hey all!

while DN HD selection is nice i want to get my local channels in also. so thinking of a antenna.


I live in Esmond IL, 60129

red - uhf WIFR 23 CBS FREEPORT IL 328° 21.9 23
red - uhf WTVO 17 ABC ROCKFORD IL 327° 21.4 17
* red - uhf WTVO-DT 17.1 ABC ROCKFORD IL 327° 21.4 16
red - uhf WQRF 39 FOX ROCKFORD IL 328° 21.4 39
* red - uhf WQRF-DT 39.1 FOX ROCKFORD IL 327° 21.4 42
red - vhf WREX 13 NBC ROCKFORD IL 321° 24.1 13
* red - uhf WREX-DT 13.1 NBC ROCKFORD IL 321° 24.1 54
blue - uhf WKOW 27 ABC MADISON WI 338° 77.0 27
blue - uhf W25CL 25 TBN ROCKFORD IL 338° 17.6 25
blue - uhf WBUW 57 CW JANESVILLE WI 340° 75.7 57
blue - uhf WCFC-CA 51 REL ROCKFORD IL 350° 20.3 51
violet - uhf WMSN 47 FOX MADISON WI 338° 77.0 47
violet - uhf WMTV 15 NBC MADISON WI 340° 75.7 15
violet - uhf WFBN-LP 33 IND ROCKFORD IL 338° 17.6 33
* violet - uhf WIFR-DT 23.1 CBS ROCKFORD IL 328° 21.9 41
violet - vhf KWQC 6 NBC DAVENPORT IA 249° 86.4 6
violet - vhf WHBF 4 CBS ROCK ISLAND IL 249° 86.4 4
violet - vhf WMAQ 5 NBC CHICAGO IL 100° 67.4 5
violet - vhf WBBM 2 CBS CHICAGO IL 99° 67.9 2
violet - vhf WISC 3 CBS MADISON WI 338° 77.0 3
violet - uhf WHA 21 PBS MADISON WI 338° 77.0 21





now the violet end i don't expect. really just hte red ones would be good. has the channels i want.

right now i am useing a indoor terk antenna. it sucks.

i was thinking of a Channel Master 4228 with a amp. i have a pole that my old Directway satellite is on. which is about 6ft off the ground. I have mild cerbal palsy so climbing a ladder is not a good idea.

any thoughts?

You should get the Rockford stations. In fact, you shouldn't even need something that large for those. And you shouldn't need any amp.

But with that setup, I seriously doubt if you'll have any luck getting any of the others. Even if the 4228 were on the roof, it'd be difficult. You might pick up some of the Chicago channels, though. But 6 feet off the ground, no way.

You should get the Rockford stations. In fact, you shouldn't even need something that large for those. And you shouldn't need any amp.

But with that setup, I seriously doubt if you'll have any luck getting any of the others. Even if the 4228 were on the roof, it'd be difficult. You might pick up some of the Chicago channels, though. But 6 feet off the ground, no way.

well its rockford ones i really want anyway.

so you don't think i would need the amp with that? spending less is always good.

yeah i know i should put it on my chiminey or roof. but no way am i going to climb a ladder heh.

hey all!

while DN HD selection is nice i want to get my local channels in also. so thinking of a antenna.

I live in Esmond IL, 60129

i was thinking of a Channel Master 4228 with a amp. i have a pole that my old Directway satellite is on. which is about 6ft off the ground. I have mild cerbal palsy so climbing a ladder is not a good idea.
You have four digital stations in Rockford all currently broadcasting on UHF at ~ 21 to 24 miles in the same direction. WREX-DT NBC 13 will be switching from UHF 54 to VHF 13 after the analog shutdown in February, 2009. The rest will stay on UHF. You would have to go to a rooftop mount with a long range antenna & a rotator to get the Chicago stations. You could hire a professional installer for that option if you are willing to spend the money.

For the current mount near the ground, I recommend the CM 4221 4 bay bowtie. It will pick up VHF 13 pretty well and is a lot lighter and easier to handle than the CM 4228 8 bay. I get stations out to 43 miles with a CM 4221 in my attic without a pre-amp. The CM 4221 will fit on the old satellite dish mount better as well. Try the Cm 4221 or even the CM 4220 two bay without a pre-amp first. You can add the pre-amp later if you get dropouts.

And two of the Rockford channels have The CW and MyTV for subchannels, so you'll really be getting 6 network channels.

Unfortunately, CW's not in HD. That really sucks for shows like Smallville.

I know because I receive all of them. Whenever I see Smallville playing, I feel sorry for you guys (I get it in HD from Chicago).

You have four digital stations in Rockford all currently broadcasting on UHF at ~ 21 to 24 miles in the same direction. WREX-DT NBC 13 will be switching from UHF 54 to VHF 13 after the analog shutdown in February, 2009. The rest will stay on UHF. You would have to go to a rooftop mount with a long range antenna & a rotator to get the Chicago stations. You could hire a professional installer for that option if you are willing to spend the money.

For the current mount near the ground, I recommend the CM 4221 4 bay bowtie. It will pick up VHF 13 pretty well and is a lot lighter and easier to handle than the CM 4228 8 bay. I get stations out to 43 miles with a CM 4221 in my attic without a pre-amp. The CM 4221 will fit on the old satellite dish mount better as well. Try the Cm 4221 or even the CM 4220 two bay without a pre-amp first. You can add the pre-amp later if you get dropouts.

ok good advice.

the 4221 is only $23 + shipping. i can do that tehn go to a amp if needed.

heh mainly want it for football/superbowl. with dish network i can't get the local channels in HD. its so annoying.

The CM 4228 may not be the best antenna at that height. At six feet off the ground there are going to be tons of multipath issues.

I helped a friend with a CM 4221 in a similar approach and he was getting tons of ghosting/multipath interference. A more directional antenna like the 91XG would be worth a try if you have the space.

i think i have enough room.

I mainly want to pick up fhte rockfrod stations. not worried about chicago.

My RS 15-2186 was able to pull in from 60 miles away w/o problems, but it's $50. The size is amazingly small, 8x4x2 inches. It's for both in/outdoor. It does used an amp.