I just wanted to start a thread with people's feedback on the new wave of antennas with high WAF. I intend for those who have first hand experiences to post their results so others can make better decisions/arguements to their wifes.

Example Antennas are:

SS1000/SS2000
http://www.winegard.com/offair/squareshooter.htm
Terk HDTVo
http://www.audiovox.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10001&storeId=10001&productId=14170&langId=-1
AntennaCraft HDX1000
http://www.antennacraft-tdp.com/HDX1000.htm

Please post your results, distances, setups, etc.

The SS models work as advertised, plenty of threads about them here already. Personally I used an SS-2000 40 miles out from the Baltimore towers and it worked great over the winter but I needed to install a higher gain model (CM 4228 8 bay bowtie) over the summer due to leaf growth. With any antenna, you need the right one for your local requirements, what worked for me in my location may or may not work for someone else, there's too many factors such as transmission power, terrain, elevations, etc that can impact broadcasts and your ability to receive them.

I have the SS2000 about 17 miles out and have occassional issues with multipath. It is much better in the winter when there aren't leaves on the trees. I have tried it on the roof as well as inside and don't see much of a difference.

More feedback on the SS - http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=353174

Has anyone tried the new HDX1000 from antenna craft? I think it is supposed to outperform the squareshooter. It is very new and not sold everywhere yet.

Has anyone tried the new HDX1000 from antenna craft? I think it is supposed to outperform the squareshooter. It is very new and not sold everywhere yet.


I am going to give the HDX1000 a try. Should arrive by Friday? I post results.

all the antennas mentioned are about the same.

multidirectionals with gain in the 4-5 dbd range on uhf and progressively worse as you go from high band vhf to low band vhf.

they are designed to work in the yellow, green, and lt green with preamp antennaweb antenna classification outdoors.

The manufacurers market these in the suburbs and in most instances will work there under normal conditions. How can they not work in yellow for that matter!

then once installed...the normal variables come into play and are difficult to determine prior to installation.

-multipath
-signal blockage from your local geography
-installing indoors
-issues associated with diplexing with satellite
-hidden install location (not the right spot...on your deck, etc.)

the process is

-you try it and go to plan B if it does not receive to your satisfaction.

there is no right and wrong, good antenna, bad antenna, too expensive, the manufacturer is a looser.

and to be honest, you can not always depend on the recommendation of another user. there are just too many variables out there.