DirecTV

[JonChristman]

Do any of you have any experience with using DirecTV out on the Trojan? I would really like to do this, but the cheapest antenna I have seen has been in the $1300. I am looking forward to spending some nights out on the Lake Erie and wanted to be able to watch the evening news and all .

[prowlersfish]

You can get cheaper antennas for it but wont work on the hook. ( boat moves to much) strange how a XM radio or your gps can pick up a satellite but you need a dish for TV . maybe in a few years ?



With the new HD TV I have had good luck getting TV signals in most places I have been .

[Audrey II]

What did you find for $1300? I'm looking at $2000 for an Intellian i2 I hope to get a deal at the NY boat show in a few weeks.

[gettaway]

I have one of those shakespear TV antennas and a new Smasung HDTV on the boat, the picture is incredible and i gt a ton of HD free channels,
I must say though, we rarely ever watch TV on the boat, usually the news the catch the weather.. now the stereo, it's almost always on

[alexander38]

We've put in a tune-able hd antenna from radio shack works great on the hook.

[Audrey II]

I've tried several antennas but in my area I got very little. I have been using DTV at dock for the last couple years but while under way I have had nothing and when traveling I like to see what is going on in the world some marinas have cable many don't. This year we had a nasty storm roll through town and it snapped a bow line the boat swung starboard and the bow rail smashed my dish and did an number on the railing. I just settled with BoatUs and I plan to install a dome rather than installing another dish at the dock. I already installed a combo mount when I replaced my radar that died last season so the install will be quick and easy. I big question has been which unit to by. I have decided that the Intelllian i2 is the best priced doesn't require me to replace the boxes I already own and is HD ready if I choose. I know a few members from my marina and I have spoken to several ROs from BE and they all speak highly of this unit. The KVH M1 is not HD and requires using there receivers plus it a bit more money,

[RedBelly]

strange how a XM radio or your gps can pick up a satellite but you need a dish for TV . maybe in a few years ?

Funny you should say this, Paul. Martine Rothblatt, who invented both the receiver equipment and the development of the spectrum that Sirius/XM use, has been working on this for over two years. Were I a TV watcher, I'd look for something big to happen in 2011.

[Big D]

I think things will be changing too. For now, I suspect getting the GPS signal is different because it is always in touch with at least 3 sattelites to get a fix, but is usually monitoring several. My understanding is that when configuring the TV reciever, you select one main and one back-up satelite (that may have changed).

Intellian is a good choice. I found that configuring wasn't all that easy but it was due to getting the wrong configuring instructions with the unit. It came with instructions for a previous software version. Once we got the latest update, it went OK. So make sure the instructions match the version or the steps will be out of sequence and seamingly missing stuff. There are many steps; just follow them precisely or it won't perform to parr and you'll simply think you're just getting a poor signal for some other reason.

[Paul]

I have a simple Glomex marine TV antennae mounted on my top of my radar arch with a booster on the bulk next to the LG LCD television. I don't remember the exact figure but I know this antennae was less than $200.00. Though I can only receive land based signals, I get great selections of stations from Michigan, Ohio and a few from Southern Ontario.

We don't watch allot of TV however it's nice to keep up with the news when on the hook for a few days or see a Rockford Files re-run (Retro TV) on a rainy afternoon.

[rbcool]

I had one of those portable Sat dishes on my last boat (complete kit less than $400) Worked GREAT at the dock. I would just bring one of my recievers from home and plug it in. Also worked pretty good on the hook - as long as it was a dead calm day and slack tide
All in all, I was happy with it since we went to alot of different marinas.
I usually only watch TV at night, it helps me get to sleep. But during football....... I gots to have my NFL package

My current slip I mounted a big Shakespere 16' in the air. Get Amazing HD for 7 local channels and on a cloudy day, I get all of the Norfuk channels for a total of 29

Ron

[g36]

i use dish network not direct tv but this sat antenna will work for you also on direct tv. and this is what i am using on my f32, i didnt get it at this website but it is a good price and worth a look. this antenna works great at the hook or in motion traveling .i have had no issues with it. locks on easily and tracks great.
this all comes down to. what do you want to use this for, if its while in motion (travelling or on the hook) then you need an in motion tracking sat antenna for dish network or direct tv. this is what i have. if you want it only at the dock then theres cheaper dishes but you wont be able to use an non tracking unit at anchor no matter what you do (believe me i tried) yes its alot of money but sometimes you have to spend it. i also use a ota antenna to get my locals but football on espn etc. at anchor, yeah its worth it. the only difference between the vu30 and vu3000 is rubber feet and a $11.00 handle.

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_1260 ... M675382201

[rbcool]

Here's the site where I got mine. Looks like they lowered the price since '07 I also see they now have an awesome WIFI system.
They also have other Sat systems

http://www.geosatsolutions.com/Marine-Sat.htm

Ron