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Antennas Direct CLEARSTREAM4 Antenna |
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| Clearstream4 Antenna |
I purchased the Clearstream4 Antenna to upgrade for Digital TV from a 23-year old vane antenna (Archer VU-90 VHF/UHF/FM = Radio Shack No. 15-1642). The decision on this model was based upon communication through the SolidSignalTECH help site, and I found them very responsive and clear about my options and issues.
Both the old and the new antenna are presently placed within an attic space above a second floor and I have checked both for digital signal reception. The older model has about an eight-foot maximum span, while the newer Clearstream4 maximum span is under three feet. As of December 26, 2008, I find no difference between the two antennas in the number of channels received and reception quality. I'll keep the new one for now for two reasons: 1)It may show an improvement over my older Archer model come mid-February when all stations convert to digital; 2) Its small size is within the range that permits mounting outdoors despite homeowners association rules to the contrary for larger antennas (Ref: 1996 "OTARD" rules; See FCC Consumer Facts on "Installing Consumer-Owned Antennas and Satellite Dishes" and FCC Information Sheet on "Over-the-Air Reception Devices Rule"). Since I can mount this new one outdoors, I probably will do so, but only after smoothing the way with the Homeowners Association members who likely will have trouble accepting ANY antenna mounted outdoors. Once I have this antenna mounted outdoors I expect significant signal reception improvement will permit receiving a number of more distant channels that I could not pick up with the present mounting in the attic.
Some might assign five stars to this, but I keep it down at four for now since I can not, yet, make a full evaluation.
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| Dec 27, 2008 |
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| It works as well as the manufacturer says. |
Antennas Direct CLEARSTREAM4 Antenna
I live almost 50 miles from Santa Fe, NM and can pick-up Channel 9 [PBS] as well as all the Albuquerque broadcasts.
Assembly was a bit slow because of lack of experience on my part, but putting it on the roof was easy as drinking a glass of water. The picture is as good as the satellite HDTV. Well worth the price.
I read some bad reports [mostly assembly problems], but the good reports were more explicit - thus it is on the roof now. |
| Dec 25, 2008 |
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| Very Pleased |
| At 51 miles from the nearest broadcast tower, this antenna is doing everything it claims, very easy to assemble and install. |
| Dec 21, 2008 |
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| Antennas Direct Clearstream 4 |
| WOW! This antenna is great! I tried 2-3 indoor amplified and non-amplified antennas that just didn't work consistently. I even tried a Radio Shack unit that didn't seem to work very well when hooked up in the room my TV was in (never did mount it in the attic). So, after researching this unit I decided it was worth trying before giving in to paying DirecTv for another receiver and monthly "lease" fee to use same. I assembled this unit in about 30 minutes while watching TV but could probably have done faster if I'd given it my undivided attention. Assembly was simple but take care not to over tighten the screws holding the plastic parts to the light frame or the screws will pull right through (a couple of washers fixed this easily). I connected the antenna to the TV before mounting the antenna in my attic. The results there were better than all others I'd tried but not perfect. Nonetheless, I decided to go all the way and mount the unit in my attic and run separate coaxial cable to my coax outlet for the TV I was setting up. The antenna mounting (with accessory post & mounting plate) was easy and secure. The unit is small and light weight. I put it as high as I could without using a ladder in the attic. Once I got the new coax cable run (this was more difficult due to my coax outlet location but no fault of the antenna)and hooked up to the TV, WOW! I'm 31.4 miles from all the network (ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX)antennas in Denver. I did use my GPS w/electronic compass to set the exact heading on the antenna toward the broadcast antennas but am not sure it had to be that exact. Anyway, when I ran a channel scan on the TV I picked up 52 channels. Granted many were duplicates (analog and digital versions of same channel) but the point is this antenna picked up more channels than I had any idea were even in my area. Not only did I get 52 channels, but the reception was EXCELLENT! All of the network stations came in great and the over the air HD is super! I'd recommend this antenna to anyone. Good luck. |
| Dec 17, 2008 |
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| This Antenna Rocks! |
I have the antenna plus a Motorola signal preamplifier setup, feeding into a 2-way splitter. I run about 75' of RG-6 coax for each TV. I live in Phoenix, AZ, about 30 miles away from the towers, on a one story house. My antenna is mounted about 18' from the ground and is aimed 149 degrees.
I am getting excellent reception and a lot of HDTV channels, many more than with my little indoor GE antenna. It is interesting to note that when indoor, the C4 did not perform as well as the GE, but that is because they are apples and oranges. The C4 wants to be outside.
In summary, the reception is excellent, and the installation not very difficult. I do recommend adding the preamplifier.
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| Dec 15, 2008 |
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