Are you struggling to find a signal on your caravan TV?
There’s nothing more frustrating when you’re trying to watch your favourite programmes. However, there is an easy solution. Get your hands on a decent caravan TV antenna and you won’t have to worry about a dodgy connection ever again.
Of course, that’s easier said than done. If you’re not familiar with different signal types, then how are you going to know what’s the best caravan TV aerial? There are several models on the market that suit various styles of camping vehicles.
Don’t worry, I’m here to help you. Let’s take a look at some different units. I hope by the end of this article you’ll find the best caravan TV antenna for you.
| King Jack Digital HDTV Outdoor TV Antenna | Winegard FreeVision Sensar HV Retrofit Kit | Foldaway Standard Caravan TV Antenna | Winegard Sensar Amplified Antenna Inc Euro Jack |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Our pick  |  |  |  | |
*Using coupon CRCSAVE20 | ||||
Base plate/Pole | Base plate/Pole | Fold Out | Aluminium Lift | |
VHF & UHF | Analogue, SD & HD | Analogue & Digital | VHF & UHF | |
240V | N/A | N/A | N/A | |
12V | 12V | N/A | 12V | |
N/A | 3.1 kg | 1.6 kg | 5 kg | |
1 year | 1 year labour, 2 year parts | 1 year | 1 year labour, 2 year parts |
Best Caravan TV Antennas Australia
King Jack Digital HDTV Outdoor TV Antenna
Our Pick
King Jack has burst onto the market with a range of quality but affordable aerials and antennas for your caravan TV.
The brand prides themselves on their durable products. Designed to be robust, UVF resistant, weatherproof, and resistant to rust, they’re perfect for Australia’s inhospitable conditions. Meanwhile, the price makes this caravan TV antenna very attractive compared to many of its rivals.
It has a built-in amplifier to maximise your TV connection. It doesn’t matter if it's VHF or UHF, this caravan antenna can do both. This means that it’s very easy to connect to digital stations wherever you are in Australia.
Meanwhile, the antenna rotates 360 degrees to achieve the best signal.
Reviews are positive. Previous customers say that this is the best caravan antenna because it is so easy to install and picks up signals without a fuss.
Another positive is that the King Jack caravan antenna can replace older Winegard units. Winegard antennas are much more expensive so if you’re on a budget you can make a massive saving.
Winegard FreeVision Sensar HV Retrofit Antenna Kit
Runner Up
The first thing to know about this Winegard antenna is that you need to attach it to an existing mast. If you don’t have one, this is a flaw but it is a cheaper and effective replacement for older Winegard and Antennatalk antennas.
It’s extremely easy to install. Just bolt it to your existing mast and away you go. Customers agree that the signal quality is very high and the overall quality of the materials is excellent. They also praised the fast service and delivery.
This caravan antenna is bi-directional so you can pick up vertical and horizontal signals. It’s also versatile because it receives analogue, SD, and HD signals. Meanwhile, you can also easily pick up free-to-air channels so you’ll never miss the footy. At just over 3kg it’s not particularly heavy either.
However, this is an expensive piece of kit. The caravan TV antenna retails for about $350 so make sure you need it before you buy it. The King Jack may provide better value at a much lower price point.
Foldaway Standard Caravan TV Antenna with 4m Cable
Runner Up
One of the best aspects of this antenna by Foldaway is that it’s made in Australia.
The company is based on the Sunshine Coast and they’re very aware of their market’s requirements. If you’re planning on going off-grid then this just might be the best caravan antenna because of its simplicity.
However, if you're planning on going to a regular camping site and staying there for a week or two you might want to invest in something more sophisticated, as that isn’t this antenna’s forte.
Foldaway have deliberately made this antenna deliberately easy to use and robust. With four metres of cable, this mast is designed to pick up horizontal and vertical transmissions of both digital and analog grids. It’s also very light so it’s very easy to maneuver and install, unlike a some of the other beasts on this list.
Foldaway recommends it for caravans, wind up camper vans, flip over trailers, pop-up A vans and tall motorhomes.
Winegard Sensar Amplified Antenna Inc Euro Jack
Honourable Mention
Winegard is a brand leader so you’re paying for quality control and assurance. This rooftop antenna works effectively. Mounted on a rugged aluminium lift, you can move it up and down with ease from inside your van. This is a very appealing feature.
The company claims that it has a range of about 88km so you should be able to pick up a signal in most situations. It’s also VHF and UHF receptive so it should work everywhere in Australia.
Winegard has got you covered with this unit even if you plan on venturing off the beaten track. This antenna is powder-coated for enhanced durability. Every Winegard caravan aerial and antenna is UV resistant and passes environmental testing, which is critical for us Aussie caravanners.
Realistically, the price may put people off but you get what you pay for. There’s no doubt that this is one of the best-performing antennas in its class. It will cost you about $350, however, so do keep that in mind.
What to Consider When Buying a Caravan Antenna
There are several factors to consider before you buy a caravan TV antenna or aerial. Let’s run through these now so you understand everything.
What Type of Caravan Aerial?
Firstly, there are two main types of caravan aerial. It’s important to know which is the best caravan TV aerial for your needs.
Omnidirectional aerials, like the Winegard Sensar Amplified Antenna, are extremely easy to use. Place it on the roof and plug it in. These are great if you’re on the move a lot. However, the downside is that they can’t focus in a single direction, which is a handy feature when in an area with poor signal.
Directional antennas are great if you’re on a caravan site. You can point it manually or program it to point toward the strongest signal. They take more effort to set up so they might be too much hassle if you’re on tour and changing location every night. King Jack and Winegard are both great options here.
UHF/VHF
These are two important acronyms that you need to know when choosing a caravan TV aerial. UHF stands for ultra-high frequency while VHF is short for very high frequency.
If you’re playing high-definition content then you’re probably connected to a UHF frequency. On the other hand, VHF is more likely to play regular-definition content.
These days most antennas are designed to be able to pick up both. However, when comparing products, it pays to double check this, otherwise you might end up with a product that doesn’t satisfy your needs.
VHF frequencies tend to be more common in Australia’s major cities while smaller towns and isolated regions use UHF frequencies.
Amplifier
Amplifiers won’t help your caravan TV antenna to find a signal that isn’t there. But they do provide a powerful boost if you’re in an area of shaky connection. King Jack’s caravan aerial comes with one at an excellent price point.
The only thing worse than no connection is a shaky connection. Nobody wants the TV to lose its signal before your footy team scores! An amplifier reduces the likelihood of your TV losing signal.
Ease Of Installation
If you’re not confident with your DIY skills then you may want to take your caravan to a respected dealership before drilling holes in it.
Many people aren’t confident with setting these up on their own and may require assistance. Similarly, you might be unsure if your TV is compatible with the antenna.
That’s perfectly understandable and shouldn’t prevent you from enjoying the same experience as everybody else. Depending on the type of caravan aerial antenna, it may require a little more nous. The Winegard FreeVision is an excellent caravan antenna but it can be trickier to install.
If in doubt, get somebody to help you install your antenna.
Connectivity
It may be possible to connect more than one TV to your caravan antenna. If this is something that you require then remember to check it before buying one.
You can use a splitter to distribute the signal to two different TVs if the antenna supports the function. Not every unit will be able to provide this so do your research in case you end up disappointed.
It may also be possible to split the signal between a TV and radio at the same time.
Key Points To Consider When Using Your Aerial
Even with the best antenna out there, you still need to consider the points below when setting up, otherwise you might end up with a patchy signal or worse - none at all!
Line of Sight
When you’re setting up your antenna it’s important to have a good line of sight. If you park underneath a tree or on the ridge of a hill, there’s a possibility that you won’t have a strong connection.
Bear in mind that there needs to be a line of sight between the signal tower and your antenna. Even other camping vehicles can interfere with it so be careful if you park up next to a big RV.
Ask to change pitch if you think there is some obstacle impeding your reception.
Weather Effect
Unfortunately, the weather is beyond our control. Inclement conditions are a camper’s worst nightmare. It can also hurt the ability of a caravan TV antenna to pick up a signal.
Heavy rain and fog can distort a signal and cause it to become pixelated. Meanwhile, strong winds are a menace to aerials for obvious reasons.
Even the sun can cause long term deterioration. That’s why the likes of King Jack provide UV resistance to ensure that their products survive the harsh Australian summer. Make sure you check the weather before you spend half an hour setting up your caravan antenna.
Don’t Forget
There are horror stories of people damaging or losing their aerials when driving away. Remember to secure your aerial before leaving site, and that a fitted aerial may increase the total height of your vehicle - take when entering car parks or driving under trees, otherwise you may destroy your aerial!
This can be especially rough if you’ve just dropped $300 on a new Winegard aerial.
Another thing to keep in mind is that caravan antennas are prone to theft. Secure yours to your vehicle properly, or stow it in your van when not in use to reduce this risk.
If you do leave it on top of your van, at least be sure to keep it under a waterproof caravan cover - this protects it from the elements and reduces the likelihood of theft.
Final Thoughts
Over 90% of Australian camping vehicle owners have a TV in their van. However, many people don’t get caravan aerials because they don’t understand how they work, which one to buy and how to install them properly.
I hope that we’ve managed to demystify these concepts for you in this guide!
If you want a good signal for a great price, the King Jack blows away the competition. It’s over $200 cheaper than a brand-new Winegard caravan antenna. That kind of saving is extraordinary considering that it offers similar features.
However, for simplicity and ease of use we do recommend the Winegard Sensar Amplified Antenna. While it isn’t cheap, it’s very effective. Meanwhile, the brand reputation and warranty make this a trustworthy purchase.
If you have any questions about the best caravan TV aerial or want to know anything else about this topic please leave a comment below!
If you are interested in powering your caravan TV while off the grid, take a look at this guide on the best caravan solar panels in Australia!
Does anyone know where I can get a replacement SATURN OMNI 3000 for my caravan? It is on a swing pole that lies horizontal when travelling and powers to the vertical position from inside the van when in use.
Note: the SATURN OMNI 3000 is a TV antenna.
Hi is the king jack white model better than the older black version if so why
Cheers
John
Hi will the king jack fit the existing mechanism of the black jack?
Hi
I have a 3yr old caravan with a winegard antenna (wind up and down and rotates). I have been away with a friend who has a signal commander (LPDA 200) antenna on his van.
His antenna seems to have nil issues picking up TV channels were I have issues picking up channels in regional areas.
Does the King Jack antenna perform better than the winegard one and secondly can it use the same hole used by the winegard.
Lastly does the King Jack antenna fold down to as low as the winegard
I have just been given a HW-DT8 mark 3, how well do you rate this antenna???
We are going to purchase a caravan or motor home, we will be new to carvaning and we are retired and going to SKI as much as we can.
Cheers
Can a king jack antena be connected to an old wineguard aerial
Being able to recieve both horizontal and vertical signals in Australia is a real necessity if your getting out of the city. I dont think your testing takes this point into to much consideration. Only one of the tested antennas seems to support both these signals
I purchased a Foldaway antenna around a year ago. Wouldn’t have bothered had I known better at the time. First issue is when the arms are folded out they make great landing places for birds which the lower the arms. Tried tightening, still no good. Strung support lines between them, still no good. Will probably bin it and invest in a more sturdy unit.
Second issue. Unless you are in a strong signal area even with an amplifier, the reception is not great.
king jack would not out the city in s ern aust . new van . friends who had kings had to change them.
Bought the King Jack Digital HDTV antenna, worthless, totally useless, no support from King Jack, returned it and got a refund.