CBUT-DT continues to blast in at between 90 and 95% on my test tuner here in North Delta on 58.1 (2.1) as per usual. :)

Digital transmitter applications for the Vancouver area were supposed to be in by August 31. Seeing, as there hasn't been anything posted by the CRTC on several stations, I contacted the CRTC, asking if digital transmitter applications for CBUT, CBUFT, and CIVI had been received (I didn't ask about CHEK, which is not required to file until December 31). Here's the response:

The applications for these 3 stations have been received by the CRTC and they are under review and consultation... CBUFT requires special review due to its channel placement.

...Notices of Consultation should be issued soon.

Also, today the CRTC posted decisions approving digital transmitters for CKVU (1 for Vancouver and 1 for Victoria) and CHNM (Victoria, which will flash cut on channel 29 from analog to digital prior to the transition deadline)
See: http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=111403 Posts #112 & 113

CBUT-DT continues to blast in at between 90 and 95% on my test tuner here in North Delta on 58.1 (2.1) as per usual. :)
Hmm... well, I still can't get CBC. Everything else comes in as per usual. I may try a completely different location roof-top, as just trying to move it around in its current position is not resulting in finding any "Sweet spot" for CBC. When I scan, it does not even seem to know that CBC is there. Even on low power stations, the channel at least gets registered during the scan.

My parents live in Willoughby, in the shadow of a hill that blocks most of Mt. Seymour's UHF LOS (and has trees nearby to further degrade the signal), so while they can't receive the DTV stations I was able to manually add the channel, and the TV was able to pull in the signal name and remapped channel despite reporting the signal as too weak to do anything in. Try adding the channel manually and see what happens.

Try adding the channel manually and see what happens.

Thanks for the idea. No luck still.

Hopefully I can get this resolved before the weekend. Want to watch the Canucks / Leafs game.

As you can see I'm in B'ham. I'm using a CM4228hd (roof mounted with 5' mast) with CM7777 pre-amp and rotor. 2.1s sweet spot is much further West than the other Vancouver stations for some reason and has about the lowest signal strength 62-70.

Marking true N 360 degrees at 18 degrees E here are my readings, perhaps this will help.

2.1 = 304
8.1 = 338
10.1 = 324
32.1 = 328
42.1 = 324

Post your approximate location or tvfool report, you've piqued my curiosity (if you don't mind, of course). As I recall Brookswood mostly has a good LOS to Seymour, barring trees, and if you're able to pull in the other stations I really don't see why CBUT shouldn't work. Also, maybe a trip to the dollar store's in order for some kind of reflector material - something like an oven rack, with the wires running horizontally, mounted (ungrounded) 3-4" behind the antenna - this might help either cut out a bad reflection or strengthen the signal.

2.1s sweet spot is much further West than the other Vancouver stations for some reason and has about the lowest signal strength 62-70.

Your theory seems to hold.

CBC has always been my second weakest signal after 42.1 but never as low as this. I don't have a reflector so (don't tell my wife) I stole a cookie sheet and placed it about 4 inches behind the elements. I rescanned, and CBUT locked. It was only coming in at 10-20% and pixelizing, though. But since I had it locked, I did a slow rotation each direction while my daughter called out the changes to me. I found one spot that gave 30 to 40% signal - enough to ensure that the pixelization subsided. I removed the cookie sheet and the signal maintained 20-30% - just enough for a consistent picture most of the time.

So the new orientation angle of my antenna is about 25 degrees less that what it was - seems consistent with your findings.

The other signals from Mount Seymour took only a minimal hit, so I have them all again.

The weird part is that I always got CBC 50-60% before this week. Something changed, just not sure what. I will need to change my antenna set up sometime soon anyway. I want to ultimately get the Victoria stations as well and then will require a higher mount. Hopefully I will be able to strengthen my CBC reception at that time as well.

Thanks all for the feedback. If anyone else has any idea as to why CBC would suddenly drop in my area, I would appreciate the insight.

New construction in the area can cause changes, as can trees losing their leaves or exceptional weather situations. Based on my limited knowledge that's all I've got for now, other than that I like your priorities!

Post your approximate location or tvfool report, you've piqued my curiosity (if you don't mind, of course). As I recall Brookswood mostly has a good LOS to Seymour, barring trees, and if you're able to pull in the other stations I really don't see why CBUT shouldn't work.

Here is my TVFOOL: http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wrapper&Itemid=29&q=id%3d81a3e060e5d4a7

You are correct, there is LOS to Seymour although I have some trees to contend with, but not enough to kill signal. I get CTV at 90-100% consistently, and Global at 80-90%. I know CBC is on a higher frequency (58) and will come down to 43 (I think) within the year so that should help. Even so, it still does not account for the sudden loss of signal.

WHOOPS! posted the wrong TVFOOL results. I have now put the correct link in place, above.

New construction in the area can cause changes, as can trees losing their leaves or exceptional weather situations. Based on my limited knowledge that's all I've got for now, other than that I like your priorities!
The cookie sheet was dried and back in the cupboard moment before my wife decided she wanted to bake. It is now in the oven baking shortbread. Heh!

Is it possible that I'm picking up 2.1 from a site other than Mt. Seymour. That change is approximately 2 months...prior to that all the Vancouver signals were within 10 degrees. And the signal use to be 67-73, no longer. And it doesn't make any sense for the signal to drop because there may be fewer leaves on the trees!!!! Any ideas?

keithr386, aluminum foil over cardboard will be fine for testing, and you won't get in trouble. :)

Is it possible that I'm picking up 2.1 from a site other than Mt. SeymourNope, just the one CBC DTV transmitter on 58.1 (remaps as 2.1).

I think what fringe to deepest fringe area folks are seeing is typical autumn changes. On one hand, there are less and less leaves on the trees so that should be helpful, but on the other hand the amount of moisture in the air is much, much higher than in the summer. Water molecules are killers of OTA signals.

Stampeder...thanks for that explanation...increased moisture / decreased signal.

Curious...would the same hold true for a satellite signal (DISH). In one instance I've noticed a signal of 28 during the daytime with clear to partly cloudy conditions, while at night with similar weather conditions the signal drops to 21.

I don't really like to discuss satellite in the OTA Forum but in this case the moisture issue is also true but really only when the target bird is at a sharp angle, low on the horizon through the atmosphere and not typically if the bird is fairly overhead. With OTA signals they are affected worse because they travel horizontally through the moist air and progressively scatter with each mile/km in the fringe to deepest fringe range.

Is it me or has CTV screwed up DST in its PSIP data? The program guide has been off by an hour since the switchover on both my TV and MythTV box. Has made recording show a bit problematic.

The time seems to be correct on CIVT-DT... not sure what the problem might be. Anyone else seeing an incorrect time on that station?

If your problem is the same as what I was experiencing in Calgary, the time should be OK but the program listings are shifted by an hour.

Yes, the time is correct but the listing are one hour early. News starting at 10pm, Daily Show starting at 11pm, that sor of thing.