How "Smart" are"Smart TV's"?

dtfeld said:
I have a Ubiquiti bullet, but im looking for a cleaner install than the standard c clamp to an existing pole/antenna.

I have seen an adaptor for directly mounting to a 1" -14 marine mount, but not in production.

I was going to have one machined, but wondering if one could be 3D printed?

The big hold up for me is i haven't had time to determine the threads on the base of the bullet. Anybody know what they are or measured them?
Click to expand...

My bullet is inside the radar arch, with an extension cable to the antenna. The cable, nor the bullet is exposed to the elements. I did buy the the weatherproof Titanium model with intentions of machining a mount, but after inspection I was afraid the "N" plug end would break with the leverage of a 3' Antenna attached.
 
I was hoping to run the Ethernet through a mount, not the clamp on version with externally visible wire. I have to drill a hole to feed the Ethernet cable through, but only want to do once.
 
PMC said:
My bullet is inside the radar arch, with an extension cable to the antenna. The cable, nor the bullet is exposed to the elements. I did buy the the weatherproof Titanium model with intentions of machining a mount, but after inspection I was afraid the "N" plug end would break with the leverage of a 3' Antenna attached.
Click to expand...

I’ve thought about this, what antenna did you use?
 
dtfeld said:
I’ve thought about this, what antenna did you use?
Click to expand...
I'm on a quest to find a good antenna, the one I have is not to sturdy. I found it on Amazon years ago...might be a 13db version. Reception wise it's fine, but the base is not built to handle the vibration and movement. My "repair" is not the prettiest.
 
Here is a pic.
20190727_150711.jpg
 
bbwhitejr said:
We cut Dish Network 3 weeks ago. My 2 yr contract was up in September and I knew the price was going through the roof. Not sure if you are on Allatoona or Lanier, but we are up just below Browns Bridge on Lanier, we get 30+ OTA channels with the original Glomex. Put up a $40 Amazon antenna on the dock and it picks up about 50 channels. From the OTA standpoint, my main interest are the major networks and we get all of them. We have 5-TVs on the boat. One smart Samsung TV mounts on a drop down mount in the cockpit to watch football on the dock or out in the water. Streaming the ESPN app is simple as is the CBS sports app. We have an Apple TV in the salon and can stream most anything to it. We use a “Lightining to HDMI” adapter on the bridge or in the MSR if we want something different there. All TVs are hooked up OTA.

My work phone is unlimited Verizon data and we can stream live TV in HD (2160 and 1080) with my phone and 2-bars of strength. We have no marina supplied WiFi. The provider is a company called Brightlan. They offer several plans with different speeds. Pay by the day, week, month, or by 5 months and get one for free. We are planning to try a sample of the different speeds and see what works.

The Apple TV Gen 4 is really a neat machine. You can download any app you want....Most apps you do need a provider sign-in to use it. The Samsung TV also allows you to download many apps.

You likely know all of this, but this is where we are after trying most everything....

Bennett
Click to expand...

Bennett, We are on Allatoona and Brightlan does have service, but not in our area. Checked their website and it's a little "thin" on equipment description and installation, but would be interested on your experiences with them if you give them a shot.
 
Windjammer said:
Bennett, We are on Allatoona and Brightlan does have service, but not in our area. Checked their website and it's a little "thin" on equipment description and installation, but would be interested on your experiences with them if you give them a shot.
Click to expand...

They are very responsive to the “Contact Us” emails. We had a friend on the dock with the service and we used his password to log on for a while and it worked Ok-slow at times, but for the most part was pretty good. Never tried streaming much, but that is what I will get it for if we do. May pay for a day and put it to the test....will let you know.

Bennett
 
Ran over to the boat this afternoon and wired the tv directly to the output side of the Glomax amplifier, reset the tv to factory defaults, and let it run its own channel scan. It only saved 7 channels - mostly ION and a couple of shopping networks. For some reason, it's not seeing the local OTA channels and we're only about 30 miles from transmitter, and under a high roof on the dock. I'm sorta stumped.
 

Attachments

  • TV Scan Results.JPG
    TV Scan Results.JPG
    193.5 KB · Views: 182
Windjammer said:
Ran over to the boat this afternoon and wired the tv directly to the output side of the Glomax amplifier, reset the tv to factory defaults, and let it run its own channel scan. It only saved 7 channels - mostly ION and a couple of shopping networks. For some reason, it's not seeing the local OTA channels and we're only about 30 miles from transmitter, and under a high roof on the dock. I'm sorta stumped.
Click to expand...
I would recommend tracing the Glomax wiring. On my boat, as part of the satellite dish install (done at the factory in 2007, BTW), the coax was re-done such that the OTA signal was lost, I guess on the theory it was unneeded with a sat dish. After fixing that with appropriate splitters, I found that the line from the Glomax cable had been cut inside one of the cableways inside my hardtop.
 
Windjammer said:
Ran over to the boat this afternoon and wired the tv directly to the output side of the Glomax amplifier, reset the tv to factory defaults, and let it run its own channel scan. It only saved 7 channels - mostly ION and a couple of shopping networks. For some reason, it's not seeing the local OTA channels and we're only about 30 miles from transmitter, and under a high roof on the dock. I'm sorta stumped.
Click to expand...

I have heard a lot of people say that there cable was pulled loose from the fitting on the Glomex due to the cable being cut super short. Have you pulled it off and looked at it? May not be hooked up good. We are a lot farther than 30 miles from ATL and the Glomex picks up all 4 major networks. It takes a special little “plastic socket” like device to tighten or loosen the RG6 fitting on the bottom of the Glomex. I think HD or Lowes might sell the things. You should get more than 7 channels.....

Bennett
 
Well, one more thing to try. Somehow I knew I was going to wind up on the arch!
 
b_arrington said:
I have to agree with this. Smart TV's are ok as a concept. But...you're paying to be locked into what the TV manufacturer supports and their support plan.

I have a Samsung Smart TV in my living room that I use occasionally. Last time I tried to use some of the embedded apps they had been discontinued. The embedded platform does not support the latest APIs for Netflix so it doesn't support individual Netflix account selection. The embedded browser sucks and is massively outdated. Samsung support says that the model is too old to be updated and they have stopped app development. So the "Smart TV" has become a "dumb TV" because of the lack of app support.

I'd suggest going with a regular TV and a 3rd party streaming solution like Roku, Amazon Fire Stick, Apple TV, etc. They tend to have better long-term support. And you won't have to pay twice when the embedded TV service stop being supported. At least don't pay extra for a Smart TV.
Click to expand...

+1 Just as most tech devices like smart phones and tablets out date themselves I see no reason to buy completely into the SmartTV. Once the processor and OS is no longer able to support your apps you will be forced to go to an external device or upgrade/replace the entire TV.

-Kevin
 
Windjammer said:
Well, one more thing to try. Somehow I knew I was going to wind up on the arch!
Click to expand...

Managed to pull the glomax loose and the connector was corroded. Ran to home depot and grabbed some connectors and a stripping tool, and reinstalled. Ran the channel scan and same ones showed up. Also opened up the arch and can feel the antenna lead. Have it a good pull in both directions and it appears to be connected. Maybe the amplifier has gone bad? Fuse is good and light comes on when turned all the way clockwise. Have contacted glomax to see if this can be tested/repaired, but may just buy a new one and see if it makes a difference.
 
Windjammer said:
Managed to pull the glomax loose and the connector was corroded. Ran to home depot and grabbed some connectors and a stripping tool, and reinstalled. Ran the channel scan and same ones showed up. Also opened up the arch and can feel the antenna lead. Have it a good pull in both directions and it appears to be connected. Maybe the amplifier has gone bad? Fuse is good and light comes on when turned all the way clockwise. Have contacted glomax to see if this can be tested/repaired, but may just buy a new one and see if it makes a difference.
Click to expand...

There is a lifetime warranty on the amplifier and the antenna. You have something going on no doubt. Imtra Corp used to be the go to, but I see now Glomex handles there own. Call these guys up:

Glomex%20Logo.jpg


Glomex in North America is now handled by Glomex Marine Antennas USA, click here to visit their website.
1524 Arlene Drive, Columbia, SC 29204
Phone: 305-497-2681
Email: info@glomex.us

Bennett
 
USPS is supposed to deliver a new amplifier today, so we shall see if this fixes the problem.
 
David - if it's not better, try it out from under the covered slip. Mine is terrible in the slip in Chattanooga and just fine out on the lake...

In FL, I have a tall hotel and condos around my slip - reception is kind of crummy. In the ICW, its fine...
 
carterchapman said:
David - if it's not better, try it out from under the covered slip. Mine is terrible in the slip in Chattanooga and just fine out on the lake...

In FL, I have a tall hotel and condos around my slip - reception is kind of crummy. In the ICW, its fine...
Click to expand...

Don’t ask me why, but mine works just as good under the dock roof as it does not the water.

Bennett
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Forum statistics

Threads
113,120
Messages
1,426,611
Members
61,037
Latest member
wojozobl
Back
Top