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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

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TV and WiFi antenna advice

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redviking
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1771 Posts

Initially Posted - 01/01/2007 : 10:31:50

This past September, as my wife and I rode out gale force winds at anchor, we struggled to pull in TV reception on our little handheld TV and wifi to the laptop. This hampered her access to current fantasy football info and must be resolved before the next season.

For TV, I'm thinking 15" flatscreen household variety with a 12 volt powerpack. I've looked, and a lot of them are wired 12 volt!

But what to do about an antenna? I've seen a few hoistable TV antennas and some wifi boosters out there. Has anyone had a good experience with either?

Sten '82 SR/FK #3220 - Swansea MA

Edited by - on

Brooke Willson
Admiral

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USA
983 Posts

Response Posted - 01/01/2007 : 10:38:58

The last thing I want to do on a boat is watch TV or be on the internet, but I've noticed that many new boats have TVs built in and sport antennas at the masthead. The Catalina 310, which attracts me enormously otherwise, is frequently equipped with a semi-circular TV antenna at the masthead. You might talk to Catalina or a Catalina dealer about what they're putting up there.

Brooke

Edited by - on

existentialsailor
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1180 Posts

Response Posted - 01/01/2007 : 12:20:30

What about this for TV?

[url="http://www.kvh.com/MarineSat/"]TracVision[/url]

and there's a good wifi discussion on the L & A forum:

[url="http://www.latsandatts.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=2970&highlight=wifi"]wifi[/url]

Edited by - on

djn
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1561 Posts

Response Posted - 01/02/2007 : 08:38:46

I don't know about TV, but I am now on my Dad's laptop and he has the Verizon cell card for internet. He pays 49 bucks a month and can get internet anywhere he can get one bar of verizon cell service. The amazing thing about this card is it is as fast as my Broadband cable internet at home....over and above that, it can go anywhere. As far as TV, I just do movies on my laptop. However, in the local Kroger they have 20" flatscreen for 250 bucks that I though would fit well tacked to the forward bulkhead. Cheers.

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redviking
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1771 Posts

Response Posted - 01/02/2007 : 08:53:39

I just need a one month solution... August! Football preseason...Babey has ta do the football! And there is just some stuff the commentators report on which she considers impotent! SO, can you watch TV on the verizon card?

sten

Edited by - on

djn
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1561 Posts

Response Posted - 01/02/2007 : 09:34:02

If you can find an internet feed for TV then yes you can watch in over the net. Cheers.

Edited by - on

SEAN
Admiral

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USA
772 Posts

Response Posted - 01/02/2007 : 14:54:30

I have a shakspere antena mounted to the stern rail seat .
you get a couple clear stations ,its a nice brake after dvds .

The tv is from audio-vox it has a dvd and a tv tuner,its a seven inch screen ,and remote .

I wanted a bigger screen and found this one at walmart online with a dvd 15inch but I had to get bigger batteries and a inverter .
It draws up to 45 watts .

Edited by - on

cat1951
Admiral

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USA
636 Posts

Response Posted - 01/02/2007 : 15:28:41

Sean,
Great choice of programming... Globe Trekker is one fine program.

Edited by - on

Frank Hopper
Past Commodore

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Pitcairn Island
6776 Posts

Response Posted - 01/02/2007 : 17:17:55

I bought a USB 2.0 EyeTV tuner and power rabbit ears for my 17" Mac PowerBook, I have been very disappointed with it. BUT! In the last six months the amount of TV on the internet is a true sign of the times. I think we will see regular Internet Broadcasting within the year. Then it is all about the downlink.

Edited by - on

Tom Potter
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1913 Posts

Response Posted - 01/02/2007 : 20:43:15

If you have a laptop and a high speed wireless card like Dennis, try this [url="http://wwitv.com/portal.htm"]website[/url]. Lots of free TV channels, some old movies, news etc.

Edited by - on

Bruce Baker
Captain

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USA
402 Posts

Response Posted - 01/03/2007 : 13:34:40

I used to sail with this guy who had a 9 inch black and white TV. We used to sail on Sunday afternoons on the Potomac, watching the Redskins games. I'd like to get a TV like that, but they don't make them anymore. Best Buy has a 7" portable TV by Curtis, but I haven't seen any reviews on it. I'm skeptical.

Edited by - on

Nautiduck
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3704 Posts

Response Posted - 01/03/2007 : 18:28:07

Sean, I have antenna mast envy. That thing is awesome!

Also, please verify that the bigger TV replaced the smaller one and that you don't have two TVs on yout boat!!

Edited by - Nautiduck on 01/03/2007 18:29:51

SEAN
Admiral

Members Avatar

USA
772 Posts

Response Posted - 01/03/2007 : 20:01:32

Thanks Eugene ,

everybody says have a back up !

I only had the bigger tv for a month or so before we
took it out of the water .
It is suppost to be a replacement ,
But Ill tell you it makes it harder to get anywork done under the tarp .

The mast was pretty easy to make , Its a must to
remember to take it down when you haul out though.
I fogot twice now , first time got ugly with a tree .
it gave it that swept back look .

Edited by - on

Nautiduck
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3704 Posts

Response Posted - 01/03/2007 : 22:39:48

Could you post a picture some day from further back that shows the whole TV mast setup? In addition to the TV antenna and the cool light setup, what is that third thing that looks like an antenna?

Edited by - on

SEAN
Admiral

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USA
772 Posts

Response Posted - 01/04/2007 : 08:22:46

Eugene ,
this was the only photos I had , But all I used was a 1"
stainless pipe from west marine .
with 4 stainless clamps 2 on the pole and 2 onthe seat.
that way I could take it down easy .
I ran the wires inside the pole , then under seat and in the same hole
the motor wires run through .
the antena on the back is the gps ,and the flood light
I put a dimmer switch in the starbord comeings thing ,
I used a weather proff box/with double sided tape from home depot .
So while Im stearing I could lean over and and tun it on.
I love the light ,that with the deck light on gives plenty of light
to clean up when your going in.
But the flood light draws a lot of juice .When its on full the motor
has to be running then its fine, or you will watch the the volts drop real fast ,
if its dimmed you can keep it for awhile with the motor off .
we use oil lanterns when we sleep over .

Edited by - SEAN on 01/04/2007 08:26:06

britinusa
Web Editor

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USA
5404 Posts

Response Posted - 07/16/2008 : 07:17:02

Sean,
I was researching TV Antennas and found this post where you show the shakespear antenna.

While looking at the last picutre showing the antenna as it appears when looking out the cabin, I noticed the cabin top was only partially open

Care to show pics of that setup??

Paul

Edited by - on

Dave5041
Former Mainsheet Editor

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USA
3758 Posts

Response Posted - 07/16/2008 : 10:57:04

I have a 15" flat panel and shock cord rabbit ears on the boom and get excellent analog and digital programing reception from Toledo and Sandusky at my location in Port Clinton.

Edited by - on

SEAN
Admiral

Members Avatar

USA
772 Posts

Response Posted - 07/16/2008 : 17:19:40

hey thats not eugene thats randy !

Edited by - on

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