Antennacraft MXU59 UHF Antenna

[PopcornNMore]

I took advantage of our 30 degree sunny day today and installed the Antennacraft MXU59 UHF antenna that I received for Christmas. Not only does it receive local Pittsburgh channels, but also channels from Johnstown, PA and Youngstown, Ohio that are approx 55 miles away.

 

[Mr Tony]

very nice

 

[Don_M]

The MXU59 tends to get overlooked in a world full of XG-91s, HD-8800s, 4228s and HD-9032s, yet just about everyone who's posted their experiences with this antenna raves about it. Thanks, Pop! :up

IMHO, AntennaCraft seems to be the Rodney Dangerfield of makers – it doesn't get no respect. While its products definitely aren't Blonder Tongue tough (at a fraction of the cost), can anybody say they're not at least as good as, if not better than, Chinese-made Channel Masters with a straight face?

 

[Larobpra]

IMHO, AntennaCraft seems to be the Rodney Dangerfield of makers – it doesn't get no respect. While its products definitely aren't Blonder Tongue tough (at a fraction of the cost), can anybody say they're not at least as good as, if not better than, Chinese-made Channel Masters with a straight face?

Agreed! My AntennaCraft 10G202 Pre-Amp made a world of difference to my OTA reception!

 

[PopcornNMore]

Update: JAN 08 2010

Earlier this week I won an auction for an Antennacraft 10G201 preamplifier brand new on EBay for under $15 including shipping. Great deal considering this preamplifier sells for $48 at Solid Signal plus shipping.

Today I went to Radio Shack and purchased an Antennacraft 10' mast in order to raise the height of the Antennacraft MXU59 UHF antenna.

I also took signal strength comparisons of our local Pittsburgh channels using the Antennacraft MXU59 UHF antenna vs the TerkTV32 UHF antenna in their current location as pictured below. I was surprised to see how well the TerkTV32 performed.

Channel - MXU59 - TV32
-------------------------
2.1 KDKA 97 92
4.1 WTAE 37 65
4.2 THIS 37 62
4.3 WTAE 72 57
4.4 THIS 72 60
11.1 WPXI 92 87
11.2 RTV 92 87
13.1 WQED 77 72
13.2 CREATE 77 72
13.3 WQED 77 72
16.1 WQEX 90 85
19.1 WPCW 90 87
22.1 WPMY 97 97
22.2 TheCoolTV 97 97
40.1 WPCB 57 57
40.2 BDC 57 57
53.1 WPGH 97 97
53.2 Country 97 97
59.1 WBGN 33 40
59.2 HSN 32 40
59.3 INFO 32 40
59.4 NBC Universal 32 40

 

[PopcornNMore]

Tomorrow's Project

My project tomorrow (if it doesn't snow again) is to do the following:

1) Install the Antennacraft MXU59 UHF antenna onto the 10' mount in the corner of the deck 3' off deck floor (13' high) where the TerkTV32 UHF antenna is currently located. This will raise the antenna 4' from it's current height of 9'.

2) Install the TerkTV32 UHF antenna onto the current 39" J mount where the Antennacraft MXU59 UHF antenna is currently located.

3) Properly ground both antennas using #8 wire from masts to grounding rod as well as install a dual grounding block for the coax.

Because the TerkTV32 UHF antenna receives our local Pittsburgh channels very well it will be used to receive the Pittsburgh channels. The Antennacraft MXU59 UHF antenna will be adjusted to receive either Youngstown, Ohio or Johnstown, PA channels.

Eventually, I will install a preamplifier onto both antennas and combine them creating a solid state antenna setup receiving channels from two different locations.

 

[PopcornNMore]

Update: JAN 09 2010

Because it was still snowing today and we had a high of only 24 degrees, I simply replaced the mast of the Antennacraft MXU59 UHF antenna that raised it another 4' and aimid it towards Johnstown, PA. The signal from Johnstown went from fair to good with a signal strength of 72.

Due to the cold weather I didn't ground the dish, but will as soon as it gets warmer and the snow melts.

Attached are some nite pictures I took of the antennas.

 

[PopcornNMore]

Daytime Shots

Daytime pictures attached: