The Specs Are In: New CM Antennas vs. Old

[sheezaym]

I have left posts in other forums, so I will leave one here. I feel I made a smart move. I purchased a new 4228A (No HD) last March and I just recently installed it. It works like a dream! I don't like the new design (mainly the built-in balun). If the balun goes bad on my 4228A, I just put a new one on and I'm back in business. The new model is not going to offer a replacement for the matching network. As far as better VHF-High gain, I don't need it. My only VHF station for now is channel 7. It is located 65 mile+ away and the old design pulls it great! After the switch, that station goes to channel 29 and our local station which is 21 mile away goes to channel 7. I can get that with a coat hanger. If somehow my 4228A should ever get destroyed in a bad storm (God forbid!), I probably would replace it with the 4228HD. May I never live to see that day.

[mlord]

BTW. Does anyone know what the price will be in Canada I think they are going for $80 in the US?

I saw these antennas (or exceptionally accurate clones of them) in various computer shops on College St. in Toronto last weekend.

The prices were in the $35-50 range, I think for the 4 and 8 bay variants.

Cheers

[300ohm]

If the balun goes bad on my 4228A, I just put a new one on and I'm back in business. The new model is not going to offer a replacement for the matching network.

Plus, so far were not sure if its a common 4:1 balun. It could very well be something else.

[genx]

here are the specs from channel master site for the new 4228hd. I just bought the old 4228 and I hope it will prove to be the right choice.

CM-4228HD UHF Range 96km Average gain 12.0 lenght 14cm Width 104cm height 84cm turning radius 52cm

[stampeder]

OK thanks, every bit of info makes it a bit more clear.

If we can get one and blueprint it on a bench with measurements and calipers we can give that info to the antenna modelers who can build a computer profile of it to see how it compares with the original CM4228.

[300ohm]

Hmm, 96km is slightly less than the 60 plus miles they used to quote for the old one. Not a good sign for a "new" model.

[recneps77]

60 miles = 96km
Factor of 1.6

[Nester5000]

How is it that the new "HD" (made in China to save money) antennas cost more?

[roger1818]

Originally Posted by Nester5000

How is it that the new "HD" (made in China to save money) antennas cost more?

Increased shipping costs?

[tenstu]

Um, I'd surmise it has mORE to do with the analog shut down in Feb in the US.... Make 'em pay when they have no choice. Ah, capitalism!

[mlord]

$29.00 for the 4-bay version, at various computer shops on College St. Toronto, just West of Spadina.

-ml

[Billiam]

I found the 4228HD is being marketed through Amazon.com So far around ten reviews and all but one are favorable rating it at five stars. The one guy that gave it a three star rating I figure did not know how to properly install it. More than likely it's in his attic or has some kind of obstruction between his antenna and the signals.

[markfromread]

I called a few installers this morning looking for the CM 4228. Of course no one has any available.

Just missed the boat, one installer sold his last one a couple of weeks ago.

One retailer/installer returned all of the new 4228HD's he had in stock, as in his opinion, they are garbage. Just passing it on.

[stampeder]

videobruce received detailed specs from Channel Master and posted them to some U.S. sites, so I've taken specs from Ken Nist's HDTVPrimer site and created this comparison of the old and the new:

Gain Figures For CM4221 (original) vs. CM4221HD (new)

Channel         4221            4221HD

14               9.5              10.9
19              10.5              10.6
27              11.5              10.3
35              13                11.4
43              13.5              12.9
52              14.2              11.8
60              15                13

As you can see, the antennas are basically matched in the 14-20 range, then the original CM4221 really pulls away into the lead.

[stampeder]

videobruce received detailed specs from Channel Master and posted them to some U.S. sites, so I've taken specs from Ken Nist's HDTVPrimer site and created this comparison of the old and the new:

Gain Figures For CM4228 (original) vs. CM4228HD (new)

Channel         4228            4228HD

 7               2dB             4.6dB
 9               6               5.3
11               7               4.7
13               7               3.4
14              10              11.2
19              12              11.6
27              14              11.7
35              15.7            10.9
43              15.7            11.1
52              15              11.7
60              14              11.7

The original CM4228 is the clear winner here except for on VHF-HI Channel 7. This does not bode well for Channel Master. As my dear, departed auntie might have said, wringing her hands in disappointment, "Oh dear!"