For many caravanners, kicking back with free-to-air television is a regular thing after a long day on the road. But beyond just entertainment, regional TV offers something streaming services such as Starlink can’t – a real connection to the local community. Whether it’s regional news, sports or events, tuning into local broadcasts helps travellers feel more grounded in the places they visit.
But here’s the catch: getting reliable reception isn’t just about plugging in a TV. It all comes down to having the right antenna, one that’s built for Australia’s unique transmission standards. Without it, you risk fuzzy signals, missing channels, or no reception at all.
OUR ANTENNA WAKE-UP CALL
Our five-year-old caravan came factory-fitted with a quality wind-up antenna. It wasn’t until we recently travelled through remote Australia with friends that we noticed something odd. Their caravans were picking up more channels than ours. The difference? They had a more modern antenna that was specifically designed for Australian conditions.
Our setup used a wind-up antenna that required manual rotation to point toward the nearest transmission tower. This type, known as a directional antenna, only receives signals from one direction. So when we camped between two regional towers, we could only pick-up one town’s broadcasts, missing out on the other entirely.
To complicate things further, Australia’s broadcast towers use two types of signal polarisation. About 60 per cent are horizontal, and 40 per cent are vertical. Unlike in the US, where all signals are horizontally polarised, Australia’s mixed system means some imported antennas simply don’t perform as well here.
And then there’s the noise. Wind-up antennas can rattle and hum through the night, making sleep a challenge. Twice, we even forgot to lower the antenna before driving off, resulting in damage and eventual failure. The system was due for a modern upgrade.
ENTER THE VANTENNA
After sharing my frustrations with GoRV editor Max Taylor, he introduced me to VanTenna, a product from Australian company Cowfish Technologies. Founded by fellow traveller and radio frequency expert Evert Smit, Cowfish was born out of the same reception woes we faced. Evert’s solution? A purpose-built antenna for Australian conditions.
VanTenna is a sleek, dome-shaped, omnidirectional antenna that receives signals from all directions, no pointing or rotating required. Even better, it’s engineered to pick-up both horizontal and vertical signals, ensuring maximum coverage wherever you park.
Swapping out our old antenna was surprisingly simple. With a few household tools and a tube of silicone, we removed the old unit and installed the VanTenna in just a few hours. The most time-consuming part? Cleaning the roof to ensure a proper seal. Cowfish offers two VanTenna models:
- One for new builds or complete replacement of your existing antenna; and
- One designed to retrofit existing setups using your current cabling and leaving your existing antenna mechanism in place.
The Cowfish website provides clear guidance to help you choose the right option for your needs.
GEN 2 VANTENNA
Cowfish Technologies has recently upgraded the VanTenna to the generation 2 unit used for my installation. Not only does the gen 2 VanTenna provide even further reception range compared to the gen 1 unit, it now comes in glossy black or white to blend in with your caravan’s colour scheme.
MY VERDICT
My experience so far can be summed up in four words: seamless viewing, peaceful nights.
Since installing the VanTenna, our TV experience has improved. Whether we’re at a roadside stop or a bustling caravan park, reception is consistently strong. No more wind-up hassles, no more signal hunting, and best of all no more sleepless nights from antenna wind noise.
Here’s a bonus: I can now hit the road without worrying about lowering the antenna. One less thing to remember, and one more reason to love life on the road.
More information: www.Cowfish.com.au
