ClearStream 5 Hi-VHF Outdoor TV Antenna, Multi-Directional, 65+ Mile Range, 4K 8K UHD, NEXTGEN TV – w/All-Weather Adjustable Hardware

For years I had been considering canceling cable TV and getting an outdoor antenna like in the good old days. Then one day, I was pushed over the edge by various issues I had with the cable company plus it was getting too pricey for me. So that is why I turned in my cable box and started using indoor antennas for my HDTV. For 18 months, I had been using two indoor antennas because I wasn't sure yet if the expense of a mast mounted outdoor antenna was needed. Depending on conditions, one would work better than the other one due to reception problems on some of the channels. It was a hassle, though, to switch out antennas as conditions warranted. Then I found the Antennas Direct products and reviews on Amazon and ordered the CLEARSTREAM5. I decided on this model because experience suggested that the VHF stations where giving me the most problems (PBS 9.1 and ABC 12.1) with my small indoor antennas. I also thought that it would be fine to install it inside the attic as other reviewers have done. After I got the CLEARSTREAM5, I put it in various locations around the living room to test reception. Signal levels were good, even on the floor. I decided that it would not have to go outside or in the attic. I had it installed in the garage which is next to the living room. (See my pics here on Amazon). The antenna is attached to the optional 75 Cm J-mount mast. The garage ceiling also needed a reinforcement 2 x 4 board that was put in the attic to bolt on the Cm J-mount mast. A 14' coax cable was sent through garage wall to the living room wall next to the TV. A very simple but elegant solution. Now the network VHF/UHF channels come in steady with no more reception problems. I also can receive low power stations (religious and shopping). Those are fuzzy but I don't watch them and unprogrammed them from the HDTV tuner. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: This antenna is directional and the front should be aimed towards broadcast towers. However, I found out that stations to the rear of the antenna come in just as good (ION 26.1 and MYTV 35.1). Spanish station (UNIVISION 17.1) is an anomaly because it comes in good even though the broadcast tower is 22 miles away and almost at the side position of my antenna and not even close to the front or back position. All station towers that are programmed into my tuner are 18 to 29 miles from my location. Some free cable TV content is available with Internet streaming. To get those programs, I use a PlayStation 3 and a notebook computer connected to the HDTV.

I should preface my review by stating I live relatively near the VHF towers in question, and I did not compare performance without the Clearstream5. What I can say, however, is that reception on the VHF stations is outstanding, the build of the product is solid, and installation was really not an issue (I ordered the J mount to accompany the Clearstream5). My installation is in the attic above the garage, and I don't have shingles (mine are some kind of plastic made to look like slate). Because of the single location of towers, I did not need to buy a rotation motor. So conditions are pretty ideal. That all being said, I am a full convert to the over the air stations, and for those who are thinking of doing so and have done the legwork on antennaweb-dot-org, I would highly recommend this product. But there are a lot of ins and outs -- from making sure your TV is set up to handle these kinds of signals, how comfortable you feel cutting and splicing coax (and if you have the tools to do so...I had to buy a set -- the Palladin 4910, which I would give TEN stars if I could), and the available stations, etc -- so cutting the cable or dish or whatever you use does take a bit of prep. But again, this antenna has served well, is light and easy to handle, and works as advertised.

I live about 30 miles from the broadcast towers, in the yellow zone according to [...] and so I should expect to get good reception. I wanted a small VHF antenna which I could mount in my attic and so decided to get the C5 with the intention that I would combine it with a UHF antenna I already had. When I got it I found that I could get very good UHF reception just with the antenna loop (without assembling the reflector and so no VHF) right next to my TV downstairs. This was very encouraging. I then assembled the complete antenna and this process for a real pain. Some reviewers have said that the holes in the supporting rods are too small for the screws provided. That is not the case. The holes are not threaded at all and they expect you to create the threads when you put in the screws. I guess this is a cost-saving measure and it may not be possible to create threads in the fiberglass material and putting in a threaded metal insert may add a few bucks to the cost. You have to drive the screws in very hard while holding a slippery rod. After several minutes of doing this, I found it becomes easier if you go back and forth with your screwdriver instead of just trying to drive the screw in. The other downside is that once you complete assembly, taking the thing apart is really not an option. Once I had it assembled, I put it in my attic and after aiming it got very good VHF and UHF reception. Also, it became more sensitive to direction in the UHF band after assembly than it was before. But now I get both VHF and UHF channels with a single compact antenna and am very happy that I don't have a huge contraption in my attic which I also use for storage. I do use a distribution amplifier in my attic because I know that I have 8dB loss in the cable and the splitters along the way to my outlets. The only reason for the 4 stars and not 5 stars is the problem with the assembly. The antenna also comes with an VHF-UHF combiner but not having to use it keep the signal quality higher. Summary: Very good VHF and UHF reception in an attic at least in the yellow zone, reasonably priced, small size but a real pain to assemble.

This is a replacement for my original C5 antenna which was damaged.

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