Using mast as a TV antenna

[rhgraf]

Has anyone successfuly used your mast or rigging to get a good TV signal? I want to receive digital channels on my boat and recently purchased an indoor amplified antenna that didn't work. My boat is within 25 miles of all of the TV stations so I should be able to get good reception and would rather not have to use a external antenna and run a cable to the boat.

Any suggestions?

[Idiens]

I use the rigging on a GRP boat to receive most radio broadcasts, but I don't think it works too well with higher frequencies.

[AboardIndigo]

Digital signals are currently broadcast in UHF. I suggest that if you're that close you make a bow-tie in front of mesh antenna of your own that you can put on a stick and rotate as you need to pick up whichever tower you are targeting.

This style has the broadest coverage (as opposed to a yagi), which means you'll have plenty of room for error when it comes to aiming it.

[TOMINDC2]

Yes, (sort of) . We use the mast to attache a UFO antenna just below our radar antenna. Provides great HDTV reception in ports around the Chesapeake. UFO antennas are inexpensive and they work. Using the mast itself might work, but my guess is that it will require a lot of fiddling to get good reception.