Adding Technology

TV Antenna Booster

Internet Antenna Booster

As you may have guessed, our favourite RV campgrounds are those situated on or near to a water feature, usually lakes. This often means that we are quite a distance from the nearest town. While that is one of the reasons we prefer the proximity to water, the downside is that our internet and TV reception can be quite poor.

In America RVing is a way of life for many people, so the companies that deal with internet and TV connections have a ready-made market for any gadgets that can improve reception. Fellow campers Trish & Dave suggested we take a look at a Winegard Wingman antenna. With 4 snap-on screws and 1lb weight, the antenna is designed to increase the range of digital TV channels - not only more channels, but less disturbance in transmission. Sometimes you get pixelation or voice drop out if the signal is weak. After researching this site (http://www.winegardwingman.com/) which even has a video clip and thought we would give it a try. For $32 it seems to be worth every penny - or should that be dollar? The staff at the RV store where we purchased it offered to take it back if we weren't satisfied with the outcome.

The internet is my main source of communication so it can be frustrating when researching a topic or doing a skype with family to have a slow connection. Although we have found that on each successive trip to the USA we find the signal strength of our internet connection to be stronger and stronger, and available in remote areas that once ha d no signal. Then again, if for the cost of $30 you can purchase an antenna that sits on top of your RV to improve the signal and improve it from 2 to 4 bars, count me in. For anyone considering to buy a similar item, a Magnetic Mount Antenna with 10' of cable was $20 and the USB Modem Adaptor was $10. We have a similar gadget back home in Oz, and it makes a big difference to our internet connectivity and sanity!