Our Xtreme Signal HDB8X antenna is back in stock and ready to ship today! Demand has never been higher for this antenna, and it’s easy to see why. It combines great reception with the flexibility to aim at two different locations at once. There are a lot of folks who live between two different cities and this antenna makes it easy to get reception from both. But along with the excitement comes a lot of new questions. This includes ones I really hadn’t thought about people asking. Even after 11 years of managing this blog, I still find great stuff to write about! For example, one of our customers asks,
Can I point the entire antenna in the same direction? Does that give me twice the reception? Are there any problems with that?
Easy answer: yes you can
If you want to get the best possible signal from one direction, you can point both sides of the antennas in the same direction. Just because that hinge is there doesn’t mean you have to point the two sides in different directions.
If you point the entire antenna in one direction, you’ll see an increase of about 3dB of signal compared to pointing the antenna in two different directions. That may not seem like a lot but remember you’re getting twice the unamplified, raw signal. Amplifiers can make up for a lot but they can’t make up for a signal that isn’t there, or is so low that it can’t be amplified effectively.
Won’t this cause a problem?
If you read enough articles about antennas (including the ones on this blog), you’ll find that there are people who say that if two antennas are pointed in the same direction, you’ll get problems. The signals can cancel each other out, or create weird interference patterns.
The HDB8X antenna is designed so that it can function as one single unit. It avoids the problems by making sure that the feed lines from each side are exactly the same length. That way, the signals from both sides of the antenna arrive at your TV at the same time. There aren’t any phasing problems.
Is this the right antenna for you?
The HDB8X antenna is the right antenna for you if you live out in the suburbs. It’s designed for areas without homeowners’ associations or for HOAs that allow larger antennas. It’s best for people who have most of their channels in the UHF range, which is practically everyone at this point. While this antenna will pick up VHF signals, it really shines in UHF reception.
If you’re not sure if this is the right antenna, why not get an expert opinion? The folks at Solid Signal are here to help! We have trained antenna technicians on staff. When you call, they’ll ask you questions about your location. The more information you can give, the better. Of course we respect your privacy and will only ask questions that help us understand the area you live in. With all that information in hand, they’ll be able to recommend the best antenna for you. It may be the HDB8X, or it may be one of the hundreds of other antennas you’ll find when you shop at Solid Signal.
Don’t guess… find out for sure! It’s a free call to 888-233-7563. There’s no obligation to buy, we just want to help. Call us during East Coast business hours, or fill out the form below any time and we’ll get back to you at a time that you tell us to.
