[Jym]

I need to replace the antenna in the attic of my garage. The door to the attic is only 21" x 28" big.


I need a directional antenna. I am about 30 miles from the towers. I want an antenna that is overkill.


I only need UHF.


I am thinking about a CM4221. But don't know if it would fit through the hole.


Thanks,


-Jym-

 

[rogo]

Where are you? The unamplified Winegard Sensar with the most expensive preamp is (a) directional and (b) overkill -- to some extent.


I am 30 miles from the towers and use this antenna with the standard preamp (it can be bought with and without; if bought without you add the better preamp). I have no problems at all.

 

[MeadMkr]

Keep in mind that quite a few antennas are smaller until you extend the elements and/or assemble it. I have a scuttle-hole up into the attic about the same size and have one of the larger RS antennas up in the attic (temporarily) and it has about a 6' long boom!


HTH,

CW

 

[lincoln30]

I have a 16x24" opening into my attic and I managed to get the 80" RS vhf/uhf antenna thru the hole. I had to assemble it in by flashlight up in the attic but it was very easy. Actually, it was easier to get the antenna into the attic then it was to get me into the attic (the roofline is pretty low near my access hole in my closet).

 

[gmshoemaker]

Quote:

Originally posted by Jym I need to replace the antenna in the attic of my garage. The door to the attic is only 21" x 28" big. I need a directional antenna. I am about 30 miles from the towers. I want an antenna that is overkill. I only need UHF.

I had the same situation. I bought the CM4228 8 bowtie. I then drilled out the (2 brackets) rivets on one side and removed one of the screens. Took it up in two pieces and reassembled it with screws and nuts. This is an awsome antenna for UHF 30 miles away. I even get Channel 8 (15-20 degrees) off axis to the UHF channels. I am not much of a do it yourselfer, so never fear. I was able to do it.


If you get this antenna, do a search on my user name and look for the thread in this forum where I detailed the exact does and don'ts for this project. Or pm me with questions.


I hope this helps.


Gary

 

[Jym]

Thanks Gary. I will look for the thread.

 

[Darin]

I just bought a Winegard PR-4400 (four bowtie), and it comes in a very small box (about 6"x6"x36"). Not sure if their 8 bowtie is the same.

 

[gmshoemaker]

Quote:

Originally posted by Darin I just bought a Winegard PR-4400 (four bowtie), and it comes in a very small box (about 6"x6"x36"). Not sure if their 8 bowtie is the same.

The 4228 8 bowtie is 6.5"x 39.5"x39.5".


It has two screens (4 bowties each), each screen is about 20" wide x 39.5 high. These screens are held together by 2 "L" brackets about 30" long that are each riveted to 2 screen attachment brackets. Drill out 4 rivets on one of the screens and each screen can fit through a ceiling access hole. The screen with the remaining "L" brackets will have to be wiggled through. Once they are in the attic, re-assemble with machine screws and nuts where the rivets were.


Gary

 

[Jym]

Wow! Thanks Gmshoemaker. Very helpful. This forum is priceless.


-Jym-

 

[Darin]

Quote:

Originally posted by gmshoemaker The 4228 8 bowtie is 6.5"x 39.5"x39.5".

Actually, I meant the Winegard 8 bowtie. The reason I brought them up is because they are not made like the Channelmaster bowties. Rather than a screen, they use rods behind the active elements. These ship collapsed, much like the rods on a typical VHF antenna. At least on the 4 bowtie (the one I have), it ships as two pieces: the rods mentioned above on one boom, and the pickup elements (which also ship collapsed) on another. You unfold each of them, and attach them together. So as shipped, they will fit through a 6"x6" hole.


For some theoretical performance comparisons of all of these, this is a good site. Scroll down to the "Net Gain for some common UHF antennas" chart. You can click on each antenna to see the pick-up pattern of each antenna, as well as some comments about it. I picked the Winegard because it performed better in the lower UHF channels (which happen to be most of what's in my area), and it's pick-up pattern was a good match for my location. But it could also be a good choice for someone who has a small hole to fit it through, and doesn't want to bother drilling out rivets, etc.

 

[gpflepsen]

Another player is the Antennacraft MXU59. It is a 100" yagi. It'll go through the hole at 6"x6".

http://antennacraft-tdp.com/pdfs/MXU59.pdf

 

[RoyGBiv]

I know you want overkill, but the 4221 should be fine at 30 miles. I am about 35 to 40 miles from most of the Boston transmitting towers, and I get readings in the high 60's to low 90's with an unamplified 4221 in my attic. I do use a distribution amp because I split the signal so much, but the antenna itself is great. It will easily fit your opening. I got mine into my attic with no problems through a much smaller opening.


SMK