Cable TV

ratherbesailing · #1 (**permalink**) 06-09-2008

Thinking about moving aboard and I was wondering on how to get cable TV if the marina does not provide access to it. Do you install satellite on the dock? on your boat? any special antennas?

merlin2375 · #2 (**permalink**) 06-09-2008

I don't know anything about them really but happened upon them randomly a few days ago...

West Marine: TracVision M3 Satellite TV System Product Display

That's more for having TV all the time when cruising I would think. Just though it would be a start and a bump for your thread

ratherbesailing · #3 (**permalink**) 06-09-2008

Thanks Merlin. Just a bit out of my budget but that's a start...

merlin2375 · #4 (**permalink**) 06-09-2008

Haha, no problem. Wish I could be of more help! Does anyone else at your marina have a satellite dish? If you're going with something inexpensive that's probably going to be the best and least expensive assuming your marina doesn't have rules against having a dish.

You could also get an HD antenna and pick up HD channels over the air

kbyte · #5 (**permalink**) 06-09-2008

DirecTV has a little portable dish that comes in an attache case. I think it's about $1K.

sab30 · #6 (**permalink**) 06-09-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by ratherbesailing

Thinking about moving aboard and I was wondering on how to get cable TV if the marina does not provide access to it. Do you install satellite on the dock? on your boat? any special antennas?

Just another option but if you have internet access and someone with existing service (ie parents friend etc)

Sling Media - Home of the Slingbox

Friend uses it and says it works like a charm when he is on the road...

NauticalFishwife · #7 (**permalink**) 06-09-2008

RatherBeSailing...where are you located?

ratherbesailing · #8 (**permalink**) 06-09-2008

Long Island, NY.

camaraderie · #9 (**permalink**) 06-09-2008

If your marina allows it you can put up a standard Dish or DirecTV dish on a piling and pull in the signals. If you can't make permanent mountings...The RV stores and online suppliers sell portable dishes fairly cheaply. RV Protection Products: Winegard PM-2000 Portable RV Satellite Dish

In the 1000 dollar category you get a dish that mounts on your rail in a rotator box and lets you watch satellite at anchor in relatively calm conditions. (follow me TV)
For $3000+ you get the KVH system stabilized, at sea reception.

poopdeckpappy · #10 (**permalink**) 06-10-2008

We have a standard 18" ( I think ) Direct TV Dish mounted to our stern rail and it works great, we can leave for whatever amount of time, pull back into the slip and within a few minutes have signal again, I've only once had to adjust the dish and that was because of 35-40 mph winds.

And don't waste time or money on HD unless you have a self-tracking unit