Ideas for TV Antenna

[bluewaternut]

I have a 19" Sanyo digital flat screen TV on board, and do not receive consistent digital signals. They work for awhile, then cut in and out. I don't need anything fancy; just want to receive the main digital stuff for the length of the average program. Does anyone have any ideas how to make (or buy) an outdoor antenna that will not rip the sails, turn the boat into a slum, can be raised on a flag halyard, and won't cost more than $60? Also, I've heard that it is possible to carry a small dish and pick up cable, but I have no idea what this involves in terms of subscribing to something. (I'm not interested in high priced Follow Me TV.)

[Mike Vogdes]

I bookmarked this antenna because I'll be looking for the same thing you are one of these days. Sailboat Antenna

[Dockhead]

We have a Glomex amplified tv antenna at the masthead. We don't watch much tv on board, but on the odd occasion when we do, this works a treat.

[senormechanico]

Mike's link is the best, cheapest solution.
You can easily make one like it if you're looking to save money.
While cruising Mexico we used a homemade version made from stiff wire.
It's basically a 359 degree circle of wire made from 2 halves insulated from each other. Think of rabbit ears bent into a circle with the ends not connected.
The matching transformer attaches to each half and feeds 75 ohm coaxial cable (RG59) to the TV.
We made ours for under ten bucks.

[bluewaternut]

Thanks, Steve. I'm going to be putting my own together combining your suggestion and other similar ones to see what I can do.

Thanks!

"Effective government is not an oxymoron unless you live in Somalia."

[C4 King Cobra]

A fellow docked next to me last year had a square plastic antenna. I asked him about it he said it worked great cost 60.00 and he got it at Home depot. It is made to be outside UV and all connected to coax cable. BOB

[capngeo]

Any specs on the diameter?

[senormechanico]

Diameter isn't critical, just make it a little over 2 feet.
Think, "Fully extended rabbit ears" bent into a circle with each element connected together at the top ends with an insulating connector of some sort.
Try it out with cheapo coat hanger wire or similar.

[svpattyd]

We have a harken halo on the top of the mast. Works well with no power draw.

Sent from my iPhone using Cruisers

[capngeo]

Originally Posted by senormechanico

Diameter isn't critical, just make it a little over 2 feet.
Think, "Fully extended rabbit ears" bent into a circle with each element connected together at the top ends with an insulating connector of some sort.
Try it out with cheapo coat hanger wire or similar.

I have a bunch of 0.5"x0.065" aluminum... AND a slip roll in the shop! Easiest way would be to roll a circle and then cut it.... I guess about 6.25 linear feet of stock should do.

[nknowland]

Was anyone able to access the link that Mike posted? All I got was another web page full of random links to other web pages which were also full of random links. I was hoping for a link to something specific. I can do a google search on my own!

[senormechanico]

It now appears to be a dead link.

Build one from the above descriptions, connect each half to the leads coming out of an antenna matching transformer (300 to 75 ohm) and screw on a 75 ohm coaxial lead to your TV.

[S/V_Surya]

I was not able to access the link but here is a similar thread I used as a template when I built my antenna. Works great. http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...nna-14704.html