Which Tv Aerial

[PaulN]

Any advice please on which is the best TV aerial. The one we inherited when we bought the boat is an Ultraspectra, which I can extend on aluminium poles to about 2½ m above the cabin roof and have since added a cheap booster from Argos 

http://www.unispectra.co.uk/product.php?p=UNI-220670

Reception varies so much, at Ranworth I can get nothing, at Horning Staithe, lots of channels, at Horning Pleasurecraft Marina ITV1 only etc.

I don't want to go to the expense of a Satellite Tracker, but would appreciate any views e.g. can anyone get reception at Ranworth BA moorings?

[CambridgeCabby]

We tried various of the newer aerials but found , for us, the one that worked by far the best was the more traditional type below , yes it’s directional but we find we get good reception most areas , including Ranworth where you point it between the church and the pub .

[PaulN]

Thank you CC, do you for example get reception in the cut at Ranworth BA Moorings, I have seen Lady Cerise moored there?

[JennyMorgan]

A TV on a boat! Whatever next, a micro-wave?

 

[CambridgeCabby]

yes I’m often moored in the taxi tank 
 

I get good reception there , was there a couple of weekends ago , solo helming and spent the afternoon watching tv

[petersjoy]

I've had several over the years and this is by far the best.

3 of us have now got them in our yard at Beccles.

https://www.youboatmarine.com/ballade---tv-antenna---dvbt--tnt---12v-1794-p.asp?gclid=CjwKCAiA8ov_BRAoEiwAOZogwZeNbvSl45NKJTfR2t8K8_kEcWK_22xIdHacWy-PVxN8t6gmkx743xoCH3cQAvD_BwE

Good reception just on the roof where i had to have others 3mtr high to get a reception over the sheds.

[NorfolkNog]

There was some discussion about this a while back if it's any help 

https://forum.norfolkbroadsnetwork.com/topic/4371-omni-directional-aerial/page/2/

 

 

[Bluebell]

1 hour ago, CambridgeCabby said:

We tried various of the newer aerials but found , for us, the one that worked by far the best was the more traditional type below , yes it’s directional but we find we get good reception most areas , including Ranworth where you point it between the church and the pub .

Same for me on Chiltern Lady. Also find the antenna finder app helpful for pointing it in the right direction😎

[PaulN]

Thank you so much everyone for sharing your expertise.

JM - Sorry, but we already have  microwave on board, really useful, especially when defrosting from the freezer so that I can have a quick meal and be ready to watch Spurs on my laptop via the internet  

[BroadAmbition]

Ballade - Yep that's the one we currently have onboard 'B.A' and to date it has been the best one so far. 

Tip it's useless unless you follow the instructions to the letter, you MUST give it a 12v supply to work 

Griff

 

[PaulN]

Broads Ambition. Also, thank you also for your advice.

[annv]

Hi Paul I find the Ballade one best, it dosnt work any better than others, but it is so inconspicuous (a large tennis ball) it can be left on the roof,,  it also dosnt get blown of direction as others do or lose signal if on a mud weight. John

[BroadAmbition]

I took the base off the 'Tennis Ball' disposed of it, then fitted it onto an aluminium pol with the coax threaded inside the pole.  Cut a groove in the bottom of the pole and the same in the corresponding footplate that I mounted on top of the mast behind the anchor light.  Then a watertight through roof fitting which is connected to a coax all the way back to the helm where it is fed its 12v supply, then a surface mounted coax plug.  It's them a simple procedure of slotting the pole into the base and plugging the coax into the roof fitting.  This gives it extra height which is always a bonus.  Stowing it away when not in use is simple as its' only a pole with a 'Tennis Ball' on one end

Hope this helps

Griff

 

[PaulN]

Thank you BA, that seems  good solution, as I already have a coax socket outside

[PaulN]

On 23/12/2020 at 16:19, CambridgeCabby said:

We tried various of the newer aerials but found , for us, the one that worked by far the best was the more traditional type below , yes it’s directional but we find we get good reception most areas , including Ranworth where you point it between the church and the pub .

Thank you CC, I bought this aerial from Screwfix and tried it out today. Previously our 4 times more expensive flying saucer type could not pick up anything at Ranworth where I met you this morning. 

Its absolutely perfect, we can get every channel. Thank you again

Paul (Bon Bon)