9032 vs. 8800

[C-L]

Hi, first post. Hope this and not the technical forum is the proper one for this question.

To keep it short, what are your thoughts on the 9032 vs the 8800 for long-range reception, especially on the lower UHF channels? In the past I have experimented with a Channel Master 4228 (the old one), CM 4248 yagi, and Antennas Direct XG43, and your PR-8800 beat all of them. But my 8800 has been pretty much destroyed after many years of handling and falls, and needs to be replaced.

I know you list the 9032 as having higher gain, but several computer models put the 8800 significantly higher at the lower end of the UHF band, where I'm particularly interested. Plus, I was quite disappointed with the very large Channel Master yagi I tried. I have read some speculation that this is due to the larger capture area of the 8-bay as opposed to the yagi at longer distances. (Multipath and front to back ratio is not a consideration where I am.)

Any ideas on this? Do your engineers think the 9032 might be better than the 8800 in this case?

Anyone else with any thoughts?

Thanks.

[winegard]

Good morning C-L,

Here is the response from technical services...

The choice of antennas is going to be up to the customer depending on his requirements. The HD-9032 has to precisely pointed at the stations because of its narrow beam width. The HD-8800 is more forgiving and will not loose the stations as easily in the wind as the HD-9032. The main concern is to get the antenna installed high enough and with as a clear of view toward stations as possible. Gain wise there HD-9032 will receive approximately 25% more signal than the HD-8800. So if you are in a windy area the HD-8800 would the better of the two antennas for you.