TV Antennas

[sailorboy1]

Any good recommended boat TV antennas (other than a $10k satellite one)? What antenna do you have and does it work?

[rwidman]

I have a 14" Glomex with an amplifier and it works. Remember that the switch digital TV (in the USA) has drastically reduced the usable range of TV reception to 30 miles or so. You can no longer watch a snowy picture it's either perfect or none at all.

[sailorboy1]

Seems be lots of different Glomex units, can you be more specific for which you are using?

[rwidman]

Originally Posted by sailorboy1

Seems be lots of different Glomex units, can you be more specific for which you are using?

I'm not on my boat and away from home so I can't be specific.

I'm pretty sure it's 14" in diameter and it has an external amplifier that also can be easily switched to allow cable input to the TV. I bought it from defender.com.

[Caribsailors]

This is what we use. Along with the power inserter/amplifier.

Majestic UFO X TV Antenna - Best Performing Marine and RV TV Antenna

Much smaller than the Glomex rig.

And digital capable.

Cheers

[AnchorageGuy]

A lot depends. We have the Glomax and it has performed much better than the Shakespeare we previously had. Don't get confused with digital antennas. There is no such thing. Any antenna that is capable of receiving UHF and some VHF signals will give you digital, up to and including a metal coat hanger. We have received signals from 60 to 70 miles away at times. A lot will depends on the height and location of your antenna and the location of the TV towers. Most all stations in the U.S. are only broadcasting at about 50% capacity at this time. In the fringe areas you will need a booster. If your close to your broadcast area, almost anything will work. For cruising, an omnidirectional with a booster will give you TV most of the time. If you want satellite, get the Track-It system and mount your dish on it. They are about $800.00 new, but they come up on the used market for a lot less. They work well at anchor, but not underway. Chuck

[rwidman]

Originally Posted by Caribsailors

.......... Much smaller than the Glomex rig.

And digital capable.

Another victim of the advertising industry.

An antenna does not know or care what the signal contains. It doesn't care if it's analog or digital. A coathanger (as mentioned above) is "digital capable".

[S/V_Surya]

I built my own for about 10 bucks. Works great. I am in Maryland and I get Baltimore and Philadelphia. Previous owner had a Shakespeare that was rotted out. I took out the internals and put in copper tubing from Lowes per directions I found somewhere on line. Mounted it on mizzen mast and coaxed to booster.

[sailorboy1]

Time to bring this back to life as there must be cruisers with TV.