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Arriving on site: How to adjust your motorhome's TV aerial

Finding a digital TV signal during your first motorhome trip can be tricky, but it's straightforward once you know how. Follow this guide, and you'll be watching TV in no time.

We’ll use the Status 570 antenna system as an example, although the principle is broadly similar for most aerials.

  • Look at other caravan or motorhome aerials on site and point your TV antenna in the same direction.
  • Connect a TV signal finder to the TV aerial socket in your motorhome. This box of tricks receives signals, and the lights/meter will indicate how strong the TV reception is. The cost is approximately £15.
  • Locate the base of the aerial. It’s usually in an overhead locker.
  • Ensure the signal booster (often called the signal amplifier) is plugged in and turned on. There’s usually a red light to the front. As the name suggests, it boosts signal quality.
  • The TV aerial will be in travelling mode, i.e., stowed as low as possible and with the ‘pointy end’ facing the rear of the motorhome.
  • Undo the knurled white securing collar and slowly turn the aerial until a signal is found. The aerial will rotate 360 degrees and can be raised if necessary. My signal finder has a series of green lights; the more lights lit, the stronger the television signal.
  • Most TV signals are horizontally polarised – keeping the aerial flat – but should you need to receive vertically polarised signals, rotate the winder to tilt the antenna through 90º. However, I’ve yet to use this feature.
  • Once you are happy with the antenna position, secure it by tightening the securing collar.
  • Plug your TV into the coax cable outlet and search for channels.
  • Before heading home, return the aerial to travel mode. Undo the collar and lower the aerial. Ensure it points towards the motorhome’s rear, and retighten the securing collar.

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