Help with antenna selection

BrooklinOTA · 25-May-2021, 6:59 PM

Hi Everyone,

Everyone has been so helpful over the years, I thought I might return here for a bit of advice.

We had a big wind storm a few weeks ago and my DB8e fell off the roof. I have found a way to secure the antenna pole better now but I'm wondering if there is an antenna out there that is a bit small with a similar reception ability.

Here is my RabbitEars report: https://www.rabbitears.info/searchma...tudy_id=267511

What worked well about the DB8e is I would point it to the US stations in Buffalo and it would reliably get those stations. I would also get the stations from the CN tower really well even though the antenna would be pointed away from that source.

Any advice or should I just go back to the DB8e and try to secure it better?

Tower Guy · 26-May-2021, 6:21 PM

I’d consider a DB-4e. The Buffalo stations are spaced apart so that a 4 bay would cover for them as well as the narrow pattern on a DB-8e. In addition, you might need a small VHF antenna for the one Toronto VHF station.

BrooklinOTA · 26-May-2021, 6:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tower Guy

I’d consider a DB-4e. The Buffalo stations are spaced apart so that a 4 bay would cover for them as well as the narrow pattern on a DB-8e. In addition, you might need a small VHF antenna for the one Toronto VHF station.

Thanks! Do you think that the DB-4e is a better choice than the Clearstream C4?

Tower Guy · 27-May-2021, 8:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BrooklinOTA

Thanks! Do you think that the DB-4e is a better choice than the Clearstream C4?

Yes, I do. The DB-4e has a wide horizontal pattern and a narrow vertical pattern. The C-4 has a narrow horizontal pattern and a wide vertical pattern. The wide horizontal pattern allows for stronger signals for off-axis reception of some of the Buffalo stations.

BrooklinOTA · 27-May-2021, 8:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tower Guy

Yes, I do. The DB-4e has a wide horizontal pattern and a narrow vertical pattern. The C-4 has a narrow horizontal pattern and a wide vertical pattern. The wide horizontal pattern allows for stronger signals for off-axis reception of some of the Buffalo stations.

Excellent. Many thanks for your time.