Help me choose an antenna please Zip: 27106

[Broncowolf]

I just won a choice of antenna! However, which one should I get? I am wanting to do an attic mount. I live at zipcode 27106. Any chance I could get any of the violet channels listed at Antennaweb.org?

I only have one 37" Plasma HDTV that will be hooked up to the antenna.

My antenna choices:
- AntennasDirect DB2
- AntennasDirect XG42
- AntennasDirect XG43
- ChannelMaster CM4228
- ChannelMaster CM4221
- ChannelMaster CM4220
- ChannelMaster CM3016
- PF7 picture frame antenna (Indoor)

Thanks!

[motorboy]

I also won and live at 54022 all my channels are yellow, but rabet ears only give me half in analog or DTV. Antenna web says all 9.1 and 11.1 channels are VHF and all other DTV channels are UHF including 2,4,23,29,45,41. I thought below 13 was VHF and above was UHF? With rabbet ears I get the 2 VHF, could I still get them with a UHF roof top antenna?

Thanks

[hdtvlabs]

motorboy,

I think CM3016 can work for you. All your stations are in 30 miles distance, and two of them, FOX and NBC, will be on high-VHF after the transition. CM3016 is a good VHF/UHF antenna for that range, especially if you have line of sight to the towers. CM4228 may work too (though not sure about FOX on ch 9) but it is a lot of bigger, not very suitable for attic installation. Any other antenna in the list (XG43, XG42, CM4221) has to be complemented by a VHF antenna for sure.

Broncowolf,

Your situation is a little bit more complicated. You really need a rotator. If you use a rotator, the CM3016 is not a bad choice for you either, you can pull 8-9 channels with this setup, but there is no chance you will be able to pick up the violet stations with CM3016.

For violet channels you will need to take CM4228 from the list, and then to add a rotator and a pre-amp, and possibly a basic VHF antenna for WGHP-DT

[motorboy]

I just chose the CM3016 even though it was larger than I needed, I saw I still was going to need VHF. Thanks for the help, I was worried I made the wrong choice.

[Broncowolf]

Thanks for the response and recommendation! I actually picked the 43XG before I saw your post because I had to get my choice in quickly and hope that will be good even though you recommended the CM3016. What made you choose the CM3016 over the 43XG? You mentioned that WGHP would need a VHF antenna, but I think the 'real channel' of WGHP is 35 even though it comes up as channel 8.1 or do I have it backwards? Hopefully I didn't make too big of a goof but I'm pretty sure it'll be better than my current antenna either way.

Thanks again!

[hdtvlabs]

It is 35 now, but will move to ch. 8 after the transition. Check "post-transition" at tvfool

[hdtvlabs]

as for XG43 vs CM3016:

XG43 is probably a better UHF antenna. However, CM3016 has a decent VHF reception, and is probably ok for your UHF needs. Let me know what you choose.

[Broncowolf]

Thanks, I think I'll stick with the 43XG and hope to have a shot at getting the Charlotte CBS station. As I'm a NFL Fan (Go Broncos!), I noticed that a couple of times last season the Charlotte CBS had the Bronco game whereas my Winston Salem CBS didn't. However, I couldn't pick up the Charlotte station at all with my current cheap antenna.

As for the Fox channel, I gotta figure that out since, as you pointed out, it is going to be VHF. I wish they didn't make that switch. Is it possible to hook two antennas up 2 antennas up in series and maybe I could pick up a cheap VHF antenna somewhere and hook them up beside each other or would that cause interference? Is there a VHF only antenna?

Thanks!

[Broncowolf]

Well, I wish I'd gone with your recommendation before ordering. The 43XG is great for what I aim it at, but it picks up nothing else and with my towers arrayed all around, I with I'd picked a non-yagi style.

If anyone wants to trade, let me know!

[tigerbangs]

What you need is a rotator and a VHF-high-band yagi: If you add those two items, you'll find that you have more reception that you ever dreamed of. The CM 3016 is a pretty weak antenna: add a Winegard YA-1713 and a Pico-Macom UFSJ antenna joiner to what you have, and you'll be ready for everything within 65 miles of your location!