In this comprehensive antenna review, we will be looking at the Channel Master CM-4228HD antenna. This is an affordable, high performance antenna that will pull in crystal clear 1080p and 4K signals with ease.
By the end of this review, you will the specifications, installation, pros and cons, and our verdict for this product based on our test.
Without further ado, let us begin.
Specifications
| Reception Range | Up to 80 miles |
| Bandwidth | 174 to 216 and 470 to 700 MHz |
| VHF Gain | 5dB |
| UHF Gain | 12dB |
| Front to Back Ratio | 18dB |
| Return Loss | N/A |
| Impedance | 75 Ohm |
| Mounting Clamp | U bolt up to 2″ |
| Turning Radius | 2 ft. |
| Output Connector | F-type |
| Size (product) | 41 x 33 x 5 in |
| Weight (product) | 10 lbs |
| Wind Resistance | (at 100 mph, no ice) – 72 lbs |
What’s included in the box: in the package, you’ll get the antenna unit and a pair of U-bolts. Mast, amplifier, and coax cable are not included.
Assembly and Installation
The Channel Master CM-4228HD comes pre-assembled so the installation process is fairly straightforward.
You can easily install this antenna by following the user’s manual, but here is the summary of the steps required:
Step #1:
Start by folding out the two front sections of the antenna. Make sure to simultaneously fold out both the right and left sections so you don’t overly strain the phasing harness.
Make sure the front sections are straight and parallel to the reflector grid. Secure the wing nuts as shown in the image below.
Step #2:
Attach the included U-bolts to the antenna, as shown in the image below:
Step #3:
Mount antenna to the mast (mast not included).
Step #4:
Connect a coaxial cable (not included) to the antenna’s port. It’s recommended to secure the cable with a cable tie to the mast to protect the connector.
If you are using a pole, it’s recommended to attach the pole with guy wires if the pole is longer than 12 feet. Also, for outdoor installation, you should ground the antenna with a coaxial grounding block or lightning arrester.
Aiming The Antenna
The Channel Master CM-4228HD can potentially receive signals from TV stations that are separated 180 degrees apart from your location.
For ideal reception, you should carefully aim the antenna’s front towards the TV transmission towers. The front of the antenna is the side with X-shaped elements.
To aim the antenna, you should first find the location of the nearest TV transmission tower(s) in the area. You can use our TV station locator tool and a compass (or the compass app on your smartphone) to help with this process.
Optional but recommended, you can also use a level tool (there are also smartphone apps for this) to ensure the vertical portion of the J-mount is truly perpendicular to the ground to ensure optimal reception and stability.
If you are planning to pick up signals from two different towers (separated up to 180 degrees), try to aim the front of the antenna between the towers.
For best signal reception, consider:
- Install the antenna as high as possible (this is why outdoor installation on your roof is preferred). Make sure you have a clear path between the antenna and TV transmitters with as few obstructions as possible. Nearby buildings, trees, and other tall objects can impact the performance of your antenna.
- If you are installing the antenna indoor, provided you have enough space, place the antenna near a window on the side of the house facing the TV transmitter.
- Keep the antenna as far as possible from potential interferences, including air conditioners, hairdryers, microwave ovens, etc.
- In general, keep the antenna away from devices that can cause electrical interferences.
Signal Strength, Reception, and Frequencies
As discussed, the Channel Master CM-4228HD is a multi-directional antenna that can receive signals from a reception angle of 180 degrees, although you still need to point the antenna in the TV transmission tower’s direction.
The antenna has a reception of 12dB and can receive signals from up to 80 miles of range. It supports picture quality of up to full HD 1080p.
The antenna is optimized for UHF (radio frequency channels 14-69), but it can also get high VHF stations (radio frequency channels 7-15).
Channel Master CM-4228HD Pricing
The price point for the CM-4228HD is affordably placed at around $150 USD. Based on our tests and the quality of this antenna, it is a great value for the money.
For the latest pricing, see below:
Pros and Cons
Here are some main advantages of the Channel Master CM-4228HD antenna:
- Supports uncompressed 1080i and up to 1080p HDTV broadcasts, delivers superior video and audio quality
- Relatively compact size for an outdoor antenna
- Multi-directional can receive digital signals at an angle of 180 degrees
- Comes pre-assembled, easy to install
- Reliable, up to 80 miles reception range with high(~12 dB) antenna gain
- Optimized for UHF frequencies, but can still receive high VHF
- Sturdy and weatherproof
However, there are also some downsides that, although they are manageable, are worth considering:
- Not the cheapest outdoor antenna in its class. If you are looking for something on a budget, there are better picks
- No reception of low VHF frequencies (channels 2-6)
Our Verdict
The Channel Master CM-4228HD is a great outdoor antenna, although you can install it in your attic or even indoors.
It has a rather unique multi-directional design that, although you still need to aim the antenna to the location of the TV transmission tower, it can receive signals from two antennas that are separated at up to a 180-degree angle.
Has a signal reception range of up to 80 miles, and based on our test, it is pretty reliable. Comes pre-assembled and is also pretty easy to install, although it doesn’t come with a mast so you’ll need to purchase it separately.
A minor downside for us is that the antenna can’t receive low VHF signals (it can receive high VHF), as it is mainly designed as a UHF antenna. It is also not the cheapest option available, although it does offer a lot of value for its price.
We’d definitely recommend the Channel Master CM-4228HD if you are currently in the market for a multi-directional outdoor antenna.
For complete list of our Top 10 Best Outdoor HDTV antennas be sure to head over to our article after you’re done here.
Help and Support
You can download Channel Master’s official user’s manual here, but here are some answers to the frequently asked questions about the antenna:
Can I install the antenna outdoor myself?
Yes, you can definitely install this antenna yourself unless you are uncomfortable with heights. If you are planning to install this antenna outdoor, you’ll need to climb a ladder onto your roof in most cases.
However, the installation process is fairly simple and you shouldn’t have too many issues installing the antenna on your own.
Is the advertised 80-mile range long enough?
There are certainly antennas that offer a longer reception range, but with the multi-directional design, the Channel Master CM-4228HD is pretty reliable in receiving signals from the advertised 80-mile range.
In most rural areas, this should be enough, but it’s best to first use our TV station locator tool to check how far the nearest TV transmission tower is in your area
Do I need an indoor or outdoor antenna?
As a general rule of thumb, the higher the elevation of the antenna, the better. So, an outdoor antenna placed on your roof will always perform better than an indoor antenna.
Also, the larger an antenna’s surface is, the more signals it will receive, and as we know outdoor antennas are much bigger than their indoor counterparts.
However, not everyone can (legally) install a roof-top outdoor antenna, for example, if you live in an apartment.
The next most ideal alternative is to install an outdoor antenna in your attic, but if that’s still not possible, then today’s indoor antennas are pretty decent, and some actually are really high-quality, so they can be a nice alternative.
If you live just within a few miles of the TV transmitter (which is commonly the case if you live in a densely populated area), and the signal path is relatively unobstructed, then using an indoor antenna shouldn’t be an issue.
Does the antenna come with a preamplifier?
Unfortunately, this antenna doesn’t come with a preamplifier, so you might need to purchase a preamplifier separately if:
- Your coaxial cable is more than 50 feet in length
- You are going to use a splitter to split the signal into multiple TVs
We’d also recommend using a preamplifier is:
- You are more than 20 miles away from the nearest TV broadcast tower
- You are going to mount this antenna on the attic (your walls and roofs might act as possible signal obstacles)
Do I need to install a digital converter box with the antenna?
You will need to buy a digital converter box if your TV can’t receive digital signals on its own. Most if not all TVs built after 2007 can receive digital signals, so most likely you’ll only need a converter box if your TV is built before 2007.
Check your TV’s manual whether the TV is digital compatible.
Do I require a signal amplifier or router with the antenna?
The answer to this would depend on your location. If you are located too far away from the TV transmission tower (above 80 miles for this antenna) or if there are a lot of obstructions in your area, then you’ll need an amplifier.
However, remember that the amplifier also boosts noise, so might not want to use one unless it’s absolutely necessary.
Conclusion
We hope you found this article useful and informative. We’ve compiled a short list of some other great articles we think you’ll like.