Over the Air HD TV

[renegade-27]

We boat weekends on the lake - evenings are generally movies on the computer before bed.

The family wants to get an LCD TV for the boat which makes sense IF we can get over the air HD TV.

Anyone getting HD TV using antenna (no dish or cable?). How's the reception in the area?

Posting here hoping for more responses than a similar post in the boating section....

Thanks!
Renegade-27

[Slickcraft]

I see that you started two threads today with the same basic question when one would do. Also there already has been an ongoing thread that a quick search would reveal
http://www.winnipesaukee.com/forums/showthread.php?t=7573

OTA reception here is spotty and dependent on location. On the west side of Welch we get 31 and 41 from Vermont. We also get 8 from Maine but only by aiming south to pick-up the reflection off the Belknap range. We don’t get 9 or 6 which has moved to RF-44 in the UHF band, too much foliage attenuation. If we were on the east side of Welch we would not get the Vermont channels but probably would get 6. We have a high gain antenna with a rotor.

[renegade-27]

Thanks, Slickcraft! I did do a search - don't know why it didn't pick up the thread. Guilty of two posts - thought there would be 2 different "audiences".

So from Fays boatyard, looks like I've got a reasonable chance of 2-4 channels! Cool!

[Slickcraft]

So from Fays boatyard, looks like I've got a reasonable chance of 2-4 channels! Cool!

Well I did note that we have a high gain antenna, not sure that you will have any luck with whatever you can have on a boat.

BTW, the Slickcraft lives in a covered slip at Fay's when we are not at the Island. Good luck.

[Lakesrider]

DirecTv has a boat setup. Heck it is even on sale right now.

http://www.boatersland.com/kvhm3st.html :eek:

or you can do what I did. I bought something like this...

http://www.cnet.com/4520-10602_1-5618415-1.html

Mine is a 26" Sony. Great picture.
Unless your in a great spot on the water you won't get much over the air HD. You need a pretty high antennae to get anything. Even in a house up here.

I tape shows and movies during the week, making sure I don't watch them until I am on the boat.....;):D
Walmart always has the 'ol DVD bin with DVDs for $5.00. I stock up on a few of those too. Mainly I just relax, have a few drinks and pass out anyway....:D

[renegade-27]

Lakesrider - I'm with you - a movie (in my case from Netflix) to pass out in front of, but my wife likes to have the TV on in the morning to half pay attention to as she goes about her routine.

Slickcraft - dock 1 or 2? I'll have to look for you. We are on the sailboat Sugar Mountain - end of dock 1...

Which raises another question - with a tall mast, I'm wondering if something like this http://www.boatenna.com/framesample1_000002.htm might work in Smith cove. I can get the height (I think) if there's signal around.

[Slickcraft]

Slickcraft - dock 1 or 2? I'll have to look for you. We are on the sailboat Sugar Mountain - end of dock 1...

Which raises another question - with a tall mast, I'm wondering if something like this http://www.boatenna.com/framesample1_000002.htm might work in Smith cove. I can get the height (I think) if there's signal around.

That mast antenna has a doughnut shaped gain pattern, equal in all directions. You probably want something with some directional gain. You can use this to determine the direction:
http://www.fcc.gov/mb/engineering/maps/
looks like you have a chance for 6 and 8 looking east.

Our slip is in from the gas dock, behind the gas tank.

[Dowislandman]

We have tried to get a digital signal with the purchase of a converter box and trying out several antennas this summer but to no avail - followed manufacturer's directions and got the message no signal. Anyone having any luck with these new converter boxes, smart antennas etc., in this area of dow Island? Please let me know the brands you use and the methods of getting any digital signals.:confused:

[samosetguy]

I am on land in Gilford.

I bought a $40 digital antenna at Wallmart and the basic $40 digital box. The antenna is black and looks like a thin book. It's powered by electricity (plugs into the wall).

It works great. I get 6, 8 and 13 (two channels for each) which is actually better than when it was an analog signal. During poor weather, I sometimes can't get 6 or 13 (depending on where the weather is).