Ref Post # 1759, 1760

Not sure this is really the case. I've checked to see if my reception of WVNY-DT improved with the resent CFCF-TV shutdowns over night, and no change on my end. No picture lock at all. And I can tell you that I do sometimes pick up WVNY-DT. Even when CFCF-TV is on the air.

We have been having some crazy weather in the Montreal area. Especially with the major rain storms on Friday. I think that may have helped in WNVY-DT coming in when CFCF-TV shutdown over night.

And as an example of the weather patterns effecting reception. CBOT-DT has been coming in most nights this past week. My Antenna is not pointed towards Ottawa. It's pointing towards Vermont.

I got a lock on WNVY 22-1 and 22-2 last night for the first time ever, I notice that only when the Mont-Royal transmitter was down for upgrades, but the signal was gone this morning. Will try again tonight when it is down again for maintenance. So maybe CTV 12 is really the reason that we can't catch ABC 22 ?
EdT, this is an exciting observation. Please watch over the next couple of weeks while Mont Royal transmitters are off to confirm your findings (and exclude potential other explanations such as tropo) and let us know.

Just FYI. I live in the west island of montreal and I had a VHF/UHF combo antenna that would never lock on abc 22. I built a dbgh with narods tuned to VHF 13 and bingo I got a lock. It wasn't perfect but at least I started to see something. I then added a channelmaster preamp and now abc 22 is consistently at 70%.


So to make a long story short. You need a good antenna for abc 22 otherwise you'll always gave issues.

dorthensensens,

Reception of ABC is tricky in the western part of Montreal (in the east it's close to impossible). We are trying to better understand the sources of the problem of imperfect reception. This is why the temporary shutdowns of CFCF (among others) provide a great opportunity to determine the impact of ch12 adjacent-channel-interference on WVNY.

At my location, with a DBGH/NARODs I pick up WVNY at a very consistent 90% signal strength, but there are still occasional pixelations and sound interruptions. This points to interference, either from
- CFCF (ch12 adjacent-channel) or
- CKTM (ch13 co-channel) or
- FM second harmonics from Montreal's blow torch radio stations

I think the following is clear evidence that reception of WVNY will greatly improve once CFCF reduces ERP to a fraction of today's 325 kW.

I took two snapshots:

The first one last night when CFCF was off: WVNY at 100% signal strength, no CRC, continuity or TEI errors within my 2 min test window. Bit-perfect image, no pixelation, no cut-off sound.
http://img231.imageshack.us/img231/47/wvny201007170020s.jpg

The second this pm, with CFCF on the air: WVNY at 95% signal strength, and quite a few continuity and TEI errors within my 2 min test, resulting in some (minor) pixelation and cut-off sound.
http://img101.imageshack.us/img101/5308/wvny201007171613s.jpg

I have been keeping an eye on WVNY since last summer. While reception obviously has varied within a certain range, last night's perfect result is a novelty at my location.

That pretty much tells the story....very good investigating...
What is the program you're using and how can I get it?

What is the program you're using and how can I get it?

Looks like the program is called TSReader and is available from here:

http://www.tsreader.com/tsreader/index.html

Nick

TSReader is a very valuable tool for debugging PSIP data problems and other reception glitches, as you can read about in here:

Signal Analyzers, Meters, Testers for OTA (http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=96705)

Good News for the viewers in Montreal. Many Tv Stations here are upgrading their transmitters... Ctv,Globe tv.... log on their website and check the notices, their all mentioned on the date to finished their work, which is the end of Aug. It's the signal to show that, They will broadcast in ATSC here.

kk77xm: The interruptions for TV stations on Mount Royal are mostly for upgrades to the antenna system. They may/may not indicate imminent readiness of stations there to broadcast in digital.
It's pretty much certain CBC and Radio-Canada are in fact upgrading their Mount Royal transmitter now or soon. We've heard already that CTV and TVA won't go digital until August 2011. We also know Télé-Québec and V don't want to go back to Mount Royal. As for Global, CJNT and CFTU … who knows? I've not seen CRTC applications from them yet.

Is there anyone having difficulties will the overall Montreal area. Its very weird because this afternoon a videotron guy was working on the poll in front of my house for 2 to 3 hours. Since then I am having weak signals. I didnt have this issue this morning...:confused: Especially CFJP 35.1

Thanks

The technical director at CFTU (Canal Savoir) has informed me the station is planning to start DTV broadcasts after the 2010 Christmas/New Year's holiday season. At the latest, the station will come online in August 2011 — in time for the transition deadline.
He also said there would be no change in the station's coverage area, so we can extrapolate that their broadcasts will continue to originate from the dome at the University of Montreal.

marty34, I knew it. Videotron is installing antennas to block our OTA because they want us to sign back up with them ;) Kidding...that would be against the law if they were jamming free hd signals.

Yes, CBC went down to 0-1 bars out of 10 as of last night...something in the sky I'm guessing. U.S. stations unaffected.

According to the Industry Canada database (via http://www.user.dccnet.com/jonleblanc/Canada_TV_Stations/QC.html) CFCF 12 and CFTM 10 have a temporary authorization to use lower power.
• CFCF is authorized for 128.5 kW @ 296.8 metres HAAT.
• CFTM is authorized for 123.6 kW @ 296.8 metres HAAT.
Might this have something to do with CFCF and CFTM using a common VHF-high antenna after the Mount Royal tower retrofit is complete?

Hi, does anyone know when montrealers should be expecting over-the-air cbc in hd? i know they are working on the antenna on mont-royal...what about ctv and global and the other french channels? thx

Hi, does anyone know when montrealers should be expecting over-the-air cbc in hd?[...]what about ctv and global and the other french channels? thx

CBC is "supposed" to be already there. However you might be in the same situation as I am: I'm at west of Mont-Royal and the antenna is hidden by the Mont-Royal. Same thing for RC. I read they should move on top of the Mont-Royal, which should fix your problem, somewhere in the Automn. V shouldn't move (check French forum). TQ also shouldn't move AFAIK (but I can be wrong). I can get them now.

CTV, Global and TVA should wait until the last minute (August 31st 2011).

jf

The Mont Royal works continue. A huge crane has been set up next to the broadcast tower.

http://img33.imageshack.us/img33/7315/montroyalworks.jpg

nice pic

this might explain weak reception of channel 12 here this week

this might explain weak reception of channel 12 here this week
Unlikely. The crane is located west of the tower, and completely retracted during day time. I don't know if it has been used yet and extended to full height. I assume this would happen at night only, and then transmitters are mostly shut off anyways.

downbeat has mentioned that CFCF (ch 12) and CFTM (ch 10) have permits to temporarily reduce power (to combine their signals into a single antenna?) in preparation for the DTV transition. Do you also notice a weaker CFTM signal?