tv aerial- digital reception

Spankerwrap

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I have a circular tv aerial at the top of the mizzen about frisbee sized powered thru a booster box in the saloon to the tv, and wonder whether if I bought a digibox it would be able to receive the digital channels on offer.

Sorry about the lack of detail but I am off the boat presently and do not have the details of the equipment. I am visiting the boat this weekend and will be able to product details then if this is required.

Many thanks

steve howard


www.midwest-charters.com
 
Depends purely on the received signal strength but's probable that it would not. As signal strength falls, digital signals maintain their quality and then suddenly fall over. Hence, if your analogue reception is sometimes not too good, the chances are a digital signal wouldn't make it. If the analogue one is great then the digital one may make it but there's no guarentee. Some home installations will require a replacement high gain antenna when existing analogue signals seem fine.

If you're close to the transmitter then it should be OK, otherwise it won't and you will still be able to get the analogue signals. If you already have 240v on board get a box for a few quid & try it. Otherwise get a slightly more expensive box that will work from 12v and try that.
 
Steve, the aerial you describe is almost certainly a style or type designed for mobile use, ie caravan and mobile homes (and sailing) /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

By its very nature, it is what is called a 'wide-band' antenna and therefore will not be a problem in receiving any of the digital signals in the UK.

BUT, if there are no digital signals in your area, then it will not be able to receive anything and therefore any digital set top box won't be much good /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

If you input your postcode into the following web-site, it will give you some idea 'if' there is a digital signal in your area. It doesn't guarantee that you will be able to receive a perfect digital signal.

http://www.digitaluk.co.uk/en/when/faq.html#what-kind-of-digital-tv-is-available

I see from your web-site that the telephone comes down to Maldon in Essex even though you call yourself 'Mid-West Charters' /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

I hope you get it sorted.
 
Up until now, my digital TV aerial (which is a five inch long straight rubber duck type) has given reasonable performance just stuffed in the locker behind the switch panel!

However, in an effort to improve the number of channels I can get, I have moved the aerial out on to the push pit rail. I have yet to see the exact difference, although through the experience of others, I know it will be a remarkable improvement.

In the Solent, there is pretty good reception though so elsewhere, I wouldn't know.
 
It is well nigh impossible to predict exactly what TV reception is going to be like. The only answer is to "suck it and see". With digi boxes as cheap as chips not a big problem, and with analogue being switched off you'll have to buy one sooner or later. In my experience in some areas even with a weak snowy signal on analogue digital comes through loud and clear and vice versa.
 
Hi Steve,
I've got a basic glomex frisby style at the top of the mast with a sticker that says analogue & digital which I use with a LCD TV with integral freeview. As said above it all depends if your area is covered by a digital transmitter but if so then you should have a perfect picture and even so when heeled picking up 30 plus chanels. Analogue works ok but is less consistent fading in and out at times.
Pete
 
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