Televes DAT Series BOSS Mix LR Low-VHF/High-VHF/UHF Antenna

Let me get the bad out of the way: The people who say it will take about an hour to assemble? This is true. I'm reasonably mechanically inclined, but there are a fair amount of parts, and the instructions, although not terrible by any means, could be a touch better. So do figure it will take an hour, and you might have to read the instructions more than once to figure it all out (oh, and there are 2 different sheets...one pictures the individual parts with numbers, the other has pictorial instructions. You'll need them both!!).Ok, the bad is out of the way...now the good. Let me describe our actual situation. We live in a single story ranch style house, which is about 17 feet from ground to peak. On the back of the house is an about 20 foot pole, onto which the antenna is attached. (so not much clearance there., the antenna points at the peak of the house). The TV broadcasting antennas are all around 63 miles to our southeast, but over mostly level ground. But, that's still a long way. most of the channels are UHF, but dear old ABC Channel 5 still broadcasts on low VHF, and that, my friends, is the biggest issue!Up until now, we relied on a Winegard HD8200XL antenna (the longest range antenna Winegard makes that includes low VHF, along with a mast-mounted Winegard signal amplifier. That all feeds into a TABLO over-the-air DVR. Seriously, spent some time and effort getting what I felt was the best (or at least one of the best) antenna/amplifier combos. And, it has most worked for everything EXCEPT that darn low-VHF channel 5! Most of the other channels work well with a clear signal and no breakups at least 99% of the time. But channel 5? Good days it is fine, most days there is at least moderate signal loss and breakup, bad days? No signal at all!I was dispairing that I was going to need to find a way to get more height (to clear our roof better, but also just generally because higher should give more signal) and wasn't looking forward to the expense and effort of a tower/roof-mount/whatever. But couldn't find any other antennas that I felt would offer more improvement by itself.But, on YouTube there is this super-knowledgeable guy who goes by "The Antenna Guy". Lots of good videos and reviews of antennas. His review of this antenna (Televes 148383 DAT BOSS Mix LR Antenna W/Preamp Long Range Low-VHF/High-VHF/UHF) was a turning point for me. In his viewing area, he has a "garbage" channel that broadcasts on low VHF, just like me. He was impressed, and if the Antenna Guy is impressed, so am I.Ordered the antenna a couple months ago, but waited until I had time and the weather got better to assemble it and put it up. Finally go that done eariler this week. Asssembly? Slow, and a tiny bit confusing...but manageable. (although Televes could learn something about pre-assembling some parts from both Winegard and Channelmaster.But, without even taking the time to precisely aim it, the signal on lousy Channel 5 went from one bar to 4 bars (as good as it gets in Tablo). I am VERY impressed.Other stuff: Seems reasonably well constructed. On mast-amplifier is fed by a powered splitter inside the house (in our case, in the basement). I've include a picture of the old Winegard behind the new Televes for reference. The old Winegard was huge, at almost14 feet long and over 9 feet wide. This one is still big, but not that big.Long story short...if you are having reception problems, especially with channels on the low VHF band, this is almost certainly your best option. I wish an American company had something this good, but based on what I can find, they don't. And, I guess its Ok that we're helping our friends in Spain! I'm Ok with that! Cheers!

This took a little longer to assemble than expected, but that actually speaks well of the product. The assembly instructions leave a bit to be desired; the pictures/illustrations being the weak point of the kit. Some of them don't resemble anything in the package. On the positive side, the packaging was excellent and everything on the parts list was there. There was just enough pre-assembled to make the assembly intuitive, enough so to overcome the pictures. Sub-assemblies were well-engineered; they fit through a smallish attic access. Once in the attic, it took about 15 minutes to complete the full assembly. In the interest of full disclosure, I'm gifted when it comes to figuring out assemblies of all kinds, with decades of experience. Some purchasers may need more time, patience and youtube video instruction to figure out everything...but it can be done and only has to be done once.Initially, I tested the antenna using the signal amp I had been using with a small GE antenna. The results were disappointing. Used sans amp, really disappointing. With the included signal amp installed and powered...this thing delivers strong signal. Am able to get the "fringe" stations that motivated the purchase. I'd guesstimate this antenna is delivering about a 15-20% improvement over what it replaced. That might not sound like much but, it's a huge improvement. Stations that used to pixelate, or drop out at times, are now solid. Adding a signal splitter, inside the house, did not degrade reception, at all. The $220 price tag may seem a bit steep, initially. However, it was about $100 more than the Cheapie + separate amp it replaced; that mount will be recouped in less than a month, since I've now fired ATT.Overall, am quite satisfied with this purchase.

The nearest stations were around 90 miles away, it pulled them in perfectly on a 15 foot high mast mounted on the side of the house. It takes a while to assemble, but great results, especially after you spin it around a bit and do a scan or two. Went from 1 station on rabbit ears to 45 stations, and getting all OTA major national networks. I highly recommend it.

I have had The largest radio shack antenna that they made for years. Finally a wet heavy snowstorm bent it in half. I found this one online. Bought a new rotor and put it up on the house. This is a very large antenna. Wasn't up too long and guess what? Another what heavy snowstorm broke the rotor and down came the antenna. The piece of Pole that was on the rotor with the antenna was no longer than 2 ft. This was a good antenna but very large and what heavy snow may take it down.

Someone needs to pay someone to write a better instruction/assembly booklet to put this together. You would think i have a photograph, I have an assembly booklet. How hard could it be?? Answer $%$%%$#%% pretty hard. The drawings make sense if you've put this together 3 or 4 times. But be prepared. I needed some magnifying glasses to be able to read the instructions. Take your time. Watch videos on YouTube and once assembled, it's nice. Real Nice. This is sold as a directional antenna. Well, It might be but it doesn't really make a whole lot of difference in my case because i can point it pretty much in any direction and i still get about the same amount of channels. And I live in a grove of trees with 70 foot tops. Lastly, I think it should include some sort of cable holder. I have a crank up tower and that RG11 cable is 44 feet up and it's just hanging. That's a fair amount of weight pulling on the back of that connection. I may attempt some cable ties every 10 ft or so. Expensive. And no one really discounts it but it works. I would buy it again.