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Originally Posted by BigHenry
Tim, when the CM-5020's original "built-in" balun failed I called Channel Master.
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In what way did it fail?
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They stated that I could not get an exact replacement balun, instead all they offered was the CM-94444 in-line balun.
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That's really poor support. They sell you an expensive antenna and then they will not send you an original replacement balun.
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I'm still unsure what kind of balun to try next. Lowes has a cheap one that I believe is an iron core type. The CM-94444 I currently have is of the circuit board type. In my simple mind a basic core seems more sturdy than a circuit board?? I think I'll order another CM-94444 and swap it out when the weather improves.
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You need a ferrite core balun to cover all three TV bands, VHF-Low (real channels 2-6), VHF-High (7-13), and UHF (14-51; soon to be 14-36).
A halfwave coax balun is low loss, but it only covers one TV band.
There are two types of printed circuit board baluns. A UHF printed circuit board balun is only good for UHF.
There is a type of circuit board balun thay is good for all three TV bands because it has a ferrite core balun mounted on the board. You will only find this only on Winegard antennas.
I really don't know what is inside the CM-5020 balun; can you show us the inside of the one you removed?
I suggest you use the CM94444 balun, but keep the leads short. It's an outdoor balun and should be waterproof.
Since your signals are quite weak, I suggest you add a preamp near the antenna, and run the RG6 coax down to the grounding block and then to the power inserter inside.