Often when you are far away in your RV, you won’t get any signal on your TV. This is why you need a good RV antenna that will help in solving this problem. Because of this, we have decided to put together a buying guide for the best TV antenna for RV.
How To Choose The Best TV Antenna For RV?
Choosing the best TV antenna for RV is not an easy thing to do. This is why we will be giving you some tips that will aid in your decision making. Check out the ways to choose the best RV antennas below
Material
You must consider the materials the manufacturers use in making their antennas before buying one. Often, manufacturers tend to use either plastics or aluminium to make the antennas. We recommend that you choose aluminium antennas because they are more durable. Also, aluminium antennas can do well in rain, sun and snow. On the other hand, plastic is very brittle and it can give way when the weather condition is bad. However, if you will only be using the antenna indoors, then you can still go for plastic antennas.
Signal Reception
This is another very important factor you need to consider before making your buying decision. Besides, it is one of the most important factors you should consider. This is because the reason you are buying an antenna is for signal reception. Make sure the antenna you are choosing offers a good signal reception. Also, try to choose the antenna with the best range possible. This is to ensure good connectivity when you are far from a satellite tower.
Also, if it is possible, get an antenna booster as this helps to improve signal reception whether or not you are far from a satellite tower.
Ease Of Installation
Nobody wants an antenna that will take all the energy in the world to install. We know it is not easy to know the antennas that are easy to install. This is why we advise that you read reviews of people on the product about how they installed it first.
Type
There are two types of antennas and they are the indoor antenna and the outdoor antennas. Decide which type of antenna you want before shopping for one. The major differences between the two types of antennas are size and coverage. The outdoor antennas are usually bigger and offer better coverage than indoor antennas.
Weight
If you have chosen an outdoor antenna, make sure the one you choose is bulky. This is because bulky antennas tend to do well in places where there’s a lot of wind. However, the downside of buying a heavy antenna is that it makes it hard to handle and install.
Price
Finally, you need to consider the price of the antenna you are buying. One thing to note is that high price doesn’t always translate to better quality. To get the best deal, you need to compare prices of antennas in the same bracket. When you do this, you will be able to get a cheaper antenna that offers so much in terms of features and quality.
Read more: How to pick the best TPMS for rv?
8 Best RV Antennas Reviews in The Market
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Winegard 8551203.400S White RVW-395 Sensar IV HDTV RV Antenna |
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KING VQ4500 Tailgater Portable/Roof Mountable Satellite TV Antenna |
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Below is a review of some of the best TV antennas for RV available:
1. KING OA8500 Jack HDTV Directional Over-The-Air Antenna
The King OA8500 Jack HDTV Directional Over-The-Air Antenna is one of the best over the air antennas you’ll ever find. And this is not without reason. Importantly, unlike most over the air antennas in its category, this one comes with a mount and signal finder. Because of this signal finder, your antenna will be able to find local TV channels easily without you having to guess channel stations. Besides, the manufacturers designed this TV antenna to capture long-range signals.
Furthermore, it can rotate the full 360 degrees which further allows the antenna to find TV towers around. Besides, turning this antenna to your preferred direction is easy as you only need to position the interior knob the makers included in the package. Not to mention, the antenna has an aerodynamic design that helps it to withstand wind pressure. Because of this, rest assured that there will be a little case of your signal getting disrupted by the wind.
Again, it is a compact antenna and it is significantly smaller than the ‘everyday’ RV antennas. Worthy of note too is that the mount is very strong and it will surely last you for a very long time. Also, the mount’s power injector has inputs for plugging in your antenna and two TV output. In conclusion, this king jack’s on-air TV antenna promises durability, ease of use and superior performance. So, rest assured that if you choose this TV antenna for your RV, you won’t have cause to regret the decision.
Pros
- Durable
- It can rotate 360 degrees
- Compact
- It has a signal finder
- The antenna covers a long-range
Cons
- None
2. Winegard 8551203.400S White RVW-395 Sensar IV HDTV RV Antenna
The Winegard Company is a reputable one when it comes to making quality antennas. And among all their products, we particularly like the Winegard 85512 Sensar IV HDTV RV Antenna. First, this is an enhanced antenna and it is capable of receiving digital TV signals easily. Besides, it has an amazing range and it can receive all VHF and UHF signals available within a 55-mile radius. The antenna’s distance is quite impressive as most Antennas in its price range can’t even go past the 45-mile radius.
We also like the fact that it can receive SD and local over the air TV channels. Some of these channels include ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox plus, and a lot of other channels you won’t find on a satellite. Again, you can easily adjust this antenna and this is because it is easy to rotate, raise and lower. In light of this, you can easily turn the antenna around to find a signal. Worthy of note too is that it is easy to install. Besides, the manufacturers were kind enough to include an instruction manual in the product’s packaging.
Furthermore, it is durable and this is because the makers coated it with powder. Because of this, you won’t find your antenna rusting. However, some parts of the antenna are made of plastic which means those parts might not last very long. We also don’t like the fact that the antennas mount is short. Finally, the makers of this product ensure that your orders are delivered on time which is what all customers like.
Pros
- It is powder-coated for durability
- It can cover up to a 55-mile radius
- Durable
- The antenna is easy to install
- You can easily adjust, raise and lower the antenna
Cons
- Some parts are made from plastic
- The mount of the antenna is short
3. Winegard PA-1000 DISH Playmaker Satellite TV Antenna
Because the Wingard Company has a lot of quality antennas, we could not help it but include another one of their products on our list. This one is the Winegard Company PA-1000 DISH Playmaker Satellite TV Antenna. This is another impressive and portable antenna that will suit your RV, camper or motorhome. One major advantage of this antenna is that the manufacturers designed it in such a way that it doesn’t need to be pointing in a particular direction to get signals.
Besides, it is also a fully automatic dish as it can find DISH HD satellite orbit locations on its own. Also, it is easy to install and set up. This is because a single coax connection powers it through the DISH receiver. Not on that, it is also sleek and small. Rest assured that it won’t take up too much space as it has a diameter of 16 inches, a height of 13 inches and it only weighs 7lbs. with these diameters, this is one of the smallest antennas you’ll ever find.
Worthy of note too is that this antenna comes with a temporary mount. This mount is particularly useful when you want to lift the antenna off the ground for better reception of signals. Furthermore, the manufacturers of this antenna used aluminium reflectors and hybrid stepper motors to improve its signal strength. In light of this, the signal strength is 20% stronger than they normally are. In conclusion, this is a great product but note that you cannot watch multiple channels with it at the same time. This is because it only accepts one receiver at a time.
Pros
- It has an improved signal strength
- Compact
- Easy to set up
Cons
- It only accepts one receiver at a time
4. Winegard RZ-6000 Rayzar Z1 RV TV Antenna
The Winegard RZ-6000 Rayzar Z1 RV TV Antenna is another great product from the Winegard Company. This antenna is great because of its innovative high definition TV broadcasts. With this antenna, you will enjoy a clearer and sharper TV experience. Also, this antenna has excellent reception and this is due to its optimal UHF reception and its power high band VHF. Because of this, you are sure to watch your favourite local TV channels at any location you are in.
Furthermore, this is a compact TV antenna and it is designed in such a way that it won’t take up much space. The small size is reflected in the height of the antenna which is 8.4 inches. Also, it has a net weight of 2.5lb which further makes it easy to carry around. Again, it is easy to install and set up as the manufacturers included a well-detailed instruction manual with the package. Besides, the manufacturers also included the mount for the antenna which means you do not have to spend extra money to get one.
Also, this is a durable antenna and we assure you that it will last a long time. One of the reasons for this is because it has a UV resistant casing. Not only that, but it is also weather resistant which means you can leave it in the rain and sun all year long without worry. In conclusion, this is a great antenna but there have been cases where the antenna didn’t work well in areas with poor reception.
Pros
- Durable
- Compact
- It is weather and UV resistant
- It finds signals easily
Cons
- It might not do well in areas with poor reception
5. Winegard SK-SWM3 TRAV’LER DIRECTTV Slimline Antenna
The Winegard SK-SWM3 TRAV’LER DIRECTTV Slimline Antenna is another fantastic RV antenna from the Winegard Company. This RV antenna is one antenna that is capable of finding and locking onto satellite TV channels in any location you are. Also, it is a fully automatic DIRECTTV satellite antenna which means it will scan DIRECTTV stations by itself. Worthy of note too is that it has excellent signal strength. With the Winegard SK-SWM3, rest assured that your antenna will easily pick up signals.
Furthermore, for users of DIRECTTV, this antenna has a feature you’ll like. With this antenna, you’ll be able to watch your DIRECTTV channels in high definition. Again, with this antenna, you get a multiple satellite viewing experience. This allows you to watch various DIRECTTV channels at a time hereby improving your TV experience. Besides, it is compatible with most of the receivers available. However, to be on the safer side, we advise that you check its receiver list to make sure that the one you are buying will work with it.
Also, the manufacturers made this antenna with longevity in mind. This antenna can handle any weather condition which is a plus because most antennas are meant to be outside. Not only that, but it is also sturdy and it can take a lot of impacts too. Besides, it is very heavy which is also because the manufacturers used sturdy materials to make it. However, at 53lbs, we believe that it is too heavy. Finally, this is an antenna that isn’t easy to set up and we advise you get professionals to get it done for you.
Pros
- Durable
- It is an automatic DIRECTV satellite antenna
- It allows you to watch multiple stations at a time
- You can use it with DVRs
Cons
- It is heavy
- You need professionals to set it up
6. KING VQ4500 Tailgater Portable/Roof Mountable Satellite TV Antenna
In choosing the best TV antenna for RV in this article, we focused on antennas from reputable companies. This is one of the reasons the KING VQ4500 Tailgater Satellite TV antenna made it into our list. The KING company are a big brand when it comes to antennas and we couldn’t help but check out another product of theirs. With this antenna, you can choose to sign up for the antenna’s pay as you go service or you can just add it to your DISH service.
Also, this is an automatic satellite antenna as it locates and connects to satellites by itself. Not only that, with this antenna, you will get to watch all your TV stations in high definition. Besides, it doesn’t take long before it finds and delivers these channels. Furthermore, this antenna supports multiple viewing which means you can watch different channels at the same time. Again, this is only possible because it has inbuilt dual coaxial outputs. Also, rest assured that this is one satellite that works everywhere.
Another reason we like this satellite is that the receiver has its own power source. Because of this, you do not need another power source to run the antenna. You can also use it as a portable antenna or you can mount it on your roof permanently. Worthy of note too is that the manufacturers included the mounting feet in the antenna’s packaging. Finally, this TV antenna is on the expensive side.
Pros
- The antenna offers multiple viewing
- Durable
- You can choose to mount it on a roof or use it as a portable antenna
- The receiver powers it
Cons
- It is expensive
7. 1Byone Amplified RV Antenna
Another good TV antenna for RV is the 1byone Amplified RV antenna. This antenna offers a free for life viewing as you do not have to pay for satellite again. Also, the antenna has an Omni-directional 360 degrees reception. Because of this, the antenna will receive signals effectively from all angles without you needing to change the direction the antenna is facing. Also, the antenna is capable of receiving VHF, UHF and FM signals. Besides, it has a range of 70 miles which we can all agree it is impressive.
Furthermore, you do not need a TV antenna booster with this one as it is strong enough to receive signals on its own. The reason for this is that it uses an SMD technology and micro-electronics inbuilt amplifier. Again, it works well in any weather condition. This is because it is waterproof, snow-proof, and UV resistant. Not only that, but it is also designed to have minimum interference. This means that regardless of bad weather, you won’t witness breakage in transmission.
Also, it is easy to install as you need no tools to set it up. Besides, its small size further makes it easy to install. Again, this is a quality product and to attest for this, the manufacturers placed a year warranty on the product. Finally, they also offer a 30-day money-back guarantee on the antenna.
Pros
- It has a range of 70 miles
- Easy to install
- It is weather-resistant
- It has free cable reception
Cons
- None
8. Winegard RV-WING Wingman UHF RV TV Antenna Booster
The last but not the least on our list is the Winegard RV-WING Wingman UHF RV TV Antenna Booster For The Winegard Sensar Batwing. This helps to improve the UHF reception for the Sensar Batwing RV TV antenna by up to 100%. Because of this antenna booster, you will be getting clearer reception on your TV than you normally would. Again, it has free OTA programming that allows you to watch lots of local channels. You get to watch local sports stations, weather reports and other amazing channels for free.
Furthermore, it is easy to install and you need no tools to set the antenna up. Also, it has a small size which makes it easy to handle. However, it doesn’t have a strong frame which means you have to handle it with care. Not only that, it doesn’t perform well during bad weather conditions.
Pros
- It improves UHF reception by up to 100%
- It is easy to install
- You get to watch more local channels
Cons
- It doesn’t do well during bad weather conditions
How To Install RV Antennas?
There is no single way of installing an antenna for RV as each antenna has its methods. This is why most antennas come with their instruction manuals. Make sure you study the manuals well and we are positive that you will grasp the procedure in no time. Here is an example:
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How high should a TV antenna be mounted?
Answer: There is no particular height to place your TV antenna but the higher above the ground the better. But on average, 20 to 30 feet above the ground is the ideal height.
2. Can you connect two antennas?
Answer: Yes you can. To do this, you will need a coaxial cable
3. How can I make my antenna signal stronger?
Answer: You will need to buy an antenna booster
4. What direction should I point my antenna?
Answer: Download the antenna point app as this will show you the direction to point your antenna
5. Why does an antenna work better when touching it?
Answer: This is because, through your body’s electrolyte, the aerial becomes bigger
Conclusion
We are sure that after reading our article on the best TV antenna for RV, you can now make a better buying decision. We also acknowledged that there are thousands of TV antennas to choose from. That is why we selected the 8 best RV antennas and reviewed them for you. We assure you that our choice of TV antennas for RV was made based on quality, durability and ease of use. Regardless of the antenna you finally settle for amongst the ones that made it into our list, rest assured that you won’t regret buying it.
