Watch the weak channels and if its ok then you migh tbe able to pas son the rotor.

The Toshiba tune is very good too, I forgot what is your cable length that you current using?

Electrocutioner,

My new Toshiba dlp also...

Are you splitting the signal at all?? That is, do you have a pre-existing tv hooked up to the antenna that requires (I'm assuming NTSC) analogue feeds?

I ask this since you also mentioned in another post:
I am also getting 8 analogue channels at different strengths.
Hopefully I will have the rotor soon and will improve these signals as well.
Did you mean you are hoping to improve the analogues as well? If this is the case then depending on your cable run length, a distribution amp might be a future consideration. The distribution amp might help with NBC. Regardless, considering that it is winter and you live in a single story home, I would try and hold off until the leaves return before making an investment in a pre-amp or distribution amp (if signal is split). Your reception might be different in the summer.

BTW, you might notice fluctuations (daily) in your reception results especially the distant stations. The is normal and is just part of the game. You might also notice that occasionally a station that has (comparatively) higher signal strength, has more drop-outs than a station which has an apparently weaker siganl strength. This is due to signal quality, which isn't the same as signal strength.

p.s. congrats on your new HDTV and results - Well Done !!!

As far as my cable length Yaamon,I would be guessing 40-60 ft of the satellite grade stuff that I had used on a previous FTA experiment.In any case I will be trimming close to half from the length today when I finalize my grounding connections. I don't think it is at such a length that there would be much signal loss.

There is currently just the one tv on this line 99gecko. At some time I might consider splitting and I appreciate the comments on distribution amps. This will be a whole new area for me to read up on when the time comes.

I was just thinking to get the rotor since the quality on certain channels were visibly noticeable when I pointed the rig towards Toronto or Buffalo. Most of the Toronto signals are weak from my vantage point and benefit from a more direct signal, but a couple of key ones in Buffalo are fringe and seem easily lost as well.

Yes, I am interested in some of the Canadian analog signals as well as they aren't broadcasting digital yet.(Omni,Global,and some of the other smaller ones).

I get the feeling you guys think a rotor might be a poor investment?

When you want to fine tune your antenna direction for the best reception for:
SuperBowl, Game 7 Stanley Cup, Bikini Destinations etc. you won't begrudge the $115 (or whatever) you spent on a rotator.

I get the feeling you guys think a rotor might be a poor investment?


A rotor is a very good investment for where you live if you only have one antenna.

electrocutioner at 40-60' you have no real signal loss from a 4228 and using a preamp will surely cause problems.

From your location because you are west of the Cn tower the angle is too great to get Buffalo at the same time. Anytime you live east or east of the cn tower the angle on most setup is too great fro one antenna.

Those who live north of the cn tower in the Toronto gta has a much better chance with one antenna.

I would also recommend a rotor for your setup.

If you decide to split the signal at a later time you can always do it indoors and use a indoor amp no more than 10db gain or a two way distribution amp at 3-5db gain on each output.

Anytime you live east or east of the cn tower

I believe Yaamon meant to say "east or west" .....
Yaamon, stop typing so fast!!!! ;)

Lol... :rolleyes: yes I can speak and think faster than my two fingers can type. :)

Thanks for all the input guys-:)

My wade RC rotor came in today for 105$. My brother-in-law and myself spliced it in to the mast today in some pretty brisk wind. I only had a couple minutes to try it out before I had to come into work, but I already found an extra digital channel.I'll post my end results after I get a chance to play with it.

While I was on my way out the door my wife wanted to know how many extra channels I'm getting now. i told her one to which she quickly replied "Just one? Go get your money back!":o

What kind of equipment do you guys use to get a better signal with that?

Ok here is what I had originally posted as signal strengths with changes in reception strength due to the flexibility of a rotor on the mast.

NBC 2-1 77% up to 90%
CBS 4-1 82% up to 97%
CBC 5-1 93% up to 97%
ABC 7-1 72% up to 94%
CTV 9-1 89% up to 92%
The CW 23-1 97% dropped a bit to 93%
CBC French 25-1 78%up to 98%
FOX 29-1 89%up to 92%
PBS 43-1,43-2,43-3 93%no change-man this is one strong signal! I have to turn it about 60-70 degrees away from source before it starts to dip significantly!
My TV 49-1 74% up to 85%
CITY TV 57-1 70% up to 93%

also getting 2 new channels

26-1 88%
SunTV 66-1 89%
(are there any others that I should try aiming at, or have I pretty much got it covered?)

Is it worth it? Arguably not right now, but I think when the leaves are out ( or I add another TV) it'll be well worth having. And like Timbo said, you wouldn't want to lose a signal during an HD broadcast of bikini models :p

electrocutioner excellent results ;)

Ps: When and what channel is the HD broadcast of bikini models ?? :D

26-1 is from Jamestown the reglious channel.:p

Ok, I've searched everywhere for the Global HD OTA station. I found a reference to GLBT-HD Channel 65 on the TV-Guide site, but can't tune it in via antenna. I get everthing else OTA, why not Global? (I want my House in HD!)...help.




Sony KDL 40V4500, BEV & Home-Brew Antenna (CM 4221)

Garboplex,I beleive Global was granted a 2 year extension on their "must be live" date for their HD license from the CRTC. That would give them until June 2008, apparently, so unfortunately we have to settle for an analog signal from them for a while longer. Isn't House a FOX production?

Kneedfreetv if you are in Brampton your distance from the transmitters in Toronto,Grand Island and Buffalo are 18.3mi (29.4km),62.0mi (99.8km) ,92.6mi (149.0km) respectively. All the channels that you are missing including 4.1 w/no sound are in Buffalo. Without a powerful directional UHF antenna like a YAGI, I don't beleive you will pick up an analog signal from as far away as 90 miles, but digital signals you can. I am getting strong digital signals and am only about 10 miles closer than you.

I would keep trying for the Buffalo channels with the 4228. Try using the google map measure tool to pick out a lline of sight from your roof or wherever your antenna is. If you can pick them up, you will have to trick your wife into thinking it's her idea to buy the rotor or something.;)

Garboplex,I beleive Global was granted a 2 year extension on their "must be live" date for their HD license from the CRTC. That would give them until June 2008, apparently, so unfortunately we have to settle for an analog signal from them for a while longer. Isn't House a FOX production?
Thanks, I actually just found the listing on WUTV-HD, but not until the end of Jan. I guess the Canadian networks don't see any value in OTA (Ha Ha).

Here's what I'm getting with my antenna on a 20' pole in the backyard, pointed ESE. I'll be mounting it on the roof when the ice melts. I suspect there may be a couple more out there, but I would need a rotor.

2.1 WGRZ-HD 81%
2.2 WGRZ-SD 81%
4.1 WIVB-HD 70%
5.1 CBLT-HD 98%
7.1 WKBW-HD 73%
7.2 WNGS-SD 73% (Audio Only, but I haven't heard anything yet)
9.1 CFTO-HD 84%
23.1 WNLO-HD 98%
29.1 WUTV-HD 87%
29.2 WUTV-SD 87%
43.1 WNED-HD 78%
43.2 WNED-SD 78%
43.3 WNED-TH 78%
49.1 WNYO-HD 73%
57.1 CITY-HD 59%
66.1 CKXT-DT 27%(No Lock, unless I turn the antenna a bit to the east)




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Sony KDL 40V4500, BEV & Home-Brew Antenna (CM 4221)

Garboplex you are getting pretty much everything I am getting other than French CBC 25-1 out of Toronto and TBN Televangelism TV 26-1 out of Buffalo.

Sun tv is pretty weak and you have to be pointed right at it to get a good lock,I find. A rotor will definitely improve your signal strengths, but other than that, you are doing pretty good!

I also watch the analog channels on occasion,a rotor really helps with them.

Strange thing is, I used to get the French CBC 25.1 with a smaller version of the antenna inside my family room, on top of the TV.
I'm expecting to loose some reception when my trees sprout leaves though.

I was unable to lock digital without a preamp.
With a preamp I am able to lock all available ota digital stations in TO and Buffalo on LG plasma w/atsc tuner.

PR8800 + CM0264

Everyone in the Oakville area, I've come to the conclusion that your part of Canada is the sweet spot for Digital OTA TV in Canada! :D The beam patterns from Toronto, Buffalo, and Hamilton converge quite nicely for you.

Deweyjack, many DHCers might not be familiar with the Winegard PR8800 8-bay antenna, so would it be possible to get a photo of yours posted in the Pimp My Gear thread?

This is what I get in the Third line & Rebecca area of Oakville with a CM 4221 on the Chimney , no rotor required

2-1
2-2
4-1
5-1
7-1
9-1
23-1
23-2
25-1
29-1
29-2
43-1
43-2
43-3
49-1
49-2
57-1
66-1