I am new to OTA and I think I'm in a difficult area. According to antennaweb:

blue - uhf KBEH 63 ETH OXNARD CA 283° 27.7 63
blue - uhf KJLA 57 IND VENTURA CA 283° 27.7 57
blue - vhf KCBS 2 CBS LOS ANGELES CA 66° 30.2 2
blue - vhf KTLA 5 CW LOS ANGELES CA 66° 30.4 5
blue - vhf KNBC 4 NBC LOS ANGELES CA 67° 30.5 4
violet - vhf KCOP 13 MNT LOS ANGELES CA 66° 30.4 13
violet - vhf KABC 7 ABC LOS ANGELES CA 66° 30.4 7
violet - vhf KTTV 11 FOX LOS ANGELES CA 67° 30.6 11
violet - vhf KCAL 9 IND LOS ANGELES CA 66° 30.4 9

I'm only interested in the LA antennas. My house is actually in the back section of a north facing canyon, and the towers are due east. Not a particularly deep canyon, but my location is probably 120' lower than the hills on either side, and the canyon is probably 1/2 mile wide. I purchased an $35 RCA amplified antenna (rabbit ears + loop) from Frys and get about 50-60% signal strength according to my s3 Tivo.

I'm leaning towards the 91XG. What do you guys think? Thanks!

I was playing with my rabbit ears last night and for some odd reason I have to point it almost due south to get any reception on KNBC 4. I was under the impression that all of my locals were broadcasting from Mt. Wilson. Does that seem right?

your situation is difficult as you mentioned....you may get stronger signals "bouncing" off the valley sides than directly from the transmitter location. None of the digital stations are showing in your printout from antennaweb.org - they are all analog...this is not a good sign.

you will need to find out what digital frequencies/channels the LA stations are using so the group can help recommend a decent antenna. At 30 miles and down in a valley, it won't be a wimpy indoor antenna - you will need to consider something mounted outside.

You only listed the analog stations. Are you looking to get the digital stations? All of the digital stations in LA, IIRC, are currently on UHF. If you provide your zip code we can provide some more accurate help. Antennaweb is very conservative for digital reception, a useful trick is to enter an antenna height of 100' or even 200' under the options link, even when using your specific street address.

The AD 91XG is a very good UHF antenna, but may be overkill if you are getting some stations with the cheap loop antenna. The broadcast towers in LA are up on Mt Wilson, so they are very high compared to most cities. Also, three of the stations in LA will be switching their digital signal to their current analog upper VHF channel in 2009 after the analog shutdown, so you should go for an antenna setup which can receive upper VHF stations. The CM 4228 is often selected for this reason as it has ok upper VHF performance.

Thanks for the input guys. I am in the 91364 zip code. With my exact address and adding 200' to height in the antennaweb tool, it found a lot more channels. I am definately willing to purchase a good outdoor antenna that will hold up (technology-wise) for several years.

yellow - uhf KOCE-DT 50.1 PBS HUNTINGTON BEACH66° 30.4 48
green - uhf KJLA-DT 57.1 IND VENTURA CA 66° 30.4 49
green - uhf KAZA-DT 54.1 AZA AVALON CA 66° 30.4 47
green - uhf KTLA-DT 5.1 CW LOS ANGELES 66° 30.4 31
green - uhf KTTV-DT 11.1 FOX LOS ANGELES 67° 30.6 65
green - uhf KCBS-DT 2.1 CBS LOS ANGELES 66° 30.2 60
green - uhf KDOC-DT 56.1 IND ANAHEIM CA 66° 30.4 32
green - uhf KFTR-DT 46.1 TFA ONTARIO CA 66° 30.4 29
red - uhf KAZA 54 AZA AVALON CA 66° 30.4 54
red - vhf KTTV 11 FOX LOS ANGELES 67° 30.6 11
red - uhf KVEA 52 TEL CORONA CA 68° 30.6 52
red - uhf KVEA-DT 39 TEL CORONA CA 68° 30.6 39
red - uhf KTBN 40 TBN SANTA ANA 67° 30.6 40
red - uhf KTBN-DT 23.1 TBN SANTA ANA 67° 30.6 23
red - vhf KTLA 5 CW LOS ANGELES 66° 30.4 5
red - uhf KOCE 50 PBS HUNTINGTON BEACH66° 30.4 50
red - uhf KMEX 34 UNI LOS ANGELES 66° 30.4 34
red - uhf KMEX-DT 34.1 UNI LOS ANGELES 66° 30.4 35
red - vhf KCAL 9 IND LOS ANGELES 66° 30.4 9
red - uhf KCAL-DT 9.1 IND LOS ANGELES 66° 30.4 43
red - vhf KCBS 2 CBS LOS ANGELES 66° 30.2 2
red - vhf KABC 7 ABC LOS ANGELES 66° 30.4 7
red - uhf KABC-DT 7.1 ABC LOS ANGELES 66° 30.4 53
red - uhf KWHY 22 IND LOS ANGELES 66° 30.4 22
red - uhf KWHY-DT 22.1 IND LOS ANGELES 66° 30.4 42
red - uhf KPXN-DT 30.1 ION SAN BERNARDINO 68° 30.6 38
red - uhf KRCA 62 IND RIVERSIDE 68° 30.6 62
red - uhf KRCA-DT 62.1 IND RIVERSIDE 68° 30.6 68
red - uhf KXLA 44 IND RANCHO PALOS VER66° 30.4 44
red - uhf KXLA-DT 44.1 IND RANCHO PALOS VER66° 30.4 51
red - uhf KSCI 18 IND LONG BEACH 68° 30.6 18
red - uhf KSCI-DT 18.1 IND LONG BEACH 68° 30.6 61
red - vhf KNBC 4 NBC LOS ANGELES 67° 30.5 4
red - uhf KNBC-DT 4.1 NBC LOS ANGELES 67° 30.5 36
red - uhf KLCS 58 PBS LOS ANGELES 67° 30.6 58
red - uhf KLCS-DT 58.1 PBS LOS ANGELES 67° 30.6 41
red - uhf KCET 28 PBS LOS ANGELES 67° 30.6 28
red - uhf KCET-DT 28.1 PBS LOS ANGELES 67° 30.6 59
red - vhf KCOP 13 MNT LOS ANGELES 66° 30.4 13
red - uhf KCOP-DT 13.1 MNT LOS ANGELES 66° 30.4 66
red - uhf KFTR 46 TFA LOS ANGELES 66° 30.4 46
red - uhf KDOC 56 IND ANAHEIM CA 66° 30.4 56
blue - uhf KSMV-LP 33 IND SIMI VALLEY 66° 30.4 33
blue - uhf KWJD-LP 25 IND VAN NUYS, ETC. 52° 8.5 25
blue - uhf KBEH 63 ETH OXNARD CA 283° 27.7 63
blue - uhf KJLA 57 IND VENTURA 283° 27.7 57
violet - vhf KEYT 3 ABC SANTA BARBARA 275° 82.1 3

I am interested in getting the digital channels for KCAL, KCBS, KNBC, KTTV, KTLA and KABC. By adjusting my cheapo antenna I am able to get *some* digital signal from each of these networks individually, but it does break up every few minutes or any time someone walks by the antenna. I'm sure with the right antenna (roof mounted), I will be in good shape.

I am interested in getting the digital channels for KCAL, KCBS, KNBC, KTTV, KTLA and KABC. By adjusting my cheapo antenna I am able to get *some* digital signal from each of these networks individually, but it does break up every few minutes or any time someone walks by the antenna. I'm sure with the right antenna (roof mounted), I will be in good shape.
All of your digital stations are currently broadcasting on UHF at 31 miles. If you are looking for a modest antenna size, I'm a fan of the Channel Master 4221 4 Bay bowtie. Up on the roof, it will way out perform the cheapo indoor antenna you have. The issue is that in 2009, after the analog shutdown, several of your stations will switch their digital signal to upper VHF 7 to 13. The CM 4221 is a UHF antenna with limited performance for upper VHF. I get a digital VHF 12 station with the CM 4221 I have in my attic and get decent quality picture for analog 7 & 9 with it. So it may work fine in 2009, but you may have to add an upper VHF antenna at that time - which is not hard to do.

The CM 4221 goes for around $25 plus shipping online. check solidsignal.com or warrenelectronics.com for prices. Since you are in LA, I think Frys may carry it. For details and info on a number of antennas, go to http://www.hdtvprimer.com/ISSUES/erecting_antenna.html and check the comparing commercial antennas link.

I had a look at solidsignal.com and the 4228 you mentioned earlier isn't much more ($54.99). If this will make me compatible with the future changes in 2009, that would be worth it to me. Do you think it would also get better reception than 4221?

I had a look at solidsignal.com and the 4228 you mentioned earlier isn't much more ($54.99). If this will make me compatible with the future changes in 2009, that would be worth it to me. Do you think it would also get better reception than 4221?
The CM 4228 should do the job just fine. It is rather large, twice the weight of the CM 4221, and presents a wind load issue, so it needs a very sturdy mount. But it should get the upper VHF stations in 2009 fine at 31 miles. Your call.

I went to Frys tonight and sure enough they had the 4228. I bought it and got a 10' pole as well. Right now its sitting in a chair, in front of an east facing window and I'm already getting a stronger signal than the 'amplified' indoor antenna I was using before. Once I get this up on the roof I'll be in pretty good shape. Thank you for all of you help!

The AD 91XG is a very good UHF antenna, but may be overkill if you are getting some stations with the cheap loop antenna. The broadcast towers in LA are up on Mt Wilson, so they are very high compared to most cities. Also, three of the stations in LA will be switching their digital signal to their current analog upper VHF channel in 2009 after the analog shutdown, so you should go for an antenna setup which can receive upper VHF stations. The CM 4228 is often selected for this reason as it has ok upper VHF performance.

I have a question?

I am a newby and am having difficulty deciding on an antenna.

why is the 91xg considered overkill and while the CM4228 is not.

I have a question?

I am a newby and am having difficulty deciding on an antenna.

why is the 91xg considered overkill and while the CM4228 is not.

CM-4228 is $50 at Fry's ($40 when it goes on sale)....shipping is a little more.
It has usable gain for VHF channels....and fits in an attic--even with rotator.

While 91XG is $110 incl. shippiing. Some users claim it has less wind resistance.

They are both excellent antennas....except one is half the cost of the other.

"Overkill" comment may be directed at BOTH of them if you can get by with a much smaller antenna,
cuz they BOTH have very narrow beamwidth, which makes it difficult to point them---
and keep them pointed in the right direction.

the higher gain antenna suggestions were based on the original antennaweb profile, local geography, and location. But then again, what does adding 200' do to a nebulous analysis of the situation based on antennaweb in the first place? you are not going to know what you face reception wise till you install the antenna in those situations anyways.

My house is actually in the back section of a north facing canyon, and the towers are due east. Not a particularly deep canyon, but my location is probably 120' lower than the hills on either side, and the canyon is probably 1/2 mile wide.

the cm4228 and 91 xg are both good choices. In a multipath prone areas/situations, the bowties tame multipath poorly.

I always hope the ultimate decision is based on need and the best antenna that suits the conditions... hills, trees, multipath ...and not just on price and specs.

the overkill argument is as accurate as antennaweb. sometimes an antenna a few sizes larger than what is suggested on paper, antennaweb, or hdtvprimer is a good thing if you are not certain of what you are going to be faced with.

Rick0725 is right. If you have overload, you can always use an attenuator to bring the signals back down to appropriate levels.