Dish antenna installed aboard Allcargo Laxmi

My previous two ships were also coastal ships trading around Indian coast. Other than the benefit of mobile phone coverage and easy accessibility to internet, another interesting facility I enjoyed was dish antenna on board. This was quite interesting as we could enjoy the live Gurbani telecast from Harmandir Sahib, Amritsar everyday morning and evening. Resetting the dish antenna with changing courses is not an issue. Usually young officers become very skilled in achieving the desired elevation and azimuth.

Videocon d2h Dish Antenna on Monkey Island

                       So, this time when it was decided that I would be joining M.V.Allcargo Laxmi ( again a coastal ship) I was sure that she would be fitted with dish antenna. But that was not the case. Initially few days passed by. Then I started planning about fitting one onboard. Chief officer and electrical officer immediately offered their services. Both being from Tamil Nadu, they managed everything very well locally in Tuticorin. Presently all Indian ports observing security level 2, some difficulties were faced with customs; but eventually all ended OK.

Allcargo Laxmi at Tuticorin, ready to sail out to sea

      I was in favour of installing DD direct plus. But this being government’s dish antenna, it appears marketing is lacking. This is because we found none dealing in DD direct plus. The reason for its preference is that it provides a large number of   free channels. There is no subscription fee required.

     So, finally we had to settle with d2h Videocon dish. This is also working well. I am happy to receive live telecast of Gurbani from Amritsar. Other favourite programs are gallan te geet (ਗੱਲਾਂ ਤੇ ਗੀਤ), doctor nu milo (ਡਾਕਟਰ ਨੂੰ ਮਿਲੋ), antakshri (ਅੰਤਾਕਸ਼ਰੀ) and ajj da masla (ਅੱਜ ਦਾ ਮੱਸਲਾ) transmitted on DD Punjabi.