Channel Master Digital Advantage 100 CM-2020 For UHF & Strong High VHF Locations

Description

Please note:
Don’t buy this antenna if the TV stations transmitting on RF VHF channels are not strong at your location (see below).
The extra long box triggers high calculated shipping costs to most states east of The Rocky Mountains.
Please see my listings for with free shipping to the 11 Western states and with free shipping to California addresses.
I also have this antenna listed on the San Francisco Bay Area Craigslist for and I do not collect tax.
Full disclosure
I normally do not sell items with separate shipping charges paid by the buyer but someone asked me to do this. The double-boxed dimensions and weight are approximate. If you are in an area that is far from the three carriers (USPS, UPS, and FedEx) the shipping cost can be very high in addition to the dimensional weight penalty for the very long length.
From my experience with this antenna if there are TV stations transmitting on RF VHF channels in your area that you want to receive you should only buy this antenna if they have strong signals (see below). Check the FCC’s website:
https://www.fcc.gov/media/engineering/dtvmaps:
The white background photos are from the internet.
I have listed this antenna as in “fair” condition because it has lived outside and, naturally, the aluminum shows signs of weathering but that does not affect its performance. It is dirty from being stored outside but I will hose/spray it when it is sold.
The mast in the photo is not included but I have several new and used ones that I can sell to you.
When I bought this used antenna in November it was missing the balun and the “S” clamp to hold it in place.
I am including a new outdoor balun and it should be secured to the boom with plastic ties so that the short 300 ohm twin lead wires are not subject to strain from the weight of the connected coaxial cable.
Some of the long rod elements for VHF got bent and when they were straightened to the original shape they are not perfect but that does not affect the performance.
The Channel Master list price for this model antenna on their website is 0.
I tested it at my difficult reception location and it does well for my moderate and weak stations transmitting on UHF but poorly for my moderate and weak stations transmitting on VHF. By poorly, I mean I was only able to get one of two stations, the one that is transmitting on RF channel 9 and the strength was good but the quality of the signal was poor. It might have been below the threshold to see a picture but I didn’t check by exiting the test mode of my tuner.
If I were to use this at my location I would combine it with a relatively low cost VHF antenna so that I could get the two VHF stations.
The Stellar Labs 30-2475 / HTA Y8-7-13 medium gain VHF antenna (the smaller of two) is ~ plus shipping at Newark.com
For I will test this and other antennas at your location and if it doesn’t work you don’t have to buy it. The reason I only charge is because you have to provide the transportation.
The length of the long rod elements for VHF means it’s probably only good for high band VHF (RF channels 7 - 13).
The antenna has an end clamp for attaching to a mast and that can be advantageous in an attic installation but for handling it’s horribly unbalanced.
For local pickup I am a few blocks off of 680 on the border of Pleasant Hill and Concord, California.
User Guide PDF:
http://downloads.channelmaster.com/Sheets/20+Series+UG.pdf
From Channel Master‘s website:
Electrical Specifications
Bandwith 174 to 216 and 470 to 700 MHz
VHF Gain 7.5dB
UHF Gain 10dB
Front to Back Ratio 14dB
Return Loss N/A
Impedance 300 Ohm (75 Ohm balun included)
Mechanical Specifications
Boom Length 90.5"
Number of Elements 41
Max Element Width 61"
Mounting Clamp U bolt up to 2"
Turning Radius 6 ft.
Output Connector F-type
Size (product) 90.675 x 60 x 22 in
Size (packaging) 50.5 x 7 x 7.5 in
Weight (product) 4.5 lb
Weight (packaging) 7.75 lb
Wind Resistance (at 100 mph, no ice) – 38 lb
According to the Channel Master specifications the “Advantage 100” CM-3020 is the same design as the “Digital Advantage 100” CM-2020 but it is a larger/longer version with more elements that has significantly higher VHF gain (+1.1dB) but weirdly, slightly lower UHF gain (–.5dB). The VHF / UHF specified differences are 8.6 / 9.5 compared to the smaller antenna; 7.5 / 10.
Even if you can afford pay TV you should also have free over-the-air antenna television as a backup in case there is an interruption of your pay TV provider because of their technical failure or because of a natural or man-made disaster. You should be able to monitor local news for updates and any possible evacuation orders.
With the crashed economy now again is the time to quit cable TV and satellite TV and try to get free OTA (over-the-air) TV, especially for the six big national networks; ABC, CBS, CE, FOX, NBC, PBS. Check the FCC’s DTV Reception Map to see what TV stations/channels are possible at your address. Their computer model is based on an antenna 30 feet above ground at your location but it’s still very useful, especially if it shows that you have strong signals.
https://www.fcc.gov/media/engineering/dtvmaps: