[C320-list] Boat TV

[Robert Seastream]

Hm.  The circular antenna sounds like a 'Boatenna'; an oldie but  
goodie design.  Ham shop, eh?  I wonder how many amateur radio  
operators lurk within our midst.

Bob Seastream, WB2DWD
Intuition # 906

On Dec 20, 2009, at 3:27 PM, Warren Updike wrote:

> I'd be interested in anyone's experience with masthead antenna and  
> digital
> signals.
>
> There are a few in our marina with an unpowered unit they haul up on a
> halyard when in port or at anchor. It's a circular design of tubular
> aluminum about 18" in diameter. I think that works OK for them.
>
> We tried one of those small powered digital antenna (GE) looks like  
> a liquor
> flask hanging in my rigging. I ended up taking it back, and going to  
> my
> local ham shop and asking there about an antenna recommendation.  
> They told
> me they have had better luck with some of the un-powered units. I  
> bought a
> recommended indoor antenna and just stick it out of or under the fwd  
> hatch.
> We usually get a few stations no matter where we are on the  
> Chesapeake Bay.
> Our tuner will report far many more stations than we actually get a  
> signal
> for; and, about half of those we can see are so pixilated and  
> interrupted
> that they can't be watched.
>
> Some of the local stations dropped their power level after the  
> switch to
> digital. I was told the FCC required them to do that.
>
> Bottom line, I don't much give a hang. Aside from the weather, I  
> only have
> the TX for kids and DVDs. Think I need a laptop.
>
> Warren & Pattie Updike
> Catalina 320, #62, "Warr De Mar"
> Middle River, Chesapeake Bay
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Jerry [mailto:jbrown03 at sympatico.ca]
> Sent: Sunday, December 20, 2009 8:47 AM
> To: C320-List at Catalina320.com
> Subject: Re: [C320-list] Boat TV
>
> If you buy a TV with an ATSC tuner (as opposed to an NTSC tuner) you  
> will
> not need a digital converter box.  I believe it is now mandatory  
> that all
> new TV's sold in the US are fitted with this type of tuner which is  
> able to
> read digital signals directly saving cost and space.  In Canada you  
> still
> have to look carefully as there are still NTSC only TV's out  
> there.........
> Our digital TV conversion is scheduled for August 2011 (may get  
> delayed) but
>
> there are "test" signals in some major markets and if you are near  
> the US
> then you can ss the US signals.  Here in Toronto I get about 20  
> digital US
> and Canadian channels directly into my ATSC tuner equipped big  
> screen TV at
> home.
>
> On the boat the performance of my analogue optimised antenna at the  
> masthead
>
> running through a digibox (USB tuner on my laptop with VGA out) to  
> the TV is
>
> poor.  When I unstep the mast next year for a routine inspection I  
> will
> replace the antenna.  I have not decided which one I will buy then.
>
> Regards
>
> Jerry Brown
> Indigo #1137
>
> --------------------------------------------------
> From: "Ray Durand" <durand.mail at verizon.net>
> Sent: Saturday, December 19, 2009 2:48 PM
> To: <C320-List at Catalina320.com>
> Subject: Re: [C320-list] Boat TV
>
>> I installed a new antenna this year when I bought a new digital  
>> TV.  It's
>> the Philips model MANT940.  I've been very happy with it - works much
>> better
>> than the Shakespeare antenna that I used previously.  Mounting  
>> orientation
>> doesn't seem to matter.  Amazon has it for $30 with free shipping.
>>
>> Ray Durand
>> #822, Marina del Rey
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com
>> [mailto:c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com] On Behalf Of
>> jpmesa at aol.com
>> Sent: Saturday, December 19, 2009 9:21 AM
>> To: C320-List at catalina320.com
>> Subject: [C320-list] Boat TV
>>
>>
>> I was wondering what Digital TV converter box and TV antenna where  
>> being
>> used out there on boats. I have seen several boats with the round  
>> antenna
>> up
>> the mast.  Thanks, John Mesa   Holokai 2
>>
>> PS: I'm thinking about setting it up at our Condo!!!
>>
>>
>
>