SAT TV Options

[Bill Root]

I'm looking for some advice on the most cost effective way to set up the SAT TV system that came with our boat when we bought her. In addition to the SAT TV system, she has the normal dockside cable connection, as well as a Glomax saucer antenna on the radar arch.

We are not big sports fans or premium channel users. The only time we really need the SAT TV is when we are cruising north for three or four months over the summer. The rest of the time the boat is at our home marina dock and we get great reception of local channels from the saucer antenna.

I'm looking for suggestions from the experts on this forum. We have cable at home, but I'm wondering if I switched that to a dish system could I take the receiver with me when we do our three or four month cruise and just plug the TV on board into it? I suppose I would need extra boxes if I wanted to have indpendent station access for the TV's in the staterooms, galley and aft deck.

I really have no experience with this, so any guidance would be much appreciated. Thanks.

 

[GOLE IV]

Do a quick search on Slingbox. this is an alternative if you have access to internet

 

[Tim Powell]

I'm looking for some advice on the most cost effective way to set up the SAT TV system that came with our boat when we bought her. In addition to the SAT TV system, she has the normal dockside cable connection, as well as a Glomax saucer antenna on the radar arch.

We are not big sports fans or premium channel users. The only time we really need the SAT TV is when we are cruising north for three or four months over the summer. The rest of the time the boat is at our home marina dock and we get great reception of local channels from the saucer antenna.

I'm looking for suggestions from the experts on this forum. We have cable at home, but I'm wondering if I switched that to a dish system could I take the receiver with me when we do our three or four month cruise and just plug the TV on board into it? I suppose I would need extra boxes if I wanted to have indpendent station access for the TV's in the staterooms, galley and aft deck.

I really have no experience with this, so any guidance would be much appreciated. Thanks.

I have sat tv i use direct tv and just get the basic use 6 months out of the year and cancl the other 6 , For you u can use 4 months and cancel the rest reinstate when u travel the 3 bor 4 months tm

 

[Bugsy]

I have a KVH and a DirectTv subscription. I use two receivers; one at home and one on the boat so I don't have to worry about transporting a receiver.

Your suggestion where you will be on the boat and away from home for an extended period certainly accommodates a one receiver approach----home 8-9 months and on the boat 3-4.

If required, I call DirectTv to change location to ensure I get local channels; that is; when at home, my location is "Detroit" and when on the boat during much of the winter, my location was (and soon will be again) "Miami".

 

[SKYCHENEY]

I put in the Intellian unit and just take one of my Dish Network receivers to the boat. It has worked flawlessly. No problem picking up satellites and full HD. It's a great unit for the price.

 

[TopHattandTails]

I'm a DirecTV guy. I have multiple receivers at home. Each has a name- Bsmt, bedroom, family room, etc. The boat is "West Bedroom" and is another $5 per month. I get same channels as home unless I am up north (47 degrees versus 41 degrees latitude) and only then do I loose local channels. But if you want HD, you will be better served with Dish Network since DirecTV is launching new birds at 2 degree angles. That will cost, once it's available, for the antenna that does not yet exist. DirecTV will be moving all HD to those new frequancies.

 

[Pascal]

directTV allows you to add receivers to your boat at $5 ea. per month. DishNetwork doens't accept this, so you can tell them the extra receiver(s) are for your home.

you said the boat has a Sat TV system... which one?

 

[bobk]

My Direct TV system is registered as an RV because ten years ago they would not allow them on a boat. Has that changed? They also will not give me local channels as an RV so I got the east and west coast majors for more $$. Time to change to boat?

Bob

 

[Pascal]

they allow them on boats, what they dont' allow on boat but allow on RVs is letting you access some network feeds.

if you really can't live without those thrilling local news reports about runaway dogs and local ghetto shooting, you can call in and manually change your service address when you move to a new area. Local channels are a murky issue... for instance, if you have NY area local channels, when you leave the NY area you will no longer get them. but then when you get to the bahamas, somewhere before Nassau they come back... go figure.

 

[Bill Root]

Thanks to all for the information. Sounds like my best choice is to switch the house over to Dish Network, then take a receiver with me to the boat when we travel. BTW, shouldn't I be able to get local channels off the Glomax saucer antenna?

Pascal: I have the Raymarine unit. PO installed it when he upgraded electronics to the Raymarine E120 system two years ago. I haven't used it, so don't know how well it works.

Bill

 

[SKYCHENEY]

The Glomax will get your locals if you have a digital receiver or converter box. You will also get your home area locals on the Dish Network receiver but that may not be what you want if you boat too far away from home.

 

[doc g]

so can you just take the creditcard thingy from one receiver and put it in another receiver with Direct TV?? I assume you have to have two of the exact same receivers to do this or all do all the receivers use some type of universal card??.........................Pat

 

[wmassey9]

having purchased one of the original portable dishes at the Miami Boat Show in the early 90's, I've seen and done a lot with sat tv and direct tv. You can (could) turn on and off this service on a daily basis if necessary. Just call Direct TV each time you leave, and turn on when you return. You can also "mirror" your boat tv with your home account if you want to try it that way. I currently have a HD TV on board, bought a Direct TV HD TV antenna on ebay (about $80), and mounted it to marine plywood on my aft deck. Directing to catch the beam is relatively simple by hand. Works great at the dock only. Not much on the hook because of boat movement, or, underway. If your home, or a 1000 miles away your will receive your local home channels (assuming you subscribe)

 

[Robby]

I put in the Intellian unit and just take one of my Dish Network receivers to the boat. It has worked flawlessly. No problem picking up satellites and full HD. It's a great unit for the price.

How Much Sky?Robby

 

[eze2bme]

In South Carolina DirectTV will allow you to add an additional box to your home account for a weekend home for $5 ... but you'll have to buy the box.

 

[eze2bme]

You'll also have to have the DirectTV installers come out and install a dish.

 

[wmassey9]

nay, nay. Buy the dish, install to your box, connect box to tv, and off you go.

 

[SKYCHENEY]

How Much Sky?Robby

Got it from Defender last year for under $2000. Its the Intellian I2.

 

[ThirdHatt]

The size of the antenna that you need is directly proportional to how far offshore that you plan to cruise on your boat. If you will only be cruising inland or near coastal U.S., any of the small dishes will work great. You can get away with a 14" or smaller. If you ever plan to head to the blue water in the Bahamas, Caribbean or beyond, get the largest that will fit your boat and budget. With a 43' boat, I would look for an 18" dish so that you can at least have service in the Bahamian islands that are close to FL. The out islands require a 24" or 32" dish, but those would probably not be aesthetically pleasing on a 43' boat.

Defender has a special that offers a free flat screen TV or HD Receiver with an Intellian I2, I3 or I4. The I2 is currently $1999.

I don't know if your 43MY has a flybridge or not, but if it doesn't you could get away with a larger dish because much of it would disappear mounted directly on the hardtop. If you have a flybridge, you will have fun placing any size dish.

GOOD LUCK!

 

[SKYCHENEY]

I am amazed that the I2 stays locked to the satellites up here with no problem even while underway in up to 3-5ft seas. I initially only wanted one that would work at anchor, so I didn't get a larger dish. As stated, however, I'm sure it depends on where you do your boating.