This antenna picks up regular channels 14 to 69 in the UHF band and the new High Definition signals HDTV, also in this band.  This is not for channels 2 thru 13 (the VHF band).

   When someone wants HDTV (High Definition TV) or UHF the 4 bay version is what we try first. If it does not work or we are more then 100 miles from the transmitter or in a bad reception area we then use PR-8800 8 bay antenna. Which we find works in most areas. 
 

   It is designed to be mounted to a pole. It is small enough for a balcony installation or inside an attic (although putting it in the attic will cut the reception by about 50%). It measures 22"x34" and weighs 4.5 LBS. 

    Antenna only:  no pole or wire is included, but it does include mounting hardware and a 300 ohm to 75 ohm converter so that you can use coaxial wire. RG6 is recommended if you have long lead ins or are in a bad reception area or far from the transmitters.

Most frequently asked questions:

    Antenna work:  When you get right down to it, it is mostly trial and error. If you are 100 miles or less from the transmitters you should try use the 4 bay antenna. If I am in a bad area, tall buildings or mountains, or more then 100 miles or have long antenna lead ins, then I would mount two of these side by side. No reason you could not put 4 up also Amplifiers? I avoid amps whenever possible as they have to be plugged in and can add noise to the signal. A good antenna should not need to be amplified. Usually small one element camper type antennas are amplified because the antenna itself is too small to gather enough signal so they have to put an amplifier in it. The only conditions where I use an amp is if you are in a very bad reception area, like behind tall buildings or behind mountains or you have a very long lead in from the antenna to the set (over 100 feet). In that case you are just trying to push the signal down the long lead in. I would try a push down amp first, rather then one that is at the set and just amplifies what is coming in. But before using an amp I would first try a bigger antenna, try the modification of this antenna mentioned below or try different wire first. When you have long lead ins, more than 50 feet, I would suggest using RG6 coaxial rather then RG9 as it allows more signal to pass down the lead in. In fact, 300 ohm flat lead passes even more signal then RG59, so I sometimes use that in a difficult area.

    Rotors. If the transmitters in your area are located in different locations, more then 30 degrees from where you are, then you may need a rotor to turn the antenna. You could also put two antennas up and just switch them down at the set with an A/B switch. Which is cheaper and easier then using a rotor. I do not know of any good multi directional antennas. Some of the camper type multi directional antennas may work if your not too far from the transmitters.

   Attic installations. If you are in a strong area you can put the antenna in the attic but you cut the signal down by 50% percent when you do that. Again it is trial and error.

    How about combo antennas? A good-sized combo antenna can work fine in good signal areas. It is usually harder to get the UHF signal then VHF, so if yours is not working you can add our 4 bay to it and increase the signal. Although it is better to run in a separate lead when doing this, we do have a signal combiner so that you can run it down the same wire, this is sold separately for $8.50.

    How many of these antennas can you tie together? I have not tried more then two but, if done correctly, there is no reason you could not put up an array of 4 as long as the lead from each to where you tie them togeither are all the same length.

  The more elements there are the more signal you can capture.

  Where is the HDTV signal broadcast? The HDTV signal is always broadcast in the UHF band. Even though it says channel 4 is broadcast in the VHF frequency band, the HDTV channel 4 signal is actually in the UHF band. That is because sometime in the future the VHF band will be illuminated and all "broadcasted" stations will have to broadcast in the upper UHF bands?

    Increasing the gain you can increase the power of these antennas by cutting off 1 inch off each whisker and turning the pipe they are mounted on so the whiskers are closer to the grill. I have tried this and it does work. 

    Does how high the antenna is mounted matter? In some areas like behind hills, tall buildings and mountains it could make a difference. Again, it is trial and error.
 

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