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Winegard HD6055P antenna?

L

Lawppy

I am a DX'er in Coldwater, MI. It's a great DX location as it is remote and centrally located from any big 50kw stations. Only two are within a 25 mile radius of here. The rest of the locals are class A's or translators.

Since around 2004, i've been using the Radio Shack FM-6 antenna for my DX'ing. First from 18 feet and then last Spring I inherited a 32 foot tower from a family friend. My results have been pretty remarkable for a $25 antenna system. The fringe reception is great. I can hear 200+ mile Tr on any given day. My only gripe about the FM-6 is the poor directional pattern. It's not unusual to get even the weak class A's off the back of the antenna. The best way to null signals is to aim to the side, so roughly 90 degrees from the tower heading. Because of this, only a handful of frequencies are truly wide open. If you're on an open frequency with nothing in the opposite direction, you're in good shape.

Enter this new antenna. My brother brought the Winegard HD6055P to my attention. It's only slightly larger than the FM-6 and it is an 8-element rig. The station plots look amazing, however the specifications say that it is only capable 40-50 mile reception (the FM-6 claims 80 miles, which is a very good claim).

My question is.. Is anyone familiar with this antenna? Whether you own one or know someone who does. Would you recommend it or suggest something else. Space is a major issue for me as I live in the city with neighbors closeby. I've accepted the fact that i'll never own a massive 13 element rig while still living in the city. I really don't want an antenna that hangs 10 feet past my property line. Would this be a good upgrade for a serious, but space-restricted DX'er?
 
I have used the Chromstar CH-6065 with good success. It's an older model, long gone from the catalog. I only replaced it a couple of years ago with a 13-element Antennacraft because I am trying to pull in a weak university classical station so I can relay it on my Part 15 AM. The Antennacraft is a very large antenna, however.

I would say that if you're satisfied with the antenna patterns, the antennas will probably not disappoint you. I have found that Winegard is one of the top brands and that their stuff usually performs the way they say it will. I've always liked their TV antennas.

By the way, I drove to Coldwater to buy my Siamese cat from a lady that lives over by the McDonalds. I have a special fondness for that town as a result.
 
That's crazy how similar the two posts were!

Space is a major issue in my area, so I think the HD6055P would be the largest I could go without hovering over the neighbors yard.

Like I said in the earlier thread, my main issue with the FM-6 is the rejection off the back. Nothing is more annoying than hearing a 30 mile distant translator station off the back of the antenna when trying for something distant.

As long as you have an open frequency (with nothing in the opposite direction) the FM-6 does not disappoint. I can regularly get Columbus, Indianapolis, Bloomington, Chicago and Traverse City stations, but only on a handful of open frequencies. During tropo conditions, I can get translators and LPFM's from distances I never thought were possible. If the HD6055P performs that well, with better rejection, I would be in great shape.
 
I'm not typically a threadbumper, but here goes..

I kept my interest in the Winegard 6055P antenna and got one for Christmas. It's been sitting in my house all winter and will probably be installed in the next couple of weeks!

I tested it inside the house and have a few observations.
-As expected, reception inside the house being held at 7 feet was not that great!
-Despite the poor reception, I noticed very strong semi-local WVPE (88.1) Elkhart, IN getting stepped on, and eventually taken over by, WLGH from Lansing! This is something that doesn't even happen with the current FM-6 antenna at 32 feet!

What kind of reception can I expect once I get this bad boy installed on my tower? Is the directional ability as strong as advertised? The thing I dislike the most about the FM-6 is the poor nulling capabilities. I have stations coming in off the back in directions where the dial should be clear!
 
That really huge front/back gain/rejection ratio in yagi antennas can only be acheived with more elements and length.

If disappointed, it's not all that hard to extend the back end of the antenna and add more reflector elements.

Doubt that you will be dissappointed.

I have whatever was the biggest WInegard FM-only from about 1984.

It barely fits , sitting on a rotor on the floor of the attic. It will do a full 360 in the attic.

Not much to listen for with iboc filling all the secondary channels these days in Chicago
 
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