Happy Wanderer HW-DT8 - User Manual

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Address: ................................................................
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www.happywanderer.net.au
HW-DT8 UHF/VHF
DIGITAL CARAVAN
ANTENNA
(including digital Thru-van-wall kit)
HAPPY WANDERER CARAVAN ACCESSORIES PTY LTD
Unit 2/54 Byre Ave Somerton Park SA 5044
Phone (08) 8376 2411 Facsimile (08) 8376 2455
email info@happywanderer.net.au
www.happywanderer.net.au
HAPPY WANDERER
C A R A V A N A C C E S S O R I E S
Antenna Set For Horizontal Signal
Antenna Set For Vertical Signal
HAPPY WANDERER
C A R A V A N A C C E S S O R I E S
Purchase by cheque, money order or credit card.
If using credit card phone (08) 8376 2411 or
fax (08) 8376 2455 or mail to:
Happy Wanderer Caravan Accessories
Unit 2/54 Byre Avenue, Somerton Park SA 5044
Please send me ................. HW 024 Masthead Signal Booster
Please send me ................. Easy-Tune 12 volt booster & booster amplifier at $84 (inc P&P)
240 volt / 12 volt combind model at $98 (inc P&P)
Please send me ................. hand held TV Signal Finders at $70 each (inc P&P)
Please send me ................. Easy-Tune 240 volt / 12 volt Power Pack. $21 each (inc P&P)
Mastercard Visa
Credit Card Number
Expiry Date: ............... Amount $ ...........................................
Cardholder's signature ...........................................................
• Receives Low Powered DTV Stations
• Receives HD Digital horizontal &
vertical signals
• Swing head adaptor for simple
swing from horizontal to vertical
• All cables in and outside van supplied
• All Cables are RG6 Compression
Non Corrosion Plugs
• Will fit all our bracket types
• Non corrosive
• Quick to erect & dismantle
• Manufactured from UPVC plastic
• Proven reliability
• Dimensions:
500mm High x 295mm Wide x 200mm Deep
(Can cut bracket bolts back to make 165mm Deep)
• Full Money Back Guarantee on all products
• 5 year warranty
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HW024 Masthead Signal Booster
• Masthead type booster designed for use inside your caravan.
• Just plug in the power supply to a 240 V outlet in your van.
A 12 volt lead is supplied in pack.
• An ultra wide band, low noise masthead ampli er
designed for combined UHF/VHF antennae.
• Variable VHF and  xed 24dBUHF gain.
• Also boosts other caravan antenna types.
240v/12v Combind model RRP $94 inc GST, + $4 P&P
Hand Held TV Signal Finder
LEDs for Precision  nding. Don’t waste any more time twisting
and  ddling with your aerial to  nd local TV stations. Simply plug
the Happy Wanderer hand held signal  nder into your existing aerial
system in your caravan, motor home or boat and rotate your aerial
until the signal  nder indicates the best position. Works on UHF, VHF,
Digital and Analogue signals. Complete with one year manufacturer
guarantee. Ideal product for roof wind up antennas.
RRP $66 inc GST, + $4 P&P
Easy-Tune Signal Finder Booster Combined
The Easy-Tune ampli er is new on the market with a built in SIGNAL FINDER. One unit allows you to:
• Align your aerial perfectly
• Boost your TV/Radio signal (variable boost)
• Distribute your TV/Radio signal
• Visual indication of TV signal level
• A Must have for some LED TV’s which need a higher signal
• Compatible with all Australian Digital TV/Radio bands & formats
• Easy DIY install can be secured with double sided tape or screws
All these products can be ordered directly from Happy Wanderer or through our dealer
network - go to www.happywanderer.net.au for dealer locations

Summary

HW024 Masthead Signal Booster

Product Features

Details on the HW024 booster, including its masthead type, power supply, signal amplification capabilities, and compatibility.

Hand Held TV Signal Finder

Product Description

Information on the handheld signal finder for precise TV station alignment, its functionality with different signal types, and guarantee.

Easy-Tune Signal Finder Booster Combined

Key Benefits

Highlights the combined function of the Easy-Tune amplifier for aerial alignment, signal boosting, and visual indication of TV signal.

HW-DT8 Digital Caravan Antenna

Antenna Specifications

Details on the HW-DT8 antenna, including its UHF/VHF capabilities, DTV reception, HD signal support, and construction materials.

DT8 Instructions

Troubleshooting

Offers solutions for common issues like no picture, poor picture quality, and signal loss.

Tuning

Guidance on optimizing TV reception, including signal strength and TV set tuning.

Warnings and Cautions

Essential safety advice for installation and use, including drilling, electrical safety, and weather.

Overview

1. Function Description
2. Important Technical Specifications
3. Usage Features
4. Maintenance Features
5. Related Products

The Happy Wanderer HW-DT8 is a digital caravan antenna designed for receiving UHF/VHF signals, including low-powered DTV stations and HD digital horizontal and vertical signals. It features a "dual loop" design that provides consistent high gain and a good front-to-back ratio, ensuring superior performance over long distances, particularly in country locations. The antenna has forgiving aiming characteristics with a 70-degree beam width, allowing it to receive signals without needing to be pointed directly at the transmission tower.

Function Description:

The HW-DT8 antenna is primarily used to receive television signals in caravans, motorhomes, and boats. It is designed to work with both digital and analogue signals, and is compatible with all Australian Digital TV/Radio bands and formats. The antenna's design aims to maximize reception signal strength, especially in areas where signals might be weak. It can receive both horizontal and vertical signals, and its swing head adaptor allows for simple adjustment between these orientations.

Important Technical Specifications:

• Dimensions: 500mm High x 295mm Wide x 200mm Deep. The bracket bolts can be cut back to make the antenna 165mm Deep.
• Construction: Manufactured from UPVC plastic, ensuring durability and non-corrosive properties.
• Cables: Includes all necessary cables for both inside and outside the van. All cables are RG6 Compression with non-corrosion plugs.
• Signal Reception: Receives low-powered DTV stations and HD digital horizontal & vertical signals.
• Gain: Consistent high gain with a good front-to-back ratio.
• Beam Width: 70 degrees, offering forgiving aiming characteristics.
• Warranty: 5-year warranty.
• Money Back Guarantee: Full money-back guarantee on all products.

Usage Features:

• Easy Assembly: The antenna requires minimal tools for assembly, primarily a Phillips head screwdriver. The instructions detail a step-by-step process for securing the reflector, base, and loop elements, and threading the coaxial cables.
• Swing Head Adaptor: Allows for easy adjustment of the antenna's orientation from horizontal to vertical, optimizing signal reception.
• Quick to Erect & Dismantle: Designed for convenient setup and takedown.
• Compatibility: Fits all Happy Wanderer bracket types. If not using a Happy Wanderer bracket, a short length of plastic mast may need to be adapted.
• Thru-van-wall Kit: Includes a digital Thru-van-wall kit (HW019) for running cables through the caravan wall, which is recommended over old push-in style plugs to avoid signal issues.
• Tuning: To maximize reception, it is recommended to use a TV Signal Finder or Combined Signal Finder Amplifier Booster. Users will need to re-tune their caravan TV set to suit each location's reception, as this is normal for a TV on the move. The antenna's long-range capabilities mean boosting is rarely needed in most Australian locations.
• Signal Finder Integration: The antenna can be used with a signal finder (such as the Happy Wanderer Hand Held TV Signal Finder or Easy-Tune Signal Finder Booster) to precisely locate the best signal position. The Easy-Tune unit, in particular, combines a signal finder with a booster, allowing for perfect aerial alignment and variable signal boost.

Maintenance Features:

• Durability: Constructed from UPVC plastic with non-corrosion plugs for longevity.
• Regular Checks: Users are advised to regularly check the condition of the bracket and mast.
• Troubleshooting Guide: The manual includes a comprehensive troubleshooting section to address common issues such as no picture, black and white picture (analogue TV), poor quality sound, pixelation/picture breaking up (digital TV), and signal finder lights not illuminating despite good picture. Solutions often involve checking cable connections, ensuring the correct signal orientation (vertical/horizontal), rotating the antenna, and considering the use of a booster if the signal is weak.
• Cable Care: Users are warned not to bend the coax cable sharply, especially near the loop element entry point, as this can cause the centre core wire to fracture.
• Safety Precautions:
  • When drilling holes, be aware of electrical cable locations.
  • Use safe practices and ladders when fitting antenna brackets.
  • Do not set up the antenna near electric wires, neon lights, or in areas subject to extreme heat.
  • Position the antenna securely to avoid it becoming an obstacle to people or cars.
  • Avoid using the antenna in severe weather conditions (thunderstorms, high wind) or in unstable areas (shock, vibration).

Related Products:

The manual also mentions other Happy Wanderer products that complement the HW-DT8 antenna:

• HW024 Masthead Signal Booster: A masthead type booster designed for use inside a caravan. It plugs into a 240V outlet and includes a 12V lead. It features an ultra-wideband, low-noise amplifier for combined UHF/VHF antennae, with variable VHF and fixed 24dBUHF gain. It also boosts other caravan antenna types.
• Hand Held TV Signal Finder: An LED-based device for precision finding of TV signals. It helps users quickly find the best signal position by plugging it into their existing aerial system and rotating the aerial until the LEDs indicate optimal signal. It works with UHF, VHF, Digital, and Analogue signals.
• Easy-Tune Signal Finder Booster Combined: This unit combines a signal finder with an amplifier booster. It allows for perfect aerial alignment, variable boosting of TV/Radio signals, and distribution of signals. It also provides a visual indication of TV signal level and is compatible with all Australian Digital TV/Radio bands and formats. It can be easily installed with double-sided tape or screws.

These products can be ordered directly from Happy Wanderer or through their dealer network.

Happy Wanderer HW-DT8 Specifications