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Winegard HD8200U Platinum HD VHF/UHF Antenna Reviews
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| Binding: | Electronics |
|---|---|
| Brand: | Winegard Company |
| Model: | HD8200U |
| Size: | One Size |
| Features: |
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| ItemDimensions: | 168.25 x 110 x 33 inches |
| Package: | 99.5 x 7.5 x 6.5 inches (15.4 pounds) |
Editorial Reviews
The best of the best. The Platinum HD8200U has some of the highest gain of any consumer grade antenna. Built to last, so if you just want to purchase an antenna once, this is the one you want. Includes weather proof cartridge house for download module with 75 Ohm coaxial connection. General Information - Manufacturer - Winegard Company; Manufacturer Part Number - HD8200U; Manufacturer Website Address - winegard; Brand Name - Winegard; Product Series - HD; Product Model - HD8200U; Product Name - Platinum HD HD8200U VHF/UHF Antenna; Product Type - HDTV Antenna; Miscellaneous - Additional Information - Steel hardware is zinc plated for maximum corrosion resistance. Turning Radius: 101 inches 69 Active Elements: 34 VHF and 35 UHF Boom Length: 168. 25 inches Element Diameter: 3/8 inches; Miscellaneous - Compatibility - DTV; Technical Information - Application/Usage - Satellite HDTV; Technical Information - Gain - 14. 2 dBi; Interfaces/Ports - Connectors - Yes; Physical Characteristics - Dimensions - 110 inches Width x 33 inches Height;
Customer Reviews
D. Buell "HT Guy" @ January 8,2009 Magnificent antenna!!!!!!
I have endured and suffered an ongoing struggle to receive local VHF channels Over the air (OTA) through an antenna. The past few months have been particularly bad especially for digital channel 12 on VHF which for most of that time was not receivable and when I could get it I was getting between one and two bars (out of ten) of signal strength. I would usually get two bars of signal strength on digital channel 7 VHF. I had been using a 30ish year old Radio Shack UHF/VHF combo 160 inch rooftop antenna that came with my house for VHF and a seperate UHF AD XG91 antenna combined through a CM 7777 preamp. UHF reception has been pretty good for the last year and a half or so, but it has been a struggle with VHF reception. I live in the northwestern Berkshire Mountain range, just to the east of Mt. Greylock, the highest peak in Massachusetts. I sit about 49 miles east of the transmitters broadcasting the Albany, NY networks as I live in that DMA. I have done a lot of research into my problem and decided to replace my Radio Shack with a new antenna. I narrowed it down to a Channel Master 3671 or a Winegard HD8200U. I decided to go with the Winegard and ordered it from Amazon because it was supposed to be UPS shippable and there's no place around here to get one. I was suprised at how long the box was at seven feet and it arrived with all but one staple removed and the antenna suffered a bit of cosmetic damage in transit including a few slightly bent elements that I was able to straighten without much trouble. All of the parts were there however and it wasn't much trouble to assemble. It was a bit bigger than I expected, about three feet longer than the Radio Shack it replaced at a total of about 14 feet assembled, but it is reasonably light. So I got it installed and aimed and checked my TVs. Well to my surprise my signal strength on digital Channel 12 and digital Channel 7 went from one to two bars up to a solid ten bars (out of ten) on both channels! I was quite amazed and wish I had replaced this antenna long ago. Channels 6 and 10 ANALOG now also come in crystal clear and I'm even getting channel 2 analog out of Utica, NY (about 30 miles west of Albany, NY) sound and snowy picture. Simply an amazing antenna and I recommend it highly to anyone on the fringe. I should be set now for the analog shutoff when some other channels move back to VHF. Very satisfied with this antenna! Amazon as always beat everyone else on price and satisfaction. Delivery was a bit shaky, but that was UPS's fault, not Amazon
Jeremy A. Ellis @ April 4,2009 Fantastic!
If you are on the fence about buying this antenna (the Winegard HD8200U), get it! It is worth the money. I bought it for my parents and my parents and I couldn't be happier with it.
Here is the back story: My parents live in Ashland, WI and get their TV signals from Duluth, MN. They live about 55 miles from Duluth, as the crow flies (I believe). Even though they didn't have to switch until June (2009), most Duluth stations switched to digital-only broadcasts in February (2009). Ever since then, my parents have gotten no TV signal - well, they get one analog station weakly... So, I got them a digital converter box - no luck - no signal at all. They also recently bought a Sony HD TV with its own digital converter built in. Still no signal. I bought a HD-compatible amplifier and mounted it on their antenna mast - the analog station came in better, but no digital signal.
So, I ordered the Winegard HD8200U after reading reviews and doing some research. I also bought the Winegard AP-8275 Chromstar 2000 Series Pre Amplifier at the same time because I guess I wanted to buy the amplifier that was "made" to go with this antenna.
The antenna comes in a very long box and that might be a little hard to deal with. My dad and I assembled it on the ground outside their house today and this thing is *quite large*. The pictures in the instructions are very small and could be a little more clear. Also, my dad had to run into town and pick up some replacement bolts and nuts, since we somehow lost several of them - not sure they were ever in the box. We put it on a 10-foot mast, ran the cord in through the window of the house and tested it. Even on the ground - without being on top of the house - this thing gets amazing reception. We got every channel available and they come in very clearly.
Then we got it up onto the roof and screwed it in and tied it down. I don't think it is going anywhere... Reception on the analog channels is a little better than on the ground - and the digital channels (including two 720p and one 1080i programs) come in very clearly with no breakup or reception problems at all.
My parent's land is surrounded by trees but should have a pretty straight shot towards Duluth.
Anyway, I don't mean to make this review too long or corny. But I have been working on this project for months and it was amazing what a difference there was between their old antenna and the Winegard antenna - no signal vs. perfect signal.
I wish I would have bought it sooner, though I guess I wouldn't want to have been up on the roof in super cold weather.
I am now confident that this antenna is worth the money and lives up to what they promise.
Hope that helps.
- Jeremy
Here is the back story: My parents live in Ashland, WI and get their TV signals from Duluth, MN. They live about 55 miles from Duluth, as the crow flies (I believe). Even though they didn't have to switch until June (2009), most Duluth stations switched to digital-only broadcasts in February (2009). Ever since then, my parents have gotten no TV signal - well, they get one analog station weakly... So, I got them a digital converter box - no luck - no signal at all. They also recently bought a Sony HD TV with its own digital converter built in. Still no signal. I bought a HD-compatible amplifier and mounted it on their antenna mast - the analog station came in better, but no digital signal.
So, I ordered the Winegard HD8200U after reading reviews and doing some research. I also bought the Winegard AP-8275 Chromstar 2000 Series Pre Amplifier at the same time because I guess I wanted to buy the amplifier that was "made" to go with this antenna.
The antenna comes in a very long box and that might be a little hard to deal with. My dad and I assembled it on the ground outside their house today and this thing is *quite large*. The pictures in the instructions are very small and could be a little more clear. Also, my dad had to run into town and pick up some replacement bolts and nuts, since we somehow lost several of them - not sure they were ever in the box. We put it on a 10-foot mast, ran the cord in through the window of the house and tested it. Even on the ground - without being on top of the house - this thing gets amazing reception. We got every channel available and they come in very clearly.
Then we got it up onto the roof and screwed it in and tied it down. I don't think it is going anywhere... Reception on the analog channels is a little better than on the ground - and the digital channels (including two 720p and one 1080i programs) come in very clearly with no breakup or reception problems at all.
My parent's land is surrounded by trees but should have a pretty straight shot towards Duluth.
Anyway, I don't mean to make this review too long or corny. But I have been working on this project for months and it was amazing what a difference there was between their old antenna and the Winegard antenna - no signal vs. perfect signal.
I wish I would have bought it sooner, though I guess I wouldn't want to have been up on the roof in super cold weather.
I am now confident that this antenna is worth the money and lives up to what they promise.
Hope that helps.
- Jeremy
Bruce Van Buskirk "B @ January 19,2009 Outstanding Reception
We bought this antenna for my in-laws who live about 55 miles from the signal source. We coupled this with an Winegard Ap-8275 Chromstar pre-amp. It is roof mounted.
We eyballed the angle towards the signal source, split it three ways, hooked it into the converter boxes, and fired up the TV's. We were able to pick up 12 stations (we got 4 before), and even caught two stations 80 miles away and 90 degrees from where we pointed the antenna. This antenna is awesome.
We eyballed the angle towards the signal source, split it three ways, hooked it into the converter boxes, and fired up the TV's. We were able to pick up 12 stations (we got 4 before), and even caught two stations 80 miles away and 90 degrees from where we pointed the antenna. This antenna is awesome.
Paul E. Ely @ September 13,2009 Rather Disappointed
This unit was purchased to replace a 20+ year old antenna that was somewhat corroded and had several bent or missing elements. The old antenna was pulling in all of the local Baltimore stations well, but reception of Washington DC area channels (particularly UHF) was spotty at best. After reading the overwhelmingly positive reviews here and elsewhere, I had high hopes that the HD-8200U would improve my reception substantially.
As others have noted, the instructions do leave a bit to be desired. With careful review and some common sense, though, assembly is not too difficult. In general, the antenna appears to be well constructed. I did encounter one manufacturing issue, however, when attempting to join the front and rear sections. A bolt hole that had been punched in the tube had not been done so cleanly. The result was a large "burr" on the inside of the tube that needed to be broken off and filed down before the parts could be put together.
After completing assembly and mounting the unit in the same orientation as the previous antenna, I hurried into the house - anxious to check out signal strengths and rescan for any additional channels. I was surprised to find that I had in fact lost several stations. The receiver was no longer detecting DC channels 4, 5, 20, and 66 at all. I spent considerable time adjusting the antenna rotor, but to no avail. Signal strengths for all of the local stations (both UHF and VHF) are quite good but about the same as with the old antenna.
I am not running a preamplifier, but I really expected this unit to perform at least as well as my previous weather-worn, beat up antenna without one. This has been a waste of both time and money for me.
As others have noted, the instructions do leave a bit to be desired. With careful review and some common sense, though, assembly is not too difficult. In general, the antenna appears to be well constructed. I did encounter one manufacturing issue, however, when attempting to join the front and rear sections. A bolt hole that had been punched in the tube had not been done so cleanly. The result was a large "burr" on the inside of the tube that needed to be broken off and filed down before the parts could be put together.
After completing assembly and mounting the unit in the same orientation as the previous antenna, I hurried into the house - anxious to check out signal strengths and rescan for any additional channels. I was surprised to find that I had in fact lost several stations. The receiver was no longer detecting DC channels 4, 5, 20, and 66 at all. I spent considerable time adjusting the antenna rotor, but to no avail. Signal strengths for all of the local stations (both UHF and VHF) are quite good but about the same as with the old antenna.
I am not running a preamplifier, but I really expected this unit to perform at least as well as my previous weather-worn, beat up antenna without one. This has been a waste of both time and money for me.
V. Morgante "Vince M @ July 6,2009 Attic Mounting of Great Antenna - Worth the price and trouble
We lost half of our eight local stations in June, 2009 when the switch happened to Digital Broadcast only. So, we knew our TERK indoor antenna (OK for 20 years) was not adequate. Did research on indoor ones and purchased four only to return them because of no improvement or worse. Did much more research and decided on trying an outdoor bigger one in the attic before going the most difficult route - roof mounting. Chose the Hd8200 because of the rave reviews.
The very long (11') box arrived and we realized this was turning into a huge project to assemble and install in the attic above our living room where the 25yr. old TV is - Toshiba - works great.
We carefully carried the five pieces to the attic and began assembly. All the parts arrived safely. This antenna is so huge - 15' by 11' - that ground assembly was clearly impossible. The directions could have been clearer! But, there's only five pieces and opening up the many rods went quickly enough in the hot and cramped attic. Hung it with nylon rope from the roof rafters. Got the best cable (RG6) and put the 50' down the inside of the wall into the basement and up through the living room floor.
It's quite directional. We rotated it 30 degrees to get the maximum reception. Because of the enormous size, rotation space is limited. But that's OK, it turned out.
To our amazement, we now get an unbelievable 47 stations - up from eight, all brilliantly clear on a 25 yr. old TV. We also purchased the Winegard AP 8700 preamp which did not seem to make any difference. We now receive San Jose, (50 mi. away), and Cotati, (45 mi. away).
So, roof mounting is not necessary and the 8200 is definitely worth the $$ and effort. Glad we did the research and got good speedy free delivery service from Amazon.
The very long (11') box arrived and we realized this was turning into a huge project to assemble and install in the attic above our living room where the 25yr. old TV is - Toshiba - works great.
We carefully carried the five pieces to the attic and began assembly. All the parts arrived safely. This antenna is so huge - 15' by 11' - that ground assembly was clearly impossible. The directions could have been clearer! But, there's only five pieces and opening up the many rods went quickly enough in the hot and cramped attic. Hung it with nylon rope from the roof rafters. Got the best cable (RG6) and put the 50' down the inside of the wall into the basement and up through the living room floor.
It's quite directional. We rotated it 30 degrees to get the maximum reception. Because of the enormous size, rotation space is limited. But that's OK, it turned out.
To our amazement, we now get an unbelievable 47 stations - up from eight, all brilliantly clear on a 25 yr. old TV. We also purchased the Winegard AP 8700 preamp which did not seem to make any difference. We now receive San Jose, (50 mi. away), and Cotati, (45 mi. away).
So, roof mounting is not necessary and the 8200 is definitely worth the $$ and effort. Glad we did the research and got good speedy free delivery service from Amazon.
R. McClure "Couch Po @ January 28,2009 Excellent Antenna
I temporarily installed the Antenna outside on a 8 Foot Pole until the snow melts when I will then install on a 20 foot pole. I live approx 35 miles east of Cleveland. I had trouble picking up Cleveland stations with my much smaller antenna, but even at 8 feet the channels come in perfectly. I am going to add a channelmaster rotator. With added heighth and the rotator I suspect I will be able to pull in more channels. Some days I can even pickup Toledo stations not clearly but passable. This antenna is very large (I beleive its about 12' long)and the instuctions could be clearer but if you take your time you won't screw it up. Be sure you use RG6 cable for less signal loss and you will probably have to assemble it outside or in a garage due to its length. I also found when hooking up and activating the Digital convertor box analog channels come in even a tiny bit better. I am very satisfied with this antenna...
G. Bowman @ September 9,2009 Gregg - Crystal Lake Il
I had to install this HD 8200U in my attic, what a pain. This is a very large antenna to assemble in a hot attic, and barely had enough room. Fortunately, my house is lined up with the transmitters in Chicago, which are about 45 miles away, so it runs along the length of the house. I bought the AP 8275, and I am sending it back. It was causing signal problems, could be defective. Parts of this antenna are fragile, I broke one of the arrow shaped rods where the rivet is, but sort of fixed it with wire and electrical tape. The instructions are not very good, but I did manage to figure things out. This antenna is very directional, so you will have to work on getting it pointed correctly for the best signal strength. There are 2 wires that have to be fed through small holes, but I managed to accomplish this. The box was taped well, but only had 2 staples in it. So that is the bad or things you need to know.
The picture quality I am getting is fantastic. So without an amplifier, and in my attic, I get the DTV versions of 2,4,5,7,9,11,17,18,20,23,24,26,32,38,44,48,& 50. A couple of these are from Milwaukee and one is from Rockford. Most of these have 3 or 4 channels each, for example, WTTW has 11.1, 11.2, 11.3, & 11.4. I might invest in a non-directional UHF antenna, to try and pick up some more Wisconsin channels. Prior to this I have had Comcast, Dish, and Direct TV. All had problems, now I am saving $70 a month or $840 a year after about a $200 investment. A lot of the cable programming was garbage for my kids anyway, so no great loss from my perspective. With a little effort, you can install this and get FREE HDTV. God Bless America! I would recommend this antenna to my neighbors.
The picture quality I am getting is fantastic. So without an amplifier, and in my attic, I get the DTV versions of 2,4,5,7,9,11,17,18,20,23,24,26,32,38,44,48,& 50. A couple of these are from Milwaukee and one is from Rockford. Most of these have 3 or 4 channels each, for example, WTTW has 11.1, 11.2, 11.3, & 11.4. I might invest in a non-directional UHF antenna, to try and pick up some more Wisconsin channels. Prior to this I have had Comcast, Dish, and Direct TV. All had problems, now I am saving $70 a month or $840 a year after about a $200 investment. A lot of the cable programming was garbage for my kids anyway, so no great loss from my perspective. With a little effort, you can install this and get FREE HDTV. God Bless America! I would recommend this antenna to my neighbors.
Mark A. Miller @ January 30,2009 Getting ready for digital television
I purchased this antenna to get ready for the analog to digital transistion as my existing antenna was VHF only and was about 15 years old. The Winegard was easily assembled despite somewhat confusing instructions and appears quite well made. The improvement in my reception was noticible but not earth shattering as I hoped it might be but I am picking up all of the channels that are expected by the various reception guide sites to be available to me and more so I am pleased. I am using it with a Winegard preamplifier as well.
Susie "Sue" @ September 26,2008 Great Antenna
We have had this antenna up for about a month. We are in a very rural area and are almost out of the blue fringe area. This antenna brought in analog channels better than we had ever had. With the converter box we get 10 digital channels as clear as our friends get cable. The only problem was trying to figure out how to assemble it. It was very simple after we decided that the brace bar went on top.
J. L. Kunkel @ April 24,2009 Amazing
I used this antenna with the Chromstar 2000 amplifier. I live near Everett, Wa and receive(digital and analog) channels from Vancouver, BC (over 100 miles away). The channels are crystal clear when the antenna is pointed north, but still come in when I point the antenna south. A word of warning, this antenna is huge. Take a look at the dimensions, before deciding where to mount it.
David Wisniewski @ June 11,2009 Winegard HD8200U Antenna
This was a purchase for our vacation home in the north woods Wisconsin. We had an indoor amplified antenna previously and got 6 fuzzy analog channels and only 3 digital channels with the converter box. After I installed the Winegard , We now get 11 Digital Channels ( with no Amplifier ). Would highly recommend this product.
EK1 "Keith" @ April 3,2009 HD antenna
The winegard site said if you only want to buy 1 antenna then this is it. I fully agree. Assembly is fairly easy and the reception is fantastic. All my HD channels are great and i am picking up stations from 70-90 miles away. I believe Louisville is about 100+ and get 1 of their stations as well. not as clear but viewable. Highly recommend this antenna.
R. Beckert @ September 10,2009 Winegard HD8200U 40+ miles south of Cleveland OH
I Installed a Winegard GS-2200 antenna I had purchased a year ago for another location and tried to use it at the present location but could not receive almost half of the available Cleveland digital channels. Ordered the HD8200U from Amazon with FREE Super Saver Shipping on Labor Day 2009 and received it two days later. The package was open on one end but since all the bolts and nuts are already attached to the antenna sections there were no loose small parts to go missing. The cartridge housing cover with its circuit board is shipped in the box in its own packaging but it was wedged among the antenna sections and was intact.
I had to assemble the antenna in a cramped attic because it would have been too big to get up there and mounted. This made it much more difficult to assemble than if assembly takes place outside and standing the antenna vertically to unfold the elements and assemble the sections. The instructions were adequate but attaching the UHF phasing lines was difficult because the antenna was horizontal and the opening to the cartridge housing was facing down. I used a hand mirror and found a clarification for "Proper Installation of phasing lines" in a PDF [...]which made that process simple.
The HD8200U receives all the available Cleveland channels and I can recommend this antenna for at least the 40+ miles that I needed.
TIP: Download the manual [...]and familiarize yourself with the assembly and installation while you are waiting for your antenna to ship.
I had to assemble the antenna in a cramped attic because it would have been too big to get up there and mounted. This made it much more difficult to assemble than if assembly takes place outside and standing the antenna vertically to unfold the elements and assemble the sections. The instructions were adequate but attaching the UHF phasing lines was difficult because the antenna was horizontal and the opening to the cartridge housing was facing down. I used a hand mirror and found a clarification for "Proper Installation of phasing lines" in a PDF [...]which made that process simple.
The HD8200U receives all the available Cleveland channels and I can recommend this antenna for at least the 40+ miles that I needed.
TIP: Download the manual [...]and familiarize yourself with the assembly and installation while you are waiting for your antenna to ship.
D. Frett @ April 21,2009 I can finally receive channel 2.1 digital
I've been using the same rooftop antenna for nearly 40 years. Yes, I liked it so much that each time I moved I took it with me. But the dawn of the digital age and the distance to the transmitters revealed significant weaknesses in the old antenna.
I considered the Channel Master CM-3671, but found the reviews of construction quality not encouraging. So, I went with the Winegard HD8200. With the exception of one flaw, the antenna appears to be very well built.
I ordered from [...] and it arrived extremely fast and assembled quite easily. The only reason I gave the antenna 4 stars rather than 5 is due to one manufacturing flaw. A rivet at the end of one of the longest elements was not properly installed at the factory. Since I didn't notice this problem until I had fully assembled, and nearly completely installed it onto the roof of my home, I elected to repair it myself. A 15 minute repair was much more time-saving than a complete removal, disassembly, reboxing and a return for a replacement antenna.
The antenna's performance is exactly what I hoped for. I can now receive the low numbered digital channels from, Chicago, at my home in Hampshire, approximately 45 miles away. I am not using any amplifier at the antenna, and only a 10dB amplifier ahead of an 8-way splitter. If you are in a deep fringe reception area where digital broadcasts are going to be carried on low numbered VHF channels, you'll want this antenna. It works!
I considered the Channel Master CM-3671, but found the reviews of construction quality not encouraging. So, I went with the Winegard HD8200. With the exception of one flaw, the antenna appears to be very well built.
I ordered from [...] and it arrived extremely fast and assembled quite easily. The only reason I gave the antenna 4 stars rather than 5 is due to one manufacturing flaw. A rivet at the end of one of the longest elements was not properly installed at the factory. Since I didn't notice this problem until I had fully assembled, and nearly completely installed it onto the roof of my home, I elected to repair it myself. A 15 minute repair was much more time-saving than a complete removal, disassembly, reboxing and a return for a replacement antenna.
The antenna's performance is exactly what I hoped for. I can now receive the low numbered digital channels from, Chicago, at my home in Hampshire, approximately 45 miles away. I am not using any amplifier at the antenna, and only a 10dB amplifier ahead of an 8-way splitter. If you are in a deep fringe reception area where digital broadcasts are going to be carried on low numbered VHF channels, you'll want this antenna. It works!
Mr. Lobotomy @ February 18,2009 Works Great
Works great
I'm using this with the Samsung DB260F Hdtv tuner feeding an lcd monitor. This picks up two stations from 45 miles out that I was missing with a homemade bowtie antenna. Inside the attic mounted, no amp. Tuned stations went from 15 to 23.
I'm using this with the Samsung DB260F Hdtv tuner feeding an lcd monitor. This picks up two stations from 45 miles out that I was missing with a homemade bowtie antenna. Inside the attic mounted, no amp. Tuned stations went from 15 to 23.
Elliot Richman "Muss @ November 21,2009 Thank you Winegard!
Metro NYC-Northern NJ, about 25 miles from midtown, antenna located in large attic: Adamantly anticable, antisatellite. Am I the last OTA out there? Anyway, I bought this antenna after being forced to re-antenna my house secondary to the government's enforced digital revolution. Wasn't too please to have to do this, needed to wire the house for 75-ohm cabling to two TVs on opposite ends of the house as well as replace an ancient (possibly Winegard) antenna that had been ridiculously wired and that was never completely satisfactory even in the analog era. TV reception in my home was never anything to brag about, pretty annoying but not a high priority. The digital changeover forced my hand. I have a Sharp Aquos HDTV with tuner and for about 6 months, since the changeover, was using the little indoor Winegard SS-3000 antenna. It picked up digital 2, 4, and 5 plus some useless UHFs I didn't care about, but it was erratic, lost pixels or picture when anyone walked near it. Etc. So I knew I had to do something.
I finally settled on the HD8200 because it is GINORMOUS (14-foot boom and 9-foot span!) and I figured if it didn't pull every station I ever wanted there was no hope for me. I hired a contractor/home-handyman to actually set it up and then do the wiring of the house, which involved dropping cable through ceilings, drilling walls, etc. So I didn't do any of the work myself. Antenna came from Amazon in Winegard box in decent shape in about 2 days from time of order. Took contractor about 2 hours to set up antenna (including stabilize my existing wobbly mast from prior antenna), then most of rest of day to do the cabling. So set-up was not a problem. No pieces apparently missing or damaged.
Bottom line: This antenna is SPECTACULAR! It pulls in, in all of their multiple digital forms, 2, 4, 5, 7, 9, 11, and 13, plus more UHFs than I ever saw or heard of before. (Remember, for about 6 months, while I was using the little indoor Winegard SS-3000, Channels 7, 9, 11, and 13 just didn't exist any more for me.)The Winegard expert with whom I had had an e-mail conversation (another plus for Winegard, since they didn't break off conversation after the first reply the way some other on-line vendors do when their sales pitches don't elicit an immediate buy response) said this antenna was probably more than I need but since reception was always poor at my location I went for it. I am completely happy and have no regrets. I recommend this antenna without reservation.
Interesting sidelight: I ordered a distribution amplifier with the antenna to make sure the signal that made it through the roof and that was split to two TVs and driven along 50 or more feet of coax was still strong. The amplifier apparently didn't work (no light went on at least) so I took it out of the circuit and just tried the antenna without amplification. Worked as described above. No amplification necessary. (For neophytes with digital TVs: After you connect the antenna make sure you make the TV do a complete channel scan. It has to look for new stations, you can't just expect it to recognize the signal with the new antenna. It has to re-scan and acquire all available signals afresh.)
So don't hesitate to get this antenna if you want great reception and have a large enough attic! I am ecstatic!
I finally settled on the HD8200 because it is GINORMOUS (14-foot boom and 9-foot span!) and I figured if it didn't pull every station I ever wanted there was no hope for me. I hired a contractor/home-handyman to actually set it up and then do the wiring of the house, which involved dropping cable through ceilings, drilling walls, etc. So I didn't do any of the work myself. Antenna came from Amazon in Winegard box in decent shape in about 2 days from time of order. Took contractor about 2 hours to set up antenna (including stabilize my existing wobbly mast from prior antenna), then most of rest of day to do the cabling. So set-up was not a problem. No pieces apparently missing or damaged.
Bottom line: This antenna is SPECTACULAR! It pulls in, in all of their multiple digital forms, 2, 4, 5, 7, 9, 11, and 13, plus more UHFs than I ever saw or heard of before. (Remember, for about 6 months, while I was using the little indoor Winegard SS-3000, Channels 7, 9, 11, and 13 just didn't exist any more for me.)The Winegard expert with whom I had had an e-mail conversation (another plus for Winegard, since they didn't break off conversation after the first reply the way some other on-line vendors do when their sales pitches don't elicit an immediate buy response) said this antenna was probably more than I need but since reception was always poor at my location I went for it. I am completely happy and have no regrets. I recommend this antenna without reservation.
Interesting sidelight: I ordered a distribution amplifier with the antenna to make sure the signal that made it through the roof and that was split to two TVs and driven along 50 or more feet of coax was still strong. The amplifier apparently didn't work (no light went on at least) so I took it out of the circuit and just tried the antenna without amplification. Worked as described above. No amplification necessary. (For neophytes with digital TVs: After you connect the antenna make sure you make the TV do a complete channel scan. It has to look for new stations, you can't just expect it to recognize the signal with the new antenna. It has to re-scan and acquire all available signals afresh.)
So don't hesitate to get this antenna if you want great reception and have a large enough attic! I am ecstatic!
Robert Kulp @ October 11,2009 GREAT Reception!
For years we had an RCA VHF/UHF antenna mounted to our chimney, but it came down Easter weekend of 2009 from a tornado. Since several of the Nashville stations had already began broadcasting digitally, we were really enjoying digital TV. For a replacement I decided to try a DB8 from Antennas Direct, but it failed to live up to its reviews (don't get me started). It was only UHF and upper VHF and none of the stations were all that strong.
Well... it's a new day and a new antenna. Got the HD8200U from Amazon and it really sucks! That's a good thing! It sucks in every broadcast station in middle Tennessee. It's pulling in over 10 different stations, most of which are broadcasting with subchannels. I now have 23 different channels/sub-channels to choose.
Part of what makes this antenna work so well is its size. This is a BIG antenna. It's 14' long and over 9' at the widest. But, it was amazingly easy to assemble and install. It is very light weight and well balanced. I installed it myself - took about hour to assemble it and then another hour or so to get it installed. Do not even think about installing it with anything stronger than a breeze. It accepts a 2" pole, but I just used a 1-1/4" top pole from a chain-link fence. Worked great. Oh, this is without any amplifier and it's split to three TVs. Most stations are pegged around 98% signal strength with a couple around 85%
Now that I've gushed over how great it is, let me say a few things that really ticked me off. They're minor, but very annoying. 1) Ordered the antenna and one of the vanes was installed backwards at the factory. It was riveted on so I couldn't correct it. Because of this, it wouldn't lock in to place. Returned it to Amazon and had them ship another. 2) Second antenna was OK, but there were some nuts and bolts missing. Had to make a trip to Home Depot to get what was missing.
At any rate, I'm very pleased with the reception and how easily the installation went. Except for the two problems, it's about as perfect as can be. While this isn't a cheap antenna, it's a whole lot cheaper than paying for cable or satalite each month!
Well... it's a new day and a new antenna. Got the HD8200U from Amazon and it really sucks! That's a good thing! It sucks in every broadcast station in middle Tennessee. It's pulling in over 10 different stations, most of which are broadcasting with subchannels. I now have 23 different channels/sub-channels to choose.
Part of what makes this antenna work so well is its size. This is a BIG antenna. It's 14' long and over 9' at the widest. But, it was amazingly easy to assemble and install. It is very light weight and well balanced. I installed it myself - took about hour to assemble it and then another hour or so to get it installed. Do not even think about installing it with anything stronger than a breeze. It accepts a 2" pole, but I just used a 1-1/4" top pole from a chain-link fence. Worked great. Oh, this is without any amplifier and it's split to three TVs. Most stations are pegged around 98% signal strength with a couple around 85%
Now that I've gushed over how great it is, let me say a few things that really ticked me off. They're minor, but very annoying. 1) Ordered the antenna and one of the vanes was installed backwards at the factory. It was riveted on so I couldn't correct it. Because of this, it wouldn't lock in to place. Returned it to Amazon and had them ship another. 2) Second antenna was OK, but there were some nuts and bolts missing. Had to make a trip to Home Depot to get what was missing.
At any rate, I'm very pleased with the reception and how easily the installation went. Except for the two problems, it's about as perfect as can be. While this isn't a cheap antenna, it's a whole lot cheaper than paying for cable or satalite each month!
Tim Bernot @ June 10,2010 Great googley moogley!
This unit helps pull in a very nice signal. My only concern is the size. It is HUGE. I don't think people can really fathom how large it is until you have is assembled and sort of in your hands. I would highly recommend installing some guide wires. It has not seen high winds yet and I plan on adding some very quickly as I think winds will really buffet this thing.
Gerald W. Baynton Jr @ January 6,2010 Unbelievable Reception
I can't say enough about this antenna. Installation was a breeze, although I was surprised how large the antenna was once it was unfolded and assembled (huge). We live 45+ miles from St Louis, MO and[...] showed that we would have to go up 60 feet to get all the St Louis channels because we live in a valley. Of course, that was not an option for us. I took a chance on this antenna and after only 20 feet from the ground, not only did we get all of the channels in St Louis, but we also picked up two channels that are over 70 miles away. I attached it on pole to the side of our house so only a few feet are unsupported. I did install a pre-amp but I don't know how much it helped since I've not tried it without one. All channels are crystal clear and we have had no drop-outs or distortions so far. We had the antenna five month now with no problems. It's a little on the pricey side but well worth it. I would recommend this antenna to anyone requiring long distant reception.
Daniel C. Pearson @ September 29,2009 It's in the attic
I live 30 miles from Chicago.
Before purchasing this antenna I read all the reviews. Most of the concerns that people seemed to have had nothing to do with the antenna, but actually centered around the flimsy cardboard box it was shipped in. When our antenna arrived the box was loose at both ends and there were a few nuts rolling free in the box that could have very easily fallen out. But we lucked out and everything was there.
By the way - we utilized the super free shipping that Amazon offers. The antenna arrived a couple of days after we ordered it.
We put the antenna in the attic of our two story home. Our home is surrounded by larger houses and lots of very tall trees. We get all our normal channels, plus a few I never knew existed. I was concerned that, with such a powerful antenna, we might pick up too many channels and they would spill over on each other, but since this antenna is very directional, that has not happened.
I am very pleased with this antenna. It feels like I've purchased a lifetime of free reception for the mere cost of about three months of cable TV.
By the way, be careful when exiting your attic. My ladder slipped and I fell out of the attic. But don't worry! I'm okay....just pulled a muscle in my arm while trying to break the fall.
Before purchasing this antenna I read all the reviews. Most of the concerns that people seemed to have had nothing to do with the antenna, but actually centered around the flimsy cardboard box it was shipped in. When our antenna arrived the box was loose at both ends and there were a few nuts rolling free in the box that could have very easily fallen out. But we lucked out and everything was there.
By the way - we utilized the super free shipping that Amazon offers. The antenna arrived a couple of days after we ordered it.
We put the antenna in the attic of our two story home. Our home is surrounded by larger houses and lots of very tall trees. We get all our normal channels, plus a few I never knew existed. I was concerned that, with such a powerful antenna, we might pick up too many channels and they would spill over on each other, but since this antenna is very directional, that has not happened.
I am very pleased with this antenna. It feels like I've purchased a lifetime of free reception for the mere cost of about three months of cable TV.
By the way, be careful when exiting your attic. My ladder slipped and I fell out of the attic. But don't worry! I'm okay....just pulled a muscle in my arm while trying to break the fall.
Ed L. Berger "edbrgr @ February 21,2009 Ed Berger
Great product. Am 50-60 miles from the transmitting towers and am geting 95-100% signal. Comes in as good if not better than satellite did. Was relatively easy to assemble. Do have a Wineguard preamp installed. Am very happy with this product and would recommend highly recommend it. Was thinking of going cheaper but am very glad we didn't.
Wayne Dunbar @ May 21,2009 What a differance
We installed this antenna, clamped to chimney, on a five foot mast. Included in our install was a rotor and pre-amp. The channels received compared to our old antenna jumped from 3 to 47 broadcast digital channels. I would certainly buy this product again!
sdimgr @ July 10,2011 If you are Looking for a long range HD anjtenna for Los Angeles
I just installed this antenna and to say it is huge is an understatement but as they say size does matter in the HD channel game. I know there are many different antennas out there claiming all kinds of terrific reception and most likely they do work well under ideal circumstances. However if you live in Northwest Los Angeles county where hills, tall trees and other obstacles abound then this is the best antenna for your needs. The antenna is installed on the roof of a two story home on a 6 foot mast. I get every channel that there is where the antenna is on Mount Wilson. I purposely bought this antenna for it's VHF capabilities as I could not pick up channels 7,9,11 and 13 since they are broadcast on high band VHF. While it is time consuming to put this antenna together and install it, it is definately worthwhile. Thw instructions are terrible but if you have ever put together a winegard antenna you will figure it out. When I finished an had my HDTV do a channel scan, it picked up and memorized 74 channels. I live 41 miles from where the HD antenna towers are located as the crow flies with a hill about a half mile away in the direct path of the signals but no problem with this antenna. Due to its size you defibately will nee to install guy wires to your mast if your mast cannot be anchored to something really solid. You will not be disappointed with this antenna in my part of the world.
Sally F. Tuohy @ June 30,2011 Free TV works for me
The antenna is HUGE, maybe 8 feet long, and I do not think an individual could assemble it alone. Once the top and bottom reflectors were attached, it could not be set down anywhere. However, once we had it put together and installed, I am very happy with the reception.
At our location Antenna web indicated that we could not receive tv over the air, however, with this antenna we can get Atlanta stations approximately 60 miles away. We are able to receive channels 2, 5, 8, (an Athens station), 11, and 46.
I am very happy ... there is no cable company that serves our address, and I do not want to deal with satellite companies EVER again.
I also received basic installation guidelines from an outside source. Antenna web told me I would need a pre-amp .... dennysantennaservice.com showed me the configuration.
At our location Antenna web indicated that we could not receive tv over the air, however, with this antenna we can get Atlanta stations approximately 60 miles away. We are able to receive channels 2, 5, 8, (an Athens station), 11, and 46.
I am very happy ... there is no cable company that serves our address, and I do not want to deal with satellite companies EVER again.
I also received basic installation guidelines from an outside source. Antenna web told me I would need a pre-amp .... dennysantennaservice.com showed me the configuration.
Larry @ June 27,2011 Winegard HD8200U TV antenna
I live ~75 miles from the Nashville TV stations in hilly wooded Middle Tennessee country and have had a lot of trouble pulling them in even with an amplifier at the antenna. This antenna pulls them in great even without an amplifier and 100 ft of new RG6 cable on one HDTV (no splitters). Best TV antenna I've ever used. Didn't seem to be as difficult to put up as some say, though it is large and somewhat cumbersone--but big with high gain is what you paid for. Use a solid mount. Well worth the money. The antenna cable terminal is a DC short so an amplifier that couples the DC power via the coax and through the amplifier will not work (check your amp for DC on the input with a Voltmeter). As some amplifiers are DC coupled (as my series stackable 10 dB bullet amps are) I suspect this may be why a few users have had poor results. Instructions could be better and explain things like this. It's a great antenna if you do it right.
Baby Cakes @ June 17,2011 Winegard HD8200U Antenna Performs Great
Purchased both the antenna and preamp to provide an antenna for our HD TVs when the satelite dish craps out (rain storms, snow storms, and ice storms). Antenna system works great in foul weather. We can now check the TV weather reports for potential oncoming tornados.
graydog @ March 31,2011 Winegard HD8200
We are 30 miles north of Atlanta setting low by a lake and surrounded by tall trees. we are picking up all stations out of Atlanta with no problem.
I play with my kid's @ February 9,2011 Very strong and great reception
This antenna is very durable. I had a support cable break and the antenna and pole fell over. When I picked it back up, nothing was broken. I had to do some minor straightening to a few of the electrodes, but other than that it still looks brand new. When you put this up, make sure you use strong cables. As for the reception I can pick up stations over 100 miles away. I have this antenna paired with the Winegard AP-8275 Chromstar 2000 Series Pre Amplifier ,and it seems to work well.
tstreetkid @ October 8,2010 HD8200U Makes Digital TV
I live 60 miles from Mt. Wilson in the hills zip code 92651 with trees and and houses as clutter. Of the Los Angeles stations the FCC web site said I should receive with 40dBm or less (see their DTV map web site) there is only one I don't get (and it's a shopping channel anyway). I didn't need a preamp (my old antenna did!). All channels are 100% according to my Craig DTV converter. I mounted on the roof peak of a single story ranch, then used 10' pole from JK Electronics in Cypress CA. I used 50' of coax (most of it's coiled in the attic).
Who needs cable!
Who needs cable!
nickn @ October 6,2010 great money saver
The picture with the antenna provides a high def picture as good as we ever got from dish network. We are located about 50 miles from the closest station and 100 miles from the most distant one. The first day we were getting three public broadcasting stations the next day they were gone and haven't shown up again. At the present time we pick up all the networks and some of the specialty stations. It took two males about 2 hours for complete installation. I wouldn't try it with less than two people.
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