crushedit
12-16-2004, 03:24 PM
Is antennasdirect the only place you can get a DB4, or are they sold in stores?
Mark
Mark
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View Full Version : DB4 - Any retailers, or only at antennasdirect?
mjones73
12-16-2004, 03:41 PM
Just through them, it's their antenna model. You can get something comparable and cheaper from channel master, check out the 4221.
crushedit
12-17-2004, 12:23 PM
Where can I buy a Channel Master 4221 in Dallas?
kevinw
12-17-2004, 12:30 PM
http://www.channelmaster.com/home.htm
Call ahead first
O'Rourke Bros. Distributing
1408 Vinylex Drive
Carrollton, TX 75006
Phone: 800-800-8500
DSI Systems Inc.
10450 Brockwood Road
Dallas, TX 75238
Phone: (800) 888-8876
Phone Number 2: (214) 340-5457
Call ahead first
O'Rourke Bros. Distributing
1408 Vinylex Drive
Carrollton, TX 75006
Phone: 800-800-8500
DSI Systems Inc.
10450 Brockwood Road
Dallas, TX 75238
Phone: (800) 888-8876
Phone Number 2: (214) 340-5457
mjones73
12-17-2004, 01:19 PM
Certain Ace hardware stores carry them also if there is one around you.
rschneider
12-17-2004, 03:54 PM
The DB4 will have significantly higher gain, a wider beam width and better build quality than a 4221.
There may be some cosmetic similarities but it is not an apples to apples comparison
There may be some cosmetic similarities but it is not an apples to apples comparison
kevinw
12-17-2004, 04:21 PM
The DB4 will have significantly higher gain, a wider beam width and better build quality than a 4221.
There may be some cosmetic similarities but it is not an apples to apples comparison
Very true especialy with the db4 and the 4228
There may be some cosmetic similarities but it is not an apples to apples comparison
Very true especialy with the db4 and the 4228
Ratman
12-17-2004, 05:55 PM
There may be some cosmetic similarities but it is not an apples to apples comparison
It is apples to apples. IMO, it's just that the difference may be Roman or Winesap... and perhaps price.
It is apples to apples. IMO, it's just that the difference may be Roman or Winesap... and perhaps price.
rschneider
12-17-2004, 05:58 PM
Not at all. Completly different design, radial pattern, gain curves and build materials.
Ratman
12-17-2004, 06:05 PM
Design is 4 bay bow.
Biggest difference is the back screen.
Do you have any diagrams similar to the one for the 4221 in the HDTVPrimer link below for the DB4?
http://www.hdtvprimer.com/ANTENNAS/cm4221.html
http://www.antennasdirect.com/db4_bow.htm
Biggest difference is the back screen.
Do you have any diagrams similar to the one for the 4221 in the HDTVPrimer link below for the DB4?
http://www.hdtvprimer.com/ANTENNAS/cm4221.html
http://www.antennasdirect.com/db4_bow.htm
rschneider
12-17-2004, 06:38 PM
We haven’t published polar plots. Maybe we should.
Just because two antennas have a similar number of elements, does not mean they will behave exactly the same way. Just as all 4 cylinder cars do not have the same horsepower and torque curves.
There are other variables to consider such as the element length, spacing, and the driven element’s respective distance to the reflectors, the spacing of the reflectors and the efficiency of the element materials as well as the efficiency of the transformer. The relationships these variables have culminate to give the antenna its effective design.
On top of this, there is an extremely high grade of materials used in the construction of the DB4 which is why there is an unconditional lifetime warranty on the product.
I'm not here to bash the 4221, but they simply have different characteristics.
Just because two antennas have a similar number of elements, does not mean they will behave exactly the same way. Just as all 4 cylinder cars do not have the same horsepower and torque curves.
There are other variables to consider such as the element length, spacing, and the driven element’s respective distance to the reflectors, the spacing of the reflectors and the efficiency of the element materials as well as the efficiency of the transformer. The relationships these variables have culminate to give the antenna its effective design.
On top of this, there is an extremely high grade of materials used in the construction of the DB4 which is why there is an unconditional lifetime warranty on the product.
I'm not here to bash the 4221, but they simply have different characteristics.
Ratman
12-17-2004, 06:55 PM
We haven’t published polar plots. Maybe we should..
"We"... ah-h-h!
So... it seems you have an affiliation?
I agree, although many products 'appear' similar, there sometimes are differences. Sometimes significant. But perhaps, not in this case. (I may be wrong)
I'm sure that the DB4 is a great antenna. But... in all practicality, the 4221 is comparable at 1/2 the price.
"We"... ah-h-h!
So... it seems you have an affiliation?
I agree, although many products 'appear' similar, there sometimes are differences. Sometimes significant. But perhaps, not in this case. (I may be wrong)
I'm sure that the DB4 is a great antenna. But... in all practicality, the 4221 is comparable at 1/2 the price.
rschneider
12-17-2004, 07:40 PM
Yeah I am the owner, I am also a fourm sponsor.
I never suggested otherwise. I don't come here to shill for the products, but I will jump in when someone is spreading misinformation and passing it off as fact.
I never suggested otherwise. I don't come here to shill for the products, but I will jump in when someone is spreading misinformation and passing it off as fact.
Ratman
12-17-2004, 08:18 PM
That's great. Glad to have you here.
I don't know where the "spreading misinformation and passing it off as fact" is coming from, but in order to promote your product, I'd suggest that it would beneficial to have some technical comparisons, plots, et. al.
No one said your antenna(s) isn't worthy. But you haven't shown why your product is better compared to a 'similar' (and proven) product at half the price.
I look forward to seeing some comparative analysis with your competition.
I don't know where the "spreading misinformation and passing it off as fact" is coming from, but in order to promote your product, I'd suggest that it would beneficial to have some technical comparisons, plots, et. al.
No one said your antenna(s) isn't worthy. But you haven't shown why your product is better compared to a 'similar' (and proven) product at half the price.
I look forward to seeing some comparative analysis with your competition.
Rich
12-20-2004, 10:26 PM
Well, now that you are here, tell me, how does the db4 handle higher vhf channels?
rschneider
12-20-2004, 10:47 PM
The DB4 is a dedicated UHF antenna.
Although not intended for use as a VHF antenna, It does have some limited VHF capability. Most users report performance drops off significantly below Ch10 however.
We do offer a high band VHF/UHF combination design, the V10, but it won't have as much gain on the UHF band that a dedicated UHF antenna such as the DB4 would offer.
Although not intended for use as a VHF antenna, It does have some limited VHF capability. Most users report performance drops off significantly below Ch10 however.
We do offer a high band VHF/UHF combination design, the V10, but it won't have as much gain on the UHF band that a dedicated UHF antenna such as the DB4 would offer.
Rich
12-22-2004, 01:57 AM
I think the station I have in mind is on 10 or 11 (ABC affiliate out of New Haven, CT). There is another analog hd station in my market, I beleive out of Waterbury, CT, but it also is upper vhf. I was considering the DB4 (or even the DB2) as the other available stations are all uhf. I am not that price sensitive respecting the choice between AD and CM antennas, but I hear the 4 bay channel master gets high vhf pretty good, so that may be a clincher for me. Will be installing antenna in spring. In meantime, I may try a DB2 as an indoor antenna this winter.
kevinw
12-22-2004, 09:36 AM
rschnieder,
How is the DB8 for picking up that High end VHF channel?
Here in Atlanta the Cm 4228 comes highly recomended but the build quality has not been spectacular. People have added twist ties to pull the screens together.
What I want to do is replace my Radio Shack VU 160 with an antenna that has the best ability to combat mulitpath. Any receomendations from your catalog?
Thanks
Kevinw
How is the DB8 for picking up that High end VHF channel?
Here in Atlanta the Cm 4228 comes highly recomended but the build quality has not been spectacular. People have added twist ties to pull the screens together.
What I want to do is replace my Radio Shack VU 160 with an antenna that has the best ability to combat mulitpath. Any receomendations from your catalog?
Thanks
Kevinw
rschneider
12-22-2004, 10:48 AM
Greetings Kevin,
Since most of the digital stations in Atlanta are clustered in roughly the same vicinity, we primairly send directional UHF antennas to customers in your area. The model we use the most, is the XG42 corner reflector Yagi and the XG91 long range Yagi for those on the fringe. Their directional characteristics are normally better with multi-path rejection.
The NBC affiliate in Atlanta can be problematic for some folks, while others have no problems getting it with a UHF antenna. (for some its their strongest station) The station does not broadcast in a perfectly circular pattern, and depending on what part of town you live in, worst case scenario, you may need to combine with a 2nd VHF antenna
While the DB8 will offer a great deal of gain, it also has a very wide average beam width, at around 100 degrees. I do not suggest this antenna for those suffering multi path, or for people living less than 15-20 miles from the transmitting towers. It should offer better high VHF capability, but its gain is higher across the rest of the spectrum as well.
Since most of the digital stations in Atlanta are clustered in roughly the same vicinity, we primairly send directional UHF antennas to customers in your area. The model we use the most, is the XG42 corner reflector Yagi and the XG91 long range Yagi for those on the fringe. Their directional characteristics are normally better with multi-path rejection.
The NBC affiliate in Atlanta can be problematic for some folks, while others have no problems getting it with a UHF antenna. (for some its their strongest station) The station does not broadcast in a perfectly circular pattern, and depending on what part of town you live in, worst case scenario, you may need to combine with a 2nd VHF antenna
While the DB8 will offer a great deal of gain, it also has a very wide average beam width, at around 100 degrees. I do not suggest this antenna for those suffering multi path, or for people living less than 15-20 miles from the transmitting towers. It should offer better high VHF capability, but its gain is higher across the rest of the spectrum as well.
