- How can I tell
whether my antenna is affected by the 2002 USCG Safey
Alert?
Only units of Style 2040 and 2050 which were manufactured in 2000 are
affected. Style 2030 was originally listed erroneously by the
USCG. A corrected Alert removed the 2030 from the list. For
complete information, click here.
- How can I check the
antenna to make sure it is working?
Check the voltage from the power supply for 17 vAC on AC operation and 12 vDC
on DC operation. Also, try moving out of the slip to see if interference
from other boats might be causing your reception problems. VHF TV
transmission is line-of-sight, so at sea level, you're quite possibly out
of "view" of the TV signal.
- Why can I pick up
some channels but not others?
Poor reception can be caused by location, height (for example, is your
boat at sea level?), atmospheric conditions, and power. Marine TV
antennas have the same limitations as the ones that install on top of your
home.
- Can I mount the
antenna upside down or sideways?
Yes. However, be sure to seal the coax connector located on the underside
of the antenna.
- Can I mount the
antenna in my spreaders?
No, spreaders will interfere with the antenna's reception. It is better to
mount the antenna above or below the spreaders.
- Can I mount the
antenna in an enclosed area?
No, signal bounces off of flat, reflective surfaces which effectively
shield the antenna from the TV signals.
- Can I use the Style
2020-G or Style 2030-G for my house?
Yes. In fact, the reception can be excellent, depending on where you are.
For best results, mount the antenna in a clear area, away from
obstructions.
- Why does the power
supply's red light stay on when I run the unit in AC mode?
This modification was made by Shakespeare to show that power is getting to
the antenna. This is only true if the power supply on your unit is
black in color.
- Why can I get better
reception on my boat with a pair of rabbit ears?
Your Shakespeare Marine TV Antenna is doing its job too well. It's
delivering too much signal, overloading the TV's Automatic Gain Control
circuitry. Use an in-line attenuator (available at most Radio Shack
stores, for example) to reduce the antenna's signal to a usable
level. Shakespeare's SeaWatch® 2025 Marine TV
Antenna System uses dual amplifiers to permit boosting or attenuating the
signal as needed. The control panel for the 2025 is available as an
upgrade for other Shakespeare antennas as SeaWatch®
Style 2025-CP
- Can I run two or more
TV's off of the same antenna?
Yes, two TV's will work with one
antenna, as long as the total coax run
is kept relatively short.
- How long is the
warranty for the TV antennas?
SeaWatch® Marine TV Antennas carry a Shakespeare
Limited Warranty for 1 Year from the date of purchase.
- Will a booster help
me get more signal?
No, a booster just amplifies the signal that is being received. Boosters are used for increasing signal strength for
multiple TV installations with long runs of
coax.
- Can I replace the
preamp myself?
No, this is not a stock item from Shakespeare. The antenna head has
to be returned to Shakespeare for repair.
- What is the
difference between Shakespeare units having the gray power supply and
those with the black power supply?
In units having the black power supply, the RED light stays on in AC and
DC operation, and a thermal fuse has been added.
- What is the
difference between the 2020-G and the 2030-G TV antennas?
The Style 2030-G is larger
(21" diameter, instead of 14"), and also heavier (11 lbs.,
instead of 3 lbs.). The Style 2030-G is designed for maximum
omni-directional performance in the marine environment. The 2020-G is the ideal smaller marine TV
antenna where styling and size are the predominant factors. It's perfect
for close-in, or stronger signal areas.