Digital TV Antenna

CurrentSea

CurrentSea

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Yes, I have satellite, but I recently hooked up a OTA digital antenna for a friend in Michigan. Antenna sits on the floor next to the tv and the tv gets an amazing picture on like 30 plus channels.

So it got me thinking why I still pay for basic satellite tv. I don't get any HBO or ESPN but pay $100 a month for basic satellite!

What are people using who don't have satellite?

Are there any really good digital tv antennas?
What is the range on them?
Thanks!
 
Dave you'll get pretty bored watching Over The Air (OTA) TV if you don't have Satellite. I use a Glomex V9112 or the 9125 depending on where the boat is it does pretty well.
However I get few network TV stations mostly crumby local affiliates and many Spanish stations.
I think having both is worth it.
Bill
 
I use the TV for local news and weather only. My Glomex runs through a Government cheese converter box to the original TV VCR combo.

You can get up off the floor and quit laughing any time now Bill!
 
I would like to have both. My satellite on this boat sometimes does not get a signal due to being blocked by the radar pole.
On old boat I did not have a issue because the support pole was smaller but on this boat I do.
Always happens when bow is pointed South since it can't get clear shot of Southwest sky.
So I would like to add the digital antenna for those times it doesn't get a good signal.
Issue is this usually happens at one marine I go to and that marina is probably about 60 miles away from NYC.
So will a DTV antenna even work?
 
I use a digital antenna and get about 30 stations. I'm on my boat and don't need more stations.
 
Agree with Greg. I get about 12 stations over the air. Don't even have a digital antenna just the 1997 unit that came with the boat. I have a SeaTel 1998s (that I am giving away if anyone wants it) and decided not to put it on the boat. Between the OTH stations and digital streaming from the FIOS app, Amazon Prime, netflix and a DVD player, I really have no additional need for satellite. I have thought about upgrading the antenna.
 
I know I have the old Shakespere that was on the boat. I took it off when I mounted the sat dish.
It is from 2009, I wonder if it works good.
Will have to try it and see.
 
Guys...digital antennaes look fancy, but guess what, plain old rabbit ears will work on a digital TV (assuming you are close to TV stations).
My mother has the old standard antennae (must be 20 years old) up on the roof of her river cottage. At night time, it's not unusual to get 20-30 stations, most are in the 60-90 mile range.
 
My digital antenna is approx a 6" X 6" square, 1/2" thick, with a plug in amplifier. Sits beside the TV, out of site and I don't have to adjust it ever. Cheap and easy.
 
Dave,

Do you really need network tv?

Just get an apple tv and just stream netflix or amazon to it from your phone. Or get a bluray dvd player with builtin wireless and stream it from your LR wifi antenna.

Jeff
 
The issue is watch hill, there is no internet.
I don't watch tv, admiral does.
I just don't feel like moving my dish to make it work under all directions.
So if I can get away with just adding digital OTA, I will.
If not, she can watch movies from DVR I have onboard.
 
I finally got some reception on our 1997 Cruisers with the original analog antenna and an HDTV set I brought from home. I'm about 90 miles from the Empire State Building so I should get a few channels. I don't, however. I get three channels, two in Spanish and one with very old movies! Oh well, I replaced the 19" set I brought from home with a 32" set. The irony is that the set is in the "treadmill room" and is only used by my wife when she's on the treadmill. She hasn't noticed the TV switch because she hasn't used the treadmill in over a month. I can't fault her in the least; she's recovering from surgery and is going to need more treatment. The treadmill is low on her list of priorities. Tomorrow I'm going to the marina to work on one of the engines; I'll see if I get any more channels. Hy
 
quote:
Originally posted by CurrentSea

I know I have the old Shakespere that was on the boat. I took it off when I mounted the sat dish.
It is from 2009, I wonder if it works good.
Will have to try it and see.

Click to expand...


It'll work fine. All this buzz-word "Digital" and "HD" stuff leaves out the fact that it's all the same bands analog used to use.
 
I have two Terk HD antennas. They are about 6" x 6" as described by Gregory S and amplified also. The one in the salon works good but the one in the forward stateroom will not work unless it is carried upstairs.

They are supposed to be omni directional but usually they need an occasional tweak. Most of our boating is done at least 20 miles from the nearest TV tower which may be the reason.

I am planning to break down and buy a sat dish but procrastination has me at the moment...plus most of my regular cruising marinas have cable.
 
My wife is a 24 hour news person so without Sat TV my life would be pure misery on the boat. I'll admit I like watching the Robertson's Ducky Dynasty they make me laugh. To me it's worth it. I sold my KVH M3 with the Mainship but I bought a complete unit from a member on the Trawler forum. It will be installed on the Gulfstar but it's not on my list for the work to be done this week.
Bill
 
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