Winegard

[sshah]

I am confused. I called someone locally about installing a OTA for me and he recommened the following antennas from winegard:

PR4400 or PR8800 which are both unidirectional or the PR9022 which is directional.

I went to antennaweb.org and put in my address+zip and got the following information

* red - uhf WUSA-DT 9.1 CBS Washington DC 90° 22.6 34
* red - uhf WPXW-DT 66.1 PAX Manassas VA 140° 11.6 43
* red - uhf WNVT-DT 30.1 IND Goldvein VA 181° 18.7 30
* red - uhf WHUT-DT 33 PBS Washington DC 90° 22.6 33
* red - uhf WJLA-DT 7.1 ABC Washington DC 90° 22.6 39
* blue - uhf WETA-DT 26.1 PBS Washington DC 101° 19.5 27
* blue - uhf WNVC-DT 57.1 IND Fairfax VA 106° 14.7 57
* blue - uhf WRC-DT 4.1 NBC Washington DC 92° 22.4 48
* blue - uhf WTTG-DT 5.1 FOX Washington DC 89° 22.6 36
* violet - uhf WBDC-DT 50.1 WB Washington DC 90° 25.6 51
* violet - uhf WFDC-DT 15 TFA ARLINGTON VA 92° 22.4 15
* violet - uhf WDCA-DT 20.1 UPN WASHINGTON 90° 22.6 35

Can anyone help me based on these numbers which antenna I should get from the above list or should I look at something else.

Help please! :confused:

[LeeS]

PR4400 or PR8800 which are both unidirectional or the PR9022 which is directional.
I have a problem with the term unidirectional as opposed to directional. If you view the polar patterns for the 4400 and 8800 they are both very directional. They are both bow ties. If you go to Winegard's home page www.winegard.com and use the quick links on the RH side of the page. Look at each of those antennas. Check the polar patterns at the bottom of the page for the 4400, 8800 and 9022. Same, eh?

Omnidirectional and Multidirectional = same thing
Unidirectional and directional = same thing

Also click onthe range chart on the home page.

8800 - 60mi
4400 - 45mi
9022 - 35mi

You can't always just go by the spec of the antenna. www.antennaweb.org is recommending a large directional with an amp for your worst case. Must be some obstruction issues in your area.

On to your question, according the the CEA color, the blue and purple zones, you will need all the antenna you can get. the 8800 would be the choice. Please note that Channel Master and AntennasDirect both have a similiar antenna.

Also the stations in your list are in different directions, you'd need to be able to turn/rotate the antenna. Check www.antennasdirect.com they have a 90 day money back satisfaction guarantee. They have DB4 and DB8 models. Also a good selection of UHF yagi that would also do the job.

If you haven't done so, please check the two FAQs about OTA and Antennas.

Good Luck, please ask if you need clarification on any of what I've posted. I'd definitely look into AntennasDirect.com

Just my opinion, get a few more :)
Lee

[sshah]

Great, thanks!!

[sshah]

Lee, thanks for your input. I went to winegard and looked at the specs and that's why I was confused and posted the first question. Regarding the rotor, if I did not care about channels 30 and 43 which have bearings of 181 and 140 would I still need a rotor as all the other channels are with a few degrees?

[LeeS]

The ones at 101 and 106 would probably give you trouble. You could try for 101 and the others but I wouldn't hold out much hope for 106.

You'll have to try and see.
Lee

[sshah]

You have been so helpful. Thanks!! I'll keep you posted when I install the OTA this weekend depending on the weather.