DB4 Bow-Tie Antenna Vs. Wineguard 4400

[floxy]

My current setup consists of a Samsung 56" DLP, Dish 511 receiver, and Wineguard 4400 UHF antenna. TV is awesome and I'm very happy with the setup, overall. I'm in central Illinois and have some problems with a station that is about 36 miles away (ABC). I am considering trying the Bow Tie antenna to see if this improves reception. I am finding that the reception is somewhat inconsistent and seems to be more inconsistent at night. Anyone have experience with the bow-tie, and did you see improvement over the existing setup? I think the dish installers used a diplexer, will this significantly affect reception? Any words of wisdom for enhancing OTA reception (I've read the FAQs) would be appreciated. Thanks!

[LeeS]

floxy,

Welcome to HDTVoice!

Switching the 4400 for the DB4 won't gain you much, IMHO. They are very similiar, both 4 bay antennas. At 36 miles I would think the 4400 would be fine.

For more gain you would have to go to the 8800 or DB8, both 8 bay antennas. But don't go there yet.

You might try going from the antenna directly to the receiver bypassing the diplexer.

You wrote "Dish 511 receiver" did you mean 811? And we are talking about digital/HD OTA reception?

List your zipcode and we can take a look at what www.antennaweb.org has to say.

It is also helpful if you put your location in your profile :)

Lee

[djfuller]

Floxy,

Ditto on Lee's comments. I'm not familiar with the 4400 but can share my DB4 story.

I am north of Houston (77381) about 42 miles from the antennas. I recently replaced an old TERK (couldn't get ABC in HD) with a DB4 and it is working great. I'm receiving OTA HD of all local channels. I'm still using the TERK line amplifier, but the antenna is just leaning against the rafters in my attic. I told my neighbor and he ordered the DB4 that day, put it in his attic with no amp and it is working fine for him too.

Bottom line is that I don't think anyone knows for sure how well it will work in a specific installation until they try it. Be sure whatever you buy to try that you can return!

Dave

[floxy]

Sorry, I meant the 811. If I have to go to an 8 bay, how big is the difference? Any reason my signal seems to be less consistent at night?

Thanks for the help.

[floxy]

One more question. Antenna Web asks about an airport within 2 miles, how does this affect reception? I do have an airport fairly close to my house...

[LeeS]

If I have to go to an 8 bay, how big is the difference?
Besides the cost:

4 bay, range 10-55 miles 13.7db gain

8 bay, range 50-70+ miles range, 15.8db gain
Any reason my signal seems to be less consistent at night?
I still need to know what www.antennaweb.org says about your location. Zipcode? I don't notice any difference in my reception and all my DTV/HD stations are UHF. I also have an 811.
Antenna Web asks about an airport within 2 miles, how does this affect reception?
Most likely other transmitters in the area that are close by can possibly affect your signal.

Lee