Here's what I did and it works. I purchased a Sony SAT-A4 DSS Receiver and Antenna at a great sale price of $220, including a self installation kit instead of the free custom installation offered. I also purchased a West Marine Fish Rod Holder ($20) that clamps to a stantion, and a 36" piece of 1-1/4 inch electrical conduit ($5) (which is about 1-1/2 inch outside). I installed the fish rod holder at the base of the stantion at deck level, and simply inserted the piece of pipe into it, so that it was vertical. It fits nice and tight, though I will add a drilled hole and tightening set screw to be sure it doesn't turn in the wind. I mounted the Sony antenna on top of the pipe, which extended just above the hand rail. and connected all the fittings, etc. The antenna can rotate a full 360 degrees if needed. I will add another support between the upper portion of the stantion and the pipe to give added strength, though at dock its not needed. If the direction requires aiming into the flybridge area then I can remove the entire assembly and mount it on another stantion. There is a LED indicator on the back of the antenna that makes pointing it in the right direction extremely easy! This arrangement will only work when at dock, or anchor as there is no servo to move the antenna. However, if necessary there is a company that makes a simple one axis rotating mount the uses a compass heading to keep it pointing in the same direction. As far as the unit working when away from a telephone line. It does. You really just need the telephone line to pickup pay-per-view programs, and even then I'm told that the control card that comes with these units will allow perhaps up to 25 pay-per-view programs to be selected before it gives a "no more storage" type message. When you reconnect to another phone line the card will be reset and they will charge your account for all the programs viewed. As far as local network stations go, I've been told that there has been an agreement that will allow the satellite companies to show the network channels later this year. They are supposedly working on making their system work so that you will get the actual local stations from your telephone line area code or zip code area. Joel Leslie Ocean Alexander 50/55 MKI