Antenna selection issue CM3671, DB8, or CM4228?

I am looking for an antenna for receiving regular and HD local
stations.

The furthest transmitter I am seeking to receive is 34 miles away.

I am planning on mounting the antenna on the roof of my two story
house. My house is build on the side of a very large hill. The rooftop
is a few feet higher than the highest point of the hill. I would like
to use an eave mount with a 5 - 12 foot mast (TBD).

I am considering the Channel Master CM 3671 Deepest Fringe Crossfire
Series Antenna, Terrestrial Digital DB8 Multi-Directional HDTV
Antenna, or the Channel Master CM 4228 8-Bay Bowtie UHF Antenna. Most
of the stations I would like to receive are UHF, however, I am
considering the CM3671 if it would let me pull in some or most of the
VHF stations too. I am interested in comments on these antennas for my
purposes.

I have reviewed the antennaweb.org materials concerning my area, which
is quoted below.

yellow - uhf WTIC 61 FOX HARTFORD CT 268° 16.3 61
yellow - vhf WFSB 3 CBS HARTFORD CT 286° 14.2 3
* yellow - uhf WFSB-DT 3.1 CBS HARTFORD CT 286° 14.2 33
yellow - uhf WEDH 24 PBS HARTFORD CT 286° 14.2 24
yellow - uhf WUVN 18 UNI HARTFORD CT 286° 14.0 18
* yellow - uhf WUVN-DT 18.1 UNI HARTFORD CT 286° 14.0 46
green - uhf WUTH-CA 47 TFA HARTFORD CT 159° 4.9 47
lt green - uhf WHCT-LP 69 IND HARTFORD CT 294° 14.2 69
* red - uhf WEDH-DT 45 PBS HARTFORD CT 268° 16.3 45
* red - uhf WTIC-DT 31.1 FOX HARTFORD CT 268° 16.3 31
red - uhf WTXX 20 CW WATERBURY CT 250° 30.6 20
red - uhf WVIT 30 NBC NEW BRITAIN CT 267° 16.3 30
* red - uhf WVIT-DT 30.1 NBC NEW BRITAIN CT 267° 16.3 35
red - uhf WWLP 22 NBC SPRINGFIELD MA 352° 23.7 22
* red - vhf WTXX-DT 20.1 CW WATERBURY CT 268° 16.3 12
* blue - vhf WWLP-DT 22.1 NBC SPRINGFIELD MA 352° 23.7 11
blue - uhf WGBY 57 PBS SPRINGFIELD MA 3° 33.3 57
blue - uhf WGGB 40 ABC SPRINGFIELD MA 3° 33.3 40
blue - vhf WRDM-LP 13 TEL HARTFORD CT 281° 7.9 13
blue - vhf WTNH 8 ABC NEW HAVEN CT 237° 32.3 8
blue - uhf WHPX 26 i NEW LONDON CT 159° 29.6 26
blue - uhf WCTX 59 MNT NEW HAVEN CT 237° 32.3 59
* violet - vhf WTNH-DT 10.1 ABC NEW HAVEN CT 237° 32.3 10

I am interested to know what is the most reasonable mast height that I
should use with an eave mount? Is 8, 10, or 12 feet a good amount or
should the mast be shorter?

I would appreciate any help in figuring this matter out. Thanks.

"blue7echo" wrote:
I am looking for an antenna for receiving regular and HD local
stations.

The furthest transmitter I am seeking to receive is 34 miles away.

I am planning on mounting the antenna on the roof of my two story
house. My house is build on the side of a very large hill. The rooftop
is a few feet higher than the highest point of the hill. I would like
to use an eave mount with a 5 - 12 foot mast (TBD).

I am considering the Channel Master CM 3671 Deepest Fringe Crossfire
Series Antenna, Terrestrial Digital DB8 Multi-Directional HDTV
Antenna, or the Channel Master CM 4228 8-Bay Bowtie UHF Antenna. Most
of the stations I would like to receive are UHF, however, I am
considering the CM3671 if it would let me pull in some or most of the
VHF stations too. I am interested in comments on these antennas for my
purposes.

I have reviewed the antennaweb.org materials concerning my area, which
is quoted below.

yellow - uhf WTIC 61 FOX HARTFORD CT 268=B0 16.3 61
yellow - vhf WFSB 3 CBS HARTFORD CT 286=B0 14.2 3
* yellow - uhf WFSB-DT 3.1 CBS HARTFORD CT 286=B0 14.2 33
yellow - uhf WEDH 24 PBS HARTFORD CT 286=B0 14.2 24
yellow - uhf WUVN 18 UNI HARTFORD CT 286=B0 14.0 18
* yellow - uhf WUVN-DT 18.1 UNI HARTFORD CT 286=B0 14.0 46
green - uhf WUTH-CA 47 TFA HARTFORD CT 159=B0 4.9 47
lt green - uhf WHCT-LP 69 IND HARTFORD CT 294=B0 14.2 69
* red - uhf WEDH-DT 45 PBS HARTFORD CT 268=B0 16.3 45
* red - uhf WTIC-DT 31.1 FOX HARTFORD CT 268=B0 16.3 31
red - uhf WTXX 20 CW WATERBURY CT 250=B0 30.6 20
red - uhf WVIT 30 NBC NEW BRITAIN CT 267=B0 16.3 30
* red - uhf WVIT-DT 30.1 NBC NEW BRITAIN CT 267=B0 16.3 35
red - uhf WWLP 22 NBC SPRINGFIELD MA 352=B0 23.7 22
* red - vhf WTXX-DT 20.1 CW WATERBURY CT 268=B0 16.3 12
* blue - vhf WWLP-DT 22.1 NBC SPRINGFIELD MA 352=B0 23.7 11
blue - uhf WGBY 57 PBS SPRINGFIELD MA 3=B0 33.3 57
blue - uhf WGGB 40 ABC SPRINGFIELD MA 3=B0 33.3 40
blue - vhf WRDM-LP 13 TEL HARTFORD CT 281=B0 7.9 13
blue - vhf WTNH 8 ABC NEW HAVEN CT 237=B0 32.3 8
blue - uhf WHPX 26 i NEW LONDON CT 159=B0 29.6 26
blue - uhf WCTX 59 MNT NEW HAVEN CT 237=B0 32.3 59
* violet - vhf WTNH-DT 10.1 ABC NEW HAVEN CT 237=B0 32.3 10

I am interested to know what is the most reasonable mast height that I
should use with an eave mount? Is 8, 10, or 12 feet a good amount or
should the mast be shorter?

I would appreciate any help in figuring this matter out. Thanks.

I am using the CM 4228 in the same area that you are in.
I have had very good results. Note that there is work
going on at the transmitter site in Farmington that will
make your reception spotty until it is done. Good luck!

Chip

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On Feb 5, 2:03 pm, wrote:
"blue7echo" wrote:
I am looking for an antenna for receiving regular and HD local
stations.

The furthest transmitter I am seeking to receive is 34 miles away.

I am planning on mounting the antenna on the roof of my two story
house. My house is build on the side of a very large hill. The rooftop
is a few feet higher than the highest point of the hill. I would like
to use an eave mount with a 5 - 12 foot mast (TBD).

I am considering the Channel Master CM 3671 Deepest Fringe Crossfire
Series Antenna, Terrestrial Digital DB8 Multi-Directional HDTV
Antenna, or the Channel Master CM 4228 8-Bay Bowtie UHF Antenna. Most
of the stations I would like to receive are UHF, however, I am
considering the CM3671 if it would let me pull in some or most of the
VHF stations too. I am interested in comments on these antennas for my
purposes.

I have reviewed the antennaweb.org materials concerning my area, which
is quoted below.

yellow - uhf WTIC 61 FOX HARTFORD CT 268=B0 16.3 61
yellow - vhf WFSB 3 CBS HARTFORD CT 286=B0 14.2 3
* yellow - uhf WFSB-DT 3.1 CBS HARTFORD CT 286=B0 14.2 33
yellow - uhf WEDH 24 PBS HARTFORD CT 286=B0 14.2 24
yellow - uhf WUVN 18 UNI HARTFORD CT 286=B0 14.0 18
* yellow - uhf WUVN-DT 18.1 UNI HARTFORD CT 286=B0 14.0 46
green - uhf WUTH-CA 47 TFA HARTFORD CT 159=B0 4.9 47
lt green - uhf WHCT-LP 69 IND HARTFORD CT 294=B0 14.2 69
* red - uhf WEDH-DT 45 PBS HARTFORD CT 268=B0 16.3 45
* red - uhf WTIC-DT 31.1 FOX HARTFORD CT 268=B0 16.3 31
red - uhf WTXX 20 CW WATERBURY CT 250=B0 30.6 20
red - uhf WVIT 30 NBC NEW BRITAIN CT 267=B0 16.3 30
* red - uhf WVIT-DT 30.1 NBC NEW BRITAIN CT 267=B0 16.3 35
red - uhf WWLP 22 NBC SPRINGFIELD MA 352=B0 23.7 22
* red - vhf WTXX-DT 20.1 CW WATERBURY CT 268=B0 16.3 12
* blue - vhf WWLP-DT 22.1 NBC SPRINGFIELD MA 352=B0 23.7 11
blue - uhf WGBY 57 PBS SPRINGFIELD MA 3=B0 33.3 57
blue - uhf WGGB 40 ABC SPRINGFIELD MA 3=B0 33.3 40
blue - vhf WRDM-LP 13 TEL HARTFORD CT 281=B0 7.9 13
blue - vhf WTNH 8 ABC NEW HAVEN CT 237=B0 32.3 8
blue - uhf WHPX 26 i NEW LONDON CT 159=B0 29.6 26
blue - uhf WCTX 59 MNT NEW HAVEN CT 237=B0 32.3 59
* violet - vhf WTNH-DT 10.1 ABC NEW HAVEN CT 237=B0 32.3 10

I am interested to know what is the most reasonable mast height that I
should use with an eave mount? Is 8, 10, or 12 feet a good amount or
should the mast be shorter?

I would appreciate any help in figuring this matter out. Thanks.

I am using the CM 4228 in the same area that you are in.
I have had very good results. Note that there is work
going on at the transmitter site in Farmington that will
make your reception spotty until it is done. Good luck!

Chip

--
--------------------http://NewsReader.Com/--------------------
Usenet Newsgroup Service $9.95/Month 30GB

If you are thinking about the DB8, then Hack-A-Day has an article
about a DIY Antenna. It is basically a DB2, but the linked forum goes
on for a few pages to show a DB8 arrangement for very cheap. Here is
the link:
http://www.hackaday.com/2007/02/01/diy-hd-antenna/

If you have the materials laying around, it shouldn't cost a thing, if
not, then it would only set you back about $10 or so.

Tuesday, February 06 2007, @ 2:45 PM (-0800 GMT)

Would the CM 4228 8-Bay work for stations 57 miles out, with a
pre-amp, or would that require the CM3671 for HD?

Jim


On 05 Feb 2007 19:03:52 GMT, wrote:

"blue7echo" wrote:
I am looking for an antenna for receiving regular and HD local
stations.

The furthest transmitter I am seeking to receive is 34 miles away.

I am planning on mounting the antenna on the roof of my two story
house. My house is build on the side of a very large hill. The rooftop
is a few feet higher than the highest point of the hill. I would like
to use an eave mount with a 5 - 12 foot mast (TBD).

I am considering the Channel Master CM 3671 Deepest Fringe Crossfire
Series Antenna, Terrestrial Digital DB8 Multi-Directional HDTV
Antenna, or the Channel Master CM 4228 8-Bay Bowtie UHF Antenna. Most
of the stations I would like to receive are UHF, however, I am
considering the CM3671 if it would let me pull in some or most of the
VHF stations too. I am interested in comments on these antennas for my
purposes.

I have reviewed the antennaweb.org materials concerning my area, which
is quoted below.

yellow - uhf WTIC 61 FOX HARTFORD CT 268=B0 16.3 61
yellow - vhf WFSB 3 CBS HARTFORD CT 286=B0 14.2 3
* yellow - uhf WFSB-DT 3.1 CBS HARTFORD CT 286=B0 14.2 33
yellow - uhf WEDH 24 PBS HARTFORD CT 286=B0 14.2 24
yellow - uhf WUVN 18 UNI HARTFORD CT 286=B0 14.0 18
* yellow - uhf WUVN-DT 18.1 UNI HARTFORD CT 286=B0 14.0 46
green - uhf WUTH-CA 47 TFA HARTFORD CT 159=B0 4.9 47
lt green - uhf WHCT-LP 69 IND HARTFORD CT 294=B0 14.2 69
* red - uhf WEDH-DT 45 PBS HARTFORD CT 268=B0 16.3 45
* red - uhf WTIC-DT 31.1 FOX HARTFORD CT 268=B0 16.3 31
red - uhf WTXX 20 CW WATERBURY CT 250=B0 30.6 20
red - uhf WVIT 30 NBC NEW BRITAIN CT 267=B0 16.3 30
* red - uhf WVIT-DT 30.1 NBC NEW BRITAIN CT 267=B0 16.3 35
red - uhf WWLP 22 NBC SPRINGFIELD MA 352=B0 23.7 22
* red - vhf WTXX-DT 20.1 CW WATERBURY CT 268=B0 16.3 12
* blue - vhf WWLP-DT 22.1 NBC SPRINGFIELD MA 352=B0 23.7 11
blue - uhf WGBY 57 PBS SPRINGFIELD MA 3=B0 33.3 57
blue - uhf WGGB 40 ABC SPRINGFIELD MA 3=B0 33.3 40
blue - vhf WRDM-LP 13 TEL HARTFORD CT 281=B0 7.9 13
blue - vhf WTNH 8 ABC NEW HAVEN CT 237=B0 32.3 8
blue - uhf WHPX 26 i NEW LONDON CT 159=B0 29.6 26
blue - uhf WCTX 59 MNT NEW HAVEN CT 237=B0 32.3 59
* violet - vhf WTNH-DT 10.1 ABC NEW HAVEN CT 237=B0 32.3 10

I am interested to know what is the most reasonable mast height that I
should use with an eave mount? Is 8, 10, or 12 feet a good amount or
should the mast be shorter?

I would appreciate any help in figuring this matter out. Thanks.

I am using the CM 4228 in the same area that you are in.
I have had very good results. Note that there is work
going on at the transmitter site in Farmington that will
make your reception spotty until it is done. Good luck!

Chip

The Channel Master 4228 8 bay is a long range UHF antenna. It is a
popular antenna for maximum performance for long range UHF use (along
the AntennasDirect 91XG), so if the digital stations are on UHF, it is a
good choice. The CM 4228 also has ok performance for upper VHF 7 to 13
stations, but for 57 miles, you should add a VHF antenna.

Have you looked up the actual digital broadcast channels for those
stations? You should also take into consideration whether any of the
stations will be switching it's digital broadcast to VHF after the
analog shutdown in February, 2009.

Alan F


Jim wrote:
Tuesday, February 06 2007, @ 2:45 PM (-0800 GMT)

Would the CM 4228 8-Bay work for stations 57 miles out, with a
pre-amp, or would that require the CM3671 for HD?

Jim

blue7echo wrote:
I am looking for an antenna for receiving regular and HD local
stations.

The furthest transmitter I am seeking to receive is 34 miles away.

I am planning on mounting the antenna on the roof of my two story
house. My house is build on the side of a very large hill. The rooftop
is a few feet higher than the highest point of the hill. I would like
to use an eave mount with a 5 - 12 foot mast (TBD).

I am considering the Channel Master CM 3671 Deepest Fringe Crossfire
Series Antenna, Terrestrial Digital DB8 Multi-Directional HDTV
Antenna, or the Channel Master CM 4228 8-Bay Bowtie UHF Antenna. Most
of the stations I would like to receive are UHF, however, I am
considering the CM3671 if it would let me pull in some or most of the
VHF stations too. I am interested in comments on these antennas for my
purposes.

if your stations are only 34 miles away and most have yellow and red
color codes, why are you choosing from the long (and very large) range
antennas? The antennas you listed are intended for 50, 60, 70 mile
applications or in difficult terrain. If the house is on a hill, a much
more compact and lighter medium range antenna should do the job.

I get stations out to 43+ miles just fine with a Channel Master 4221 4
Bay in my attic, for example. It is ranges of beyond 45 to 50 miles
where you need the highest gain antennas because the curvature of the
earth becomes an issue as the broadcast tower is often below the horizon
at that range.

Alan F

"blue7echo" wrote in message
oups.com...
I am looking for an antenna for receiving regular and HD local
stations.

The furthest transmitter I am seeking to receive is 34 miles away.

I am planning on mounting the antenna on the roof of my two story
house. My house is build on the side of a very large hill. The rooftop
is a few feet higher than the highest point of the hill. I would like
to use an eave mount with a 5 - 12 foot mast (TBD).

I am considering the Channel Master CM 3671 Deepest Fringe Crossfire
Series Antenna, Terrestrial Digital DB8 Multi-Directional HDTV
Antenna, or the Channel Master CM 4228 8-Bay Bowtie UHF Antenna. Most
of the stations I would like to receive are UHF, however, I am
considering the CM3671 if it would let me pull in some or most of the
VHF stations too. I am interested in comments on these antennas for my
purposes.

I have reviewed the antennaweb.org materials concerning my area, which
is quoted below.

yellow - uhf WTIC 61 FOX HARTFORD CT 268° 16.3 61
yellow - vhf WFSB 3 CBS HARTFORD CT 286° 14.2 3
* yellow - uhf WFSB-DT 3.1 CBS HARTFORD CT 286° 14.2 33
yellow - uhf WEDH 24 PBS HARTFORD CT 286° 14.2 24
yellow - uhf WUVN 18 UNI HARTFORD CT 286° 14.0 18
* yellow - uhf WUVN-DT 18.1 UNI HARTFORD CT 286° 14.0 46
green - uhf WUTH-CA 47 TFA HARTFORD CT 159° 4.9 47
lt green - uhf WHCT-LP 69 IND HARTFORD CT 294° 14.2 69
* red - uhf WEDH-DT 45 PBS HARTFORD CT 268° 16.3 45
* red - uhf WTIC-DT 31.1 FOX HARTFORD CT 268° 16.3 31
red - uhf WTXX 20 CW WATERBURY CT 250° 30.6 20
red - uhf WVIT 30 NBC NEW BRITAIN CT 267° 16.3 30
* red - uhf WVIT-DT 30.1 NBC NEW BRITAIN CT 267° 16.3 35
red - uhf WWLP 22 NBC SPRINGFIELD MA 352° 23.7 22
* red - vhf WTXX-DT 20.1 CW WATERBURY CT 268° 16.3 12
* blue - vhf WWLP-DT 22.1 NBC SPRINGFIELD MA 352° 23.7 11
blue - uhf WGBY 57 PBS SPRINGFIELD MA 3° 33.3 57
blue - uhf WGGB 40 ABC SPRINGFIELD MA 3° 33.3 40
blue - vhf WRDM-LP 13 TEL HARTFORD CT 281° 7.9 13
blue - vhf WTNH 8 ABC NEW HAVEN CT 237° 32.3 8
blue - uhf WHPX 26 i NEW LONDON CT 159° 29.6 26
blue - uhf WCTX 59 MNT NEW HAVEN CT 237° 32.3 59
* violet - vhf WTNH-DT 10.1 ABC NEW HAVEN CT 237° 32.3 10

I am interested to know what is the most reasonable mast height that I
should use with an eave mount? Is 8, 10, or 12 feet a good amount or
should the mast be shorter?

I would appreciate any help in figuring this matter out. Thanks.

************************************************** ********************************

An eave mount with anything other than a small antenna is asking for
trouble. The longer the mast, relative to the spacing between the two
supports, the worse it is. Better to run the mast down to the ground (and
ground it electrically). Then use house brackets to support it.

If you really want to get all the channels you list, you would probably need
a rotator; however, the 4x or 8x bow tie will be less directional, and might
work OK for almost all of your channels.

A deep fringe antenna would be overkill, and huge. I notice the Radio Shack
one is 16 feet long. Also, you don't need a UHF/VHF combined antenna to get
all the channels. It makes sense to use separate VHF and UHF antennas, and
combine them in a VHF/UHF combiner. Then you could, for instance, have a
high gain UHF antenna, and low gain VHF. No law that says they have to be
pointed in the same direction.

Tam