by Joshua Thomas
Camping is fun, no doubt, but that doesn't mean you can't enjoy television as well. Installing an RV antenna will enable you to enjoy the best of both worlds: Nature and Television.
An RV antenna allows you to watch different local shows from different television stations along the way, and you can also keep up with the rest of the world and with your favorite shows through satellite if that's what you want.
There are certain issues that you'll need to consider when making your choice and that's what this RV antennas review presents you with, as well as a list of the top offers in the market. the Best RV Antenna
Contents
| IMAGE | PRODUCT | FEATURES |
|---|---|---|
 | 1. Winegard RVW-395 Sensar (Best Overall) |
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 | 2. Winegard RV-Wing |
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 | 3. King OA8300 |
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 | 4. Winegard Pathway PA-6002 |
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 | 5. Antop AT-414B |
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 | 6. King DT4400 |
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 | 7. Winegard PL-7000 Playmaker |
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The Winegard RVW-395 is one of the best portable RV antennas that you can get for over-the-air television reception. It's designed for both VHF and UHF reception and does well for both SD and HD channels.
This antenna's reception is also impressive, as it can pick up TV signals from up to 55 miles away. In addition to that, it includes a lift system that lets you raise it from 4 inches up to 30 inches high for better reception.
For its cons, the lift system works by hand cranking, it includes some plastic parts, and you can't receive satellite networks with it.
It, however, comes with a powder-coating that makes it very durable, it includes a 75-Ohm amplifier for crystal clear images, and Winegard backs it with a 2-year warranty.
Pros
Cons
Winegard antennas are one of the best RV antennas with an impressive range but UHF signals often suffer more distortion than VHF signals because of their shorter wavelength.
So, when you find yourself in a low signal area, you'll probably lose more UHF signals than VHF ones, and the solution is a UHF signal booster, which is what Winegard offers here.
The downsides are that it only works on Winegard antenna and it only boosts UHF signals. It, however, doubles the UHF reception of your previously installed Winegard Sensar antenna and lets you watch a lot more over-the-air stations for free.
Pros
Cons
If you already got an RV antenna and are just looking for the best digital RV antenna to upgrade it with, then this King OA8300 offer provides you with the perfect upgrade antenna kit.
It comes with a sleek design and an ultra-high gain amplify to boost your over-the-air television reception while including HD digital channels.
The con here is that there's no mount in the package because it's designed to replace older antennas. King, however, offers an option to get this antenna with a mount.
It includes mounting brackets for RV or home use, comes with power supply, and its sleek and small design also means less wind resistance.
Pros
Cons
The Winegard PA-6002 is a satellite tracking and receiver system designed specifically for the DISH satellite network and its aim is to make satellite reception on the go easy and affordable.
All you need to do is to set it up and it does the rest. It's also programmed to hook up to either the satellites in the eastern or western arcs, for when a side gets blocked by trees, for instance.
Although it's a top-rated RV antenna, it doesn't come with a mount, so you'll need to buy it separately. Also, you can only use it when you're stationary and only with the DISH network.
Else, it's an affordable way to receive satellite television wherever you are. All you need to do is to set your state and the Pathway X2 will do the rest.
Pros
Cons
One major problem with VHF/UHF RV antennas is their size, which creates many problems while the RV is on the road. So, an outdoor RV antenna needs to come as small as possible, while maintaining a high level of signal reception.
This Antop AT-414B omnidirectional antenna is exactly that. It features a compact size and design, which eliminates wind load, does not cause any obstruction, and is additionally very efficient.
It can receive signals from up to 65 miles away without needing you to turn it around for the best reception in any way. This comes from its signal booster switch for its Smartpass amplifier and its 4G filter that blocks all interference from mobile phones and wireless networks.
The downside is that you can get cheaper VHF/UHF digital TV antennas elsewhere, but they're probably not gonna be as cool and efficient.
Pros
Cons
With King's DT4400, you get a compact and easy to use satellite RV antenna that you can take with you anywhere in the continental U.S.
It weighs only eight pounds and all it needs is a clear view of the southern skies to connect automatically to DISH satellites. It doesn't need a remote or any extra controller except your DISH receiver.
Unlike the Winegard Pathway receiver above, this offer works with only one receiver and not two, but it also costs less and so makes up for it. King also designed it strictly for the DISH network, although it receives both SD and HD programming.
King builds it with tough weather-resistant materials for long service life, so you can mount it permanently on your roof and forget about it. The package also includes 35 ft. of coaxial cable.
Pros
Cons
This Winegard Playmaker PL-7000 offer is the most affordable satellite RV antenna in this review, but it's also a high-quality product because Winegard makes some of the best RV antennas.
Measuring just 16 inches in diameter, it's a compact antenna that you can either carry around or permanently fix on your roof for a steady and always ready signal reception.
The downside is that you'll need to separately buy Winegard's RK-4000 roof-mount kit. Else, Winegard also offers an optional tripod mount for ordinary use.
If you don't already own a receiver, then you can also choose a second option that comes bundled with a DISH receiver. The package includes a 25-ft. coaxial cable.
Pros
Cons
You may find it a little difficult understanding the different terms used above, especially if you're new to the subject. There are a few things that you'll need to know first about RV antennas so you can make an informed decision when making your choice.
Following are these important factors to understand and keep in mind when choosing an RV antenna.
There are many differences between the different RV antennas out there and one of the major differences is the antenna's installation site. Some are for indoor use, while others are for outdoor use, with each type having its pros and cons.
Indoor antennas are usually convenient because you can install them on the dash or any other position that you like inside the RV and not worry about it much. Their disadvantage, however, is that they generally have a shorter reception range.
Outdoor antennas, however, are generally bigger and have a wider reception than indoor antennas. Their disadvantage is that they are often too high for certain roads and you may have to reposition or take them down from time to time.
Another major difference between antennas is the type of broadcast signals they're designed for. There are VHF/UHF antennas for instance, and there are satellite antennas. Also, HDTV is an acronym which stands for High-Definition Television and as the name suggests, it means television transmissions with crystal clear images.
VHF stands for Very High Frequency, while UHF stands for Ultra High Frequency. These two frequency ranges are for local television companies to broadcast their programs, with many of them in HDTV format.
You should note that given the wavelength differences of VHF and UHF signals, some antennas might only work well with UHF or with VHF signals, while some other antennas work well with both signals.
Coming to satellite, you'll need a satellite dish to receive satellite TV signals. The dish concentrates the signals and improves its quality, so a bigger dish will always produce better pictures. As with local TV broadcasts, some satellite channels are also broadcast in crystal clear HDTV.
This one too is important. Do you want to receive any free television or are you particular about a paid option? If you just want to watch free TV, then a VHF/UHF antenna will do.
If you want to keep up with your favorite TV shows, for instance, then a satellite antenna and decoder will solve the problem. Keep in mind that you'll very likely need to subscribe to the satellite network as well.
RV antennas are best as compact and lightweight as possible, so you need to get the smallest and lightest antenna that you can get without breaking the bank.
Also important is signal reception because an antenna that sacrifices quality signals for a compact design isn't worth very much.
Most RV antennas are from plastic but some get made from aluminum. If you're getting an indoor antenna, then a plastic one is okay, but if you're considering an outdoor antenna, then you might want to consider an aluminum antenna or a plastic one that's made from good weather-resistant material.
The reason is that aluminum antennas are sturdier than plastic ones, plus aluminum will neither rust from rains or bend from extreme winds.
Most indoor VHF/UHF antennas are generally easy to install. Outdoor installation, however, can get messy, especially if it's a satellite receiver.
It's left for you here to know what you can and can't handle because you are the one that know your skill level when it comes to the installation. Feel free to either select an automatic antenna that you can install on your own or to have whatever you bought installed by a professional.
RV antennas are specially designed for recreational vehicles and so, some offers include one extra or the other that you may find useful on the road. One such feature is WiFi capability. Another is automatic adjustments and so on. It's left for you here to choose what's right for you.
Read More: 6 Best Wifi Booster for RV
KING OA8500 Jack HDTV Directional Over-the-Air Antenna with Mount and Signal Finder - - Walmart Link
Winegard RZ-6035 Rayzar z1 RV TV Antenna (HD, Digital, 4K Ready, ATSC 3.0 Ready) - Black - Walmart Link
1byone Outdoor TV Antenna 360° Omni-Directional Reception Long 100+ Miles Range Enhance - Walmart Link
Winegard Pathway X2 PA6002R Satellite TV Antenna and DISH Wally Receiver Bundle (Dual - Walmart Link
Winegard RVW-395 Sensar IV White DTV/HD TV Antenna - Walmart Link
KING VQ4100 Quest Portable/Roof Mountable Satellite TV Antenna (for use with DIRECTV) - Walmart Link
Winegard White Company PL-7000 Dish Playmaker Portable Antenna - Walmart Link
Winegard LNA-200 Boost XT HDTV Preamplifier, TV Antenna Amplifier Signal Booster, HD - Walmart Link
KING OA8300 Jack Replacement Head HDTV Directional Over-the-Air Antenna - White - Walmart Link
Winegard SK-SWM3 TRAV'LER DIRECTV Slimline Antenna - Walmart Link
KING VQ4500 Tailgater Portable/Roof Mountable Satellite TV Antenna (for use with DISH) , - Walmart Link
Winegard RS-3000 RoadStar Amplified Digital HD RV TV Antenna (4K Ultra-HD Ready, ATSC 3.0 - Walmart Link
1byone Amplified RV Antenna with Omni-directional 360° Reception, 70 Miles Outdoor HDTV - Walmart Link
Winegard 24130 RVW-205 Sensar IV with Wingman - Replacement Head Only, White - Walmart Link
KING OA8500 Jack HDTV Directional Over-the-Air Antenna with Mount and Signal Finder - - eBay Link
Winegard RZ-6035 Rayzar z1 RV TV Antenna (HD, Digital, 4K Ready, ATSC 3.0 Ready) - Black - eBay Link
1byone Outdoor TV Antenna 360° Omni-Directional Reception Long 100+ Miles Range Enhance - eBay Link
Winegard Pathway X2 PA6002R Satellite TV Antenna and DISH Wally Receiver Bundle (Dual - eBay Link
Winegard RVW-395 Sensar IV White DTV/HD TV Antenna - eBay Link
KING VQ4100 Quest Portable/Roof Mountable Satellite TV Antenna (for use with DIRECTV) - eBay Link
Winegard White Company PL-7000 Dish Playmaker Portable Antenna - eBay Link
Winegard LNA-200 Boost XT HDTV Preamplifier, TV Antenna Amplifier Signal Booster, HD - eBay Link
KING OA8300 Jack Replacement Head HDTV Directional Over-the-Air Antenna - White - eBay Link
Winegard SK-SWM3 TRAV'LER DIRECTV Slimline Antenna - eBay Link
KING VQ4500 Tailgater Portable/Roof Mountable Satellite TV Antenna (for use with DISH) , - eBay Link
Winegard RS-3000 RoadStar Amplified Digital HD RV TV Antenna (4K Ultra-HD Ready, ATSC 3.0 - eBay Link
1byone Amplified RV Antenna with Omni-directional 360° Reception, 70 Miles Outdoor HDTV - eBay Link
Winegard 24130 RVW-205 Sensar IV with Wingman - Replacement Head Only, White - eBay Link
We've come to the end of this RV antennas review and you've seen all the interesting offers out there. From height-adjustable batwing antennas to cool UFO-styled ones. You've also seen the best satellite RV antennas, including the large and the small.
It's now left for you to make your choice from this range of top antennas because it's only you that know exactly what's needed in your RV.
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About Joshua Thomas
Joshua Thomas just simply loves cars and willing to work on them whenever there's chance... sometimes for free.
He started CarCareTotal back in 2017 from the advices of total strangers who witnessed his amazing skills in car repairs here and there.
His goal with this creation is to help car owners better learn how to maintain and repair their cars; as such, the site would cover alot of areas: troubleshooting, product recommendations, tips & tricks.
Joshua received Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering at San Diego State University.
Just Car Care
