Outdoor antenna reccomendation?

[wlsn]

OK. So, I'm now less than impressed with the functionality of the RCA ANT806.
Does anyone have any reccomendations on manufacturers, models and or vendors for a superior outdoor, multi-directional antenna?

[Mike Slade]

Channel Master 4221 or 4228 are pretty good. They are both directional though.

[wlsn]

Can you reccomend a vendor for either of those?

[Mike Slade]

Amazon carries both. The 4221 price seems about right. ($28) Not sure about the 4228 price though, I've never really priced those before. They have it for $79

[wlsn]

Thank you for that info.

From my home, I feel like I should have a good chance at picking up stations from Albany, Columbus & possibly Macon. . . given the correct antenna set-up and a pre-amp. I was considering the DB8, from the Antennas Direct webpage. This antenna is a UHF, multi directional antenna. Will I need a VHF/UHF antenna, or is the UHF alone adequate for the channels broadcasting from Columbus?(http://www.antennasdirect.com/DB8_HD_Antenna.html).
Would someone please check this out & tell me what they think about this antenna? Thank you!

[Mike Slade]

Right now all stations are UHF. After the switch WTVM will be moving their digital back to channel 9 so it will be VHF. I can get their analog 9 pretty well now on my 4221.

[wlsn]

Antennas Direct says that the DB8 is designed for UHF, but it will receive the VHF channels on the upper end of the spectrum. I'm gonna try it and see. I'll let everyone know how it works.

[zedsdead]

Jun 4, 2008 18:59:54 GMT -5 wlsn said:

Antennas Direct says that the DB8 is designed for UHF, but it will receive the VHF channels on the upper end of the spectrum. I'm gonna try it and see. I'll let everyone know how it works.

I have had a db8 for 2 years now and it works well. I live on Summerville road in PC. I think you will be pleased.

[wlsn]

Thanx for the reply zedsdead. During a break in the afternoon rain showers (which I was glad to see), I finished installing my DB8. It seems to be a great antenna. The only issue was a defective capacitor on the pcb on the antenna preamp power supply. I called Antennas Direct and they are shipping another preamp and power supply out to me now. I have a 15 dB preamp on hand, so I'm using it now with great results. Still have to do a little more aimng, becuase WRBL is not coming in digitally. Analog signals are pretty clear themselves. So far, I'm satisfied with the DB8, however I may try my luck with a rotatable mast as opposed to having it mounted on the edge of the roof with "J" mount, just to see what else I can dial in.

[zedsdead]

Jun 12, 2008 11:34:37 GMT -5 wlsn said:

Thanx for the reply zedsdead. During a break in the afternoon rain showers (which I was glad to see), I finished installing my DB8. It seems to be a great antenna. The only issue was a defective capacitor on the pcb on the antenna preamp power supply. I called Antennas Direct and they are shipping another preamp and power supply out to me now. I have a 15 dB preamp on hand, so I'm using it now with great results. Still have to do a little more aimng, becuase WRBL is not coming in digitally. Analog signals are pretty clear themselves. So far, I'm satisfied with the DB8, however I may try my luck with a rotatable mast as opposed to having it mounted on the edge of the roof with "J" mount, just to see what else I can dial in.

I don't have a preamp on mine and it works just great. I have tried a preamp before and I could not see any difference in the signal. But that was before the local stations stepped up their signal strength. Line of sight is important for digital and that made all of the difference for me.