Antennas Direct ClearStream2 antennas are now available at Best Buy. As previously covered in
RF Report, Antennas Direct offers a range of innovative UHF antennas and more conventional VHF TV antennas. Previously they were available only at
AntennasDirect.com. Antennas Direct is also working with NAB on a new indoor antenna design.
"Never before has such a powerful antenna been compact enough to be retail friendly," said Richard Schneider, president and founder of Antennas Direct. "By offering our ClearStream antennas in Best Buy, we will broaden our availability outside of the home theater community and into the realm of mainstream viewers where reliable antennas are most needed. We have invested three years and significant capital in the development of the ClearStream geometries. Demand for our ClearStream line of antennas has been overwhelming, a validation of its high gain, reliability and consistent performance."
I used a ClearStream2 antenna in field-testing in Philadelphia last month and was pleased with its UHF performance. It's smaller and more rugged than four-bay bow-tie antennas I've used in the past. There was no sign of damage after being pulled in and out of the back of the van at more that a dozen measurement locations. Consumers need to know, however, that this is a UHF antenna with poor VHF performance. While it may be satisfactory for VHF reception in strong signal areas, I would not expect it to work well in moderate to weak VHF DTV signal areas.