TV Reception/antenna issues

[TomDempsey]

Greetings all. I just took possession of a 2006 36 Mariner. Having some issues with TV reception. Bottom line.....none, blue screen only. I am in a covered slip, but my last boat had TV reception using a $20 digital antenna. I have a Sole brand 20" TV. There are 2 black cables coming out of the back of the cabinet and they are connected/screwed together. There's also white box with 3 cable receptacles, but I'm assuming these are for cable or satellite, which we currently do not have at the dock. There is a round disc like antenna on the radar arch with a small red light on it, but I've never got it to come on. Someone suggested a analog to digital converter. Bought one, doesn't work. I cannot see the back of the TV, therefore it is difficult to know what goes where. Is this TV even capable of receiving digital channels, even if I can connect to cable or satellite? Any help is greatly appreciated.

 

[limitout]

Re: TV Reception/antenna issues

you have to take the tv out, some tvs have separate connections depending on cable or over air antenna use. there should only be one wire going back there anyway so you need to see whats going on back there.

I would guess its a digital tv with built in tuner as most are but if its an older tv who knows? it may need a converter box to be able to get over air reception. todays digital tv reception is pretty good so even those small antennas you put inside by the tv will catch most channels if you are near the city.

the first thing you need to do is get the model number of the tv so you know what signals it is capable of catching on its own. if the menu options has a selection for cable or air antenna then it should work if hooked to a suitable antenna but again you need to pull it out and see how and even "if" it is hooked up back there

 

[agallant80]

Re: TV Reception/antenna issues

My wife has a TV from this time. There is a coax input for analog signial and another one for digital. Perhaps its plugged in incorrectly at the back of the TV. Like limitout said the tv will have to come out.

 

[Fireman431]

Re: TV Reception/antenna issues

If you have never gotten the light to come on, start there. There has to be 110v power (unless it's dual voltage) for the antenna to function. I have the same flat dish antenna. Cable runs from the antenna to splitter (which is where my power indicator is), plugged into 110v power, split into the 2 cables which run to each tv. If your tvs are older than a few years, you're gonna need to either upgrade tvs or use an digital to analog converter. Make sure the tvs are set to antenna on the set up screen.

 

[TomDempsey]

Re: TV Reception/antenna issues

Thanks everyone. Yeah, tried set up on 'cable' designation and have tried every combination of cables to outlets. Now just have to figure out how to get the TV out. Argh!!!

 

[joed]

Re: TV Reception/antenna issues

Are you sure it is an antenna and not a satellite dish? Take a picture. You also need to know exactly where all the cables are connected to the TV and the additional boxes. Takes some pictures if you don't know what the boxes are.

 

[jhebert]

Re: TV Reception/antenna issues

An antenna just receives radio waves. It has no idea what sort of modulation is being used on the waves. This means a 1950 TV antenna can receive 2013 digital television broadcasts.

In the USA, when broadcast television transitioned to the Advanced Television Standard (ATS) (also called HDTV or digital television), all stations on channels 2 through 6 had to relocate to another channel. Most stations moved to UHF channels. A few moved to channels 7 through 13, called Hi-band VHF. The effect of this was to reduce the size of the elements in an antenna designed for USA broadcast television, because the longest elements, used for channels 2 through 6, were no longer needed. In newer television antennas there is no provision designed for receiving those obsolete channels, and the antennas are therefore physically smaller. That is the only difference between television antennas for old-fashioned TV transmission and ones for new ATS signals. An old antenna will still receive the new signals.

 

[TomDempsey]

Re: TV Reception/antenna issues

It is definitely a TV antenna and not a satellite dish. I had similar antennas on my last 2 boats. I've tried every possible connection with the cables and receptacles and still can't get anything but blue screen. I cannot get the red light to come on or light up and there is power to the outlet. I tried an analog to digital converter with no result. I would think that the picture would show at least some static or snow, but I've got a blue screen. I know the TV works because we've watched DVD's on it. I snapped some pics and will try to post in a couple of days if I can. The TV is mounted on the cabinet and the back is closed in with another piece of cabinetry. I can't see the back and have no idea how to get to it. One of the cables is labeled 'salon' and the other only has a number on it. It's the only TV on the boat as we don't have one in the berth. I did check the cable connection on the antenna itself and it appears firmly connected. I skimmed the owners manuals but there didn't appear to be any information in there about how to remove the TV or antenna connections. Because I am computer challenged, due to my age, I will have one of my grown kids try to help me upload some pics in a couple of days. Thanks for all of the input and keep it coming.

 

[kahuna123]

Re: TV Reception/antenna issues

Thanks jhebert. Its hard not to say something when I am in the store and I see HI-DEF antennas for sale. The red light on it is probably the amp and is not on. I built a gray hoverman and love it. Closest station is 70 miles.

 

[Roaring40th]

Re: TV Reception/antenna issues

Hi everybody,
i don't know if this is the right place to post, but i need an info, from some forum experts, i saw this antenna on amazon, someone had tried one?

SUPERGAIN - Marine and Mobile Antennas - GAMMA PRODOTTI

thanks:faint2: