TV Aerials

C

Cashbuyer

Well-Known Member
Joined
4 Feb 2010
Messages
502
Visit site
Sorry if this has been covered before -

Anyone recommend a good TV aerial for use in the Thames valley? We bought a large directional to use which is great in the marina but so so
elsewhere and takes up too much room, is ugly and makes us look like TV addicts. It is higher than the radar arch when erected... Heard bad reviews of omnidirectionals. They certainly look better but are they any good?
 
Personally I have never had much success with TV aerials on boats. This was no great hardship for me as I could never settle down enough on board to watch a TV anyway.

Having said all that the people who seem to have the best results are those that have bought the mini satellite aerials. These are not overly expensive from what I gather and produce excellent results.
 
I've got a Glomex omnidirectional one and it seems to work everywhere, it does go through a separate powered amplifier and then to the freeview TV. I think its the amplifier that makes the big difference, as others have said i've struggled in the past, but been very impressed with this setup.
The dishes always look like too much hassle, having watched some peeps take ages to point them in the right direction, but maybe it was just them.
 
Chris_d said:
I've got a Glomex omnidirectional one and it seems to work everywhere, it does go through a separate powered amplifier and then to the freeview TV. I think its the amplifier that makes the big difference, as others have said i've struggled in the past, but been very impressed with this setup.
The dishes always look like too much hassle, having watched some peeps take ages to point them in the right direction, but maybe it was just them.
Click to expand...

I had one of those with the amplifier when I bought the boat and could not get a decent signal for love nor money so binned it in the end (or flogged it on ebay more like- cant remember)

..and yet I have another small 5" B&W telly with a rod aerial that works very well.

Its a very black art, tellies.

I always struggle to get a picture for SWMBO when Eastbenders on, funny that....
 
I have a 30cm dish that works very well as long as the boat isn't swinging about too much. Strange though it may seem, the smaller the dish the better as far as movement is concerned. All to do with narrow beams or summut! I also have a small conventional directional aerial which folds up and fits in a locker. Worked perfectly at Moulsford last weekend, 90-100% signal strength on all Freeview channels without any form of amplifier.
 
As far as terrestrial tv is concerned its all down to availability of a decent signal. You start from a low point of always being low down in a river valley and usually surrounded by trees so the baseline is a **** signal. Local circumstances - nearby transmitter, no trees, flat countryside, pointing the aerial in the right direction can all add plus points and the signal gets better or possibly even very good. You also need to retune to different transmitters every time you move a significant distance. I gave up on expecting terrestrial tv to be worth watching so its now a pleasant surprise if it is. Gave up on any of the omnidirectional stuff and now have a simple aerial on a pole which can be easily rotated together with a small amplifier that plugs in to the 240v socket..

Agree with the comments re small satellite dishes but you do need a pointy meter thingy to get them set up right.
 
boatone said:
Agree with the comments re small satellite dishes but you do need a pointy meter thingy to get them set up right.
Click to expand...
All the time we were in Holland, we got UK TV courtesy of SKY. We have a pointy thing but rarely needed to use it. The elevation (azimuth??) remains the same and with the Astra satellite at 28.4 degrees east of south (to quote their literature) you only have to look at the compass and adjust accordingly. Saves all that connection and disconnection malarky. :)
 
boatone said:
you do need a pointy meter thingy to get them set up right.
Click to expand...

Agreed - under a fiver on Ebay.

I think my record for locating the statellite was 20secs.

...only problem for me is all the trees in Harleyford means cannot get a signal in the marina.
 
Ooo - this is as much fun as the "debates" on Ensigns....

Agree with much that has been said, so I'll continue to flesh thins out with my experiences.

For may years I had a succession of Maxview omnis, small normal aerials and ended up with a ginourmous Orange French V thingy. All were very frustrating with various degrees of non success. The Management complained about the amount of space taken by the French thingy when removed for boating.

Decided to experiment with satellite reception; boxes cheap on eBay and one always knows where to point the dish - as opposed to terrestrial which depends where you are.

Result - bliss; taking care to avoid moorings which have trees too near to 150 deg. Always get a signal, and the dish has been made to fold, making SWMBO more content.

I have a GPS to tell me how fast I am going (pointer for other threads on this forum) as well as an inbuit electronic compass. In case of doubt I also use one of those sat: detectors - but I find the ones with a meter are not easy to use. I suggest one with a series of LEDs and a bleeper.

For areas where I know I may be required to stop and where a dish wont work, I have discovered a "log periodic" aerial works well. No reflector, so not bulky and easy to store. About £10 plus VAT from CPC.
 
Thanks Guys

Now I think I'm even more confused...

By the way Apollo my TV reception is great in Harleyford even with the naff old fashioned aerial on a stick!

Just goes to show - It's a mystery...
 
NR has a spaceship thing on the bridge, and an Amplifier wired up by the TV, and it works just fine everywhere.

Well, at least 'watchable' on most channels!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Top