ANT Antennas Direct: 91XG Uni-Directional Antenna

[AHDTV Board]

After trying both a Channel Master 4228 and a Winegard 9095 at my
house (Stone Mountain), and trying them in two different outdoor
locations, but still always had 1 or 2 DTV channels that wouldn't
come in reliably (not always the same ones), I ordered the 91XG from
Antennas Direct.

http://www.antennasdirect.com/91XG_HDTV_Antenna.html

I can tell you that this antenna works as advertised. I am feeding
two DTV tuners (Sony XBR960 & Dish 811) and 3 analog TVs using a
Winegard DA-405 UHF distribution amplifier. Separate VHF antennas
are used for analog 2,5,8,11 and DTV 10 (91XG will not pickup DTV 10).

The DTV signals for 2,5,11,17,30,34,36,46,63,& 69 all come in at 92%
or higher on the Sony (would you believe 98% for WPBA-DT). DTV 42
(The Atlanta Channel) comes in at 65%. On the DishNetwork 811,
everything except DTV 42 comes in at 80% or higher. DTV 42 comes in
at 65% but drops out occasionally.

For those interested in analog reception, for the first time I can
receive analog 30 without ghosting. The improvement in analog 69 is
absolutely stunning, with no ghosting and just a small trace of
snow. Analog 23, 53, 57 & 63 are noticeably improved, and for the
first time I have a faint signal on analog 55.

If you have had difficulty receiving DTV with Channel Master or
Winegard, definitely try the Antennas Direct 91XG. Just remember it
won't work on WXIA-DT (it might work closer in to town).

markserrano1

[img]http://www.antennasdirect.com/images/91XG-large.jpg[/img]

[Richard]

any comment Ken?

[antennaguy]

Most TV consumers think of antennas as low-tech devices, but there is more behind some of the newer antenna designs than just bent metal and plastic. Many of the TV antenna designs on the market today, such as the Yagi and rabbit ears have technology roots going back 30 to 50 years or more.

The switch to digital broadcasts however is bringing consumers back to Off-Air reception and the increasing sales are providing the motivation and investments necessary to develop new models and new technology. The fact that most designs on the market now were developed prior to the advent of much of the computer technology, software and algorithms in common use today, left open numerous avenues to improve upon tried and true designs and develop new ones. Additionally, recent regulations and standards are opening new doors for antenna engineers to develop smaller antennas with improved performance and aesthetics.

The correct antenna, installed and aimed properly (considering obstructions) will receive desired local stations it

[kq6qv]

Simulations show that the 91XG (a.k.a. XG91) is indeed a superb antenna. Its gain is second to none in the consumer antenna market. Yet I am not presently inclined to recommend it. Its best channels are those above channel 50, precisely the channels that will go away on February 17th. The CM4228 outperforms it below channel 50. So the 91XG is the optimum choice only if you are going to replace it in a few months. I predict the manufacturer will soon replace the 91XG with one cut for the new UHF band limits. -Ken