Antennas Direct OTA Antennas & Gear

[wardialer]

according to solid signal's site the DB-8 • is a Large Multi-directional antenna and yeilds a beam width of about 100 degrees.

also according to the manufacturer's site: This DB8 is the ideal antenna for use in locations that can pull long range signals from various directions and offers an attractive alternative to using a directional antenna mounted on a rotator.

since the 4228 is directional... doesn't the 100 degree beam width of the DB8 make it worth the extra $$ ?
also the range is advertised as being 10 miles more on the DB8.
also if anyone w/ experience w/ this antenna can confirm that claim i'd really appreciate it.
reason im asking is, i currently have a DB-4 on my roof. i live at third line and dundas in oakville, and toronto and buffalo are about 90 degrees apart... i get most channels (WNLO and WUTV lose signal for about 1-2 hours some nights, and i don't get SUN tv but don't really miss it). i have about 85' coax going into my plasma. my DB-4 is pointed between toronto and buffalo, just enough to get CityHD reliably while getting all buffalo stations.

should i:
A) get a pre-amp
B) stack two DB-4's or a DB-4 w/ a 4228
C) invest in the DB-8

thanks in advance

[Yaamon]

wardialer at 85' of cable a preamp will help greatly that is my first suggestion.

If you still find that you need a bit more signal after a preamp I would combine two db4 with a preamp.

You cannot believe all the info you see on a manufacture web site. Here is a link that compared the performance of different antennas.

The DB8 is more directional than a 4228. At 15' off axis it's already down by 6db while a 4228 is only 3db'

DB8 http://www.hdtvprimer.com/ANTENNAS/DB8.html

4228 http://www.hdtvprimer.com/ANTENNAS/cm4228.html

What this means is off axis the 4228 will still out perform better. The slightly higher raw chan gain the db8 offers 1-1.3db gain is easily lost off axis.

Good luck.

[stampeder]

Thanks Yaamon, there is soooo much proof that the CM4228 is better and costs less.

wardialer, have you read these links:

[wardialer]

yes sir!

and then some.

i now know a lot more about OTA and electronics/signals in general.
i now understand why my WUTV-DT on 14.1 cuts out. its because the DB-2, DB-4 and DB-8 cut out at those channels... notice R.

and that i lose 1 dB for every 18 feet of RG-6.
also that i should probably ground my antenna properly... its going through a surge supressor made by APC and im *hoping* the fuse in there will protect my precious television.

[mdelleman]

I just picked up this corner reflector off of craigslist here in Vancouver. It was bought in Europe apparently. I'd say it is a pretty close match (approx same amount of elements) to the Antenna Direct 43XG but I am not certain. One thing that has confused me is where to hook up my balun or coax. I have attached some pictures so maybe someone could give me some insight on this antenna. I haven't been able to find anything on this antenna as I have no idea who built it.

Here are the pictures:




And the Balun Box which is a bit confusing:

[TheIceMaster]

Indeed, very similar to 42/43XG.

As to the attachment, you have to attach a coax directly. From your last picture

1) Prepare the end of the RG6 as you would normally to add a connector.
2) The conductor should be clamped with the screw on the right with the cable and shielding under the clamp on the left near the exit of the box.

Since a picture is always better, here you go. Its from a different antenna but I would guess the connections are the same due to the similar mechanism in place.

[stampeder]

It may have been bought in Europe but that's a Terrestrial Digital 43XG for sure and not a European brand.

[mdelleman]

I know Blake has made antennas like this with the X reflectors before as well. If it is indeed built to the 43XG specs then it would have a max gain of 15.7db. I'm not sure if I could find it but I would love to see a beam pattern for this antenna., if anyone has anything that would be great. I guess I really won't know much about it until I test it out myself.

[concordfta]

http://www.prweb.com/releases/2008/02/prweb672763.htm

10" by 20" and 55 mile range and 90 degree beamwidth!?!?

Okay, does this sound too good to be true?

Anyone in the antenna business heard of this. I'm getting excited.
I didn't think that antenna technology could get a boost like this, I mean the laws of science haven't changed over night. So why are we just seeing this now.

[stampeder]

That company seems to have gone from being called Terrestrial Digital back to Antennas Direct.

As for their line of ClearStream series of antennas, all I can say right now is... we'll see.

Starting with their Lacrosse antenna they began using software modelling to work with pinwheel-shaped receptors within enclosed plastic housings in order to create stealth antennas for those who object to traditional antenna sizes and looks. Thankfully a DHCer cut a Lacrosse open to have a look inside, so that's how we know that. Antennas Direct's design object was not to break any laws of physics or electromagnestism, but rather to push the envelope in what a small, stealthy antenna would be able to receive. As such, the Lacrosse is a good competitor in the stealth antenna arena, going up against the Winegard Square Shooter and the Channel Master flying wing antennas but unfortunately overpriced in comparison. Hopefully AD is able to bring their prices into line with the market.

If Antennas Direct have further honed this ability in their new ClearStream designs I'd be open to seeing what they've come up with. Until then I will treat the press release as just more marketing. As always, I caution against believing any and all range estimates found in marketing material. Testing in the real world is what its all about!

One other thing: a 90 degree beamwidth may be desirable in some urban cases, but in Near Fringe to Deepest Fringe it is not a desirable feature. Directionality is almost always a good thing. Nulls and Peaks of directional antennas can make the difference between great and lousy reception.

Okay one other, other thing: the marketing blurb says that the ClearStream series of antennas are designed to work with the capabilities of 4th and 5th generation ATSC tuners. Excuse me, but I can show anyone a whole chart of antennas that work excellently with the capabilities of ATSC tuners.

[cbitmap]

just saw the picture of the new ClearStream 2 antenna from Antenna Direct web site.

[stampeder]

That's a very unique design! It would be great to crack one open and let the Antenna modeling guys take a crack at analyzing it...

[heinz]

Here is a pdf of the clearstream antennas. Size wise they look interesting.

http://www.antennasdirect.com/pdf/ClearStream.pdf

[RustyHD]

For others like me that want something that looks a little nicer, the LacrosseA is perfect in the GTA. I have it mounted on a gable end bracket with a 3 foot mast about 24 ft above ground level. I installed it last October and have it aimed directly at Grand Island to maximize signal of 49-1 MyTV and 14-1 Fox. On my Samsung tuner I get 4 bars on MyTV and 8 bars on Fox. The rest of Buffalo comes in 8 or 10 bars, CN tower channels 8 or 10 bars, Hamilton 4 bars on CTS and 6-8 bars E! That's 22 of 22 digital channels, no drop outs. Also had OMNI's when they were testing 8 bars. On DX nights, I get all 11 digital channels from Rochester.

Yes the antenna was expensive, but add a rotator to a 4 or 8 bay and that's expensive too. Next I want to add a PVR, either a STB or HTPC. If you want an antenna that looks nicer and doesn't have to rotate, this is one to consider.

[stampeder]

Originally Posted by RustyHD

If you want an antenna that looks nicer and doesn't have to rotate, this is one to consider.

Its more realistic to say that in your particular situation in Mississauga you do not require a rotor for your Lacrosse antenna.

I'm glad you're satisfied with it where you are, but some people might think you're saying that the Lacrosse never needs a rotor, which is not a correct assumption.

Are you still using 2 antennas, or now just one? http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/show...&postcount=592