2007 320DA TV Reception

[deniska]

Im a new owner and Im having a hard time picking up over the air TV channels. It looks like my boat is equipped with a TV antenna, however I cant find any channel when I do a search on the LCD. Do I need a digital converter box, the lcd does not have an option to digitally tune channels I think. The boat is a 2007 320 Sundancer. Thank you :huh:

 

[280Dancer]

I doubt your TV is digital. Someone posted here that as late as 2008, Sea Ray was still putting analog TV's in their boats. Your only being able to pick up one or two stations is exactly what happens with trying to pick up local stations on the Glomex antenna. I think you will need to consider two choices. One, replace your TV's with TV's with digital tuners, or two, get a converter box to convert the digital signal, once everthing changes over I believe it June, to analog. There are several posts here on how to do this. I'm sure some guys will help walk you through it.

 

[boatmailster]

is your antenna amplifier turned on?

 

[mistercomputerman]

Adding a digital converter took me from a couple of fuzzy channels to 18 clear ones. It's probably the least expensive and quickest way to get decent TV reception as long as your are near the coast.

 

[jpk33]

Don't know where you are located, but the general consensus is that the antenna installed on the boat is not very good (probally a glowmax) at picking up regular (analog) TV stations (I'm 14 miles from the Chicago Loop and I got 2-3 channels) but wait there is HOPE! The TV installed on your boat is most likely analog (as stated above), so you will need a digital TV converter box or a upgrade to a digital TV - your existing antenna will work (usually quite well) with the digital signals (depending on your location - YMMV). Just make sure that your "tuning control" for your TV is turned to antenna (I think "line in" is full left and it will "click" that is for dockside cable) - you want to turn it to the right and it should allow you to adjust the antenna gain. Do a search on TV antenna, glowmax or TV modifications on extensive threads on repair/replacement of antennas and TV's. Good Luck - Jeff

 

[deniska]

is your antenna amplifier turned on?

Where is it located? I read about a gain control nob in the manual but I don't think I have that option on my boat? BTW Im about 10 miles from manhattan, so I should have a few channels. I have none working at the moment.

 

[Presentation]

Hopefully someone with a 320 Sundancer can chime in and tell you exactly where it is.
If you have a glowmax antenna, you have one.
In my 280 Sundancer, it’s in a dumb spot. Slide open that small little door above the galley sink yet below the microwave / cupboard. It’s all the way on the right side. I need to get on my knees just to see the knob.
So its there, it may just be in a hidden spot.

 

[trit21]

On my 320 it is located below the slide out tv that if for the forward berth. I don't think the 2007 has that TV (it might don't know) but look in the cabinet on the port side near the bottom of the forward bed, in front of the galley area.

 

[deniska]

On my 320 it is located below the slide out tv that if for the forward berth. I don't think the 2007 has that TV (it might don't know) but look in the cabinet on the port side near the bottom of the forward bed, in front of the galley area.

Thats correct there is no TV in the forward berth on my boat. Hopefully someone with a 2007 can help.

 

[trit21]

You could always look in the manual...I am sure it will tell you where it is. The manual is online at searay.com so should be pretty easy to find, I would think.

 

[fsudelt]

On my 310 the antenna knob is on starboard side cabinet above couch up about just left of the control panel. I found out on mine (which is an 07 my tv is same way of being analog) as I get very bad reception on tv down below. Just got 19" tv for cockpit that is digital and picks up 15-20 channels clear as a bell, was watching the Masters practically in HD on new tv.

 

[DebtStar]

Sounds like you have the 26" flat screen TV mounted on the bulkhead instead of the smaller TV near the forward berth? If so, and if your 2007 320 is the same as mine, the gain control knob is in the shallow lower cabinet, port side forward, next to the step for the forward berth. You may need to crouch down to see it but once you know it is there, it's easy to find.

 

[deniska]

Sounds like you have the 26" flat screen TV mounted on the bulkhead instead of the smaller TV near the forward berth? If so, and if your 2007 320 is the same as mine, the gain control knob is in the shallow lower cabinet, port side forward, next to the step for the forward berth. You may need to crouch down to see it but once you know it is there, it's easy to find.

Thank you I will be at the marina today and will take a look. I also ordered a digital converter box. Did you install one on your boat already?

 

[deniska]

Sounds like you have the 26" flat screen TV mounted on the bulkhead instead of the smaller TV near the forward berth? If so, and if your 2007 320 is the same as mine, the gain control knob is in the shallow lower cabinet, port side forward, next to the step for the forward berth. You may need to crouch down to see it but once you know it is there, it's easy to find.

Thats exactly where it was thanks again.

 

[Alex F]

deniska,
Let us know if you get any channels after you turn on the tuner knob. But, at this point we hear that the digital converter does the magic. Now that more and more members giving such good reviews on it I'll be getting mine as well.

Alex.

 

[deniska]

deniska,
Let us know if you get any channels after you turn on the tuner knob. But, at this point we hear that the digital converter does the magic. Now that more and more members giving such good reviews on it I'll be getting mine as well.

Alex.

Alex,

The reception is terrible, I will keep you posted on my results after the converter box is installed.

 

[DebtStar]

Glad you found it. No, I have not installed my dtv converter yet. I've been checking CSR for ideas for best installation. I'd be interested in your choices once you make them.

 

[deniska]

Glad you found it. No, I have not installed my dtv converter yet. I've been checking CSR for ideas for best installation. I'd be interested in your choices once you make them.

Installed the Artec T3A PRO today. Purchased mine from amazon as its sold out on other sites. Connected it through the glomex and with it set on max the receptions is great (35 channels). Unfortunately I cant figure out why my LCD does not work when Im not connected to shore power, I also have no electricity in the sockets required to run the converter box. Do I really need to have the generator on when Im not plugged into shore power to watch the LCD :huh:

 

[Alex F]

Deniska,
I'm not sure if 2007 any different from my 2004, but as I recall the TV by farward berth is fed off 110v. So, if you're testing the same type of TV, then yes you need 110v from shore power or genny. I also have flipdown TV in the aft cabin and that one is fed from 12v, thus I can watch it while both shore power and genny are off.

I guess, the simple way to find an answer for is to check if the power cord from TV goes to regular 110v.

 

[deniska]

Deniska,
I'm not sure if 2007 any different from my 2004, but as I recall the TV by farward berth is fed off 110v. So, if you're testing the same type of TV, then yes you need 110v from shore power or genny. I also have flipdown TV in the aft cabin and that one is fed from 12v, thus I can watch it while both shore power and genny are off.

I guess, the simple way to find an answer for is to check if the power cord from TV goes to regular 110v.

Alex Im abbe to watch the smaller tv while under way. However the video converter box is also requires to be on and is currently plugged in and not wired into a 12V source. Can I grab power feed from the glomex gain control box?