TV reception

[knotflying]

There has been discussion about the poor reception on over the air whereas the signal keeps going in and out on stations that are relatively good when they come in. I am not sure if this issue is inherent to the general application or perhaps the location of the antenna. Before I start experimenting, has anyone moved the antenna higher so as not to be blocked by the stack and has that improved the loss of signal? Granted I do get sick of ION TV and my Spanish has improved considerably, but it is better than nothing. It's bad enough when you hear every other sentence in English and even worse when you are trying to hear it in Spanish!

Thanks for your input,
Mike

 

[Just Dreamin']

Mike,

I have my external TV antenna mounted above the radar dome on our R25 classic. The mast assembly on our 2009 R25 is mounted just forward of the stack and lowers to the port side for travel. Above the dome was a small plate which I assume from viewing newer models is now used to mount the GPS antenna. Our GPS antenna is mounted on the stack; therefore, used the empty plate above dome to mount a Glomex 10 inch HD antenna. Works great.

Although we have cable available at our marina on the South shore of Lake Erie (about 45 miles East of Toledo) when I switch to external have picked upwards to 40 channels from Toledo, Detroit, Cleveland and Canada. On a recent trip to Canada we pulled in not only Canadian channels but also US, I think the reception was somewhere around 20 channels. Have also gotten this type reception on several of the Lake Erie islands.

Can I attribute this to be mounting higher on the mast, not sure but the antenna works great. Actual picture quality is better than cable.

Jeff Marcum on the Get-aweigh (2010 R25 classic) docked about 3 miles up from us also has his antenna mounted above the radar dome and he also receives the same channel selection.

I just added a photo of our boat to the album, Just Dreamin', and Jeff's boat The Get-Aweigh tied up for the evening in Leamington, OT. I think if you look above the dome you will see the Glomex mounted and also Jeff's boat which barely shows his antenna. His antenna is a little larger than ours, but both work great.

Hope this helps some what in your search for reception.

mike

 

[knotflying]

Thanks for the input. I may try a temporary raising of the antenna and seen how that works out.

 

[South lake]

By the way, when our tv antenna was mounted above the radar dome, the GPS antenna was moved inside the stack using a bracket that bolted to the inside top of the stack. Works great there.

 

[knotflying]

Interesting, inside the stack? I was thinking of just switching locations, but was concerned I may have a reception problem with the GPS, but if you are telling me it is working from inside. It may not be an issue. I will also have to extend the mast mount to be able to fit the antenna circumference.

 

[Just Dreamin']

Correct. You will need to increase the mast plate size to mount an antenna. I used marine starboard and shaped/edged with router, and located cable along mast in small wire loom. TV cable enters the stack through same port as radar leads. I did have to drill an additional hole under stack to drop cable to interior of cabin, and then dropped the ceiling to snake wire aft to cave area where I mounted the booster/A-B switch. We have a small set mounted in the V-berth; therefore, used splitter and ran cable forward along port side of hull. As noted above, my GPS antenna is mounted on top of stack and have never had a reception issue.

 

[knotflying]

Mike,
Clarify for me because I understood the GPS antenna two different ways. Did you put it inside the stack or on top of it.

 

[Just Dreamin']

Mike, sorry for not clarifying better. My GPS antenna is mounted on top of stack (Just Dreamin') and Jeff Marcum's (the Get~Aweigh) is mounted inside the stack on a small bracket. Both locations give excellent lock on satellites.

 

[knotflying]

Thanks, for all your input. During my investigating the relocation on my boat I discovered that the connector at the antenna was in bad shape so I replaced it and the channels that were dropping did not drop at all. Also coincidentally, Defender in the latest Active Captain newsletter has an offer on a 14 inch Glowmax antenna with horizontal/vertical frequency for $79.99 without the amplifier . I ordered one and will switch it out with the existing antenna and see if there is improvement. If that does not help then I will go and switch the location.