For those of you who reckon TV on a boat is a blasphemy, then don't read any further.

Those of you who live aboard like us and want to contribute your thoughts, please share your views.
I bought a new 12v TV, aerial and cable about 6 months ago and I must say I'm a little disappointed.
The aerial is halfway up the mast.
I can be in the middle of Bundaberg or Port MacQuarie and the picture is pixelated and keeps breaking up, or out at Lady Musgrave and have a perfect picture ... WTF?

I remember the old days with analogue, it would get snowy but you would still be able to see whats going on!!

Ha! yes it some of my system maybe Chinese made, but what are your experiences?

The Saturn TV antenna made by the guys at Rainbow Beach is arguably the most popular in Qld and rightly so. I usually get 40 - 50 channels any where on the coast, many channels from over the horizon. I have a Chinese TV and a boat full of LED lights so I am asking for trouble but so far not getting any.

Thanks for all your replies fellas.

When I bought the boat, it had a Majestic aerial with the 12v supply up to it. It was never that great so I replaced the coax cable running up the mast. It was no better so I bought a Banten aerial with no real improvement.

The last attempt has been to buy a new Teac TV along with a Top Dek brand aerial, similar to a Majestic (looks like a UFO) with 12v running up the coax to provide the driver for the aerial. The box that supplies the 12v has a small knob to adjust the power to the aerial - is that what it does Datawiz? Anyhow, I try it with the knob in all different positions with no noticeable change.
It seems all very hit and miss.

You are right Jode 5, "happy wife, happy life"

The following is a simple antenna that can be made up very cheap and so far has worked perfectly for me in areas from Rotto to Quindallup. I've lost who the original poster was so can't give him any kudos.
it does mean hoisting whenever you use it but this has proved a godsend as I only bother watching tv whilst out on the boat when the program is really worth watching.

Here's the instructions for making a tv antenna.

Make you own .....

"6-66 antenna".
Can be used for FM/VHF/UHF and is omnidirectional.
Cost: ~$4.00 + splitter and coax.

Take a 66 inch length of small copper tubing and form it into a circle. then put a 'gap' of exactly 6 inches where the two ends of the circle of tube come together and use rubber hose slipped over the 'ends' to maintain the 'gap'. Drill two small holes through the tubing near the 'ends' for small screws, washers and thumbscrews to affix a screw-on 'splitter/amplifier'. Attach lightweight coax cable to the splitter.

Tie on lightweight line/cord to make a 'cradle' so that the antenna is horizontal to the horizon. Raise the antenna on a flag halyard on your spreader - enjoy. Dont let the antenna touch the mast or shrouds.

No need to cut...

Just bend the 66" length so there is a 6" gap.

The total 'circle' of copper and hose will be about 72 inches.

Will post photo if anyone interested.
The copper pipe was bought from Bunnings, splitter from Jaycar, hose for house now 10" shorter.
Easy done

NowandZen said..
Thanks for all your replies fellas.

When I bought the boat, it had a Majestic aerial with the 12v supply up to it. It was never that great so I replaced the coax cable running up the mast. It was no better so I bought a Banten aerial with no real improvement.

The last attempt has been to buy a new Teac TV along with a Top Dek brand aerial, similar to a Majestic (looks like a UFO) with 12v running up the coax to provide the driver for the aerial. The box that supplies the 12v has a small knob to adjust the power to the aerial - is that what it does Datawiz? Anyhow, I try it with the knob in all different positions with no noticeable change.
It seems all very hit and miss.

You are right Jode 5, "happy wife, happy life"

Hi NZ,
Don't know what the knob does (if anything). If your Majestic antenna is the one in the link I posted, I'd get back to Majestic and get them to confirm its working correctly or replace it.
I've found them good to deal with, particularly when I had a TV breakdown under warranty.
regards,
allan