Test Results - 4221, 4228, 4248, 4251, 3017, 9095, 8800

Results Definition:

XX-XX = Measured signal strength level
0-XX-XX = Signal locks on briefly but keeps dropping out
0-50 = Signal was detected but not able to lock
N/A = No signal detected

Note: Signal level refers to the Dish 6000 indicator which measures the signal quality based on percentage of errors. As long as the indicator stays above 48-50%, the signal will lock. I assume that if you have over 50% errors, the Dish 6000 does not have enough good signal to decode properly. A reading of 100% would indicate no errors in signal. I have found that at 47% I will see pixelation in the picture and below 46% the picture will drop out completely.

Date: 04/24/01

Updated list with the addition of the 4228 and 4221. I was very disappointed by the performance of these antennas in severe multipath. I was hoping to get better reception and more channels, but the 4228 could not even get KNBC. The 4221 could not get any local channels. I only re-tested the 4228, 4221, 4248. I tested them all within 1 hour and on three seperate days, with and without amp. Results were always the same. Without amp, signal strength is less, with more drop outs.

**************************************************
****Channel Master 4248 (Long Range Yagi) With CM-7775 Pre-amp

MT. WILSON, LOS ANGELES, DIST= 15.5 MILES

KTLA 31...62-63, solid signal, no dropouts
KCOP 32...N/A
KNBC 36...58-59, decent signal, some dropouts
KCAL 43...N/A
KABC 53...0-50
KCET 59...0-50
KCBS 60...0-49-57, can lock in on good days with antenna angled 10 degrees up?
KTTV 65...0-50

MT. SOLEDAD, SAN DIEGO, DIST= 113 MILES

KGTV 25...74-79, very strong signal
KFMB 55...65-72, strong signal

**************************************************
****Channel Master 4228 (8-Bay Bowtie) With CM-7775 Pre-amp

MT. WILSON, LOS ANGELES, DIST= 15.5 MILES

KTLA 31...52-53, steady signal, but lower power
KCOP 32...N/A
KNBC 36...0-50
KCAL 43...N/A
KABC 53...0-50
KCET 59...N/A
KCBS 60...0-50
KTTV 65...0-50

MT. SOLEDAD, SAN DIEGO, DIST= 113 MILES

KGTV 25...69-76, steady signal
KFMB 55...68-72, fairly steady signal, some drop outs

**************************************************
****Channel Master 4221 (4-Bay Bowtie) With CM-7775 Pre-amp

MT. WILSON, LOS ANGELES, DIST= 15.5 MILES

KTLA 31...0-50
KCOP 32...N/A
KNBC 36...0-50
KCAL 43...N/A
KABC 53...0-50
KCET 59...N/A
KCBS 60...0-50
KTTV 65...0-50

MT. SOLEDAD, SAN DIEGO, DIST= 113 MILES

KGTV 25...85-87, strong signal, even gets 64-68 without amp?
KFMB 55...64-68, fluctuating signal, drops out when veiwing

**************************************************
****Winegard 9095 (Long Range Yagi) With CM-7775 Pre-amp

MT. WILSON, LOS ANGELES, DIST= 15.5 MILES

KTLA 31...48-51, steady signal, marginal strength
KCOP 32...N/A
KNBC 36...46-60, no lock, rapid fluctuations
KCAL 43...N/A
KABC 53...N/A
KCET 59...N/A
KCBS 60...0-50
KTTV 65...0-50

MT. SOLEDAD, SAN DIEGO, DIST= 113 MILES

KGTV 25...68-71, very steady signal, no dropouts
KFMB 55...48-54, locks in, but drops out 3-4 times a minute

**************************************************
****Winegard 8800 (8-Bay Bowtie) With CM-7775 Pre-amp

MT. WILSON, LOS ANGELES, DIST= 15.5 MILES

KTLA 31...0-50
KCOP 32...N/A
KNBC 36...0-50
KCAL 43...N/A
KABC 53...0-50
KCET 59...0-50
KCBS 60...0-50
KTTV 65...0-50

MT. SOLEDAD, SAN DIEGO, DIST= 113 MILES

KGTV 25...64-72, good signal
KFMB 55...68-70, fair signal in good weather, drops out in bad weather

**************************************************
****Channel Master 4251 (Long Range Parabolic) With CM-7775 Pre-amp

MT. WILSON, LOS ANGELES, DIST= 15.5 MILES

KTLA 31...0-50
KCOP 32...N/A
KNBC 36...0-50
KCAL 43...N/A
KABC 53...0-50
KCET 59...N/A
KCBS 60...0-50
KTTV 65...0-50

MT. SOLEDAD, SAN DIEGO, DIST= 113 MILES

KGTV 25...75-78, steady signal
KFMB 55...53-55, drops out 3 times a minute

**************************************************
****Channel Master 3017 (Medium Range Yagi) With CM-7775 Pre-amp

MT. WILSON, LOS ANGELES, DIST= 15.5 MILES

KTLA 31...N/A
KCOP 32...N/A
KNBC 36...0-50
KCAL 43...N/A
KABC 53...N/A
KCET 59...N/A
KCBS 60...0-50
KTTV 65...0-50

MT. SOLEDAD, SAN DIEGO, DIST= 113 MILES

KGTV 25...56-64, good signal, can drop out in bad weather
KFMB 55...40-50, can lock in good weather only

Conclusion:

4248 best for multipath rejection, good long distance signal strength.
4228 ok antenna, but did not work as well as the 4248 in multipath conditions.
4251 best long distance capability, but not good for multipath.
4221 could not lock in any multipath signals, ok for line of sight stations.
9095 Winegard quality, but not as good as 4248 in severe multipath.
8800 high quality construction, but average performance.
3017 Good medium sized UHF/VHF antenna when used with a clear line of sight.