Your CM7777 is saturated by analog stations. I have a similar problem in Laval. Here you can see an example from Laval (ch- 17, 35).

http://i610.photobucket.com/albums/tt184/jtagjtag123/CopiedeDSC03913.jpg

Thanks Jtag, tenstu. I'm pretty sure the preamp is strengthening the nearby analog signals, as I noticed that these channels (i.e. 5,9 analog) were suddenly very clear after connecting the preamp.

tenstu, any tips re: combining antennas? I've scoured the forum for info, including the FAQ, but remain a little confused -- some people say it's easy, some say it's very difficult, not always clear what the issues are. I'm thinking of adding another CM4221 lower on the mast, then pointing it at TO and the top one at Buffalo. I THINK I just need to separate them by a couple of feet or so, run identical lengths of RG6 from their baluns into a reversed splitter to combine, then into the house and the TVs. I may not need the preamp at all, if this works, right? How difficult is it to aim the two antennas in this setup?

Thanks

Rob, what do you mean by overload problems? And what was it that "showed up".

pmosher, everything you need to know about combining antennas is in Post #16 of the OTA FAQ:

pmosher, I setup a CM4221 for my kids in the Shell Park area and they get all the TO, Buffalo and Hamilton channels but theirs is the original 4221 not the new HD. I wonder if you did the "CM4221HD Hardware Hacks For Better Performance" (found here http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=104837 ) which is suppose to widen the coverage area, if that might improve your performance. You could always try combining if the hack didn't work.
Theirs is about 110 feet of RG6 but only to one TV and no amp. Unfortunately I can't tell you what the signal strength is because the ATSC tuner is part of a Panasonic combo DVD/VHS player and has no signal strength meter. The TV is an older Panasonic rear projection TV that was HD ready but had no ATSC tuner. If you use an amp I would try the pre-amp by itself first. Good luck.

Well, I got brave and went the two antenna route. I returned the CM7777 preamp and picked up a 2nd CM4221 instead (actually saved a little $$ in the process). The two antennas are now mounted on the same mast, about 3' apart, with RG6 cables of identical length feeding a splitter (backwards, of course).

After a little tweaking of aim, I'm getting very good results -- all TO stations are strong, all Buffalo and Hamilton coming in as well, but not quite as strong. At the moment, the lower antenna is the one pointing toward Buffalo, which isn't optimal, but due to the chimney mount of the mast, I can't turn the lower antenna all the way towards Toronto without running into the bricks. If I start to have trouble with the Buffalo stations, I may try to figure a way around that, and point the upper antenna south instead of east.

Meanwhile, I'm pretty happy getting Global and Sun for the first time, and OMNI1 strongly too. I think I'm done with fiddling on the roof for the time being.

Thanks for all suggestions received. The only hack I incorporated was to remove the plastic caps. At this point, I don't think I want to mess with shortening the rods on the reflectors, but I'm wondering whether raising the baluns would be beneficial. Any opinions would be appreciated.

pmosher:

Was it difficult to remove the black clips, did you use a small flat screw-driver, and did it improve reception?

No, it was easy to remove the clips, and I just used my fingers. A flat screwdriver might have made it easier, but it wasn't necessary. I didn't do any before/after comparisons that would be meaningful, I just took it on faith from the descriptions of the hack elsewhere on the forum.

Hi everybody, I spent a whole day yesterday reading OTA after the newspaper article on the Star. I was just wondering if anybody can recommend a small UHF antenna that are to be mounted on the south side of the house. I have a fear of the roof and definitely do not want to go so high. Is there such small UHF antenna that can be mounted about 20 feet high? Maybe something that is comparable to a 18" satellite dish as I'm an expert in installing dish.

My goal is to get as much HD channels as possible but I don't need a big pro antenna to get everything. If somebody in the area have such setup, it would be great if you could post pictures and equipment info.

Thank You very much

banger, you will be happy to know that Burlington users don't need large antennas. Some use one 4-bay bowtie reflector, others use 2 of them together. They are light and easy to work with, so if you are comfortable with satellite dishes then you will be very please with those. See the Antenna Chart for the best ones, and of course use the Search This Thread tool to the upper right beside Thread Tools and put in "Burlington" as the search term so you can compare with others. :)

Hi, are there anybody from Burlington that have success with the Winegard Square Shooter? I am thinking of installing one from my 2nd floor bedroom window so that I can manually open up the window and rotate it between Buffalo and Toronto.

Please let me know if this is doable. My location is Appleby & Dundas.

Thanx.

banger, you will be happy to know that Burlington users don't need large antennas

I am from Burlington too, does this mean I can good reception with an indoor antenna. I live in condo and their stupid rules prohibit any big antennas. I have thought about getting a Silver Sensor Amplified (PHDTV3) but I am not sure how good the reception will be?! I am still on analog (unfortunately) so I want both VHF & UHF and from what I have read the PHDTV3 allows for reception of both digital and analog signals. I went through the entire 18-page thread on silver sensor antennas but there is only one post that refers to the amplified version and nothing from anyone in this area, in terms of reception. I may be able to put a small antenna on the patio in the back or in the attic- does an outdoor antenna have to mounted very high up?! I am off Appleby Line, south of the QEW.

By my comment I meant large outdoor antennas. A 4-bay bowtie reflector antenna like a CM4221HD is pretty compact. I don't think indoor antennas are too successful in Burlington, reading through this thread.

So I guess that is a NO on the Silver Sensor amplified. Oh well, thanks anyway for the fast reply. :)

As I always advise, if you can get a 100% full refund then there's no harm in trying one out from your location and letting us know how it goes. :)

One issue in Burlington is localized 'tropo' effects with Buffalo stations in the evening due to heating/cooling differences between Lake Ontario and the land between us and the lake. WIVB-DT and WKBW-DT are rock-solid, WGRZ-DT is consistently fair-to-drop-out, but now that warm weather has returned, I can count on WUTV-DT disappearing around sunset any time the day has been sunny and warm. :mad:

I'm located just south of Dundas between Guelph Line and Walker's Line, using a four-bay 4221 clone mounted above my chimney.

Are you running a preamp, CenturyBreak? if not, that might keep WUTV-DT solid although WGRZ-DT drives everyone in Canada crazy all year round! :rolleyes:

For me in Oakville, it is PBS (WNED) that is the culprit in the summer. Like clockwork, it starts to wig-out (this is a technical term) between 430-5PM (Just in time for crucial kids programming...) This is odd, because the transmitter is a biggie on Grand Island....

I have, sadly, resorted to some amplification experiments this summer after a long while amp-free. I sure hope it helps with this one, annoying time of day....

Banger,

I have my CM4221 attached to the fascia of my house because I too am afraid of going on the roof. It has held since November and I have no doubt that it won't go anywhere anytime soon. If you search through the thread I have a list of all the channels I get (about 20 or so).

I'm at Walkers and Dundas, so I'm pretty close to where you are. There is someone along Appelby with a large 8 bay antenna up, but depending on what you want, the 4 bay is good. If you drive down Appleby from Dundas and look to your left just past the plazas on the corner there, you'll see the 8 bay on top of a roof behind the railway tracks.

In terms of mounting like a satalitte, you need line of sight to get good reception, so if there is anything in the way it will hurt your reception. My neighbours antenna just caught a little bit of my house and he had a hard time getting all the channels I did. He did use a metal pole stuck into a satalitte mount on his roof, so that might work for you. You'll have to screw the contraption together, but it might make things easier for you. Send me a message if you want more info.

P.S. I don't have to roate my antenna. It's aimed so that I get all of Toronto and Buffalo without moving it.

The back of my house is facing exactly south. Unfortunately, I'm in a new house division and the house to my right is basically blocking my view to the lake/Buffalo. I think I might have no choice but to mount it on the roof. Anyway, I saw an ad on Kiji for $100 for generic 4-bay and $140 for CM4221 install but I think it will be much more if it's on the roof.

But thanx for your reply. Atleast now I know I can do the CM4221 without the need of a rotor.