PaulN Posted December 23, 2020 Share Posted December 23, 2020 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? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CambridgeCabby Posted December 23, 2020 Share Posted December 23, 2020 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 . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaulN Posted December 23, 2020 Author Share Posted December 23, 2020 Thank you CC, do you for example get reception in the cut at Ranworth BA Moorings, I have seen Lady Cerise moored there? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JennyMorgan Posted December 23, 2020 Share Posted December 23, 2020 A TV on a boat! Whatever next, a micro-wave? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CambridgeCabby Posted December 23, 2020 Share Posted December 23, 2020 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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
petersjoy Posted December 23, 2020 Share Posted December 23, 2020 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. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NorfolkNog Posted December 23, 2020 Share Posted December 23, 2020 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/ 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bluebell Posted December 23, 2020 Share Posted December 23, 2020 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😎 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaulN Posted December 23, 2020 Author Share Posted December 23, 2020 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 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BroadAmbition Posted December 23, 2020 Share Posted December 23, 2020 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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaulN Posted December 23, 2020 Author Share Posted December 23, 2020 Broads Ambition. Also, thank you also for your advice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
annv Posted December 24, 2020 Share Posted December 24, 2020 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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BroadAmbition Posted December 24, 2020 Share Posted December 24, 2020 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 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaulN Posted December 24, 2020 Author Share Posted December 24, 2020 Thank you BA, that seems good solution, as I already have a coax socket outside Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaulN Posted April 14, 2021 Author Share Posted April 14, 2021 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) 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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