Customer Reviews

PCT International CM2016 Channel Master Television Antenna

5 star:		(37)
4 star:		(26)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

Granted the directions are bad, but it is so simple to set up that directions aren't needed. I bought it under the assumption that the range is 35 miles. I have it in the attic of our two story house, pointed at a station 60 miles away and it comes in flawlessly. All or local stations are 90 degrees off this station and they come in resonably well for being that far off. I tried it with am amplifier, but the amp is not needed so I removed it. Here are two good sites to help you find what stations you might recieve.
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This is a very well priced antenna for those wishing to pick up high VHF and UHF signals from a moderate distance from source. It is compact, lightweight and unfolds right out of the box.

I was disappointed to find that neither the mast (clearly pictured) nor the 50' of coax (eluded to in description) were included.

You will only receive an antenna with the mounting hardware for the antenna only. After a pricey trip to Radio Shack and a bit of blood, sweat and tears I eventually received my first HD channels. I do plan on purchasing the Eagle Aspen UHF 2-bay and add it to my 5 ft mast - to pick up stations in another nearby city at a different bearing.

You wont be disappointed with the antenna if you don't mind generic instructions and the lack of mounting hardware. The weather-proof coax boot is awkward as well as the bracket to secure the joint to the antenna (I tossed it out and used cable ties).

Overall it is a good value and can fit a multitude of installation scenarios.

Amazon was great with their customer service regarding the product picture and description errors.

I live Los Alamitos, CA and its 29.7 miles away from where the signal transmission comes from and my signal here is excellent. The bar is at about 90%. I get all the locals plus all of their sub stations. I also get a bunch of other channels, Spanish for my mom and bunch of other that I dont watch. Real easy setup and it seems very durable. I just removed the old Direct tv dish that was on the roof and attached this right to the pole, it came with all the right hardware to do so. I did have to run new cable because they seem to have a filter on theirs that I could not find. Its a two story apt and the cable is about 40 feet long with a regular splitter inside the house to y the signal to my moms room. I'm also using a insignia hdtv converter box. Overall I'm very satisfied and I get a lot of compliments on the reception but I did not buy it here. Hope this helps and good luck.

I. Indoor or Outdoor
The choices that are out there for indoor/outdoor antennas are many, and most are really good. After living with indoor antennas for a while and using one indoor antenna outdoors, decide that it was time to try an outdoor one. The tossup between this and the RCA ANT751, but in the long run the Channel Master 2016 won: why this one, simply the price. Even though there are some good indoor antennas out there, they all have the same problem: not every channel will come in with the antenna in the same spot. That was the main reason for opting for an outdoor antenna, that and I'm about 27 miles for the transmitters.
II. Setting up the Antenna
After receiving it, as it was a hour after sun down and to late to install it, took the 18ft Coaxial cable going to the wall and hooked the antenna to it. Every single channel came in beautifully, getting about 3 to 4 bars of 5 in signal straight with Media Center on both turners: With one turner get all 5 bars. My old Digital Flat Amplified RCA Antenna has an amplified box, so decided to keep that hook in for the simple reason that I'm slipping the antenna signal. The Amplified RCA Antenna worked great, but would say that it is not omnidirectional liked it claimed, for it worked better pointing the flat side to the broadcast antennas. Did not cause me any problems until I add another turner for my Media Center. One of the problems I ran in to with the RCA antenna is when either watch one channel and recording another, or recording two channels. One of the channels would not be recorded because of signal drop, mostly with the NBC, and/or CBS channel affiliates and some times FOX. This did not start happening until I spit the signal; so for outside use and one device the Flat Panel RCA Antenna works good. After setting up this antenna and installing it on the old Satellite Dish Mast, have not had any drops in channels, not even in foggy snowy weather. Even though I did set it up using the Low Noise VHF/UHF Amplifier from the Flat RCA Antenna, did not have to.
III. Pros:
A. Large surface area from grabbing ATSC signals.
B. No Low Noise Amplifier needed.
C. Easy installation.
D. At 27 miles from transmitters and using two turner devices, get Digital TV Signal at 50- 60% without Amplifier; 70 - 85% with Amplifier.
E. Free TV.
F. Receive ever Digital Channel without pixelization or channel drop off.
G. Windows Media Center starts Live TV faster.
IV. Cons:
A. Does not come with Mast.
B. Coaxial adapter does not fit in mounting clamp.
C. Not really a con for me, but maybe for some. Hi-band VHF only RF Channel 7 - 13.
V. Final Thoughts:
This antenna does not come with a Mast, and it is stated as so; but the picture makes one to think it does. So don't do what I did and not order one with it. That is why it pays to read a little bit more before order. Picking the right antenna is a key to watch HDTV, and one of the keys to help you decide on which is the right one, is knowing where the transmitters are. A great web site for that is (antennaweb.org), not only does it tell you how fare away the transmitters are; it gives you the direction (in compass form); and it gives what the RF Channel is. The RF Channel is not always the channel you see listed. I am happy with this antenna, and so is Media Centers DVR, no longer do show not get recorded because channel drop off.

From my attic, I pointed it directly at major stations 28 miles away, while also grabbing major stations 41 degrees off bearing that were 11 miles away. Works great, except for one low power college station (coded uhf-red on antennaweb).

- - - Attic Install - - -

Strongly advised, if your signals are strong enough. No hassles with wind, lightning, antenna grounding, coax grounding, mast mounting hardware, corroded connections, or junky appearance.

If signals aren't strong enough, you can try larger antennas, such as Channel Master 2018 or Channel Master 2020 rather than mess with rooftop install.

Be sure no stucco walls (wire mesh) or foil-backed insulation are in your path -- signal killers.

I screwed a 1" PVC pipe (30" long) to the floor joists with 2 drywall screws, fastened the antenna with the included u-clamp, and declared victory. I did not need any other thingees, except of course, coax cable (RG6).

There is a plastic weather shroud for the coax connection. To use it you'd need to do your own coax termination after feeding the cable through the 1/4" hole. Just throw the shroud away if it's an attic install.

Did I mention that attic installs are less hassle?


- - - Owner Manual - - -

The directions are somewhere south of OK, but north of horrible. You'll manage.


- - - Size and Construction - - -

It comes in a small box and unfolds to 22" high x 48" wide x 36" long (the length of the main arm that points toward signal). It's 1.8 lbs of aluminum -- probably under 6 dollars out the factory door. No defects or problems. It will probably last about 500 years in your attic.

I am 55 miles from the transmitters; the antenna is hanging in my attic facing in the general direction of the transmitters and I am getting great reception.

First of all, the antenna does not come with any extras like a mast or cable to connect the TV. That said, I really like the product, it unfolds and mounts very easily and is well made. I have a six foot mast (1 1/4" emt. conduit) bolted to the fascia board just outside the bedroom window. Just slip the clamp over the emt, attach the antenna to the clamp and tighten securely, follow the instructions in aiming the antenna, "arrow" toward the most distant station, which for me is 45 miles due west. All of the other 16 channels come in just fine without adjustment or an additional amplifier. I have large 35-40 foot live oak trees all around the property. There is no problem with reception.

This picks ups stations about 15 miles away mounted on a pole about 5 feet above my roof. I am also using a CM3016 for picking up a broadcast from another compass heading. Overall decent antenna and would buy again. One note, make sure you use good cables with good connectors since I found the cheaper connectors allowed interference.

The reviews of this product range on both sides of the specturm and that is what bothers me about the review process. People who did not get good results more than likely bought the wrong product for the needs or just don't know what they are doing.
The antenna opens easily and pops into place, a 5 year old can set the thing up and the mounting bracket is very accomodating to whatever mounting method you prefer.
I live 30 miles from my local stations which are mainly UHF with one VHF station. I used antennaweb to find the optimal pointing direction and then used a compass to point in that direction. I took a shot and mounted the antenna inside my attic which is a one story ranch home not that high up..I expected the worst since I did not roof mount but I figured I would at least try inside the attic first. I did my first scan and BLAM!!! I pulled in 35 stations! I had no idea there were that many stations, I have all of my locals pinned at 100% quality and signal.
I made one mistake with this product, I bought a preamplifier because of the negative reviews on amazon claiming that this antenna was weak and the preamplified was a waste because it is not needed with this antenna.
So there you have it, the antenna has a solid range of 35 miles and delivers better than expected. If you do not get good results then I believe your problem is in the mirror and not in the product.

Live in Central Oregon some 20 miles to digital channels in Bend. I placed the antenna on a 5 foot mast on the roof (not at the peak). Antenna picked up 13 digital channels (11.1 thru 51.1). Good signal and received UHF analog channels too. My son tried this antenna at Crooked River Ranch which is 25 miles from Bend and Cline Butte is in the way. This antenna was the only one that worked out of 3 others that he tried. Would recommend it.