OTA Antenna Chart (Version 7.1 March 26, 2010)

[stampeder]

Version 6.0 is now available for download by registered DHC members as of August 30, 2009. For the English version see the last post in this thread.

Version 6.0f en français ici: http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=77366

If you have not yet read the OTA Knowledge Base & FAQ please do so before reading the Antenna Chart so that you will better understand the information in it.

[spacey]

i looked at that chart, but since i'm indoors in a small place, my choies are limited. i guess i could try going online for an Zenith SS clone however i saw some cheap monoprice antennas as well.

[stampeder]

The antennas on the chart are the best ones in each category, including for Indoors.

If you want to waste your time with other products then I can't stop you, but I've already made the choice as simple as possible for you and everyone to get the best antenna for your needs.

[spacey]

its not that i don't trust or appreciate the PDF of all the antennas but without reviewing the few available from monoprice, i think its a bit presumptuous that they are inferior to the CM4220 or zenith, especially for the price.

or were they reviewed? like i said, my second choice is the zenith -- its just a matter of getting a hold of one. the CM4220 is too big for me.

[stampeder]

spacey, I'll tell you what I've been telling everyone for several years: if you want to buy an antenna that is known to be excellent in its category then there is no reason to bother with anything that is not on the Antenna Chart. I also tell people that no matter which antenna you decide to buy, if you are satisfied with the performance then I am delighted for you. Its simple. If you are determined to buy and try antennas that are not on my chart then that is purely up to you and I wish you luck.

BTW, my Antenna Chart is now on Version 5.0 in both languages, meaning that over the years I have indeed tested or integrated testing results into it. I'm not happy when someone calls that into question. If several direct comparisons by different people in different locations between a ZSS or CM4220 with a Monoprice model show that the Monoprice is better, I'll change the chart.

[stampeder]

With the recent DTV transition in the U.S. there have been some new lines of Channel 7-69 antennas and the dropping of several older VHF-LO and VHF/FM/UHF Combo antennas from the marketplace, such as the class-leading Delhi models of antennas. Also the replacement of Channel Master bowtie reflector antennas with their newer models is complete now too. Members can consult older Antenna Chart versions to look up those dropped models if they think they can find any out there, but many members have found that the old stock has dried up.

I've updated the Antenna Chart to reflect these marketplace changes so that members will have less confusion and disappointment as they seek out the best antennas for their needs.

Remember, you must register as a member at our site to be able to download the latest Antenna Chart.

[stampeder]

As mentioned, several lines of top notch OTA gear are no longer available on the retail market, so I've had to revise my Deepest Fringe OTA advice for a complete VHF/FM/UHF setup accordingly, showing readily available antennas and gear in today's OTA marketplace.

A Deepest Fringe setup is only required if you are in a remote, rural area at great distances from the desired stations. A Deepest Fringe setup is actually not desirable in closer areas. If you are in a Deepest Fringe area, follow this advice, or at least as closely as possible:

• find the point of highest elevation on the property
• generate several TVFool reports based on inputting different antenna heights
• 20' to 80' antenna height over surroundings (rooftop or tower as needed)
• two CM4228HD 8-bay UHF antennas (or build one DBGH)
• one Winegard HD8200P VHF/FM/UHF antenna (we will actually only use the VHF/FM output from it) or substitute with a CM3671 antenna
• rotor that handles heavy loads (not needed if only one aiming point is required)
• UVSJ antenna joiner
• perform the hardware and balun hacks on both CM4228HDs
• stack the second CM4228HD on top of the first one
• run the stacked CM4228HDs' output into the UHF side of the UVSJ
• build a coax-loop balun for the Winegard HD8200P's output
• run the Winegard HD8200P's output into the VHF/FM side of the UVSJ
• run the UVSJ output into a KitzTech preamp
• run the preamp output over RG-6 coax cable into the residence (use RG-11 if length from antennas to residence is over 100')
• ground everything properly
• purchase the best ATSC receiver device you can, depending on the category that suits your requirements:
  • converter box for use with an old analogue TV
  • HD receiver for component-in on a newer digital TV
  • ATSC-equipped DVR/PVR
  • brand new HDTV with latest ATSC tuner chipset
  • ATSC-equipped satellite receiver
• Purchase an HD Radio-equipped tuner like a Sony XDR--F1HD for your audio system if you will be receiving U.S. FM Radio stations with this OTA gear

Remember everyone that a Deepest Fringe setup is only required in remote, rural areas covering great distances to the desired stations. Is the above advice right for you? If you're not sure, ask in the Reception thread for your area before laying out money.

[stampeder]

This latest version of the Antenna Chart has been updated to focus on the best of the main commercial brands of antenna commonly available in Canada as we approach the official DTV Transition date of August 31, 2011. For example, now that Antennacraft antennas are being retailed by The Source I've added another one of their products that was not already on the chart. Likewise, Costco now carries a small VHF/UHF combo antenna that might be useful to urban viewers as the new DTV stations come up in Canada's major cities. Of course the best of each category are plainly shown, usually available from saveandreplay.com and other vendors.

I've also reconfigured the layout a bit to highlight the different antenna types a bit better.

Cheers

[stampeder]

My profound apologies - it was really late when I uploaded the wrong PDF file, so here is the proper one. I've changed the version number to avoid confusion with the one from yesterday. The notes from Post #8 apply to Version 7.1 and I've removed the 7.0 file.

cheers