Best TV antenna for RV | Comparison & Buyer’s Guide

TV antennas for RVs and campers have been changing with the time. Originally, a similar system was quite a rare thing, due to its complicated design. Besides, it was offered at a high cost despite its ultra-low signal range. Nowadays, a TV antenna is an integral part of any RV system. It opens an opportunity to watch dozens of HD TV channels at any corner of our country while on the road. This article would be a real help for those who need some tips regarding selection of the best option for getting a decent TV signal reception when travelling in RVs.

What is the best RV TV antenna? The best options on the modern market offer advanced TV solutions for RV-ing lifestyle. Nowadays, both satellite dish and over-the-air models do their best in terms of signal range and performance to watch a variety of channels both in SD and HD quality. Commonly, RV TV antennas come in a portable and sleek design. Besides, they are made of durable materials to withstand any weather conditions which you may encounter being on the way in your RV.

Best TV antenna for RV Comparison

Types of TV antennas suitable for RVs: Indoor and Outdoor, Active and Passive, Satellite and Terrestrial

The modern portable and in-motion TV antennas can ensure the acquisition of a bright-crystal reception in your RV; similarly they can be used for campers and travel trailers providing an exceptional number of TV channels. In general, all models are designed from durable materials to withstand multiple ambient exposures. Nevertheless, there are plenty of models on the current market which differ in design, sizes and types of signal. Let’s review these types to help you to understand, which option would be the best one for you.

It is the Winegard which offers the widest lineup of reliable TV antennas suitable for RVs, campers and traveling trailers. This brand with more than 60-year history is famous within the U.S. as the manufacturer and supplier of connectivity equipment and services for residential- and professional-grade purposes. They have a stellar reputation among the customers due to their commitment to continuous innovations and improvement of their cutting-edge antenna technologies.

Indoor vs. Outdoor

So, firstly you have to decide whether you need an outdoor or indoor RV TV antenna. Nowadays, outdoor RV antennas are more common on the market due to their functional capabilities. The outdoor options are usually bigger in size but ensure better signal reception than the indoor models. Nevertheless, the outdoor antennas may be exposed to various (not always favorable) ambient conditions and natural obstructions like leaves, debris, or branches which may cause signal decay. For instance, the WINEGARD RZ-8500 RAYZAR AUTOMATIC HD ANTENNA comes in a dome-shaped all-weather design, thus shielding its internal core components.

Indoor antennas are less common on the current market; but they can be a decent variant for the situations when you plan to travel within the area of the strong signal coverage. Usually, indoor models are simple in design and less expensive in comparison with the comprehensive outdoor alternatives. Also, you may prefer an indoor option if you do not aspire for the HD quality. For this purpose, you should simply arrange it near or on top of your TV. Here in this article, we would focus on the long-distance RV TV antennas which may ensure an exclusive bright-crystal HD quality.

Active vs. Passive

The main difference between OTA active and passive models is in the presence of an amplifier which can be integrated or included as a stand-alone unit. Amplified or active-type antennas are perfect for those who live in rural areas as they have an ability to improve a weak signal coming from a TV broadcasting tower. Thus, the amplified antennas would be also preferable for RV owners; as the TV signal might frequently require a boost due to a constant variation of coverage and obstructions while being on the way. The WINEGARD RZ-6000 RAYZAR Z1 RV TV ANTENNA is a bright example of an amplified OTA TV antenna for RV which contributes to reception of the stronger signal even being far away from a broadcast station.

Passive antennas would be effective only in the case if the signal is strong enough (usually within 20-mile range). This condition can be met by a permanent installation of an antenna at the place with the best reception possible without any changes of its direction or distance relative to a broadcasting source. Certainly, such antennas are more advantageous in terms of simplicity and price. However, as you may realize, their reception capacity is considerably restricted leaving them out in the cold of RVers’ expectations.

Satellite vs. Terrestrial

Basing on the signals received you may choose a model which will be adapted to a particular television or a network. Thus, you may choose an over-the-air antenna for your RV to get the TV signals from nearby broadcast stations. OTA alternatives can recognize both analogue and digital signals. They can be successfully used at different remote locations up to 80 miles away from a TV tower without compromising signal quality. The terrestrial antennas are designed to cover the VHF (very high frequency) or UHF (ultra high frequency) bands, or their combination in Full HD depending on your actual location. Namely, the VHF band covers 2 to 13 channels at 54 to 216 MHz, while the UHF band – 14 to 51 channels at 470 to 890 MHz frequencies. Overall, you should always check in advance whether a certain RV antenna is compatible with your television or not.

Also, OTA antennas for RV should preferably have an omnidirectional design. Thus, they can maintain the decent signal strength independently from a broadcast station. Also they can do this in case of the constantly changing locations, as it happens with RVs or with similar traveling vehicles on the road. Omnidirectional antennas are really awesome devices as they can catch the signal in a 360-degree direction. That is, it is not required to point these antennas to a signal source direction, which is highly convenient for RV’s use. And the KING OA8500 JACK HDTV DIRECTIONAL OVER-THE-AIR ANTENNA is capable of meeting the highest demands of any RV enthusiast.

Satellite antennas come in a dish or a dome-shaped design which pick up the signal directly from the satellite orbitals. This allows providing an improved signal within bigger ranges. Commonly, portable and dome-shaped in-motion dishes are the most popular options on the current market. Portable satellite antenna can be highly adaptive to multiple situations. Such device can be transferred to any location separately from your RV (if it is necessary to enhance the signal to be received). Portable models are also highly demanded among the customers as they are offered at lower prices in comparison with other types of satellite RV antennas.

In-motion dome-type dishes are tuned to a particular satellite in an auto mode. In general, such device doesn’t require any manual adjustments to provide an exceptional signal reception even when being on the way. Nevertheless, it can be switched to a manual mode in some particular cases. These antennas can be both permanently and temporarily mounted on an RV’s roof, thus ensuring their flexibility to be used with other RV systems. Here, The WINEGARD RT2000T ROADTRIP T4 IN-MOTION RV SATELLITE ANTENNA is our top-pick among other advanced models suitable for the recreational vehicles.

Overall, it goes without saying that this reliable option would be an undeniable front runner which allows watching the biggest number of channels in a superior HDTV quality whenever and wherever needed. However it has a significant downside which stems from a need in subscription with a monthly fee on a constant basis.

Further in this article we would like to review some of the most remarkable products from the Winegard which stand out from other competitive counterparts with their prominent features.

Top-7 TV antennas for RV

WINEGARD RT2000T ROADTRIP T4 IN-MOTION RV SATELLITE ANTENNA

This dish antenna is an exclusive product from Winegard which brings plenty of entertainment for you when spending long hours on the road in your RV. At the time of its launching, this model featured the highest performance among other products from the company’s range throughout its history. The Winegard RT2000T is an auto in-motion satellite antenna in a compact design, just 14.3” in diameter and 13.5” height. It has the minimum footprint when been installed on a RV’s roof and demonstrates an upgraded tracking ability with a reduced noise level.

This device comes in a rugged UV-protected rounded dome to maintain the superior TV signal even under unfavorable weather conditions. The Winegard RoadTrip T4 in-motion RV satellite antenna is compatible with DISH, DIRECTV and BellTV programming which you always may enjoy in HD quality while traveling down the road.

Winegard RT2000T Roadtrip: Check the current price

WINEGARD PATHWAY X2 PA6002R SATELLITE TV ANTENNA AND DISH WALLY RECEIVER BUNDLE

The Winegard Pathway X2 PA6002R is a reliable RV antenna that features the dual arc technology. It means that it can cover both Western and Eastern arc orbitals throughout the U.S. to get SD/HD DISH programming independently from your location and the weather conditions. It is specially optimized for watching 2 TVs simultaneously, with an ability to get the reception from 72.7 satellite when connected to two receivers. The Pathway X2 is fully automatic; besides it offers the fastest and easiest setup procedure. This device is powered by the DISH receiver through a coaxial cable; which is why, no additional power cord is required.

This model is designed with a bigger reflector to enhance the signal strength in comparison with other portable satellite dishes. Nevertheless, it comes in a lightweight and compact design proving its ultimate portability.

Winegard Pathway X2 PA6002R: Check the current price

WINEGARD COMPANY PL-7000R DISH PLAYMAKER PORTABLE ANTENNA

This satellite dish from Winegard is a must-have partner for multiple outdoor activities. Thus, it is perfect for the RV, camper, traveling trailer, fishing, hunting, or tailgating enthusiasts. This device works in auto mode finding all SD/HD dish orbital locations to give you an opportunity to watch Dish or Pay-As-You-Go programming in quality. The antenna is offered with a dish receiver with RF remote, and integrated Netflix apps. This model doesn’t require any bothering setup routine or a power cable, as it is simply connected and powered by a single coax connection with the dish receiver.

This WINEGARD PL-7000R DISH PLAYMAKER comes in an upgraded form in comparison with its predecessors. It is made of durable materials with a sturdy military-grade aluminum reflector which ensures up to 20% signal strength.

Winegard Company PL-7000R: Check the current price

WINEGARD COMPANY RZ-8500 RAYZAR AUTOMATIC HD ANTENNA

Winegard is focusing on OTA technologies, as well. It presents a high-performance RZ-8500 RAYZAR AUTOMATIC HD TV ANTENNA which can quickly scan for all local broadcast channels available. It is a dual band antenna which covers both VHF and UHF signals. Besides, it comes with an integrated ultra-low noise (1 dB typical) amplifier which considerably improves a signal range and increases the number of channels broadcasting in a bright-crystal quality.

This antenna is embedded in a low-profile dome which protects its internal parts from a negative exposure from the outside. It comes with a mounting hardware for a permanent roof top installation with the minimum space required.

Winegard Company RZ-8500: Check the current price

WINEGARD RZ-6000 RAYZAR Z1 RV TV ANTENNA (HD, DIGITAL, 4K READY, ATSC 3.0 READY)

The WINEGARD RZ-6000 RAYZAR Z1 is another innovative terrestrial solution for the on-road lifestyle which helps staying in touch with reality. It is compatible with both VHF and UHF bands, thanks to its integrated amplifier, to watch the majority of broadcast channels at any of your actual locations. It is an upgraded model of the OTA TV RV antennas that ensures the top HD quality of the TV picture. Besides, it is 4K UHD ready (if available).

It will be pretty easy to install and set the Rayzar Z1 except the necessity of pointing the device towards the broadcast station locations. It can happen that determining the right direction would be an issue especially when passing some remote areas.

Winegard RZ-6000 Rayzar: Check the current price

WINEGARD RV-3095 SENSAR III BATWING AMPLIFIED RV TV ANTENNA

The Sensar III is a reliable multidirectional RV antenna proven over the time, as it has been successfully sold on the market for more than 20 years with almost no claims from the grateful customers. This model provides a long-distance signal range of 55 miles to watch your favorite TV channels in HD quality. An integrated amplifier improves weaker TV signals and eliminates excessive noise and interferences from outside! The Sensar III covers UHF and VHF, and FM bands.

Winegard RV-3095 Sensar: Check the current price

KING OA8500 JACK HDTV DIRECTIONAL OVER-THE-AIR ANTENNA

There is one more competitive OTA option from another manufacturer that we would like to include in the present list of the top-rated RV TV antennas from Winegard. The KING OA8500 JACK HDTV DIRECTIONAL antenna is made by the trusted manufacturer of Wi-Fi, satellite and over-the-air antenna systems with the production facilities located in the U.S. The directional terrestrial antennas from the KING are frequently chosen by many RV enthusiasts for their quality and user-friendliness.

If you like to camp in your recreational vehicle enjoying different outside activities and watching TV shows in the meanwhile, then the KING OA8500 will be a right choice for you! It is an amplified antenna with an embedded SureLock signal finder for more channel reception within VHF and UHF bands. This 360-degree antenna comes in aerodynamic and compact design contributing to its durability.

KING OA8500: Check the current price

RV TV antenna essentials | Buyers’ Guide

What could be the maximum signal range of the TV RV antenna without compromising its strength?

If you have chosen to go with the OTA antenna for your wheeled camping companion, then its reception capacity would be a matter of a special concern. I bet you want to be free from any restraints in terms of trip distance. And at the same time you want to enjoy your favorite TV channels whenever or wherever wished. For this reason, TV antennas for RVs with the higher coverage are more preferable. In particular, you should focus on the models capable of receiving signals within 70-mile range. However, higher capacity declared by many manufacturers may be quite doubtful and depend on many factors like, presence of an amplifier, absence of any obstructions on the signal path, antenna directivity, etc. So, be careful when making your choice which can meet your intended needs!

Installation and setting tips

If you‘ve got a satellite dish or an OTA antenna for your RV, naturally you need to hook up and set it properly. Most users report doing this procedure by themselves. And they do not need any help from the professionals. In general, a new TV antenna for an RV or other type of recreational vehicles should be mounted in a similar way. Certainly, depending on a model there will be some peculiarities to be followed. And here you should definitely address the guidelines from the manufacturers to avoid any troubles during and after installation. Nevertheless, let’s highlight the general principles how to hook up a new TV antenna to your RV:

1. To begin with, you should consult the included user guide to help you to set up the new antenna. The advanced models do not require a comprehensive setup routine, as they are commonly designed as 100% automatic devices which scan the local broadcast signals by default.

2. Now it’s time to mount the antenna on the roof of your RV. You’ll need to use silicone or similar material to seal the antenna's connections. Then, you should let it dry completely. If the connection isn’t sealed enough, moisture can penetrate into the coax cable causing multiple performance impairment.

3. Next, you should fix the antenna with either the mounting kit included or with an upgraded optional mounting hardware, which can be purchased separately.

4. Usually, many RV owners prefer placing their antenna in the rear side of the roof. Drill the holes, or find ones already existing, and pull the power cables through them to connect the antenna with your TV system.

Do you need an amplifier for your TV RV antenna?

Almost every camping vehicle on the road is equipped with a TV antenna. Since you never know for sure if you go on long RV travel adventures or not, you should be always armed accordingly. Thus, you will be ready to face any situation. In particular, an RV antenna amplifier would definitely serve you the good turn. It will improve the signal reception and reduce interference if you are on a long-distance trip far away from the nearest TV station. As a result, with the use of an amplified RV antenna the TV picture will become clearer, and the sound quality will be considerably improved. Overall, the inventors of the cutting-edge RV antenna technologies design their products considering most potential difficulties of camping related to signal reception quality. Which is why, the majority of modern OTA RV TV antennas can be found with an integrated amplifier.

Best-Selling TV antennas for RV | Comparison Table