inside tv antenna

Don S/V ILLusion · May 1, 2017

An indoor sea level amplified antenna might work but more than likely it will just amplify noise than signal. The signal to noise level improvement is a function of height of the antenna as VHF/UHF signals are essentially line of sight.
In other words, what you seek doesn't exist. You are better served stringing a wire up a halyard.

Chief RA · May 1, 2017

Don is basically right. Using an inside antenna in a fiberglass boat means weak signal. Get a small amplified external antenna for about $30 dollars and you will do much better in your poor reception area. Chief

mlpayne · May 4, 2017

If you are in a poor broadcast signal reception area - there may not be a solution. Broadcast signal quality is a factor of broadcast source strength, physical distance from the signal source and obstructions (..and atmospheric conditions too may help / hurt). The best case is line of sight between the source and receiver. Antenna height certainly helps. An antenna atop the mast may receive better than one at deck level - depends on surrounding obstacles. Certainly the least desirable is the antenna inside the cabin. If you are really hot to get TV while afloat, you may want to consider a portable satellite receiver bundled with a home subscription. The issues being cost and line of sight to the southern horizon.

RobG · May 4, 2017

KN,
Before you waist any time or money trying to make this work check out antennaweb.org to see your possibilities. Its pretty accurate and will help you move forward or not. If you do have decent results it will help you pick the appropriate antenna.
https://www.antennaweb.org/
Rob

pateco · May 4, 2017

At sea level you will not be able to receive any OTA signals at that lake.. I just checked for 30' mast, and still nothing available by the Lake

DayDreamer41 · May 4, 2017

You would be much better off going for something aloft based on this information and even at that it sure doesn't look hopeful, every try radio?
View attachment 136100

LANCE ON CLOUD NINE · May 4, 2017

but if you did want to have it on the mast...you could rig a mount on a couple of sail slugs...and just pull it up while docked.

seadaddler · May 5, 2017

Glomex marine ant is what I have on top of my Bimini and have tried all the Marine ant over the years but for the last few years love Glomex.
I was just out over 3 weeks cruising to the Keys and most times got good TV except Little Shark River,we were at Marco with 10 other boats who had Ant with boosters and claim they could not get anything and we had all the good channels with my Glomex.
Nick

Chief RA · May 5, 2017

Nick{ I have 2 of these omni 360 style antenna but not sure who made them. This type is the kind I posted about running it up my mast with sail slides. They are not cheap but worth the money. Chief

seadaddler · May 5, 2017

Higher up with ant does improve reception for sure and had some boating friend who would run their ant up a halyard for improved reception and I have the long cable and mount for installing up my mast but have not done so as yet and maybe some day, I move around much slower these days with my leg and back problems.
Getting old sucks but love the retired life and living in Fl. so don't wait.
Nick

Calif. Ted · May 5, 2017

I used to use one of these Leaf ant. with a usb amplifier and run it up the courtesy flag halyard, worked well, biggest problem was keeping it still if windy. It needs to be "line of sight" with broadcast source but does have 50 mile range. I was completely blocked by cliffs from nearest source (Los Angeles) but could get a couple stations from San Diego and Tijuana at high tide if the atmospheric conditions were just right. Wasn't worth the bother for me, cell phone as a hotspot worked better for our limited use.
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Mohu-Leaf-Ultimate-Amplified-Indoor-HDTV-Antenna-box-v3.0-WMT/38078634

Chief RA · May 5, 2017

Using the sail slides rather than a loose halyard is the way to stabilize the antenna as well as height. The plus is it has a neat appearance.
Ted: You sent up a "storm sail"! No wonder it didn't work. Chief