HQS,

Where exactly are you located?
From one of the pics ...

http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/picture.php?albumid=378&pictureid=1758

it appears you might be on Lake Ontario facing Toronto - from Grimsby perhaps?

That`s a pretty hefty fold in the antenna. Appears to be around 90° concave.
Wonder whether the signals being received by each screen in the array are crossing out some percentage of one another.

Have you had any luck with folding either concavely (to say no greater than 225°) or convexly (to say no less than 135°) and seeing what results?

Great that you`re in the position of having both types of antennae (being discussed) in your possession to try.

We`re all proverbial flies on the wall in anticipation here!

TTYL
Ted

tesdky you can click on another member's user name and pull down to "Find More Posts by..." to see where they've previously posted their location. ;)

Guys...


Didn't notice any additional gain or loss to my OTA setup with the addition of the antenna's.

tesdky located at the highest point in the Niagara Pen. You can see Niagara Falls in the distance. When it get's a little warmer, I'm going to add a 7777 and make some adjustments to the EP Antenna.
Just TOO COLD now!..

Hope everyone had a great Xmas and Happy New Years.


HQS

I noticed that NCIX is now offering a smattering of TV antennas.
One looks particularly interesting, the Multi-directional Antennas Direct DB8.

If it works as advertised, it could solve my problem of signal reception from 2 different directions -- without the need for either an AB switch or rotator.

Has anyone done any tests on this (re-newed design) antenna?

I only see the DB4 on NCIX, either way I am not sure why it's being advertised as multi-directional. It seems to have a moderately wide reception area (I think about 20 degrees) for a directional antenna, but I wouldn't really call it multi-directional. I just purchased the 'new' DB8 and installed it recently. Looking to add a rotor and pre-amp when I can afford it to get a few channels outside of my aiming area.

Ian

There is a DB8 there as well on the site. Yeah, they do call it a multi-directional. Perhaps I have it confused with the clone at Xtek.ca? Theirs (8 Bay Multidirectional Ultra Clear HDTV Outdoor Antenna) looks like the DB8, only it hinges at the center.

There is a very impressive representation of how this method could work vis a vis two different locations : Google "3s-4228" for the diagram of 'Antenna Orientation Overview'.

I'm wondering if this hinging method could also work with a CM 4228HD antenna -- after it's been hacked?

I am no expert (just getting into this) however I think the amount of angle allowed by the hinge would not be very effective as it may cause radiating interference, thereby cancelling out strong signals or at least attenuating them. Like I say, I am no expert here.
I also saw that product, but opted for the DB8 as it came highly recommended. Seems the off-shore ones are tuned for higher uhf frequencies...which will work for now..but as channels in Canada switch over they will be moved to the lower end of the UHF spectrum as I understand it.

CSaanich I merged your question into this thread that deals extensively with those bifurcating bowtie reflector antennas, so have a look at what we've discussed so far before opting for one of those.

If the antenna you saw is not one of those then it is a standard DB-8, which is a fine 8-bay bowtie reflector that I recommend on the Antenna Chart, but that could technically only be considered "multi-directional" if your desired stations are within its beam pattern or if the reflectors are removed to give a figure-eight beam pattern.

Thanks, Stampeder. I had no idea this thread existed -- good info.

In my case (which I suspect is common), locals are around 353° and US at 140°.
Rotator is a real pain when surfing channels, and to use a second antenna on an A/B switch it has to be quite a ways away from the main one -- it really starts to clutter the rooftop.

As well, we have a rediculous problem with the (Pioneer plasma) ATSC tuner not ammending the channel mapping on successive turns. This makes it particularly difficult when using either a rotator or A/B switch.

So, a bifurcated DB8-type would make sense ..if it worked as advertised.

In your case you'd be best to look at ganging 2 antennas (http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=95148) so that all the channels are available all the time if everything works out properly. You're right that it can take up some space, usually if VHF channels are involved but not much if only UHFs are desired.

Anyway, I would not recommend a folding/bifurcating antenna for your situation, let alone most others either. ;)