FiguredMaple, when I used the Radioshack 15-1880 "rabbit ears" antenna I got the following:

CBS
CBC
ABC
WNGS (currently an ABC sub-channel at 7-2)
CTV
The CW
CBC(F)
PBS

I sometimes got FOX and NBC, but with frequent dropouts. Also I had to reposition the antenna sometimes in order to receive certain stations.

Now with the CM4221 and preamp I get all of the above channels plus the following, all with no dropouts:

NBC
Fox
MyTV
CITY

Even better, with the wide breadth of the CM4221 I no longer need to reposition the antenna when I'm channel surfing.

The only digital channel of note that I'm not getting is SUN-TV, but if i want to watch that channel I switch my TV to analog OTA mode.

I'm looking forward to getting OMNI1, OMNI2 and CTS next year.

globaldiv,
I'm also in Oakville, North of Upper middle and West of Bronte.
Last Friday I purchased a 15-880 from The Source (Radio Shack) for $40 and have the same results as you did.

Thanks for posting your setup in detail.
In the next couple months I'll get an antenna for my attic.

Good luck with attic installation. PM me if you want a non-expert opinion :)

Now with the CM4221 and preamp I get all of the above channels plus the following, all with no dropouts:


What is the price difference between the $40 15-1880 and the CM4221 and preamp?

Hi Cannonfodder, check message #255 if you want some more info on my setup and where I bought my equipment.

Together, the CM4221 and Winegard AP4700 preamp were about $125. Cheers.

Hi all-this is an awesome site!
I just unpacked my new HDTV yesterday and am looking forward to setting up an antenna set-up.

I am in a single story semi-detached house that faces south on the north side of the street in Oakville,south west of Upper middle road and Sixth line.I am hoping to get away with either a wall mount near the front of the house near my existing satellite dish or maybe a mast at the back that would clear the roof (I'm already WAY over budget on this- can I use rigid pipe for the job? I am kicking myself now for pulling down the old tower at the back of my house 3 years ago!!)

I bought a radio shack (the source) 21" omnidirectional antenna today thinking that the installation would be simpler and that I might get away with it. I see that Karim at Nu-Tech in Hamilton would be willing to sell me a CM4228 for 15$ more than what I paid for the ufo.Should I return the UFO to the source? How simple can I go with the installation of a CM4228?

I am pretty handy,but would like to hold off on an expensive set-up for a while.BTW if I need to do a tripod mount,I prolly can't do it on the peak of the house it is shared with the neibour.How difficult is a sloped installation.

No I don't have a chimmney.

Oh, also I had an installer from Looktv come to the house a few years back-He said he couldn't get line of site to the CN Tower to install service. How critical is direct line of site?

I realize this is like 10 different questions,but I will appreciate any and all pointers as I am learning!

Rick

Hi Rick, and welcome here - you'll find a variety of threads here in the OTA Forum to give you the info you need, but most importantly click on the links at the bottom of this post.

For the record, I have a low opinion of UFO antennas. Go for the CM4228 or CM4221 and read up on how to install one in the Installation Tips & Tricks thread.

Hey fella,
I have read your sig FAQ's once again,and have read dozens of pages in the last day or two.I have even seen your picture in those sideburns and bell bottoms as well as the situation with your antennas vs your trees!;) Actually I have read so much good info here that it is difficult to retain it all.
I think I will go ahead on faith and exchange my ufo for that CM antenna.I hope to do a simple install for now and perhaps a rotor and any amps or filters as necessary to improve reception as needed down the line.

My appearance has changed just a bit since then... :D

Allright,after spending hours on the graveyard shift reading this forum and spending all my waking hours these last few days running about collecting parts, I have some initial payoff to report.I am quite pleased as this is a temporary setup from a tripod and 10' mast in my driveway and am hemmed in on the east and west by my house and the neibours. I hope to do even better when I get her mounted to the roof:p :p

I am using a CM4228 facing due south with no amplification and a new Toshiba tuner built into the monitor.Considering that it is 10 feet off the ground and facing 2 story homes and mature (albeit currently leafless) trees.

I will report each channel poor/good/excellent for pq as well as give signal strength.

2-p
4-1(physical channel 39)-e-80%
5-g-49%
5-1(pc 20)-e-81%
7-g-49%
7-1(pc 38)-e-84%
9-g-49%
11-g-49%
15-p-49%
17-e-49%
19-p-49%
23-e-49%
23-1(pc32)-e-97%
25-p-49%
39-g-49%
29-1(pc14)-e-85%
29-2 " " " "
36-p-49%
41-p-49%
43-1-e-93%
43-2 " " " "
43-3 " " " "
47-g-49%
49-g-49%
49-1(pc34)-e-84%
49-2 " " " "
52-p
55-p
57-p-49%

HMMM... all those 49%-call me a NOOB but I think my set reports that as a default to indicate an analogue channel.:o

All in all I am pleased-now I need to figure out how I am going to get this sucker to the roof!!!

Thanks for this website-this has been an amazing resource!

Electrocutioner, that's pretty good results, for sitting on the ground. Congatulations!
You'll find out that your signals will be very suseptable to weather and fade in the evenings. Putting it on the roof will help with that.
If you're interested, i could give you more details on my do-it-yourself mount.
Let me know if you're interested.

P.S., I'm a little worried about somebody named electrocutioner putting up an antenna. :)
You did read the part about proper grounding, right?

P.S., I'm a little worried about somebody named electrocutioner putting up an antenna.
You did read the part about proper grounding, right?

he he he,... and watch for overhead powerlines!

But of course,I have a ground wire bonded to the metal plate under my Mother-in-Law's bathtub.And with any luck the thunderstorms will come early this year.
:mad: Muaa-haa-haa ! :mad:

And if you are done making fun of my name,Tom,I would be very interested in hearing about your home brewed antenna mount!

...but only if you are finished making fun of me......:(

And if you are done making fun of my name,Tom,I would be very interested in hearing about your home brewed antenna mount!

...but only if you are finished making fun of me......:(
Didn't mean to hurt you're feelings. I like the mother-in-law idea.... Should offer to put up an antenna at her place

She lives nearby and if the double aught ground wire doesn't do the trick,there is always the tried and true toaster method:p
(I hope my wife doesn't ever read this forum....I love your mom honey,really I do!):eek:

Tech stuff only please.

To tempt our fates by experimenting with such powerful and dangerous cosmic forces as the mother-in-law is well beyond the scope of this forum. No interim payback can ever equal the karmically nullifying mother-in-law field that envelops all who dare interact with that juggernaut. You will never win.

Back on topic... and I'm still happily married after all these years... ;)

Now that I have the CM4228 mounted to the roof of my single story house I have afew more channels than I was getting from the driveway;)

I have a compromised signal strength on all stations being without a rotor and am pointed roughly halfway between Buffalo and Toronto (a little towards Buffalo)

I now get digital channels

NBC 2-1 77%
CBS 4-1 82%
CBC 5-1 93%
ABC 7-1 72%
CTV 9-1 89%
The CW 23-1 97%
CBC French 25-1 78%
FOX 29-1 89%
PBS 43-1,43-2,43-3 93%
My TV 49-1 74%
CITY TV 57-1 70%

I am also getting 8 analogue channels at different strengths.
Hopefully I will have the rotor soon and will improve these signals as well.

electrocutioner that is excellent results from your location.

There is no need for a rotor with the signal strength that you are currently getting. :)

Hey Yaamon,

I would be inclined to agree with you and save myself 100 bucks,but I did notice ABC phasing in and out while I was watching briefly before going into work today.(I have posted my peak signal strengths-doesn't everybody?)

My new Toshiba dlp also has a decent picture on a strong analog station and a rotor would surely help there- as I abandoned cable and satellite subscription quite some time ago this will be my sole signal source other than DVD's etc.

I'll mull it over for a few days...keeping the system lean and mean does have it's advantages as well.;)