I know I'm not supposed to want to watch TV while cruising but sometimes I just want to check the news and weather. I didn't want to install anything permanent so I have checked out a few portable antennas. Then....while buying some video cables for home on Monoprice.com I noticed a indoor/outdoor antenna for 10 bucks (monoprice model MA-7360). This thing is smaller than a cigar and weighs next to nothing. I hoisted it up the penant halyard the other day just to see if it would work. OK, 34 channels with perfect pic and sound. As I moor in a big city I suppose that I am in an optimal place for reception, so I'll be interested to see how it works when I'm further away, but so far I am amazed. It takes me about a minute to deploy the thing and it takes no space to store it.
Neil Roach
"Crewless"
1992 36, Mark I
Hull # 1174
Seattle
I use the same antenna and it works GREAT!!!!
The amplifier is powered by a 12vdc wall wort, so it can be powered by house batteries if you are lucky enough to have a 12vdc TV.
Mark Kozy
"COLDWATER"
1999 C36 MK2 #1742 FK/M35B
Vallejo Yacht Club-Oldest on the West Coast
Boat lives in Marina del Rey, CA (SOCAL)
I live in Placerville, CA (NORCAL)
Wow!Sounds almost too good to be true. I've just put a 12vdc tv aboard and have been shopping for a reasonable antenna. @ 10$ what to I have to loose.
Thanks
Sam
Capt. Sam Murphy
1994 Catalina 36, Hull 1327
Shoal draft, two cabin model.
Panama City, Florida
Sam,
I have a MKI and I find just putting an old set of rabbit ears in the back of the cabinet where I keep my TV will get me over thirty stations.
About half are english speaking stations.
Digital signal is different, not like the old analog signal where you could futz with the antena to improve the signal, keep one hand on it, modify it with tin foil etc. Digital for the most part if you get the signal it is perfect, you may get some pixilation if the signal gets weak. The picture I get using rabbit ears about ten miles from the tower is better than cable at home.
The issue is after 11:30 PM broadcast rules change and you get nothing but, PBS and infomercials.
Cepheus dream
C36 MK I # 825
MK I Tech Editor No Mas
I permanently mounted a $ 20 digital antenna in the aft cabin. I thought having it inside would be a problem, but my reception is great.
Mike
Deja Vu
1991 MK I # 1106
Marina del Rey, CA
I picked up one of these:
[url]http://www.winegard.com/flatwave/costco.php[/url]
At Costco (Winegard also sells them online for the same price). Zero additional power required.
It's a fully flat antenna that you can hang on the wall (or even lay flat); includes adhesive tabs. So far I've just been monkeying with it but I plan to ultimately mount it on the bulkhead behind the TV I'm in the process of installing.
I'm in the same marina as Neil, and I get GREAT reception from inside the cabin -- not sure how it would be if I got much father from shore. If you want an easy, simple solution that doesn't require additional wiring, this might be it.
David
s/v Portmanteau
Hull #2133 -- 2003 MKII
Seattle, WA
Once you leave your area about the only channel you pick up is 13. I have a powered antenna that mounts above my radar in the stern and when you are outside the Seattle area does not do well. Even over at Kingston if the tide is low it will not pick up except for the Spanish Chinese and church channels. I have Dish Sat at home and when we go up north we take a extra receiver with us and pick all sat TV stations
Bill Miller
S/V Lorraine
Pacific Northwest,Sound Sound
Grapeview,Wa
1990 Mk1