Customer Reviews

PCT International 3010STEALTH Channel Master Outdoor HDTV Antenna

5 star:		(26)
4 star:		(10)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(7)

 

 

I bought the channel master around June of 2009. Because it was inexpensive, and because I've been burned before, I also ordered a Winegard HD-1080. I hoped that if one didn't work well, maybe the other would. That was a good idea, because the Channel Master was seriously inferior to the Winegard. The channel Master did receive all local stations (all of which are 25 miles or less from my house and in the same general direction) the signal strength meter on my converter box indicated values from a low of 11% (abc) to a high of 36% (cbs). The channel that indicated 11% was prone to breaking up and sometimes just disappearing altogether.
So I Installed the Winegard in place of the Channel Master. Wow. The signal strengths increased to the range of 55% to 73%. Rock Solid.
I bought the Channel Master because of all the positive reviews. I guess I got the lemon. If you buy one, save the box. You may want to return it.

I recently purchased this antenna so I can receive over the air digital local channels. It does a very good job pulling in local digital channels in the Phoenix area but the standard analong channels do not come in very clear. I have been receiving almost a full signal on the digital channels per my HDTV's signal meter. The manufacturer recommends the addition of an optional amplifier to improve the signal. I have not yet ordered the amplifier but after reading a review by another owner on Epinions, he states it works very good with the addition of the amplifier.

I purchased both the matching Channel Master STEALTHtenna 3010 antenna and the Channel Master 3038 preamplifier and carefully installed them on my roof in a temporary configuration to find the ideal mounting location for the mast. Note that the antenna comes with a passive circuit board which is replaced when you add the preamplifier. Both the passive circuit board and preamplifier lack any mechanical strength for the coax threaded barrel connector. While my experience was directly related to a design flaw of the preamplifier, this scenario would have played out the same had I left the original passive circuit board in the antenna. My experience, and why I recommend you do NOT purchase this antenna: When it was time to transfer to antenna to the permanent mast I attempted to release the coax cable downlead (hex nut on threaded barrel) which snapped off the connector. I examined the circuit board of this antenna to see if it could be repaired, and discovered that the threaded barrel connector was simply a few solder joints on the circuit board - there is no mechanical strength to this design at all! BEWARE. First, if you haven't purchased this product, then DO NOT. If you have purchased it, you will need to attach your coax connector VERY CAREFULLY and NEVER attempt to remove it in the future. You must ASSUME that if you have need to change out the coax cable for any reason the connector will NOT come off the antenna. Therefore, you will have to CUT the cable and reterminate (thus adding a signal loss by splicing). If I hadn't already discarded the shipping package, receipt, etc., I would attempt to return this product.

Shipped was very fast. This antenna does the job quite well. It does have a plastic frame, so I would be a bit leary of mounting it outside, especially in areas of high wind. I have it mounted in my attic and receive nearly full signal strength. Two of the local channels will continue to broadcast in the VHF band, so it was essential to buy VHF/UHF antenna. The transmitters are approximately 10 miles away and the terrain is very hilly.

I have experience with installing dish systems and outdoor antenna systems. This antenna is a joke. Good only if you live very close ( 10-15 miles ) and have a clear line to the tower. Off axis signals and trees or other obstructions render it useless and inconsistent. A weak or inconsistent signal in the digital system than it was in the analog system. It looks cool but a bow tie antenna using coat hangers I made myself did a much better job. Save your money for a good antennae and pass this one by.

This brings in all of our local digital channels. I was worried since I looked at the antenna web site and after putting in our address it listed that we needed a stronger antenna to get all of the channels.
We didn't want to bother with putting it up on the roof, so we set it up in our attic up in the rafters (1 story building) toward the direction of where most of the channels come from and it's beautiful on our big HDTV.

I live in Dayton, TX, 50 miles away from Houston's antenna farm. I bought CM 3010 along with pre-amp and installed it on the the side of the house. I receive 98% signal on all the channels. Before I had a radio shack in the attic with a radiant barrier and after the transition three local channels went vhf and I lost their signal. I would recommend this antenna with pre-amp if you live 30+ from receiver.

I picked this antenna specifically to improve Fox VHF reception (Madison WI.)

My indoor Terk gets around 70-80% reception on a good day. Sitting on the ground outside, this antenna gets 90%. Sitting up 4 feet, it gets 100% on all channels. Even Fox. I plan to mount it 8 feet up on the side of the house.

According to [...], I live 12 miles from the tower. Elevation is high, so I don't have much obstruction other than a few houses and trees in the immediate neighborhood.

Hi,
I live in a rural area about 65 miles from the only talk-radio (FM) station in North Central Florida. :( Rabbit ears and a signal booster worked ok until a weather front came through. The problem was a radio station on the SAME frequency was about 70 miles in the opposite direction. The propagation would change as weather fronts plowed through. Crosstalk and bleed-over would render both stations unintelligible. Arrrggghhh!
I installed this antenna on a ten-foot mast. Using a map and compass I aimed it exactly at the talk-radio station. Mind you this antenna is NOT advertised to accomplish this task. I am a bit beyond its advertised range. However... NO matter what the weather, reception is CRYSTAL CLEAR. I now have NO noise, fading, or other reception problems. To include the once aggravating crosstalk and bleed-over from the opposite station.

It did what I wanted it to do. I got my monies worth.
Thank you Channel Master!
Hope this helps.
The Ammo Guy 8-)

"I don't expect the world on a silver platter. A paper plate will do just fine".
The Ammo Guy 8-)

P.S. I'd give it 5 stars except I don't have it pointed at any TV stations and again they would be out of the antenna's advertised

Granted, I live in an area w/ limited reception and only 7 HD channels. However, even on a low roof-top, residing on an old satellite dish post in a bit of a bowl, I get excellent reception. Yet, on rainy days for a few channels don't come in - but that's HD for you. Regardless, for the money, I don't need cable or satellite (on which I cannot receive local channels anyway due to local regulations); thus, it paid for itself in one or two months. Note, like all other HDTV antennas, it still pulls in analog signals (of course until July...), and these come in nice as well. If you live in an area with even more HD channels and your broadcast area is stronger than mine - get this. It's inexpensive and easy to install.