Use the site's Search tool, guys ;)

Here's our own thread on Parabolic OTA Antennas, with some great CM4251 info and a photo of a real life Finco still in use by one of our members living in a hurricane area! :D

http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=96216

We'll take up any further CM4250/4251 discussion in there since its not a mainstream Channel Master product anymore.

I noticed it is no longer available on Channel Master's website, is a new design coming out ?

It is still available in their 2009 catalog through.

Mods feel free to move it to the appropriate thread

Most likely it is because pct is still in the process of developing their new CM website.

For purchase and information you can go to the Solid Signal website.

There is some problems with the design of the 4228 and some remedies - how to make the antenna more efficient. Basically the harness that goes on the antenna is a unequal length and needs to be improved.

Channel Master was sold to a corporation called PCT a few years ago and since then their quality has gone down hill.

Yep, I've listed our CM4228HD Hacks thread in this list:

Hardware Hacks for Commercial OTA Antennas - see these links (http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=119485)

CM sure is a different brand/company now! :eek:

My only advice is since the advent of the internet and all the products available to anyone with a fat wallet and the willingness to try new things, the Channel Master products are no longer competitive in a competitive market.

The only reason why I like the Winegard corporation merchandise is the fact that I know it is made in the USA by Americans and that they are not going to go out of business anytime soon and that you can buy replacement parts for their antenna's and that they have a lifetime replacement guarantee on some of their stuff makes their stuff almost bullet proof.

I was never a big fan of those baluns that attached to the antenna with the two little wing nuts and I liked the fact that they make antenna's with a cartridge box that attaches directly to the antenna and matches the antenna to the 75 ohm coax.

The Wade stuff that Tigerbangs talks about is also a really nice product, if you can get them to sell it to you. Their models comes and goes depending on market conditions and trends and who owns the company this month.

The HBU 22 and the XG 91 is some of the nicest antenna's out there for the money and performs better then most of the 1970's technology that the stores were selling up and until recently.

I don't like any manufacturer that refers to their antenna by a color or that chops off the VHF and increases the UHF section of the antenna in the hopes that they can call it a DTV antenna.

Does anyone have an old 4221 (not the HD) accessible that they can measure for me? I'm trying to find out if the swaged end would fit snugly into EMT. I believe it is claimed to be 1 1/4", but when my 4221 was accessible, I noticed that 1 1/4" EMT is too big - it's actually about 1 1/2" OD, 1 3/8" ID. I measured some 1" EMT and it's about 1 3/16" OD, 1 1/16" ID.

Just wondering if anything will work "off the shelf" instead of ordering a CM1805 5ft Galvanized Mast.

The O.D. of the old 4221 is 1 1/8 inches.

Thanks Timbo. I've verified that the swaged end of the original 4221 fits perfectly into the 5' Winegard mast (TB-0005) our forum's sponsor sells. :cool:

El Gran Chico, How do you prevent the antenna from turning in high winds if it is just a friction fit?

I have a Channel Master 4248 UHF antenna, and later this year CTV Toronto switches to channel 9 (VHF), will my antenna pick it up even though it is a UHF antenna. I am about 20km north of the CN Tower. Right now I pick up CTV as it is still on a UHF channel.

Thnaks

JonSS, how well does it receive CTV's analog broadcast on channel 9? That will be your best clue as to how well it will do when CTV switches.

Good point. When I originally set it up, I don't think it picked up the analogue broadcast, I will have to check again. Right now I just keep the HD channels programmed (on my pc using windows media center)

At 20km--which is essentially line of sight--you should be able to pick up DTV channel 9. However, you may be interested in channel 10 Barrie, and channel 11 Hamilton as well. And for those, I'd recommend a proper VHF antenna.

How good are these antennas? Do they have good gain? A friend from Saskatchewan was asking about them cause their digitals are going to be on VHF hi apparently? He lives on a farm 65 km sw of Regina, and would like to order one of these from the source if they would work for him.Since they are not listed on the antenna chart I thought I would try and find out for him.

frontpl

I believe those antennas are missing from Stampeder's Antenna Chart for good reason.

Go by the Antenna Chart. Your friend does not have to buy from The Source. There are many online dealers that can get him the right antenna for his needs.

FYI-My supplier says this preamp has been discontinued.

Interesting, as the CM7777 is still available on the Channel Master website. It's probably their best selling preamplifier.

Makes sense, there are none in Ottawa atm.

CM7777 and CM7778 are now available at The Source and their pricing is better as well !