Amplified TV antenna Ok w/converter box?

[erie_guy]

Hi,

I have a problem with the installed West Marine "flying saucer type", amplified TV antenna installed on my boat. I don't use the system much and recently decided to see if I can get digital TV signals from this antenna through a converter box to my older 13" tube TV on the boat.

The TV and antenna still work on analog signals as I can can receive distant analog signals from the antenna (they are Canadian, CH 32 TVO = TV Ontario).

The antenna seems to be working Ok with 12vdc showing at the coax connector and the red indicator light on the antenna lights up. However, when connected to the converter box the TV screen show "no signal" and the box is unable to find any digital channels to choose from.

Do I have to discard either the antenna or the old 13" TV to get signals ??

Thanks for any advice.

erie_guy
Port Clinton, OH

 

[eavega]

Re: Amplified TV antenna Ok w/converter box?

I've use a regular set of "Rabbit Ears" antenna with an amplifier and a digital converter box on one of my older tvs with no problem. Remember that the digital signals are line-of-sight, so the higher the better, and direction is a factor. If I set the antenna on the south west side of the house, the amount of signals I can get is vastly different from setting in on the North side of the house. There is also a distance factor; I think the limit of the digital signals are about 50 miles. Keep messing around with location and look at the signal strength (the converter box should have that display) and you will start to lock into channels.

 

[sasto]

Re: Amplified TV antenna Ok w/converter box?

I really doubt if the tube TV will handle the pounding it will recieve. Many never last. Don't see any reason a digital TV won't work....and they are fairely cheap. Good luvk in your findings.

 

[erie_guy]

Re: Amplified TV antenna Ok w/converter box?

Many thanks for the encouragement. Seeing your advice I will probably replace the tube TV with a flat screen LCD digital soon. Delegating the old tube TV to curb pickup.

I will also be looking for a 12vdc model so I will not have to run the inverter.

erie_guy
Port Clinton, OH

 

[rwidman]

Re: Amplified TV antenna Ok w/converter box?

A TV antenna is a TV antenna. Despite advertising hype, there is no such thing as a "digital" antenna. If you are picking up distant analog signals, the antenna is working just fine.

An analog TV signal will be displayed on the TV screen even if it is very weak. It may be fuzzy, have ghosts, etc., but it will be displayed. Not so a digital signal. if it's not strong enough to provide a clear picture, it will not display at all and you may get the message you describe.

In your case, you may be too far from the transmitters to receive a usable signal, you may have a defective converter box, or you may have something connected wrong. In my experience, twenty miles is about the limit for reliable reception of digital TV signals on a boat. Remember that on a boat, the antenna is only a few feet above sea level.

A new TV will have a digital receiver built in so you won't need a converter box. You might want to try borrowing one first to see if you can get signals at your location.