HDTV Forum

From Ken - KQ6QV...

In the indoor UHF antenna category, the DB-2 is the clear performance winner, although the Silver Sensor is much better looking. Presently the DB-2 lacks a stand, and if you buy one you will have to invent something to hold it up. Its dimensions are 19" wide, 13" high, 5" deep. It can be seen at http://www.antennasdirect.com/db2_bowtie_antenna.htm .

I just installed the DB-2 up on my roof. It seems well built and installation was easy. They supply a mounting bracket but you have to get your own pole. Fair enough.

I get excellent reception (92 out of 100) on two out of three channels. One is only 3 mi. away and the other is PBS, 21 mi. away. They are both to the northwest and that's where the antenna is aimed. Another station is only 2.5 mi. to the southeast and I only get about a 15 signal from it. Not enough, unless I turn the antenna around, and then that one too is a 92 signal. But then the others go down. So, I guess I would not exactly call this antenna multi-directional.

I am still going to do some more fine tuning. Maybe swing it around only part way to get a 50 signal from all three. I already tried this some, and it didn't work. Maybe I can put a coat hanger or something on the back side of it to pull in the one behind me.

The PBS station, of course, has a HD channel. It was my first look at HD over-the-air. Simply stunning. I really envy everyone who can get network HD OTA.

That same antenna that they charge $50 for can be had under this name for $17;
http://www.eagleaspen.com/products/products_1.php?id=49

V-Bruce,

How can I place the order with them?..and
Is there a minium (qty.) order?
I'm not a retailer nor distributor.

Thanks.

videobruce wrote:That same antenna that they charge $50 for can be had under this name for $17;
http://www.eagleaspen.com/products/products_1.php?id=49

I think you made an error.
The gain parameters for the antenna differ from the $50 model.
Looks may be deceiving.

Antennas Direct DB2 = high gain of up to 11.4 dB

DTV2BUHF = only 8 dB

Numbers can also be deceiving . The web site
http://www.eagleaspen.com/products/products_1.php?id=49
lists the DTV2BUHF as 8 dBd on Channel 69 (dB referred to a diopole). According to http://www.hdtvprimer.com/ANTENNAS/comparing.html
the "Net Gain" for the DB-2 is 9.5 dBd at that frequency.

But neither of these antennas has electronic amplifier, so the gain is strictly a result of the antenna geometry, which determines the pattern. I would expect them to be very close, and any significant difference in the numbers is probably due to a different measurement technique (or quoting dBi instead of dBd just to get an additional 2.15 dB for marketing purposes).

Or if you must have the DB-2, get it from www.solidsignal.com for $39.99
Pete

pzieger wrote:Or if you must have the DB-2, get it from www.solidsignal.com for $39.99
Pete

I bought the Channel Master 4221 for 23.99. This is the physical double of the DB2, and the mechanical equivalent of the DB4. A CM 9521A Rotator-complete for 68.99, 50' of rotor wire for 6.99 and got rid of DirectTV for roughly 1-1/2 months of DTV bill. I get 17 or more channels- all UHF digital- I chose to forgo VHF. I get most HD within roughly 50 miles from my remote, small SD town of 200 folks. AND I get my local channels and all major networks in HD, which DTV does not provide in my area with or without buying the HD package and locals. I got a 5' roof tripod and 5' x 1-1/4" mast free used from a friend, so saved about 35 on that, but less than 125. with tax and shipping for the rest. I forgot to add that I got excellent service and delivery from Solidsignal.com on this package.
Dave Frost

Radio Shack sells a nice rotor for under 50 bucks. In the SF Bay Area we have three different transmission towers . Sutro, San Bruno Mountain and Loma Prieta (yeh - where the big 1989 earthquake was epicentered). It's almost a 90 degree spread so a rotor is mandatory around here. Adapting a mast is easy - just go to an electrical distributor and get some nice fat conduit and some conduit clamps (or straps) for inside the roof that is. I think most antenna masts are about 1 1/2 - 2" OD. You need a signal strength of at least 70 for decent HD. You can can away with 50 but the slightest inclement weather and kiss your reception goodbye.