Has anyone heard of the new KVH product that is a portable satellite antenna? It brings Direct TV to any TV you might have on your boats. Its about $799 to start and has easy mounting option such as a threaded pole. Does anyone use satellite TV on their sailboats or TV in general?? It would be used when tied to a dock or boat deck can not use it when out in the water because of the movement... What do people think? Does anyone think it is worth it?? Any ideas??
Satellite TV on Sailboats
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Are you thinking of Follow-Me?
Not KVH, but separate product that together with a Direct TV sat dish will function just like the high dollar systems. It typically runs 799 or thereabouts and gets rave reviews. I once met the man who invented it. Nice guy, nice boat too! I can't imagine KVH ever making anything that cheap. Their systems at $4k and up, way, way up. But, I will follow here and might be surprised.
Not KVH, but separate product that together with a Direct TV sat dish will function just like the high dollar systems. It typically runs 799 or thereabouts and gets rave reviews. I once met the man who invented it. Nice guy, nice boat too! I can't imagine KVH ever making anything that cheap. Their systems at $4k and up, way, way up. But, I will follow here and might be surprised.
I get on the boat to get away
no tv no cellphone no computer, radio with nice music to soothe the soul then again, a bottle of rum, wine, crackers, cheese.... Jim S/V Java
no tv no cellphone no computer, radio with nice music to soothe the soul then again, a bottle of rum, wine, crackers, cheese.... Jim S/V Java
Dish Network
If you are going to use it at the docks why not use one of the normal systems? They are much cheaper and not a real hassle to install. I know both Dish and Direct TV can be used there. You are still going to have to use one of them for you programing most likely. Just a thought
If you are going to use it at the docks why not use one of the normal systems? They are much cheaper and not a real hassle to install. I know both Dish and Direct TV can be used there. You are still going to have to use one of them for you programing most likely. Just a thought
Yeah Jim...
but I also work from the boat...net, sat, cell, fax, u name it. Not a get away, but then again, I don't have to...cuz I'm here already, at least most of the time. Gotta take the good with the bad eh?...
but I also work from the boat...net, sat, cell, fax, u name it. Not a get away, but then again, I don't have to...cuz I'm here already, at least most of the time. Gotta take the good with the bad eh?...
We have directv on our 40.5
We have the same directv dish that is used for homes mounted at the aft end of our cockpit. Installation was simple: Mounted a 2 foot section of white PVC pipe to our stern pulpit. The dish fits perfectly over the PVC. As long as we are tied up to a dock, it works absolutely perfect. The normal movement of a boat at dock is not enought to affect the signal. Unless the wind is blowing on your beam above 20 knots of so, the signal is perfect. When ever we cruise to another marina, we just realign the dish.
We have the same directv dish that is used for homes mounted at the aft end of our cockpit. Installation was simple: Mounted a 2 foot section of white PVC pipe to our stern pulpit. The dish fits perfectly over the PVC. As long as we are tied up to a dock, it works absolutely perfect. The normal movement of a boat at dock is not enought to affect the signal. Unless the wind is blowing on your beam above 20 knots of so, the signal is perfect. When ever we cruise to another marina, we just realign the dish.
direct tv
a while back a neighbor on my dock just set his dish receiver on the finger dock alongside his boat and hooked up the tv. He had a sand bag on the base to keep it stable and a reference mark on the dock for consistant placement. Worked fine... we watched Americas cup and some cable sports shows I couldn't get on my antennae tv.
a while back a neighbor on my dock just set his dish receiver on the finger dock alongside his boat and hooked up the tv. He had a sand bag on the base to keep it stable and a reference mark on the dock for consistant placement. Worked fine... we watched Americas cup and some cable sports shows I couldn't get on my antennae tv.
KVH Tracvision 4
I've had the KVH trackvision 4 model on our 03 356 since commissioning. The model we have is a tracking system and works fine during most conditions. It will break lock during heavy weather and if a full fast 360 is made, but will reaquire it pretty soon. We use DishNetwork and it works great. We use it for weather all the time. We watch Tennessee football for all the big games. It gives us the ability to sail and also enjoy all the amenities of home. This weekend we are the committee boat for the Kentucky Lake Sailing Club's 100 mile race. We stay on anchor, generataor running, and have TV to waste away the day and night while waiting for the boats to finish. I have used a regular dish at the dock and it works also. Don't know anything about the new portable antenna. What is the KVH Model?
I've had the KVH trackvision 4 model on our 03 356 since commissioning. The model we have is a tracking system and works fine during most conditions. It will break lock during heavy weather and if a full fast 360 is made, but will reaquire it pretty soon. We use DishNetwork and it works great. We use it for weather all the time. We watch Tennessee football for all the big games. It gives us the ability to sail and also enjoy all the amenities of home. This weekend we are the committee boat for the Kentucky Lake Sailing Club's 100 mile race. We stay on anchor, generataor running, and have TV to waste away the day and night while waiting for the boats to finish. I have used a regular dish at the dock and it works also. Don't know anything about the new portable antenna. What is the KVH Model?
Did you know...
That if you counter balance the antenna with weights the dish itself will self track, as long as you are in port. By using counter weights, any movement of the boat will be countered with the weights. Same principle as the gimbaled stove or compass, or if you are into astronomy, a telescope. Note: I am not using the term tracking as in maintaining a fix on a satellite using a beacon frequency, but as a means of maintaining azimuth and elevation on a in-place moving platform, i.e. a boat tied up and pitching/rolling/yawing.
That if you counter balance the antenna with weights the dish itself will self track, as long as you are in port. By using counter weights, any movement of the boat will be countered with the weights. Same principle as the gimbaled stove or compass, or if you are into astronomy, a telescope. Note: I am not using the term tracking as in maintaining a fix on a satellite using a beacon frequency, but as a means of maintaining azimuth and elevation on a in-place moving platform, i.e. a boat tied up and pitching/rolling/yawing.
Seawatch Portable DSS Antenna
If you check out www.consumermarine.com you will find a Shakespeare Antenna for $299.00 Item #540010 Saewatch 3005 portable DSS Antenna Works great. Check them for most any Marine Electronics. they have good prices and great service.
If you check out www.consumermarine.com you will find a Shakespeare Antenna for $299.00 Item #540010 Saewatch 3005 portable DSS Antenna Works great. Check them for most any Marine Electronics. they have good prices and great service.
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