CM4228 poor results

[blindowl]

I ordered an 4228 and got it today. I must say after freezing in 30 degree temps for an hour, I'm sorely disapointed in the antenna. I'm probably 77 miles from Columbus, and 60 from Chillicothe I was hoping to lock in WSYX and WWHO. I had an old VU 75 from the Shack and got better reception with it on UHF and VHF. Late at night many nights, I was able to lock in both of the Columbus stations with the old VU75 antenna and a 10 DB amp mounted behind the set. With the 4228 I don't get them at all. ZERO %.
I've always liked a good yagi antenna, I knew I should've trusted my gut instincts and stayed with a trusted yagi. I may end up waiting til summer and ditching the 4228. Another $ 56 with shipping down the drain.
IMHO from all my years of radio-Tv dx'ing I'd say the 4228 is good for 45-50 miles and thats it. :cry:

[testproggie]

Sorry to here about your luck. It sounds like you are not using any preamp. Is that true? I have a 4228 along with a very large unknown make combo antenna along with a Rat Shack 30dB amp (I know, high noise figure, but I already had it). I am able to switch back and forth between the two for comparisons. Most of the time the 4228 out-performs the combo unit on UHF. During sunrise/sunset weird things happen and which antenna does best is up in the air.

Anyway, using the 4228 without a preamp at the distances you are looking at is required. I will note that the farthest station I pick up reliably on UHF is 67 miles away. I am adding two more sections of tower in the spring to help eliminate dropouts but with Ohio terrain and the distances you are looking at, I'm not sure you will be able to get reliable reception on digital.

BTW the Canadians forums have a different view of things than I usually find around the US forums. They very much prefer the 4228 over any yagi while in the US it is opposite. Each has there advantages and disadvantages.

[blindowl]

Testproggie,
Thanks! for the reply. I have a cheapie 10 db amp mounted at the set. What annoys me is that I was getting a signal with the old lousy antenna I had from radio shack. I think it was a VU75. It only has 32-33 elements...not much. I was getting channel 13 which is VHF and 36 which is UHF. Granted this was late at night and kinda hit or miss at times. I thought wow this CM4228 should solve any problems haha. I will say the Cincinnati and Dayton stations are coming in at 90% plus. I don't care about them I was already getting them fine. I will say the 4228 is very directional though. So how tall of a tower do you have now? Just curious.
Thanks!

[testproggie]

Yes, the 4228 is very directional. I have problems aligning it with the rotor I use, the common Rat Shack/Channel Master/Other model. It will jump several degrees when you just bump it. The decent ones are way too expensive though. The tower is currently at 35 feet and by raising it up I can clear some nearby trees better plus benefit (I hope) from the increased height. I installed a 75 foot tower at one of my brother's houses some years ago. It does extremely well at that height, getting good analog signals I can't even see. He doesn't have digital yet and I'm curious to know what it could pick up.

Anyway, towers that high are beyond what I can do now-a-days. I'll have trouble enough adding two sections to mine. Good luck with your efforts.

[blindowl]

I put the old VU 75 back up today and the reception is back to normal. The 4228 is going to be stuffed in the garage somewhere haha. I think I'll get a good amp for the old antenna I have. I'd love to get a tower someday but I can see myself climbing it. I can see hoisting an antenna up there either.
I guess I'll stick with the 33 foot pole I've got now. I'll never clear the 80 foot pine trees near me anyway. Thanks!