RVTV Option One: Free Over The Air TV with CRT TV

Experienced RVers, (and you know who you are) know there are certain challenges related to RV travel, which demand unique solutions.

Fuel Prices have risen so sharply in the last years, and Camping Fees, even for the National Parks, once practically free, are at all-time highs.

But, we, modern mobile adventurers, are a resourceful lot. And we all: Some-Timers, Part-Timers and Full-Timers... must respond appropriately to the challenges of the road.

Travel Planning and Site Shopping:

I have discovered that Travel Planning and Site Shopping, for bargain accommodation, will pay sizable dividends.

For example: Staying at State Parks, rather than National Parks can save considerable bucks.

Camping at Primitive Sites, on BLMLand, those which are less developed, is probably the last real Value Camping available.

I have also discovered that it pays to track Travel Expenses religiously.

When it comes to creating RV travel budgets, for me, it comes down to listing all the need-tos and nice-tos, one column for each category.

Pre-flight, I begin my RV Travel Budget by sorting and organizing stuff into these two columns. To assist, I use a great PC Software to expedite and streamline this task. It's called Nomads Notes. (See Resources.)

For example: For me, accessing televised news and weather, are musts. So TV is a given, bound for the top of the need-to column.

Beyond that: I love PBS, and I love sports. Not just any local and national sports: I'm talking ESPN.

But, ESPN is in fact, a nice-to that is simply not available OTA. (Acquiring this little nice-to, ESPN, can cost hundreds per year, or next to nothing. More on this subject later in RV Park Cable Service.)

Portable, Cathode Ray Tube (CRT) TV:

When itemizing travel expenses, (although it must weigh 25 pounds) I automatically place my Old 13" CRT TV in the need-to column.

The Old Box is reliable. It's user-friendly. It's portable. And, it works great everywhere OTA Signal is available, provided I have it plugged into my Digital Converter Box (less than 2 pounds, including remote and batteries)!

Most RVs come equipped with a Bat Wing Antenna. Older RVs often have CRT TV, (Analog TV) very securely built in. So making your rig road ready, in this scenario, is actually going to be fairly easy.

Add a new Converter Box to the circuit, and it's almost Plug and Play! (Except for the Tuning bit, which can be a little trying. You'll get over it.)

If your TV was made prior to the Digital Transition, (June 2009) it's probably just a matter of adding a Digital Converter Box to the circuit, to give the old tube, a new life.

Some RVers, (myself included) like to travel light and economically. Despite the weight issue, these days, Old CRT TVs, can, and should be given new life, or at least a consideration.

In combination: Bat Wing Antenna, plus Converter Box, plus CRT TV, gives me wonderfully clear RVTV, at no charge. (Plus, I have personally experienced the satisfaction of transforming: Analog into Digital.)

 Incidentally, I use and recommend the RCA Digital TV Converter. It works, it's inexpensive, and is simple to install and operate. (See Resources.)

RV Park Cable Service:

Before the Digital Television Transition, in June of 2009, and before I started my Satellite TV Business, back in 2000; the only way I could pull in any TV on the road, was with the Bat Wing on my RV.

What was then available, in terms of programming, was very limited, and relatively poor quality, compared with the High Definition World of today.

The best thing about free Over The Air TV, before the Transition, was that it was... free.

For variety, (back in the day) I would often research, locate, and stay at RV Parks featuring free Cable TV. Of course, the Cable service could be great, or just so-so; but at the time, at least it was a change from three OTA channels.

With Cable TV added to my options, in the Pre-transition, I knew I could watch ESPN Sports, TMC Movies, and exotic channels, if I wanted to.

Quest for the Very Best RVTV:

Nowadays, I travel prepared for practically any situation. When I can get OTA (Digital Television) DTV, Top-quality RVTV is a routine crank-up, simple tune, and I am there.

Budget, weather, time of day, OTA signal availability, and yes, mood; can all enter the mix.

Inside the Grid, city-side, where I can, I tune Cable. In the country, it might be OTA. Beyond the Grid, dry-camping, with no OTA or Cable TV available, Satellite TV always gets the call.

Wherever I go, my Bat Wing is always at the ready. I have two Satellite Systems. I travel with: CRT TV and LED. Additionally, I carry PCTV.

Also, inside my RV, I have a modified Wall Plate (Media-centralDistributionCenter) to enable convenient switching: OTA / Cable / Satellite.   

I realize, all this advanced preparation, and extra TV equipment, brands me, but good.  

As comedian, Jeff Foxworthy, might say: You just might be a Techie, if you are constantly tinkering with technology. If you are an admitted Techie, and you are constantly tinkering with television technology, you just might be a Techie Tubie.

OK. Ouch! Sticks and stones... but no bones about it: I want my RVTV! I got my RVTV!

I have, in the Quest and Conquest for the Very Best RVTV, sought, bought, and tested every kind of portable TV I could find: Including PCTV, Satellite, (High Definition and Standard), OTA and Cable TV.

Now, you may reasonably object: Technically, free RV Park Cable is not portable. I agree, as a TV Techie. But, as a Travelling TV Viewer: Because Cable Service is so widely accessible, and it brings in such a great picture on my 1983 13" CRT TV, technicalities don't really matter.     

Oh, did I mention my Cable TV comes free with the RV space I currently occupy? It just happens to feature both: PBS and ESPN!

Five Options:

Recently, I have also written an Illustrated Technical How To Series, and Free Special Report, covering all (5) Five available methods of obtaining the Very Best RVTV on the Road, as well as the complete DIY Procedures, you will need to get Very Best RVTV on the Road, for yourself. (See Resources.)

Happy Trails and Thanks for Tuning In!