Bigcatt, why did you go with a 4221HD antenna instead of the 4228HD antenna? Wouldn't the bigger antenna give you more channels?

gsxrboy, finding out which OTA gear works best in your area is the kind of info that you want to look for in this thread.

You'll see that the CM4221 (and some clones of it) is the overwhelming favourite in this thread's coverage area because of its performance suitability for the requirements.

Question: If I use pre-amp with my existing setting, will I be able to pick few more channels as I am splitting signals to 2 TVs?

Will it impact on the channels where I have 100% signal strength?

Thanks

bigcatt,are you also getting 26.1 and 26.2 WNYB,in Jamestown?CHCH and Fox 29 perhaps?

If I use pre-amp with my existing setting, will I be able to pick few more channels as I am splitting signals to 2 TVs?Have you found anyone in this thread who lives close to your location to compare their results? That's how you can tell if you're doing okay or not. Use the Search This Thread tool to the upper right beside Thread Tools and put in the search term "Torbram" and try it several times with other nearby major street names.

NBC(2.1) I have problems with dropouts but minor and Fox 29.1 is the lowest signal but doesn,t seem to drop out and holds steady,49.1 comes in sometimes,overall I am very pleased with the channels Im getting, and the picture quality is amazing.

Would it make a difference going with the bigger 4228HD antenna? I live in Brampton, near Bovaird and Sandelwood. I am going with the bigger antenna if it gives me better reception, if it doesn't then i will go with the 4221

In urban areas like this a bigger antenna doesn't necessarily = better reception. The vast majority of people in your area have the best results with a 4-bay Bowtie Reflector antenna like the CM4221HD.

WIth over 1,200 posts in this thread the proof is in here. :)

I would suggest just getting the 4221. I have the CM4228 and I'm not getting 2.1. I have installed a clone 4221 at my brother (brother) and sister (mississauga) and they are getting 2.1 no problems. No drop out at all. My brother's signal on 2.1 is I think at 75% - 85%. Save your money and just go for the 4221.

When warmer weather comes I'm thinking of getting the 4221 if I can't get the CM4228 to get me all the channels that I can receive.

kneedfreetv,

Um, if it is the non-HD version of the 4228 and you do decide to replace it.... let me know!

Stu

In contrary to what others are saying about using 4228HD and not getting all the channels, well maybe I'm one of the lucky guys able to get all the channels including the hardest one to get, 26.1 WNYB-TBN Jamestown in my location. I did made some change with my CM4228HD by removing the phasing harness ang balun then replaced it with CM94444 baluns. According to Ken Nists summation that by doing this mod,4228HD will be better than 4221 although right now I'm getting 100% of most stations I have w/c is a real proof of it.http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=103749

kneedfreetv,

Um, if it is the non-HD version of the 4228 and you do decide to replace it.... let me know!

Stu
it's the original channel master 4228, not the "HD" one. Will do.

Darn I wanted that 4228!! Good job, tenstu! :D

I have a "classic" 4221 on a 9521 rotor up about 30' and can get pretty much everything above channel 7 (CBLT is the exception obviously) within about a 100 km radius. IonTV out of Batavia is the only hit-or-miss one.

I've got a question!

I currently have a clone of a CM4221 (Antenna's Direct DB4) (2 bay) attached to a distribution amp and I am currently picking up 20 DTV channels.

I am thinking of upgrading to a clone of a CM4228 (4 bay) and getting a Winegard AP 8275 Chromestar 2000 Series OR a Channel Master 7778 pre-amp.

Is the upgrade worth it? How much more channels would I approximately pick up? As well, Suggestions between both pre-amps?

Thanks!

@ADRiiAN`: A DB-4 is a 4-bay antenna, and shouldn't be considered a clone of Channel Master's 4221.

A CM4228 is an 8-bay antenna. It has more directionality than a CM4221 or DB-4. So you'll likely need a rotor if you intend to get channels from more than one city. Note that Antennas Direct also makes an 8-bay antenna (the DB-8) that has higher gain results than the CM4228.

If you intend to use the antenna to pull in Toronto and Hamilton only, you likely won't require a pre-amp. A pre-amp may be needed for Buffalo...

ADRiiAN`, looking through this thread from the beginning you will see that the overwhelming antenna of choice for receiving Toronto and Buffalo stations in Mississauga is a 4-bay bowtie reflector, so if you take down your clone antenna and buy a genuine CM4221HD your results will likely be better, and you can also do some hardware tweaks (http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=104837) that may improve it.

If you don't want to take down your present antenna then try a preamp with it as long as you can hopefully return it for a refund if it isn't satisfactory.

Hi jktan99,


Is your 4221HD outside ? Its just that those readings seem kinda low for your area. A pre-amp would definetely help your readings.

Hi jktan99:

49 and 29 are very, very directional- a little off aim and the signal drops dramatically- maybe try re-aiming just for these two to test.

Porky, yes it is outside but not too high, may be about 20 - 21 feet from the ground. Actually, I do use pre-amp (CM 7777) which I borrow from my friend.

Goforit, thanks..I'll give it a try and see what happens.

unless you are surrounded by buildings, there is no reason for you to not get ~20 digital channels based on your location.

Something doesn't seem right. What are the other details of your setup---cable run, etc.