. I think I have all the settings right, the only thing I seem to be able to adjust is a switch saying nml, then there is the antenna in, and TV/FM connections. Does the length of the cable linking the TV make a difference?

Cable length should make no difference. If you are trying it on your drive, then it could be blocked by trees or buildings so don't panic yet, wait till you're on site somewhere and retune your TV. If after retuning you don't have many channels, the try the 'nml' switch in its other position and retune again.

There is a few things you can check, are the plugs fully pushed in the preamp, are the coax plugs moulded to the leads or fitted plugs if the latter check the connections are ok and there are no stray wires shorting. Check Power supply to preamp, Check preamp switch not in the low power setting.
You dont mention the age of the van but there was a period around 2000 where AS used some really poor quality coax (for their bit of the installation) the braid was very loosly woven. A good coax should have a nice tight weave for the coax to be effective. The Status coax should be ok

Hi Bluerosie,

I'm with Paul here

We have the same setup and since the digital switchover, our signal has been 'Spot on' .... I have found ours works best with the Booster on 'high'.

Good advice from Roli also .... you might have a "cable" problem !!

Hope you get, up and running soon

Brian

I used to use a standard aerial lead between the TV and the TV socket , the type with moulded plugs but found in areas with weak reception it affected the quality. I upgraded the lead to a more expensive QED lead and it does make a big difference. I even upgraded the lead at home.

Thank you everyone for your advice. I will try all suggestions when I'm off the driveway and report back!

Tried the aerial on site and managed to pick up most channels, though no BBC

I think I will upgrade the cable as suggested and hopefully I'll be sorted.

Thank you everyone for your advice. It was our first trip out and all went well!

bluerosie wrote:Tried the aerial on site and managed to pick up most channels, though no BBC

I think I will upgrade the cable as suggested and hopefully I'll be sorted.

Thank you everyone for your advice. It was our first trip out and all went well!

Hi bluerosie,

You did not say where you stayed on your trip.

We have the same 'van /setup as you, and found that in parts of Sussex, the BBC is still on analogue, so when you retune you have to 'do' the analogue too!

As a PS, we don't get a signal on our drive either.

Mike D

Well we are on the CC site at Llanbrynmair and on the site guide it states that there is no digital TV on site , only analogue. So as the whole of Wales has 'gone digital' we retuned our TV in digital and managed to get absolutely no channels on digital at all. Switching to analogue and retuning, we managed to get BBC1, BBC2 and Channel 4. If the analogue signals have now been switched off, where did these signals come from?

Hi Bluerosie,
Be warned, no matter what your setup, in some places with a weak signal you can only get a few channels anyway and these vary from transmitter to transmitter.


Brian2

Hi Bluerosie.

The Status 315 (Round antenna that was fitted to all AS at one time) was a cracking Omni-directional, analogue antenna, but unlike analogue, digital TV is a very directional signal, and you have options on how to receive it.

The new digital Status antenna is the 540/5 (Or the 530/5) This is the antenna of choice for digi reception.

Used by most manufacurers now as standard, and around £200.00 fitted.

There is another option.

One of the portable antennas we like is the IMAGE 420.

This can be clipped onto the side of your van using a bracket, and can be hoisted up and down on a telescopic mast, this is the one we use at all the outdoor shows.

It provides great reception, and is a lot less expensive at around 70 quid for the full kit (Including signal finder)

A tv signal finder will tell you which way to point the aerial for optimal reception when you arrive on site, and a good one costs about 16 to 25 quid. depending on where you buy them.

If you need any other advice, I am at your service.