The marina I've recently moved to does not have cable TV. As a liveaboard, I'm faced with the need for a mast mounted TV antenna or a Satellite system that is either permanent (and pricey) or a portable Satellite system (not so pricey). The reviews I've read about the "marine" TV antennas are largely unfavorable for quality of reception. I've not found much for experience with the lower priced portable Satellite systems. The expensive systems (self tracking) are just too much to justify at $3000 and up. Therefore, I'm soliciting experienced feedback from you folks about the best antennas or portable type Satellite systems. Thanks in advance!!
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charles hubbard
satellite
there is an affordable satellite system called "follow me tv". i payed about 650usd three years ago. the sytem tracks on a horizontal plane and is good for motoring, at anchor, and in a slip. it loses reception when the boat heels, but who has time for tv when you're sailing.
there is an affordable satellite system called "follow me tv". i payed about 650usd three years ago. the sytem tracks on a horizontal plane and is good for motoring, at anchor, and in a slip. it loses reception when the boat heels, but who has time for tv when you're sailing.
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Rich Wallace
We have used the portable ones for years
We have used a Sony model DSS receiver for a number of years on our sailboats. We have mounted them on the boat and found that when tied to the dock, the only time it loses the signal is when there is a strong wind that causes the boat to rotate. Generally tying the boat fairly tight to the dock and then aiming the dish will result in a weekend of good TV. The only advantage of the Sony receiver was that it has an LED at the dish that lets you know the signal strength. You don't have to listen for a tone or keep looking back into the boat to see how you are doing for a signal. We have traveled Lake Erie and Lake Huron and had satellite TV every day we were tied to a dock. It will not work if you are anchored out. The boat moves around too much. One good thing. Once the declination is set, you don't have to change it from Sandusky to Tobermory. The dish only needs to be rotated to point to about 210 degrees and all is well. The only time that I have had trouble aiming the dish was at Scudder on Peele Island. The pier (west side of the marina) apparently has a lot of iron in it which threw off all the compasses. I finally had to take a walk with the GPS to figure out where 210 was at. Once that was done, it was not a problem to get it aimed.
We have used a Sony model DSS receiver for a number of years on our sailboats. We have mounted them on the boat and found that when tied to the dock, the only time it loses the signal is when there is a strong wind that causes the boat to rotate. Generally tying the boat fairly tight to the dock and then aiming the dish will result in a weekend of good TV. The only advantage of the Sony receiver was that it has an LED at the dish that lets you know the signal strength. You don't have to listen for a tone or keep looking back into the boat to see how you are doing for a signal. We have traveled Lake Erie and Lake Huron and had satellite TV every day we were tied to a dock. It will not work if you are anchored out. The boat moves around too much. One good thing. Once the declination is set, you don't have to change it from Sandusky to Tobermory. The dish only needs to be rotated to point to about 210 degrees and all is well. The only time that I have had trouble aiming the dish was at Scudder on Peele Island. The pier (west side of the marina) apparently has a lot of iron in it which threw off all the compasses. I finally had to take a walk with the GPS to figure out where 210 was at. Once that was done, it was not a problem to get it aimed.
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Pete
satallite tv
Jerry, as a liveaboard I will assume that reception is only needed at the dock and will not be used when sailing or on the hook. I (as well as alot other at our marina) use a dish mounted to a dock pyling,it is on the pole and we use a cable into the boat,works well,good reception.Was appx $100 for box and dish and programing packages range between $30 to $100 per month.With the dish permenetly mounted aiming is not a issue and only done when installing the first time.We had a tv antenna but we were in a geographic hole and did not get reception.We are well satisifed !
Jerry, as a liveaboard I will assume that reception is only needed at the dock and will not be used when sailing or on the hook. I (as well as alot other at our marina) use a dish mounted to a dock pyling,it is on the pole and we use a cable into the boat,works well,good reception.Was appx $100 for box and dish and programing packages range between $30 to $100 per month.With the dish permenetly mounted aiming is not a issue and only done when installing the first time.We had a tv antenna but we were in a geographic hole and did not get reception.We are well satisifed !
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Ozana
Direct Satellite dish
We have direct tv satellite service at home and for an extra $5.00 a month I got another receiver I keep in the boat. The dish is permanently mounted on a piling besides the boat, and I just connect the cable to the boat when I'm in the slip. When anchored out we watch videos or read. Ozana
We have direct tv satellite service at home and for an extra $5.00 a month I got another receiver I keep in the boat. The dish is permanently mounted on a piling besides the boat, and I just connect the cable to the boat when I'm in the slip. When anchored out we watch videos or read. Ozana
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Jerry Keto
Thanks, It Appears Satellite Is The Way To Go!
Particular thanks to Rich and Charles for the info. I'm definately going to a dish temporarily mounted on deck when at the dock. Unfortunately, I have no adjacent pilings to mount a dish on so on-deck is the only choice. Thanks everyone!
Particular thanks to Rich and Charles for the info. I'm definately going to a dish temporarily mounted on deck when at the dock. Unfortunately, I have no adjacent pilings to mount a dish on so on-deck is the only choice. Thanks everyone!
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Stirling Hasen
How about NetFlix!
If you are into mainly watching movies, checkout www.netflix.com. I signed up for their $20/month program about 3 months ago, it gives me 3 dvd's at a time. I then have as long as I want to watch them (no late fees) and when I'm done with 1,2 or all three I just mail them back to them and they send me more. You have a rental queue and when they receive a dvd, they ship the next one in your queue. Also no postage either way and I just seal the DVD in their pre-paid envelope and put it my mailbox. What could be easier.
If you are into mainly watching movies, checkout www.netflix.com. I signed up for their $20/month program about 3 months ago, it gives me 3 dvd's at a time. I then have as long as I want to watch them (no late fees) and when I'm done with 1,2 or all three I just mail them back to them and they send me more. You have a rental queue and when they receive a dvd, they ship the next one in your queue. Also no postage either way and I just seal the DVD in their pre-paid envelope and put it my mailbox. What could be easier.
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Wayne
Won't work on deck
Jerry, Even the gentle rocking of the boat will affect the pointing of your satellite dish and your picture wont be there long enough to watch. Put it on the flat surface of the dock if not floating docks. No pilings? Or maybe you are on a mooring?
Jerry, Even the gentle rocking of the boat will affect the pointing of your satellite dish and your picture wont be there long enough to watch. Put it on the flat surface of the dock if not floating docks. No pilings? Or maybe you are on a mooring?
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charles hubbard
works fine here
i've had my system for three years, and though never tested it while sailing, while motoring and at anchor it works great. i have it lashed to the back rail, and whenever i want to watch tv i pull out this little circuitboard with a led on it and push "find". after one to three minutes a picture comes up. it seems to be a little cheesier than the $3-$4k systems, but at less than 1, and, given the regularity with which i watch tv, it's the bomb
i've had my system for three years, and though never tested it while sailing, while motoring and at anchor it works great. i have it lashed to the back rail, and whenever i want to watch tv i pull out this little circuitboard with a led on it and push "find". after one to three minutes a picture comes up. it seems to be a little cheesier than the $3-$4k systems, but at less than 1, and, given the regularity with which i watch tv, it's the bomb
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