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Old 11-01-2017, 08:38 PM   #1
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THOR #6701
Television cable

We have been having heck getting decent tv reception. We never really had good reception in our previous 5th wheel either. Does anyone use anything other than a standard cable? And while I am at it, does anyone know the reason camp ground pedestals have the cable connector so low? Nearly have the laydown to get most connected.

We have been at one camp ground ( Traverse City Michigan ) that suppied a reciever box and it worked great, but as I recall that was just because the local cable company charged for each hook up so made it impossible to recieve a signal with out paying the extra charge for the box.

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Old 11-01-2017, 09:14 PM   #2
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I personally never count on cable at a RV camp working, but when it does, I barely use it anyway. The last RV camp we visited just outside Santa Barbara, CA had what I would call Rolls Royce pedestals and all the hookups including the cable were several feet off of the ground. Guess it just depends where you end up and how much money was invested in the hook ups.
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Old 11-01-2017, 09:23 PM   #3
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Our luck was very poor when it comes to campground cable. After getting nice HD TVs, we were at best getting SD signals and lots of garbage channels and it felt like a waste of nice TVs. Plus I am very anal about my HD TV as I am now spoiled by it. So we bit the bullet and got Dish Pay-As-You-Go satellite TV and try to maximize that (along with several streaming channels from our AT&T MiFi access point.) Of course, we are rabid sports fans so our programming packages are geared towards sports. You may have different tastes.
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Old 11-01-2017, 09:35 PM   #4
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Cable TV while camping? Is this a great Country; or what?!?
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Old 11-01-2017, 10:00 PM   #5
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Originally Posted by Bob Denman View Post
Cable TV while camping? Is this a great Country; or what?!?
Only if it works
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Old 11-02-2017, 01:32 AM   #6
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When you ask about 'decent' tv reception, are you asking about OTA thru your Jack antenna or cable or both?

For OTA, we use a website called TVFool. Plug in your numbers and it will tell you what's close and what isn't. My experience with the Jack is it's not as good as the Winegard....not enough metal up there. But YMMV.

For cable, our experience has been as you've experienced. When it's free, it's not good. If you pay, it's normally better.

For other stuff....I have carted Dish network and Directv equipment all around the US with great results. The portable dishes are really good and the receivers are small and very transportable. But you have to investigate and check your setup. The new Genie system doesn't work unless you bring the main receiver and the Hopper requires a special antenna.
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Old 11-02-2017, 01:39 AM   #7
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We have found cable so inconsistent from site to site, we now pretty much only use satellite for direct TV. Have the HD SWM system, as long as I'm not under a tree it works great.
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Old 11-02-2017, 11:16 PM   #8
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Thanks for the replys all. I was hoping there was some magic in the cable. We have found our antenna also pretty much useless. I have considered satellite but really was hoping to do without the hassle. Is there anything like a signal booster available for the incoming cable? My knowledge about tv is that it comes on when you push the button, hopefully.
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Old 11-02-2017, 11:44 PM   #9
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I don't know about amplifiers working well with poor cable signal. Mostly they just boost the noise level and the result is one or 2 channels improve, but the others get worse. Again, YMMV. I'm sure some folks find them to be an improvement. An amp may help the Jack antenna...but supposedly it has one already.

Another option I didn't mention was Roku or some other streaming device. If your internet or even mobile hotspot can provide 3mbs or better, you have a lot of options with the Roku. I'm currently looking at that as a solution for my travels.

Also, Dish network, with a Flex Plan gives you 50+ channels for $38. IF you have the receiver and dish....and they are an additional $400. So that would be for the long term investment.

As you are finding out, not a lot of options when you travel away from civilization.
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Old 11-03-2017, 12:05 PM   #10
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Originally Posted by mountainsam View Post
Only if it works
Awww, C'mon....
If it took T.V. to make the trip worthwhile: we'd all just stay home...

A really long time ago: we were camping during the Apollo 11 mission.
We came out and drove home to watch the landing.
It's Sooooo... much easier today!
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Old 11-03-2017, 12:22 PM   #11
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Originally Posted by mountainsam View Post
Thanks for the replys all. I was hoping there was some magic in the cable. We have found our antenna also pretty much useless. I have considered satellite but really was hoping to do without the hassle. Is there anything like a signal booster available for the incoming cable? My knowledge about tv is that it comes on when you push the button, hopefully.
Actually there is a signal booster with the over the air(OTA) antenna, which should be turned off when you hook up to cable. You did state you had a 5th wheel before, so I am assuming you have been turning the booster on off and scanning for channels from within the TV. Even on cable hookup you need to scan for channels. Without the external digital box some cable companies are sending digital channels over their cable. But as others have stated, normally the cable hookup does not supply the best quality of TV reception.
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Old 11-03-2017, 12:40 PM   #12
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But as others have stated, normally the cable hookup does not supply the best quality of TV reception.
It's like a trip back in time: Television in the 1950's!
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Old 11-03-2017, 01:02 PM   #13
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It's like a trip back in time: Television in the 1950's!
Exactly, but then, because of the analog signals, you could at least watch with a lot of added snow. I remember it was quite the event to have the whole family and less unfortunate neighbours (who could not afford to buy a TV) to gather around the black and white TV set to watch. And the nay sayers then said, "It would never replace the motion picture theaters".
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Old 11-03-2017, 03:14 PM   #14
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Speaking of amplifiers, does anyone know where the switch is for the Jack antenna amp in a Gemini 23TR?

So far, it escapes me.......
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Old 11-03-2017, 05:31 PM   #15
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I thought the campground service was the issue with my snowy pictures. Until I tried to run high speed internet over the same line and couldn't...

Turned out it was the line IN my RV that was the issue - somewhere between the rear external connection and the switchbox. Wouldn't even 'ping' a good connection down the line... Bypassing that line gave nice crisp picture and high speed internet.

Not saying it is never the campground - but if you always have an issue with cable - check out the line in your rig too.
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Old 11-03-2017, 05:37 PM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jnjrappe View Post
Speaking of amplifiers, does anyone know where the switch is for the Jack antenna amp in a Gemini 23TR?

So far, it escapes me.......
Sorry Jim, I don’t. But in our Challenger it’s above the microwave, in cabinet with the DVD player and video switcher. It’s out of sight, mounted on the wall to the left. I only found it because someone posted it here in another thread. I wouldn’t be surprised if yours is in a similar location.
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Old 11-03-2017, 06:19 PM   #17
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DOH! Ok, found it. It was on the additional outlet in the cabinet over the frig.

My only excuse is that it was dark and hard to see......
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Old 11-03-2017, 06:22 PM   #18
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Congratulations on finding it!
I wonder what you'll be looking for next?
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Old 11-03-2017, 06:51 PM   #19
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Glad you found it!
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Old 11-04-2017, 08:57 PM   #20
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Peterrrr View Post
Actually there is a signal booster with the over the air(OTA) antenna, which should be turned off when you hook up to cable. You did state you had a 5th wheel before, so I am assuming you have been turning the booster on off and scanning for channels from within the TV. Even on cable hookup you need to scan for channels. Without the external digital box some cable companies are sending digital channels over their cable. But as others have stated, normally the cable hookup does not supply the best quality of TV reception.
Yeah, been scanning as well as pushing that little red button. Just crummy reception.

Talking about snow, we didn't get tv until the mid 50's and then just two channels poorly. Also lived in a small town on the WY and CO border in the 70's, TV was usually so snowy we could barely make out figures, but still watched.
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