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ON - Ottawa, Vanier, Gloucester, Orleans - OTA

589K views 2K replies 301 participants last post by  Whitewulf613 
#1 · (Edited by Moderator)
Getting started.
I live just north of the Racetrack/Casino, Quinn Rd

I have lived with rabbit ears for years and want to upgrade to an outside antenna system for 3 TVs picking up as much UHF and VHF signals as possible to start with. By living with cheap rabbit ears running two TVs for years, I know I will be very happy with the improvements I will have going to a proper outside Anenna system for analog and digital signals.

I have been reading posts for 2 days now to get myself started and I think I have information overload and there are so amny things to consider.

I have gone to TVFOOL to find out channels and locations.
I understand I probably do not want a long distance setup as most station are fairly close.
I am not sure of the antennas I need for my area/use.

Does anyone live near me that has been doing this for a while who can help me get started?

Cheers,
 
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#1,401 ·
Antenna

I just purchased a DB8, and it should be home waiting for me after work! I was really torn whether to get the DB8 or the 4228... I've read graphs showing that the 4228 has better reception on lower UHF signals than the DB8, and the majority of the channels around here are broadcasted are in it's "sweet" spot. I'm not sure if I can post embedded links on this site, but I saw some good graphs @ antennahacks dot com. (where they have a page comparing the two).

I think either antenna is a huge upgrade over my outdoor Kross "stealthtenna" clone (which works for someone 30km's from the towers).

I'll keep the forum informed on my quest for a PBS!

Good day all.
 
#1,402 ·
mcbiggest, keep us posted. Our TVFool is similar, and i've had troubles with off-the-back reception of some CF channels (CHOT/TVA, CFGS/TQS) from the 4228hd post-transition. So the DB8 may turn out to be a good choice, time will tell. I also have the cm7777 and it's been OK when pointed at WNPI. Actually at the moment it's even OK when pointed roughly between CF and HC where it will stay for the winter.
 
#1,403 ·
I have been a proponent of the HD-8800 for Ottawa, but have come to realize that any slight difference in performance of similar, quality antennas could easily be covered by variations within build tolerances. This is not the case for cheap knock-offs where the build tolerances aren't as tight and will have even larger variations on top of the poorer initial design.

Do you plan on adding a VHF antenna?
 
#1,404 ·
CF interference

Wow, so the DB8 may be able to get PBS more easily because it's not as sensitive to the CF Signals coming from behind... interesting.

Realistically I'd have to wait for spring to have a setup worthy of my antenna. Without roof mounting I fear that there are too many obstructions. My mast is on my deck and goes up about 15 feet, but alas, the neighbour roofline is much higher. The good note is that my house has the highest peak... perfect for a mount (when it's safe of course).

Yeah, I'll put a simple VHF... for blasted Global :s
 
#1,406 ·
No, the problem I had was weak reception of CHOT and CFGS because the 4228hd does not get a very good signal when receiving off the back of the antenna from the north. It has a big Front to back ratio, it is very directional and has good gain but from the backside if the signal is weaker it can be problematic depending on the angle it's coming in.
 
#1,407 ·
mcbiggest, what you can do while you are testing on your deck is to aim where there are holes between houses, and to give the antenna a slighty tilt upwards. I had a similar test setup on the backyard (see my profile pics) where I was surrounded by houses. The PBS channel I was getting best was the one in the direction where the surrounding houses were the farthest, giving refraction the best chance to reach my antenna.
 
#1,408 ·
Thanks for the advice flavoie! I'm fairly fortunate that the opening between houses happens to be in the rough direction of HC... unfortunately my neighbours house just encroaches on my ability to recieve 18, so I have to wait until I have a roof mount setup. I can pick up all the local channels now without constant adjustments... safe Global.

I still haven't recieved my CM 7777 (on back order until Jan 30th at the Source), but I don't think it'll help get PBS given the current obstructions. It will help with the VHF however, since it will allow me to combine a VHF antenna (and finally get Global... you'd think they'd have learned from the American transition, different topic I know)!

I'll post some pics soon, I wish I had today to work outside... seems warmer than the last few.
 
#1,414 ·
mcbiggest, rather than using a radio antenna, spend the $3 and get a pair of rabbit ears from The Source. Not weatherproof, but at that price you can replace it every few years (or make your own out of aluminum tubing).
 
#1,415 ·
CM4220HD or Antennas Direct DB2e?

I have three "problem" stations: CITY on RF17 and CHCH on RF22 and Global on RF6. City TV comes in most of the time, Global about a third of the time but CHCH only rarely makes an appearance. Unfortunately, I am very limited in terms of antennae I can use since I live in an apartment and can only mount an antenna indoors.

My goal: to improve reception of CITY and CHCH.

I currently have a CM4220HD, mounted in a window, with a CM7778. Would an Antennas Direct DB2e with a CM7778 make much of a difference? I notice that peak gain with the DB2e is >600 MHz but CITY and CHCH transmit at 488 MHz and 518 MHz, respectively.

Any thoughts/suggestions?
 
#1,416 ·
I'm not an expert, but my reseach suggests that a the CM4220 is a good antenna, and very comparable to the DB2, so don't waste your money (My opinion).
It seems like you're having a hard time picking up the Herberts Corner transmitter (located South of the city, between metcalfe and kars. Try shifting the antenna, while performing various scans. Can you put the 4220 on the balcony (If you have one that is... many people do it :s).

The CM4220 is a UHF antenna, and performs poorly in VHF low. For Global reception, you will need a VHF antenna (I had the same problem). Fortunately you don't need to spend much... just get bunny ears (used cheapies should do), extend the dipoles, and plug it in to your VHF input on the CM 7778.
 
#1,417 ·
Despite great marketing claims, The DB2e only has a 0.6dB improvement over the DB2 according to their own specs. Since I would suspect the DB2 will perform similarly to the CM-4220HD, I would doubt if the DB2e will make that much of a difference.
 
#1,418 ·
Update...

I just received my CM7777 for my antenna setup.
My goal is to get a PBS channel from N.Y. in Orleans.
I raised my backyard mast to about 18 feet, from 15, and intalled the preamp to my A.D. DB8. No positive results; the signals for 23 and 38 are far too poor for any reception, fluctuating only mildly.

My backyard setup has an almost perfect line of sight to Herberts Corner, with a slight obstruction from the east, provided by my neighbours house. that house stands in the line of sight for both attainable PBS channels.

I will have to wait until spring afterall in order to continue my quest. Roof mount is next. It was worth a shot!
 
#1,421 ·
Yes Flavoie,

The local channels have a stronger signal, and so does PBS (marginally), but the antenna seems a bit more "finnicky" for some reason. I have to be more precise with how I aim the antenna in order to get my two Omni channels (which want to flake out on me)... before the antenna seemed slightly more forgiving. Does that make sense?? I'm trying to figure out why. That being said, I only had one week of experience with the current antenna without the amp.

Hi Bouval,

The antenna mast is mounted on my former satellite jmount on my deck, and that's where its going to stay until I climb my almost vertical (exaggeration) roof pitch... A 5 degree angle effects the reception on my other channels (Omni 1, or 2, but never together...possibly due to reflecting signals off my neighbours house)
I'm just lucky that I have a reasonable line of sight to Herberts Corner!
 
#1,422 ·
mcbiggest, Remember that pre-amps can only compensate for loss between the antenna and the tuner. They can't improve a marginal or non-existent signal at the antenna.
 
#1,423 ·
Hey guys,

Here is my TV Fool stats: http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wrapper&Itemid=29&q=id=0b860280cc19b3

I live in an apartment building on the 15th floor and have a direct line of sight to the tower in Herberts Corner. Camp Fortune has a direct line of sight to my building as well, however there are a couple walls of concrete between my antenna and the tower.

For the last two years I've been using a Terk Silver Sensor clone. Real world testing results in me being able to pick almost every channel (except Global which I get about 20% signal strength for), depending on the direction I'm facing the antenna. With it pointing straight at Herberts Corner, I can get Most channels except Global and CBC english and french come in fairly broken.

I want to upgrade my antenna, and have spent hours going over DIY antennas and commercial ones. I'm looking at either using a GH or a bow-tie (4 or 8 bay) antenna next. I also have an entire wall that faces in the direction of camp fortune, and is about 40 degrees off from facing Herberts. I've been toying with the idea of building a massive wall-spanning antenna, however research has told me that the law of diminishing returns kicks in beyond the 8 bay bow-tie design. I'm curious if a bow-tie antenna with double it's usual dimensions would result in better reception.

On a side note, my buddy lives in an adjacent apartment from me, and our balconies face each other. If only the owners would let us, I'd love to put up a massive balcony to balcony wire antenna and see just how much I could pick up. (Maybe I'd get reception from Voyager II). Sigh, one can dream.

Ideally, I'd like to improve my reception of Global and CBC. I'd also like to try and get PBS. Anything beyond that seems unlikely from what I've read about our area.

Do any of you have any suggestions as to what antenna might work?

Cheers,
 
#1,424 ·
In the Glebe

This is my first post; I have virtually no background knowledge of this field (other than reading here). I’m located in the Glebe on the 3rd floor of a 4-storey walk-up apartment building. With a very basic passive ears-and-loop combo antenna positioned in a southeast-facing window I am receiving most of the local station digital signals quite reliably – with the exception of Global 6, Radio-Canada 9 and Quatre-Saisons 34.
I ran a TV Fool analysis with this result:
http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wrapper&Itemid=29&q=id=0b86e5f4ee1d4e
(Strangely, CJOH/CTV-1 at 13-1 not included on the list?)
I’m not really bilingual, so Radio-Canada and Quatre-Saisons aren’t missed, but I wouldn’t mind getting the elusive Global.
Any suggestions would be appreciated.
One further question: in my livingroom on an interior wall, at the same level as electrical outlets, there is a non-standard plug receptacle labeled “Aerial” across the top and “Ground” across the bottom with two slots – a feature that obviously dates from the original construction of the building in 1939. Behind the plate two wires in conduit emerge from below, and another two from above – one from each direction attached by screws at poles on either side of the round receptacle. No antenna projects from the roof of the building. Might this be some sort of antenna built into the structure? And could it possibly be put to use, perhaps to capture those VHF signals I’m missing? Just a thought… any feedback, again, appreciated.
 
#1,425 ·
What gear to I require?

Hello,

I strongly considering going to OTA TV. I'm a TechNoob (I still have a flip phone) and I would like to know what I need to switch to OTA TV.

Here is my TV Fool report...
http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wrapper&Itemid=29&q=id=0b867b3d9b7a0a

I would like to install the antenna in the attic, and have the cable from that go to the bedroom behind and then use the existing TV cables to transmit the signal to the entire house, if it is possible to have more than one TV on one antenna.

What type of antenna should I use?
Do I need a converter box?
Do I need a booster box?
Do I need 2 antennas? One for UHF and one for VHF?

Thanks.
 
#1,426 ·
az896, On your TVFool report, you need to click on "Pending* applications included: Only Digital" to see all the local broadcasts (ignore the CRC-DT-x listings along with CKXT-DT).

Global is going to be tough to receive if you are facing south-east, as channel 6 isn't very easy to receive indoors.

As for that strange outlet, does it look something like this?


My guess is is was for an AM radio antenna.
 
#1,427 ·
Hey Everyone!

Checking in from Mechanicsville/Hintonburg just bought a Terk HDTVA from Amazon.

As far as I can tell from TV fool, it's not even pointing in the right direction but I am pulling in:

4-1 CBC
6-1 Global
9-1 SRC
11-1 CHCH
13-1 CTV
14-1 OMNI2
24-1 TVO
30-1 TQ
34-1 V
40-1 TVA
42-1 CTS
43-1 CTV Two
60-1 OMNI1
65-1 City

Which I think is all of the channels that I could possibly hope to pull in with it. Is that right?

I am beyond satisfied. I cancelled my cable yesterday and can't wait to save $80/month. Woohoo!
 
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