Customer Reviews

Channel Master 4228HD Long-Range Outdoor Rooftop HDTV Antenna

5 star:		(57)
4 star:		(18)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

I bought this antenna to replace an older Radio Shack VHF/UHF combo antenna. I've made the switch to digital only OTA TV and wanted an antenna that would bring in a stronger signal from my local stations, which are 30 miles plus away. This antenna brings then in great.
Installation was a snap. The antenna comes fully assembled. All you have to do is attach it to a mast. You may need to buy a new mast if you are using a rotator with a short mast. This antenna requires about 3 1/2 feet or so of mast to attach it to a rotator, unlike the 12 inches or so that a horizontal antenna would need when used with a rotator.
One caveat - The box it comes in is HUGE. Shipping costs may be high. I purchased mine locally and had to strap it to my roof rack to get it home.

**NOTE** This review was written based on the original 4228 antenna, not the 4228HD antenna.

Note: The comments have much useful additional info. Example: Comment of 15 Dec 2011 reports comparative experience with current and original models.
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This is not a review in the traditional sense because after reading reviews elsewhere and examining the product in a B&M, I decided against purchasing the antenna. Instead, the primary intent of this "review" is to alert potential customers that the earlier reviews here were for an entirely different product. The secondary intent is to provide a summary of information that I found elsewhere to facilitate your finding such sources. I strongly recommend that you read the comments here--several contain useful info and two contain links to pages quantifying some of the issues mentioned below (positive and negative experience and assessments), esp H. Ziesing and John B.
Note: I cannot give links to the reviews I found elsewhere: Amazon policy--enforced by automatic scanning of review submissions--prohibits such links in the product reviews themselves.
Note: Amazon collapses together reviews for models it thinks are (near) equivalent. This can be useful in cases such a paperback edition of a book or a movie in different distribution media (DVD, Blu-ray, download), but misfires badly in cases such as this.

Regarding the star rating (added 2011-10-19 in response to a comment): There are two perspectives. If I had rated this model relative to the universe of antennas -- normal case -- it would have come in much higher. However, I chose to rate it relative to its "family". Since it didn't seem to provide any better performance than its smaller, cheaper sibling (the 2-bay version) and being larger had definite disadvantages, I decided a harsh rating was justified.

The predecessor CM 4228 (no "HD" suffix) was widely regarded as one of the very best antennas. A corporate change moved manufacturing from the US to China and introduced a major design change--you can find pictures on the web of the original model and see that it has a starkly different reflector grid. Consequently, disregard the (rightfully positive) reviews of more than a year ago--Summer/Fall 2008--as applying to that previous model (and some of the newer reviews may also be for the old model).

For the 4228HD, there was widespread complaints about manufacturing quality (many times in reviews comparing it to the original 4228 model). So although some may have good experience with the new model, YMMV. For something where I have to climb up on my roof, "YMMV" is almost an automatic disqualifier. However, recognize that manufacturing problems can be fixed, so factor in the dates on various reviews.

One review I saw (elsewhere) said that the 4228HD's performance is so poor that it is roughly comparable to its 2-bay sibling, which has the advantages of being cheaper (about 40%), lighter and smaller.

Design problem: _Reportedly_ the antenna generates its own interference (but I don't know how big an effect this is): The wires connecting the elements on each side to the balun are different lengths and geometries, thereby creating an antenna that is broadcasting into the intended antenna. This is so, so very basic that it is impossible for me to trust anything else in the design. Note: the _total_ length of each wire from one side to the other is the same, but the balun is connected at different points (relative to the ends) on the two wires, thereby creating the antenna effect (from a review by someone who appeared credible and that was consistent of what I remember of my course in antenna design). Background: Every wire is an antenna, both receiving and broadcasting. Where the effect is _non-trivial_, the standard practice is to have the two wires be the same length (same frequency response) and parallel, close together with crossovers to cancel each other out. Recognize that in _ideal_ conditions--that both sides of the antenna are receiving the exact same signal--this effect cancels out. The typical buyer won't know if their location is far enough off this ideal to matter. If you were concerned only about the signal broadcast by the TV stations, this would be much easier to guesstimate, but you also have signals broadcast by a wide range of other devices, both intentionally and not.

Design problem, balun (signal): Observation that the balun's location in the plane of the antenna results in it radiating (broadcasting) into the antenna. Aside: The balun provides the proper impedance for the coax cable downleads (conversion by induction circuit).

Design problem, balun (physical): Complaints about difficulties connecting to the balun (sealed box; terminal is not adequately fastened and rotates until it breaks). Complaints that the projected/inevitable problems with the balun (as it weathers) are not easily fixable.

Design change: The reflector screens are very different and in ways that could produce substantial differences in performance between the original and current models. Recognize that the 4228 was designed when most stations were in the two VHF bands and the lower portion of the UHF band. [corrected & clarified 2011-10-19]: After the DTV transition, many stations moved out of the lower VHF band (channels 2-6), there are fewer stations in the upper VHF band (7-13) and the UHF band is being used by proportionately more stations in many areas, although the upper UHF channels (52-69) were surrendered (and auctioned off).

On the complaints about manufacturing in the (credible) reviews I found: Proper connectivity and isolation of elements is crucial to performance, but poor quality construction and assembly negates some elements (out-of-the-box or as it is buffeted by the weather).

I bought this antenna to replace my indoor Terk. This antenna brings in all the channels I received previously as well as about 15 additional channels reaching as far as 50+ miles away. I have it mounted in my attic.

If you are going to mount this unit in your attic be advised that you need a pretty large access entry otherwise you will need to disassemble and reassemble.

I replaced my Terk 55 with this antenna. I am now able to receive HD channels over 50 miles away without an amp. It does seem to be more directional than my Terk but once I got it dialed in it was fine. I installed it in the attic over my garage but had to take the reflectors off to make it fit through the access hole. That was not too difficult and it went back together pretty quickly.

My sole goal for purchasing this antenna was to get NBC. I live in the East Bay- after installing the antenna on my roof I get both the San Francisco and San Jose HD stations. Heck, I haven't even calibrated it yet, I've just finished mounting it on the chimney and plugged it in. Very pleased so far, might not even bother optimizing the angle, I'm getting everything I wanted and more.

Stop paying cable! SAVE $$$ This item can help you break away from Comcast. I live in the San Francisco East Bay area, about 45 miles from the signal tower (Sutro Tower) without line of sight due to the hills, but I pick up about 45 channels over the air (OTA) in HD! What's more you won't believe the clarity of HD signals on your HD TV with built-in tuner or just analog TV with a digital converter box. I have this item set up on the roof, and got my bearing by checking out my location on the Antennaweb.org website. Easy to set up, reasonable price on Amazon (if you are in the bay area, you can get this item from your local Fry's for $59 + tax). If you want to set this up on your roof, you need to purchase a mast, or simply try to set it up on your attic. This is a definitely one of the smartest things I ever purchased!

This antenna is good, but not without its faults. As others have said, there are a few questionable design choices that Channel Master made.

This is an 8-bay "bowtie" antenna. It's in the new style that looks very different from traditional TV antennas. Instead of being a flat horizontal "spiky triangle", these antennas stand vertical, and are a rectangle. There's a reflector grid in back, and the elements are in front, shaped like bowties. The reception is great, for UHF. Unfortunately, for VHF, this doesn't work as well. This antenna can pick up high VHF (Channels 7-13). It WILL NOT pick up any low VHF (Channels 2-6) stations at all.

With today's new digital TV stations, the displayed channel number can be DIFFERENT from the actual RF frequency number that it's being broadcast on! Even though the TV says "Channel 2", it probably isn't on VHF anymore. The only way to know is to look it up online, at a site such as "TV Fool dot com" or "Rabbit Ears dot info" or "Antenna Web dot org". (Sorry for the screwy spelling, but Amazon doesn't like putting direct links into reviews.)

Good:

High VHF. The reflector grid area, in the back of the antenna, is all one piece. This means that it's big enough to get the high VHF channels, Channels 7-13, without needing a separate VHF-only antenna. This is an important feature. A competing antenna, the Antennas Direct DB8, has the fatal flaw of having these grids split up into four sections. This means that it can't get high VHF, only UHF, so you'll have no VHF reception. This Channel Master antenna has no such problem. That's the reason I bought this antenna, instead of the DB8! The DB8 is built better, so it's a shame.

Directional. If you can aim it accurately, and keep it aimed, it's great. It is capable of picking up a distant tower that it's aimed at, while at the same time, still getting local stations that are nearby, even though they're not being aimed at. A rotator is not necessary, unless you need to target more than one distant tower.

Bad:

Connector placement. The balun box (the little black box that you connect the TV cable into) is very cheap, fragile, and the connector inside it easily breaks. Be very careful with it! It's too easy to overtighten it, and this will strip the connection and damage the antenna. Not only is the box very cheap, but it's placed in the wrong place. The reception is hurt, because this box isn't lined up properly. I don't know much about the details, but you can read about this major problem on other sites, just Google for "4288HD balun length". It's a nasty design flaw, one that Channel Master should have caught beforehand.

Mast gripper. A large antenna like this, is like a sail that blows in the wind! Channel Master's grips to the mast are not very solid. Even when tightening them as tight as they will go without stripping, it's still not a very strong grip. Even if the mast itself is mounted securely against rotation, it won't help, because this antenna will rotate itself around your mast. Antennas Direct uses a superior "gripper teeth" solution, that digs itself into your mast like a rabid dog and won't let go! Much better. It's a shame Channel Master can't also use "gripper teeth".

So, even though it has flaws, this is probably still one of the best antennas you can get. There isn't much work being invested into the design of TV antennas these days, unfortunately, as the market seems to be switching to satellite or cable.

****UPDATE****** This is NOT the same antenna that I reviewed! Unfortunately the CM4228HD is NOT the same as the old Channel Master 4228. The old 4228 was a better antenna all around, made in USA and a different design. Amazon probably doesn't realize this and substituted the new antenna for the old without realizing that they perform differently. I am demoting this to 3 stars as a result.********

Old review:
I live in Wantage, NJ (zipcode 07461) which is a tough area for DTV reception from NYC. We're located approximately 48.5 miles from the transmitters at the ESB, and behind hills, therefore the path to us is 2 edge diffraction and very tough.

Prior to this antenna, I tried a philips corner reflector/LPDA from Lowe's, which would only pick up NJN (state run public TV) and a couple of religious broadcasters. I figured it was time for something else so I bought the CM4228.

The 4228 is a time tested design of eight dipoles (bowties) with a reflective screen.

I put it up on my 86 foot ham radio tower, aligned it towards NYC with the help of my wife (who was watching the signal meter on the TV) and got nearly every channel, with the exception of WNYW-DT (UHF 44). But considering that [...] and CEA's antennaweb gave me very low prospects for receiving anything, I consider my result to be satisfactory. WNYW is a special case as they have a directional antenna to prevent interference to channel 44 in Atlantic City NJ.

Yes, I have a tower, but this antenna works fine on rooftops or other structures. It may even work in an attic. Since it is classified as a large directional, you will need to aim it properly, otherwise you'll be doing more harm than good to your received signal. Its high directivity also helps with multipath and overload from strong nearby signals.

The big plus of this antenna is that the screen acts as a VHF antenna, so it may be all you need come 02/17/09 when some of the digital stations move back to VHF.

As satelite TV customers, our local HD channels are not available to us as we're "within range" of the transmitters. Technically that's true but the reality is we're in an extremely heavily forested mountain valley 50+ miles from those transmitters. Normal UHF antennas were marginal for the old analog signals and clearly no match for the more finicky digial variety. The 4228 with a matching low noise, high gain, mast mounted preamp so far has acquired an additional 13 channels we had never received before, all in perfect HD and in all weather.

Is it big? Yes.
Is it ugly? Absolutely!
Does it work? For us, it works like a charm!

Well, ordered from crutchfield via amazon. Seems like a decent antenna but as i was screwing in my cable into the metal connector in the black box of the antenna (in the center of the antenna), that metal just snapped off! I was just hand tightening it! So i cannot even connect ANY cable to the antenna itself. SO even if it can grab good reception, can't get anything if i can't connect an rg6 cable to it.
Seems like for a high end antenna, they could spend a few extra dollars to engineer something better...it's just really shotty work.
Upon inspection,i could tell exactly what happend...the male connector for the rg6 cable coming off the box has a nut at the bottom that in theory if it remained tight, it would prevent the connector from turning. apparently,mine was loose (the nut), probably as a result of bouncing half way across the country in a UPS truck. As a result, as i was screwing in my cable,the WHOLE connector was turning. THe problem is the other end of the connector is connected to a wire so as it spun, it just snapped it off. For a $90 antenna, you would think they could come up with something a little better, especially since i think this is made in USA...i emailed channelmaster to see if they could send me just the black box to replace. the antenna comes in a big flat box pre-assembled.