When it comes to enjoying satellite television in your caravan, you have a few questions to ask yourself.
- What is my budget?
- What is the roof of my Caravan constructed of?
- Do I want an automatic,fitted manual or fully manual system?
- Do I need a Satellite system or Freeview?
I will take a look at the above questions and try to give you an honest answer to each.
What Is My Budget?
This is a question that we all need to ask in the current economic climate. To answer a question with a question I would say, how much value do you place on having satellite television in your caravan. In addition you may also want to consider the value the satellite system may add to your caravan should you sell it or on the other side of the coin, how much will the purchaser of your caravan deduct for the damage caused as a result of the removal of the satellite system.
You must remember that installation of a fully automatic satellite system will cause some minor damage to the roof of your vehicle if you intend to keep the existing antenna. The damage I refer to is a small hole through which the satellite coax and control cable will be run. However, if you decide that you are going to remove the existing antenna then this is not a problem as the existing hole may be used.
What is the roof of my Caravan constructed of?
This is another very important question as this will determine the type of system you will be able to have.
The roof of most UK caravans are constructed using a sandwich technique consisting of an aluminium skin, a layer of foam and an inner layer of fibre board or thin wood. This provides a warm and lightweight surface that is ridged enough for use in the caravan roof. However, this does not provide an ideal load bearing structure for the installation of a heavy automatic satellite system. Therefore the weight of the satellite system you intend to fit is a critical factor.
You must always take advice from the manufacturer before you install anything to roof of your caravan!
Do I want an automatic,fitted manual or fully manual system?
Well the choice is yours, but please take into account the section above. "What is the roof of my caravan constructed of?"
Below you will find details of the different types of system.
Automatic Satellite System.
An automatic satellite system is the easiest system to use and will not need any knowledge of how to locate a satellite. The unit is usually operated with the simple push of a button and can be used by anyone. Most systems weigh between 9 and 19 kilos. The system is installed to the roof of the vehicle and can not be removed unless it is being transferred to another vehicle.
Fitted Manual Satellite System.
The fitted manual system is also permanently installed to the roof of your caravan but is also fitted to the side of a cupboard for extra security. The fitted manual system is usually lighter and requires the user to locate the satellite by using a sat finder of similar device. Some of the fitted manual systems are semi automatic in as much as the elevation part of the system is motor powered. You will have to set the elevation of either type of unit and turn the system by hand.
Manual Satellite System.
A lot of people prefer this type of system as it offers a economic and mobile solution. The manual system is available in several different formats. Some systems have a pivot at the base which is used to set the elevation and some have a solid base with the elevation being set by a screw thread.
One thing is for sure, any system that you choose will take a little getting used to. I must advise anyone using a manual satellite system to try setting it up before you go away. Don't be caught out at the caravan site trying to set up your system in the rain for an hour or so.
Do I need a Satellite System or Freeview?
This really links all the sections together as I am asked this question several times a week.
Simple answer is NO! You do not need a satellite system to watch television in your caravan as the UK is currently changing over to digital and it should be in place by 2012. The Government is currently in the process of pushing the digital switch-over through and it is expected to cover MOST of the UK when its finished.
The only thing I would say is that if you intend to take your SKY box from home you have no alternative but to use a satellite dish or if you go to a place that is not in MOST of the UK, you should not expect to be able to watch TV.
The alternative to FREEVIEW is FREESAT.
FREESAT was introduced following the realisation that digital would not be able to cover all of the UK. This was a little bit of a shock to the FREEVIEW people so they introduced FREESAT. FREESAT is the satellite equivalent of FREEVIEW but is able to carry a lot more channels and more information like HD.
So to sum it all up.
This is a little check-list for you.
- If you own a caravan you must first establish your budget. Are you going for Manual or Automatic?
- Once this is done you need to contact the manufacturers and find out if the roof of your caravan can stand the weight.
- Choose a system for your vehicle with the feature you want.
- Install your equipment.
Some Recommended products for you to start from.
The Multimo Satellite System.
This system is one of the easiest systems I have every used and think its a great point for anyone new to satellite to start. i have done a little video for you and it can be viewed on the product page here - MULTIMO SATELLITE SYSTEM or the Complete kit with everything you will need to get started MULTIMO SATELLITE KIT.
The Automatic Satellite System I would choose is the Camos Dome system as the unit only weighs around 9kgs. Here you can view the Camos Dome Satellite System
