TV antenna

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timjet

timjet

Guru
Joined
Apr 9, 2009
Messages
1,920
Can someone recommend a small tv antenna that I can install behind my salon tv. I don't want to run cabling to a bridge mounted antenna nor do I want to supply AC power to it.
Thanks
 
Unless you are within 10 miles of most digital TV stations an indoor non pre-amplified antenna won't give you good results. If you are will to live with that limitation go to Radio Shack and see the selection they have. Otherwise I would recommend running RG-6 from the TV to a 12VDC amplified Glomex V9125 antenna and pre-amplifier.
Bill
 
Tim, there are some pre-amped "rabbit ears" (yep, shop Radio Shack). FWIW, I think they actually use DC, from an AC converter (wall wart). With decent length cables, you can at least move the sucker around a bit to encourage better reception in some cases.

We have the Glomex solution, which seems to work just fine when the broadcast stations cooperate and we're not being severely blocked by various obstructions.

-Chris
 
I mentioned Radio Shack because if you save the packing material and it doesn't work most stores will let you return the product and either refund your money or let you buy another product (store credit).
I really suggest an outside of the boat antenna for best results. I have tried most outdoor marine units and the Glomex V9125 has consistently worked best for me.
Bill
 
Find an aluminum scrap bike wheel.

Cut all the spokes out then cut the unit in to 2 half circles.

Use any insulation , wood will do and space the halves back to a circle but not touching..

Use a 300-75 ohm connected to either half wheel and bring the 75 ohm coax into your TV.

4 holes and some string will allow you to hang the antenna as high as you can, and to easily strike it when not required.
 
FF said:
Find an aluminum scrap bike wheel.

Cut all the spokes out then cut the unit in to 2 half circles.

Use any insulation , wood will do and space the halves back to a circle but not touching..

Use a 300-75 ohm connected to either half wheel and bring the 75 ohm coax into your TV.

4 holes and some string will allow you to hang the antenna as high as you can, and to easily strike it when not required.
Click to expand...
I love reading about home-brew projects, what frequency would this bike wheel be resonant at? This antenna sounds like the old 6 or 2 meter Halo antenna, but these only worked in a very narrow frequency band.
Bill
 
Isnt all US broadcasting now digital? And is it the same or different frequency range as analog was? It will mater with respect to the antenna. The few digital antenna that I've seen are much smaller than the old TV roof antennas, so I suspect the frequencies are a higher now and old antennas won't be of any use.
 
Most digital over the air TV in the US is done in the new UHF band.
Bill
 
Billylll said:
I mentioned Radio Shack because if you save the packing material and it doesn't work most stores will let you return the product and either refund your money or let you buy another product (store credit).
I really suggest an outside of the boat antenna for best results. I have tried most outdoor marine units and the Glomex V9125 has consistently worked best for me.
Bill
Click to expand...

I have a two year old 14" Shakespeare Seawatch antenna. A buddy of mine a few docks over has an older Glomex. I "sometimes" can get two stations. He consistently gets 10+ stations. My antenna actually sets about five feet higher than his. I am considering the Glomex. ​
When I am within 10 miles of the Baltimore/DC area I can pick up 50 stations. My dock is about 45 miles away from the metro area.​
 
My old school antenna works just fine. No cable or satellite TV in our house and all the local channels are fine. "Digital" tv antenna is a marketing gimmick.
 
Gulf Comanche said:
Take a look at "The Leaf" antenna. Works well for me.
https://store.gomohu.com/the-leaf-indoor-hdtv-antenna.html
Mohu Leaf Indoor Antenna Review
No business connections to these guys, just own and use their antenna.
Mike
Click to expand...
The Leaf antenna is actually a design called a "Patch" antenna.
They can work fairly well if you are fairly close to the DTV station. I thought I would mention there is really no such thing as a digital TV antenna. Any antenna that works in the TV bands, is broadband by nature and has or doesn't have a preamplifer (that is linear) will work There are lots of older style TV antennas that will do a fine job receiving digital over the air TV. So there is no need to upgrade your existing antenna if it's in working order for a "digital TV antenna".
Bill
 
twistedtree said:
Isnt all US broadcasting now digital? And is it the same or different frequency range as analog was? It will mater with respect to the antenna. The few digital antenna that I've seen are much smaller than the old TV roof antennas, so I suspect the frequencies are a higher now and old antennas won't be of any use.
Click to expand...

First, There is no such thing as a "digital antenna". It's advertising BS. An antenna picks up RF signals. It doesn't know or care what the content is.

Second, not all US TV broadcasting is digital. The vast majority of it is, but some low powered stations were allowed to continue broadcasting analog.

Third, The TV band used to be split, two through six at lower frequencies, seven through thirteen at higher frequencies (FM radio and some commercial services were in between) and UHF. In it's infinite wisdom, the government gave the lower VHF frequencies to other users but kept the upper VHF band and the UHF band for TV. That means your antenna still has to pick up seven through 13 of the VHF TV band and the UHF band. A smaller VHF only antenna won't pick up the VHF stations that may or may not be broadcasting in your area very well.

Just to make sure things were as confusing as possible, the government allowed the stations formerly broadcasting on the lower VHF band (2 through 6) to keep their channel numbers even though they are now broadcasting in the UHF band. Example; what you know as channel 4 might actually be broadcasting on channel 42.
 
FF said:
Find an aluminum scrap bike wheel.

Cut all the spokes out then cut the unit in to 2 half circles.

Use any insulation , wood will do and space the halves back to a circle but not touching..

Use a 300-75 ohm connected to either half wheel and bring the 75 ohm coax into your TV.

4 holes and some string will allow you to hang the antenna as high as you can, and to easily strike it when not required.
Click to expand...

If you " recycle" a old groco or equal head and turn it into a planter up on deck you will complete the ensemble!
Rube Goldberg would be proud

HOLLYWOOD
 
rwidman said:
First, There is no such thing as a "digital antenna". It's advertising BS. An antenna picks up RF signals. It doesn't know or care what the content is.

Second, not all US TV broadcasting is digital. The vast majority of it is, but some low powered stations were allowed to continue broadcasting analog.

Third, The TV band used to be split, two through six at lower frequencies, seven through thirteen at higher frequencies (FM radio and some commercial services were in between) and UHF. In it's infinite wisdom, the government gave the lower VHF frequencies to other users but kept the upper VHF band and the UHF band for TV. That means your antenna still has to pick up seven through 13 of the VHF TV band and the UHF band. A smaller VHF only antenna won't pick up the VHF stations that may or may not be broadcasting in your area very well.

Just to make sure things were as confusing as possible, the government allowed the stations formerly broadcasting on the lower VHF band (2 through 6) to keep their channel numbers even though they are now broadcasting in the UHF band. Example; what you know as channel 4 might actually be broadcasting on channel 42.
Click to expand...

Great post Ron. So what antenna do you have?
 
I think Ron has a Glomex mounted under his upper helm.
I'll let Ron respond.
Bill
 
timjet said:
It's not easy finding a Glomex antenna.
Click to expand...

Defender.com Search Results: glomex

And yes, I have a Glomex antenna mounted under the flybridge dash. I'm not sure but I think it's the GX-V9112/12AB.

The amplifier has two inputs, one for the antenna and one for cable or another antenna. That way, if you're at a marina with cable, you only have to switch a switch (and of course connect to the cable outlet on the dock).
 
Billylll said:
Ron excellent post.
Bill
Click to expand...

Thanks.

And to add to what I posted, while the digital conversion was long overdue and brought some great features to TV, you can no longer use a marginal signal and get a picture with snow or interference. You get a great picture or no picture at all. The effective range of the broadcast is much less than with analog and that's a real disadvantage for folks who want to watch TV on their boats.
 
Last edited:
FF said:
Find an aluminum scrap bike wheel.

Cut all the spokes out then cut the unit in to 2 half circles.

Use any insulation , wood will do and space the halves back to a circle but not touching..

Use a 300-75 ohm connected to either half wheel and bring the 75 ohm coax into your TV.

4 holes and some string will allow you to hang the antenna as high as you can, and to easily strike it when not required.
Click to expand...


I'm with Ff on this one. I made the same thing out of a motor cycle wheel for extra Heavy-Duty reception.:)
 
We bought a cheap Walmart antenna for $20 and are traveling north. Currently just pulled into anchor at Wrightsville Beach NC and have 8 channels.

Each night we have stopped we have had some channels not all HD quality like we do here but then we just play a DVD.

If it only worked for a few days it's totally worth it
 
Billylll said:
I mentioned Radio Shack because if you save the packing material and it doesn't work most stores will let you return the product and either refund your money or let you buy another product (store credit).
I really suggest an outside of the boat antenna for best results. I have tried most outdoor marine units and the Glomex V9125 has consistently worked best for me.
Bill
Click to expand...

Bill,
I had a Shakespeare 3020 on my last boat that worked pretty well, but would not get some of the local news stations reliably. Just wondering if you have any experience with this company/model and how it might compare to Glomex?

Looking to add an antenna like this to our new boat.

Thanks,
Donny
 
DonnyP said:
Bill,
I had a Shakespeare 3020 on my last boat that worked pretty well, but would not get some of the local news stations reliably. Just wondering if you have any experience with this company/model and how it might compare to Glomex?

Looking to add an antenna like this to our new boat.

Thanks,
Donny
Click to expand...
Donny part of my testing of UFO marine style TV antennas was trying 2 different model Shakespeare antennas, your's was one. The performance was akin to night vs day. Even the small 10" Glomex outperformed any Shakespeare I tried.
The V9112 is also a good model. I did notice that finding Glomex antennas on EBay has really dropped off. I'm wondering if there has been a change in their US distribution?
Bill
 
Hopefully, this is close enough to the topic to ask you communications gurus. Our DF44 came with a new KVH M1 Tracvision. Any mods possible to receive HD signals with this unit?
 
angus99 said:
Hopefully, this is close enough to the topic to ask you communications gurus. Our DF44 came with a new KVH M1 Tracvision. Any mods possible to receive HD signals with this unit?
Click to expand...


I don't think so.
 
gwkiwi said:
We bought a cheap Walmart antenna for $20 and are traveling north. Currently just pulled into anchor at Wrightsville Beach NC and have 8 channels.

Each night we have stopped we have had some channels not all HD quality like we do here but then we just play a DVD.

If it only worked for a few days it's totally worth it
Click to expand...

Other differences aside, there are two types of antennas, uni (one) directional and omni (all) directional. A uni directional antenna is able to concentrate the signal and will have a greater range than an omni directional antenna. The antenna you buy at Walmart or Radio Shack is most likely uni directional. You have to face or point it towards the stations for best results. That's fine for your home or office and OK for a boat in its home slip. It's useless for a boat that's underway or swinging at anchor. The Glomex and similar antennas are onmi directional and will continue to pick up a signal as the boat turns or swings at anchor. They may seem overpriced, but they are specialized and have a much lower sales volume than the Chinese Radio Shack or Walmart antennas.
 
Response update

fryedaze said:
I have a two year old 14" Shakespeare Seawatch antenna. A buddy of mine a few docks over has an older Glomex. I "sometimes" can get two stations. He consistently gets 10+ stations. My antenna actually sets about five feet higher than his. I am considering the Glomex. ​



When I am within 10 miles of the Baltimore/DC area I can pick up 50 stations. My dock is about 45 miles away from the metro area.​
Click to expand...

I need to amend my response. I changed the connector out on my Shakespeare antenna during some mast refurb and now get 14 station. This is comparable to the old Glomex my buddy has.
 
My observation being on the eastern shore of the Chesapeake: we are out of range of consistently reliable big 3 network coverage. We have a Naval brand $500 antenna at the top of mast. If you are in the slip a directional winegard clip in window antenna will pull in more channels - as a directional antenna does. If you are in a fringe area like us, test the antenna you want before install and buy a returnable product because if you are out of range you are out of range in my opinion. We gave up over here, having a KVH M1DX installed next week.


Sent from my iPhone using Trawler Forum
 
Happy Thought said:
My observation being on the eastern shore of the Chesapeake: we are out of range of consistently reliable big 3 network coverage. We have a Naval brand $500 antenna at the top of mast. If you are in the slip a directional winegard clip in window antenna will pull in more channels - as a directional antenna does. If you are in a fringe area like us, test the antenna you want before install and buy a returnable product because if you are out of range you are out of range in my opinion. We gave up over here, having a KVH M1DX installed next week.


Sent from my iPhone using Trawler Forum
Click to expand...


Good tip! :thumb:
 
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