CM 4228, Were There Many Differences Over The Model Run And ...

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Gibson_s G There's a "new in box, never installed" (or possibly used then put back in the box) CM 4228HD on my local online classified for a pretty good price, just wondering what generation it is or if it's unchanged over the years. Especially interested in the high VHF as I have 2 relatively strong stations on the VHF I need to get on RF 7 and 9. Box looks different than the new ones I've seen online as they are called Extremtenna 80 now, anyone hazard a guess how long this antenna has been sitting around? If I go look at it, what should I look for to assure it's BNIB? I'm assuming these all came with Balun and 2 U-bolts, instructions, etc? #1 · Jul 2, 2021 There's a "new in box, never installed" (or possibly used then put back in the box) CM 4228HD on my local online classified for a pretty good price, just wondering what generation it is or if it's unchanged over the years. Especially interested in the high VHF as I have 2 relatively strong stations on the VHF I need to get on RF 7 and 9. Box looks different than the new ones I've seen online as they are called Extremtenna 80 now, anyone hazard a guess how long this antenna has been sitting around? If I go look at it, what should I look for to assure it's BNIB? I'm assuming these all came with Balun and 2 U-bolts, instructions, etc? See less See more 2 Sort by Oldest first Oldest first Newest first Most reactions #2 · Jul 2, 2021 @Gibson_s That's around a 2014~ version, and works very well for UHF. However, it's nearly worthless for VHF reception. Do NOT buy it with the thought it'll work for VHF. However, if it's a good price and you need a great UHF antenna, that's one to get for that. #20 · Jul 16, 2021

Primestar31 said: @Gibson_s That's around a 2014~ version, and works very well for UHF. However, it's nearly worthless for VHF reception. Do NOT buy it with the thought it'll work for VHF. Click to expand...

WRONG! Thou not a "VHF" per say antenna, due to it's design, the Chinese version (no matter which box packaging they put it in or artsy-fartsy name they put to it) will work for the VHF high band thou at a reduced capacity. In fact I swapped the original US made 4228, for the current Chinese knock off which made the difference between receiving RF ch 9 (at the time, now moved to ch 8 in this market) and not receiving the channel. Frankly, both versions will receive off the back side which has been reported more then once here and other websites! 0 Reply #3 · Jul 3, 2021 This is the 4228 you really want. Not sure where you live, but is in Fairfax County Va, about 25 miles west of the swamp. . . . Channel Master UHF TV Antenna 4228 - electronics - by owner - sale #4 · Jul 3, 2021 Yep, that's the old version that can get some High VHF. Once they changed to the black-box 75ohm balun, it was pretty much game over to get any VHF. Show more replies 0 Reply #6 · Jul 3, 2021 Yep, the VHF can be pretty decent on the original. It seemed to be more omnidirectional on VHF which was handy in low multipath applications. #7 · Jul 3, 2021 (Edited)

Gibson_s said: There's a "new in box, never installed" (or possibly used then put back in the box) CM 4228HD on my local online classified for a pretty good price, just wondering what generation it is or if it's unchanged over the years. Especially interested in the high VHF as I have 2 relatively strong stations on the VHF I need to get on RF 7 and 9. Click to expand...

I agree with Primestar31. It's performance on VHF-High isn't very good. It might perform a little better than a dipole for 7 and 9 that are in opposite directions, but I wouldn't count on it. Its balun is that square black box attached to the wire combining harness. The balun is the PCB type that is OK for UHF, but not VHF. Ken Nist, of hdtvprimer, is not impressed with it either. Temporary page The original 4228 came with a ferrite core balun that was good for UHF and VHF. Your report: RabbitEars.Info #9 · Jul 3, 2021 I don't understand what the Balun does to make it not receive VHF anymore... in laymans terms what is up and can you swap it out? I have a knockoff antenna with a VHF element that does work, but is moving in the wind and messing up my RF 7 and 9. Don't know if I could reuse it on the CM and somehow make those elements not move. Antennas Direct also makes an add on VHF element like that. #10 · Jul 3, 2021

Gibson_s said: Especially interested in the high VHF as I have 2 relatively strong stations on the VHF I need to get on RF 7 and 9. Click to expand...

Why would you purposely buy a UHF antenna when you say you need a VHF antenna? There are VHF/UHF antennas around that will work just fine if you need a combo antenna and especially if your stations are fairly strong. This is kind of like going to the hardware store to buy a hammer because you have a nailing job and coming home with a pipe wrench. It's a great tool for pipe work and may hammer a nail in a pinch but it's not the right tool for nails. #11 · Jul 3, 2021 If you read the thread, I was asking about it's VHF performance... and the addition of a VHF element. These at one time had decent High VHF reception, as posted. Anyway this is dead, guy posted a pic of the antenna and it's obviously been used for years then repacked. Show more replies 0 Reply #12 · Jul 3, 2021 The CM4228 was a great American made antenna back in the day and probably the coolest looking. My small town elementary school had CM4221’s on a long mast attached to the side of the building of each room to receive the PBS station about 40 miles away. The CM4221 could be the second coolest looking antenna! I have a few of the 4228’s NIB back home if anyone is interested just PM me but that sale in Herndon mentioned earlier in this thread looks like a pretty good deal used or not. The 4228 went well with the CM7777/7778 preamps and I still have some of those but do not know how well these older antennas and preamps perform since the repack. #15 · Jul 3, 2021 My parents in a rural area have this antenna and receive RF 7 (40 miles away) and 9 (15 miles) with it. It's been there for at least 10 years... which is why I asked what changes were made to the antenna since then. Asked and answered. I have a 4 bay bowtie with a preamp to get reliable UHF signals and VHF is coming in well, when it's not windy... with the dipole. Figured this 8 bay for cheap would help my UHF and I could see if it worked for VHF, then dealt with it if it didn't. Again, the guy is lying and posted a pic of an antenna with obvious use. BNIB means different things to different people I guess. Oh well, he can keep it. #17 · Jul 3, 2021

Gibson_s said: My parents in a rural area have this antenna and receive RF 7 (40 miles away) and 9 (15 miles) with it. It's been there for at least 10 years... which is why I asked what changes were made to the antenna since then. Click to expand...

I'm always pleased to hear when someone is happy with their OTA reception. The implication of their CM4228 being adequate for VHF is that it's overkill for UHF. Probably all they need is one of those RCA ANT751 series antennas or a dual band LPDA. I put up a Steren dual band LPDA at my sister's house 62 miles LOS from the Los Angeles transmitters and she gets all the stations you'd expect with no issues.

Amazon.com: STEREN Aerial Outdoor Antenna VHF/UHF 16-Element : Electronics

Buy STEREN Aerial Outdoor Antenna VHF/UHF 16-Element: TV Antennas - Amazon.com ✓ FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchases www.amazon.com What's between you and the transmitters is often more important than distance. 0 Reply #16 · Jul 3, 2021 If 4 bay with a dipole works (with no wind), an 8 bay without a dipole won't help with VHF even if using a preamp. The 4228 is a UHF antenna, so you can't expect any miracles with VHF reception in anyone's situation. #18 · Jul 3, 2021 ^ That antenna is not available. Looks interesting. #19 · Jul 3, 2021

Gibson_s said: ^ That antenna is not available. Looks interesting. Click to expand...

I just wanted to show exactly what I used. A similar model is available:

Amazon.com: McDuory TV Outdoor Yagi Antenna with Long Range Reception Capacity - Digital TV Antenna Available for Attic or Roof Mount, Long Range Digital OTA Antenna for Clear Reception, 4K/1080P/HD : Electronics

Amazon.com: McDuory TV Outdoor Yagi Antenna with Long Range Reception Capacity - Digital TV Antenna Available for Attic or Roof Mount, Long Range Digital OTA Antenna for Clear Reception, 4K/1080P/HD : Electronics www.amazon.com I wouldn't pay any attention to the ridiculous mileage claim. 0 Reply #21 · Jul 16, 2021 I did an experiment and put my FM antenna to my TV and surprisingly, I got a bunch of UHF and my 2 VHF channels around 30%-50% while not doing that great of a job for FM. People on here said any piece of metal will pick up strong signals, regardless. This doesn't mean the CM 8-bay is designed for VHF in any way. People on the 30th floor in NYC can get their channels with a paper clip. The guy is firm on his price and the ad is still up... not worth it for a used antenna. He can put it in his garage next to his snowblower. #22 · Jul 16, 2021 BTW, CM should of NEVER re-used the 4228 designation for their imported version. Almost as bad as the sellers who showed the original version in their web sites and then shipped the import instead of the original when CM closed their plant in the south. Insert Quotes Post Reply

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