Winegard antennas

[tv4me]

The HBU55 that I was going to buy off C-list got sold out from under me so i am back to square one and looking at the Winegard 7697 vs 7698. The second is 3' longer with a few more elements but seemingly not much more gain. Both have more gain than the Clearstream 5 by quite a lot. My questions are: 1. Are Winegards well made? And 2. is the 7698 significantly better than the 7697? Price difference is only about $15 but I wonder if the larger antenna would be more susceptible to wind and snow damage. I am 30 +or- miles from towers which are all high VHF except for one low VHF which I can live without. Tall trees nearby to my house in the direction of the signals. See more info in my previous post at http://forum.tvfool.com/showthread.php?t=15896
Thanks, Larry

[Tower Guy]

You have a low VHF station in Bangor. The Winegard HD7084P is the right antenna for you.

[tv4me]

As I said in my post, I am willing to live without the low VHF station for the easier installation. The 7084 is a very big antenna, maybe no longer than the others but quite a bit wider and more unwieldy when balancing on a ridge, especially when you are 66 years old.

[Billiam]

Check Ebay. Still can find a HBU55 there.

Also, this antenna will work for all the VHF Hi stations. Cheaper alternative to the HBU 55.

http://www.abilityhdtv.com/product-info.php?blv6f_vhf_hi_CH7_13_13db_high_gain_yagi_antenna-pid65.html

[tv4me]

Actually my questions in the post were: 1. Are Winegards well made? And 2. is the 7698 significantly better than the 7697? I was only considering the HBU55 because I found it cheap on Craigslist, but the seller did not hold it for me. Thanks, Larry

[Billiam]

There are virtually no VHF antennas left unless the are part of a UHF configuration. Trying to offer a cost effect solution.

Stellar Labs has a couple of affordable yet fairly well built VHF Hi only antennas MCM Electronics carries them. Google it. May get lucky and still get WLBZ Ch. 2 since I've heard in some cases a VHF Hi antenna can pick up VHF lo if the signal is not too weak. A pre amp will help too.

[ADTech]

Stellar Labs has a couple of affordable yet fairly well built VHF Hi only antennas MCM Electronics carries them

FYI, "Stellar Labs" is MCM's "house brand". The antennas are made in China by Qiaohoa.

[eggman531916]

I actually bought a couple UHF antennas from Stellar Labs and they performed pretty well and were decently built. http://www.mcmelectronics.com/product/STELLAR-LABS-30-2415-/30-2415
Granted, I haven't bought any VHF from them, but my own experience in dealing with them was pretty decent. Hope this helps.