Is the DB8e worth the expense?

[Brian_G]

Hello,
When I first split with the cable company, I wanted to go small to insure I could survive without all those cable channels. I installed an RCA ANT751 in the attic with an amp inline and was pretty impressed with the 22 clear channels I got from that arrangement.

Deciding once and for all that I didn't need cable and all those other channels, I decided to upgrade a bit and, hopefully, pull in more channels. There are quite a few broadcast towers in my area, most of which I was picking up with the 751.

I found the Antenna's Direct DB8e on sale online for $120 with free shipping so I figured, what the heck. I installed it outside on a 25' homemade mast pointed exactly as my TV Fool report directed. I did a channel search once the installation was complete and the only reward I got for my troubles were two Spanish language channels and a two of the PBS stations that were pixelated now come in clearly.

While this antenna may be great for someone who is in a limited transmitter area, for me, I could have remained happy with my 751 in the attic. Just my two cents worth.

[GroundUrMast]

Thanks for sharing your experience.

It would help us understand the situation better if you could post a link to your TV Fool report.

Without knowing what signal conditions are like, it's impossible to tell if the DB8E is appropriate in your situation. It's an impressive UHF only design, but is not a one size fits all solution. (Which is true of any other antenna for that matter.)

[teleview]

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For reception help please make and post a tvfool report , use the Exact address to make the report and make the antenna height in the report 25 feet above ground.

[Brian_G]

I agree completely. Not all antenna's are right for all applications, but this expensive antenna is touted as one.

While the vast majority of the broadcast towers in my area are in a tight "V" pattern from my home, there are a few strays off on the periphery. According to the research I've done on this antenna, all the technical reports and ads say that it should have no problem picking up signals up to seventy-five miles away. I first attempted to point one of the arrays directly toward those transmitters which are no more than 40 miles away. No signal. If I swing my ANT751, mounted in the attic, in that direction, I can pick up those stations.

My TV Fool report is irrelevant here. The antenna is currently directed exactly as the report states and I'm getting almost exactly the same reception I got with the 751, which cost $30, mounted in the attic which is, according to most of the experienced posters, not the most beneficial mounting. The DB8e is outside on a 25' mast, clear of trees and pointed across acres of cow pasture.

[StephanieS]

Brian,

Your points are well taken.

I know when I recommend an antenna I don't just say "DB8e" by default. Our members are aware of the appropriate situations for antennas and do our best to give you the best fit for your situation as we see it. If you got a DB8e recommendation someone felt based your TVfool map was a good application.

Sometimes TVfool reports have better real world performance, sometimes worse than the map suggested and the are factors the mapping system cannot account for.

Without your specific TVfool map, we can't see the reasoning that lead to a DB8e being recommended. There was a reason a DB8e was recommended. Being able to understand not only will benefit us, but benefit you as to why this suggestion was made and we can all learn from it.

I understand your frustration at spending money for a DB8e and not getting a tangible benefit from it. At the end of the day we do our best to suggest systems that'll yield satisfactory reception.

Regards,
Stephanie

[Brian_G]

Oh, please don't misunderstand me. I'm not blaming anyone on here. I was just making a point. I've been surfing the web, visiting different sites to try and get all the information I could on picking up those few channels I wasn't getting. The recommendations for the DB8e were very common with very few disagreeing with it. It may be my location, I don't know. I just wanted to alert anyone else to insure they research thoroughly before investing in such an expensive antenna.

This is the TV Fool map. http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wrapper&Itemid=29&q=id%3d5b94331ced7414

With the exception of possibly redirecting the antenna some, I'm done. I'm going to have to be satisfied with that I have and the addition of Netflix which, frankly, suits our purposes just fine. I'm currently picking up about 27 channels, three or four of which are repeated PBS stations, but the rest are clean and clear.

Thank you for the replies. It is greatly appreciated.

Brian_G

[ADTech]

Based on that TVFool and the lack of any specifics as to what additional stations were desired, I see no application for a DB8e. A small to medium U/V combo is recommended for the locals.

Your situation illustrates very well that common misconception that "Bigger has to better, right?" that is often seen. In your situation the higher gain, longer range UHF antenna has too narrow of a beam width to be able to pick up weak, distant signals outside the reception lobes. Then, when things don;t work out the way the person thought they wold, they blame the product.

We offer 7-day a week customer service including technical support and expert antenna recommendations so as to help improve the odds of our customers getting it right the first time.

[teleview]

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The main groups of Tv transmitters are to the , North and North East.

Aim 1 panel of the DB8e at about 20 degree magnetic compass direction.

Aim the other panel at about 68 degree magnetic compass direction.

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Here is how to aim antennas , http://www.kyes.com/antenna/pointing/pointing.html.

Use a Real and Actual magnetic compass to aim antenna , do not trust a cell phone compass.

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W11DD-D is a repeater transmitter , Georgia PBS.

If W11DD-D , Real VHF high band channel 11 , Georgia PBS is not being received and you will like to receive it.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WCES-TV.

Then install a , http://www.antennacraft.com.

Y5-7-13 antenna aimed at about 242 degree magnetic compass direction.


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Install a , http://www.antennacraft.com.

10G221 preamplifier.

Operate the 10G221 preamp in the Separate UHF/VHF antennas mode.

Connect the DB8e UHF antenna to the UHF connection of the preamp.

Connect the Y5-7-13 antenna to the VHF connection of the preamp.

The FM radio interference trap of the preamp will be in the , in/on position.


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For 1 Tv connected use No splitter.

For 2 Tv's connected use a , Holland Electronics , HFS-2D , 2 way splitter.

For 3 Tv's connected use a , Holland Electronics , HFS-3D , 3 way splitter.

For 4 Tv's connected use a , Holland Electronics , HFS-4D , 4 way splitter.

Buy the , HFS-2D , HFS-3D , HFS-4D , splitters at , http://www.amazon.com , or , http://www.hollandelectronics.com

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Digital Tuners can develop -Digital Glitches- that are not cleared out with simple channel scans.

To clear tuner do Double Rescan.

http://www.wchstv.com/DoubleReScanAlert.pdf.

[teleview]

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ADTech , brings into the light common situations now days.

The extremes.

Misinformation is common on the internet.

Many people think and will give advice that BIGGER Antennas are better.

Or many people want a Tv antenna that is so SMALL the antenna can not be seen with the eye.

Many people hide the Tv antenna.

And then can not understand why the bad reception.

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And when I see this word in print or hear the word -> right !?!

I know their will be trouble.

[GroundUrMast]

Has the ANT-751 been tested outdoors? If there have been reliability problems with one more more signals, elimination of the attic penetration loss may be all that's needed.