pawnie,
Myself, I would aim for content. But I must ask, have you considered a rotor?

I'm interested in the reasons why (i.e., content, number of channels, dependability, or something I'm not thinking of).Hi pawnie and welcome here. Your question is too general for these reception results threads, although the points you've asked about make sense for someone looking at OTA for the first time.

In this thread we'll help you get the best technical OTA solution in your specific area that you can find for your needs. :) My technical advice is the same as 99gecko's: use a rotor and get the stations from both cities.

If you haven't seen them already, please click on these links:

99gecko:

I'm thinking a rotor won't be suitable, since I intend to integrate this into my SageTV setup. I'm not quite sure how I'd get Sage to automatically tune a frequency, then rotate the antenna. My eventual plan is to maybe get a second antenna (CM 4228 maybe) to point at Buffalo, then use the Delphi to point at Toronto, I was just looking for advice on which had the better content for now until I work all the kinks out and get the second antenna.

stampeder:

I kinda thought my questions were vague and maybe a little simplistic. I couldn't see a more suitable sub-forum though, and from some quick Internet searches, this seems to be the place for Canadian OTA HD discussion.

Thanks all!

Just following up with my results atthe above location and a Delhi 4BT-1483 antenna (which from what I can tell is pretty similar to a CM 4221) on my chimney, about 35 feet in the air. I've pointed it roughly at what I deem to be the CN Tower.

I get the following HD channels consistently:

5-1 CBC HD
9-1 CTV HD
23-1 CW HD (Buffalo)
43-1 PBS (Buffalo)
57-1 CityTV HD
66-1 SunTV HD

I also get very sporadically:

7-1 CBS HD (Buffalo)
29-1 WUTV HD (Buffalo)

As well as a bunch of analog channels. I never get NBC HD. Predictably, I got better results from Buffalo when I pointed teh antenna that way, but I'm happier with the channels I have now, especially since I couldn;t get CBC when pointed at Buffalo.

I've fine tuned a little and can offer more information on my reception results.

Equipment:

- Sony KDF-46E2000 using built-in tuner.
- Delhi 4BT-1483 antenna on my chimney, about 35 feet in the air
- About a 75' cable run, including 25 feet past a splitter (see below).

I have tinkered with the antenna direction a bit tonight, varying the direction between Toronto and Buffalo to see where I get the most channels. I've left it at what I guess is approximately pointing exactly East (which is about half way between Toronto and Buffalo where I live). I now get the following channels, with the signal strength shown and for posterity, the broadcast resolution. Only HD channels are listed.

2.1 76% NBC WGRZ-DT (Buffalo) 1080i
4.1 95% CBS WIVB-HD (Buffalo) 1080i
5.1 98% CBC CBLT-DT (Toronto) 1080i
7.1 81% ABC WKBW-HD (Buffalo) 720p
9.1 81% CTV CFTO HD (Toronto) 1080i
23.1 98% CW WNLO-HD (Buffalo) 1080i
25.1 84% CBC (F) CBLFT-DT (Toronto) 1080i
29.1 73% FOX WUTV-HD (Buffalo) 720p
43.1 98% PBS WNED-HD )Buffalo) 720p
49.1 70% MyTV WNYO-HD (Buffalo) 720p
57.1 62% CITY CITYHD (Toronto) 1080i

I've lost SunTV (the signal varies between 0 and 50% and never locks) and CityTV is not the greatest quality (clear, but a little washed out). I've gained the 4 US networks (consistently) and MyTV. In addition to above, I also get , say, 10 fairly good analog channels, with some overlap with the channels above. All-in-all, I'm pretty damned happy about this.

There other half of the story:

The other branch from the splitter noted above goes to my SageTV media server, which distributes all content throughout the house. The equipment:

- Sage Server (version 6.19, Pentium 3.0 GHz, etc.)
- Hauppage HVR 1600
- About a 60 foot cable run, including 12 feet after the splitter.

The HVR 1600 seems to be a little more sensitive, or at least computer tuning in general is more sensitive, or maybe there's more interference, etc. I lose channels 49.1 and 57.1 above entirely (no signal). The main US networks (ABC, NBC and CBS) in some cases are not great and drop out from time to time. More alarming, I had a short stretch with no sound on CBC, which, as bad as I want the US networks, will be a show stopper for the new antenna direction, since I want Hockey Night in Canada in HD on my Sage system more than anything else. However, that may have been a glitch, since it's clear as I type this.

Anyway, like I said, this is great. 2 weeks ago I didn't even know we could get these channels where I live, now I've got 11 HD channels for free. Really reminds me of the days before cable when the old man put a big antenna in the attic and we got channel 29 in Buffalo, which was the rats ass for a kid in the 70's.

surely you can get SUNTV on 15-1, it's coming right from the CHCH Tower on the escarpment in Stoney Creek. I would think you'd almost have to worry about overload on that channel.

Nope. Doesn't even register as a possibility on my TV. No idea why, maybe because I'd have to point the antenna more upward, whereas I have it pointing at more or less the horizon right now. Who knows.

Hi all,

More as a "Why, because I can", I picked up a Hauppage 1600 and a RadioShack 1501880 antenna and introduced them to my Vista MCE situated in my southeast-facing home office on the second floor of my house. Turns out I get the following:

CBS 4/6 bars (yellow in MCE)
CBC 4/6
ABC 3 or 4/6
CTV 5/6 (Green WOOHOO!!)
US PBS 3/6 but with no picture
The CW 4/6
City 3 or 4/6

Things start to pixelate at 3/6, but not a lot. I don't get any 2/6's. The antenna is on top of a bookcase, kind of stuffed into the corner facing between ESE and SE. Seems optimal for what I have, but I'm a bit troubled by the fact that I don't even get a glimmer of FOX. The other day, in the thundershowers we were having, I was able to pull in NBC with 4 bars too, but nothing for FOX set up as digital 14 on 29.

Location is Winston Churchill and Brittania. 'She who must be obeyed' has pretty much kaiboshed the thought of an outdoor antenna (she just shakes her head at the whole thing, since I also have an 8300HD pvr), we're also going to be selling the house in the next year, so it's not worth the time, effort and $$$. Toying with getting a Silver Sensor on e-bay to see if that will do any better. Thoughts? (other than that interior antennae are evil?)

Thanks!

Hello. First time post. Have been lurking and reading for the past six months since I got my HDTV (Panasonic PT-52LCX65-K).

My antenna is about 25 years old. It is a UHF/VHF/FM plus a 4 bay on a 20' tower. There is a rotor and a CM 0064C preamp. Cable is RBG 59 - about 80 ft.

I am just north of Millgrove, ON (near Hamilton). My line of sight south east to Buffalo is not the best. About 1k south of my house, the land goes up about 50'. There is a High Voltage Tower Line just NE of my house.

I get the TO stations (HNIC in HD - WOW!) and PBS Buffalo with no problems . The four networks from Buffalo, well thats other story. Best signals after dark. Weather makes a differece. I need about 30% on the signal meter to lock in. In the evening they can go from 40% to 20% and then up to 40-50% then back to 20%. As the evening goes by, things will settle down and the three Buffalo Networks can be watched 90 to 95% of the time. FOX - forget about it - signal is 6% 7/24. (I did get FOX in Feb for the Super Bowl and the 500, I wonder, was it the weather or was FOX broadcasting a wider signal to get more views?)

I can not find details about the CM 0064C. How does it compare to a CM7777?
So, my choices are;

1) - Replacing the old 4 bay and UHF/VHF/FM with a 4228 (watch GLOBAL on 41, CH on 11 will be the low signal - have read that the 4228 is good for 7 and up)

2) - Replacing the RGB59 with RGB 6 cable

3) - Replacing the CM 0064C with a CM 7777

4) - Higher tower

5) - Read more books

1. Yes,
2. Yes (see below),
3. I don't use preamps, I perfer someing inside where I can get to it,
4. Wouldn't hurt, but try 1 & 2 first and report back,
5. Not necessary. There is plenty of info right here. ;)

Because of the age of the cable, fittings & antenna, I would replace all of it. Also replace the balun at the antenna. Do you really need a pre-amp?

6. Welcome to the forums.

My antenna is about 25 years old. It is a UHF/VHF/FM plus a 4 bay on a 20' tower. There is a rotor and a CM 0064C preamp. Cable is RBG 59 - about 80 ft.
I would replace
a) The RG59 with good quality RG6 cable. The signal loss on 80 feet of RG59 would be quite significant. This alone might be enough to get what you want with minimal investment. Heck, if the antenna works, you might as well keep it.
b) Replace the balun, but based on your current reception it seems to be ok.

I am using a preamp with great success, but I am also splitting the signal four ways and have a 100 foot+ run to the utlity room. 80 feet is also a pretty long run... so a pre-amp makes some sense regardless.

You could replace everything in one shot. The 4228 and 4221 are nice antennas. But I would keep it to simple changes initially and see how it goes.

Good luck.

If you are going to do work up there and take everything down, you might as well replace everything. 25 years is a long time for anything outdoors especially considering this stuff is consumer, not commercial. You will regret it later as hidden problems will start to show.


I would also either rebuild the rotor (dismantleing and removing the old grease and re-greasing the unit) or just replace that also. The last thing you want is top have the unit 'seize' durning bad weather because the grease is as hard as a rock. (That grease will dry out if it hasen't already).
Or, just replace the rotor. These cheap Chineese rip-offs of the CM design surely wont break the bank.

I went with the Eagle Aspen design with the DiSEqC control for accuracy that the old style will never have (about $20 [US] more than a standard rotor);

http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/showpost.php?p=542382&postcount=112

Thanks for feedback.
Have purchased a run of RG6, plus connectors and tools. Still looking for a balun
I am going to the USA for a couple of weeks. On my list will be looking for a CM 4228, plus a CM7777 or Winegard AP 8275.
Rotor motor was replaced about 2 years ago. It works fine.
Will update in about three weeks time.

Derry&Thompson, Milton
Sony 40v2500 (ATSC Turner)
Sliver Sensor (Phillips) with 24ft cable

Overall I'm happy with the E-bay $12 Sliver Sensor. When position upstairs I am to receive the following..

5-1 CBLT 95%
23-3 WNLO 55% (pauses and drop outs sometimes)
24-1 CBCFT 78%
40-1 CTV 63%
57-1 CITY 62%
66-1 CKXT 57%

It seems anything above 56% is very stable, but on the main floor I was only getting CBLT and the CBCFT. Next I'm getting the amplified version of the Sliver Sensor (Phillips) see how that goes before getting the big antenna.

Was anyone able to receive FOX or Global with anything besides the big outdoor antenna?

But man it was all worth it when I was watching the Hockey game in HD yesterday night on CBC!

I've got two CM 4221's stacked in my attic in the Derry/Thompson area myself and they seem to do a decent job of brining in Fox. No Global in our area.

For Pnear,

What other channels are you receiving? I was thinking of putting one CM4221 in the attic eventually.

Are other people able to pick up Global? Or is it not broadcasting in HD yet?


Thanks

Jobbiee, no global in hd yet but you might and should be able to get global uhf 41 on analog.

I'm in the Milton area and my 4228 on the roof is fantastic. Didn't need a preamp once I pointed it right. Even with Fox until I split it to two tuner cards, then I needed the preamp. I'm not sure how a 4221 will do on it's own in the attic, you may need to do two like pnear does.

I'm def happy with my OTA setup in Milton so far!

I'm seeing alot more antennas going up on roofs here in Miton, happy to see it! There's a 4228 on a tripod near Derry and Armstrong, and a huge Yagi just a couple blocks from there as well. These belong to anyone on the boards here?

Pete

The Derry and Armstrong one is a friend who I helped out with the install. We put ours up on the same weekend. I'm a couple of blocks away inside the development so you'll see my 4228 sticking up in the air there too :)