The higher outside the better, if possible! ;)

No VHF? that's fair enough. The only thing good about VHF is that it can go somewhat beyond the line-of-sight/horizon and "wrap" around mountains and hills (and buildings), but this is usually negated by solar interference and interference from manmade electrical devices.

If you get say, 15-30 feet above the ground and aim WNW, you should be able to pull in CKCO-TV-3 on 42 without an issue, along with CIII-TV-3 on 29 (which sits on a tower about 50 feet to the south of CKCO-TV-3's tower, even after the digital conversion. Are we talking a directional antenna, or an omnidirectional?

As for you wanting to get a VHF antenna, that'll greatly improve you reception of CKCO-TV and CIII-TV.. Your "SR15" antenna can't get CKCO-TV? that's odd. Kitchener and london are less than 100 km apart (same with paris/brantford) You should be picking it up without an antenna, sort of like my situation with the toledo locals. Your VHF antenna (be it omnidirectional or directional) should be able to snag 6 and 13. Basically, double the distance from you to the CITY-TV-3 tower in Woodstock (as CKCO-TV's main transmitter is the Baden Tower in Baden, Ontario on top of a 440 meter-high hill). Their tower's already another 335 meters high, so that gives it a HUGE range all the way from london, brantford, orangeville, hamilton and to mississauga. the range for CIII-TV-6 is similar.

Wonderful insight's guys,
I finally got up in the attic today and mounted my EagleStar Pro antenna. Since I live in a two story home this brings my set up roughly 25-30 feet from the ground.
I have set the antenna direction towards Lambeth, On. I get a really nice crisp picture on most of the channels for this area. I get a pretty good picture on channel 42 now which is one of CTV CKCO's transmitter's out of Sarnia direction.
The same can be said for channel 51 E! CHCH. I still get some of the anolog's from Cleveland such as channel 25 PBS,43 WUAB,55 CW and 61 Univision which varies dependant on weather and temp's. The pictures are just good enough to make out with occasional colour.
I am content now. If I come across some cool DXing I'll be sure to pass it along.

Side Note: my pre amp was defective. I was messing around with real long runs of cables and thought the picture was wrong. I took out my meter, and confirmed indeed the power source was not outputting any DC voltage. Guess I don't have to worry about overload down the road. Also channel 29 Global CIII from Sarnia's transmitter does not come in that great.


Thanks again guy's for your dedication to a fine run forum.

Mark

From Mississauga I'm kind of surprised I can receive anything to the west due to the Escarpment being in the way but I can get 31 (CITY) and 13 (CKCO) quite well once I point my 4221 in that direction. I'm also getting a TVO station on 28 but I'm not sure where that transmitter is.

6 (CIII) is a no go. The 4221 performance drops precipitously below about channel 9.

For the record my antenna is mounted outside about 30' above ground and tied to a 7777 pre-amp. According to Google Earth my elevation is about 500' above sea level (if that makes an appreciable difference).

That TVO station on 28 is from Kitchener:ON Kitchener OP 28 CICO-TV-28 TVO 431539 802638 296.3 210000 554.00 Z

http://www.user.dccnet.com/jonleblanc/Canada_TV_Stations

the Escarpment isn't "in the way" as you think. It's a ridge that is far higher in the west and drops 300 feet (from the niagara falls to around milton) to as much as 700 feet (in parts near barrie). Basically, it's a natural long-dead (read: 700 million years) volcanic ridge/fault line composed largely of limestone, and the hills make ideal places to plop down a thousand foot transmitter (like the Baden tower, where CKCO-TV broadcasts from). These hills (or "kames", similar to moraines, only not as long) are found all over central and southwestern ontario, particularly around the escarpment. It won't hinder your reception... it'll probably BOOST it.

Those to the west of it, however... will experience reduced reception of Toronto/Hamilton/Buffalo stations, as they would be "blocked" by the height of the land (which is why the detroit stations can be recieved in London, while buffalo's stations are not receivable).

@mr weather
TVO (28) is located where CBC (56) & GTV (6) are. (The strange thing is CBCf (61) is by itself somewhere.)

@comment about global on 6.
Also, global was only assigned ch 30 for testing. It goes back to 6 after testing.

@Panamark,
No WEWS-DT?

Read ya l8r,
Al

@Panamark, no WEWS-DT?
Emerald,
How often does this come in for you? I would assume this is Tropo effect.
I remember you spoke of a time where you had decent signal for like 2 hrs, you watched Dancing with the Stars I believe.
It was hearing that you got this channel is where I became serious in getting my own rig. Something other than SUN's DTV channel would be nice.
Let me know
Mark

If you get say, 15-30 feet above the ground and aim WNW, you should be able to pull in CKCO-TV-3 on 42 without an issue, along with CIII-TV-3 on 29 (which sits on a tower about 50 feet to the south of CKCO-TV-3's tower, even after the digital conversion. Are we talking a directional antenna, or an omnidirectional?

My attic is about 35 feet high, and I'm using the CM4228HD, which is uni-directional, and rated for 60miles. However, I'd say that my location is probably the lowest point in London, so I'd wager thats where my problems are coming from.

As for you wanting to get a VHF antenna, that'll greatly improve you reception of CKCO-TV and CIII-TV.. Your "SR15" antenna can't get CKCO-TV? that's odd. Kitchener and london are less than 100 km apart (same with paris/brantford) You should be picking it up without an antenna, sort of like my situation with the toledo locals. Your VHF antenna (be it omnidirectional or directional) should be able to snag 6 and 13. Basically, double the distance from you to the CITY-TV-3 tower in Woodstock (as CKCO-TV's main transmitter is the Baden Tower in Baden, Ontario on top of a 440 meter-high hill). Their tower's already another 335 meters high, so that gives it a HUGE range all the way from london, brantford, orangeville, hamilton and to mississauga. the range for CIII-TV-6 is similar.

Again, I think due to my areas lack of elevation, I'm not picking up anything but fuzzy audio on CKCO-TV, and absolutely nothing on CIII-TV. For the record, I did have a V21 (UHF/VHF) in the attic, but the VHF stations were picking up alot of static.

@Panamark,
Its comes in 3 times for myself. My dad sad it was available all night long at 1 time.

The sad thing is i did a "full scan" and saved. So for now i need to refind the channel.

Also, have you looked into getting an FTA system?

There a ku band one satellite that has 30 OTA channels.

@micah
I found it quite easy to pick up CTV. Just using an 31" car antenna seemed to do the trick. In fact i was able to pick all locals but global. (just need something for Global.)

Read ya l8r,
Al

PS. Pls visit this link for my setup:
http://emeraldboar.deviantart.com/art/aerial-setup-119259459

Well, I finally got some results that I have been so desperately trying to achieve. Last night when I got home from work I checked to see what channels my antenna was puling in. I noticed the Detroit analogs were coming in pretty good so I ran a cable down to my HDTV TV and performed a scan.
Voila, I got
2.1 WJBK-DT 50% signal strength
2.2 WJBK-SD
4.1 WDIV-HD 68%
4.2 WDIV-SD
7.1 WXYZ HD 42%
7.2 WXYZ DT
7.3 WXYZ WX
Holy crap; finally. Bear in mind I had quality signal strength for like an hour and in the morning 2 hours.
This morning I picked up a couple f connector's to properly connect two pieces of coax cable. I had three lengths of RG59-75 ohm coax that I put together. I had to use a splitter to connect one of the pieces but I knew that I was losing 3.5 dB just on that splitter. When I used just a connector my signal strength increased by 15 percent.
When I get the time I am gonna buy a role of RG6 and just run a clean line straight to the HDTV.
I took a bunch of pictures and will post them in my online album when I get the chance.
Emerald, I have my antenna pointed towards Lambeth,On. I hope this helps in the constant search for Americian OTA DTV for London, On.
Take care,
Mark:D

Nice to hear.

Fresh un-cut/split RG6 should make a noticeable difference. Adding a pre-amp would also help, and of course- height.

Good job!

Excellent.

Hmmm. You lose WJBK when it switches over to 7. (currently on ch 58?).

Now, on my tv. If i do a "full scan". It checks all the channels. And ERASES any channel it doesnt find (results are permed if i save). However if I do a "digital only" scan it doesnt delete any previous findings. (I assume it does a complete check.)

As i said... you *can* get the Detroit locals in London if you're high enough or west enough, but it will be quite difficult due to the sheer distance (120 miles/220 km). If you're on the south end of london, you'll also be able to pick up some Cleveland and Erie locals, as well, but those will usually be limited to st. thomas, areas close to the lake, and E-skip. Now, Emerald Boar's right in that when CKCO-DT on 7 signs on, you will los WJBK-DT on 7, which is rather unfortunate. WJBK-DT is currently on 58... I doubt CKCO-DT will last on channel 7, as that interferes with a channel allotment in Buffalo (WNGS-DT), though the FCC might have WNGS move to a different frequency if such interference does occur. I doubt you'll get WJBK-DT on a regular basis, as it's on the VHF-High band (Band III)... WJBK should've gone with its second (20) or third (50) choices for digital frequencies... you watch, Fox Television Stations Group (FTSG) will have a TON of complaints when people in the detroit area lose fox 2

Hi guys,
It's getting better. I rescanned only digital tonight and these bad boys showed
20.1 WMYD-HD
62.1 WWJ-HD
56.1 WTVS-HD
5.1 WEWS-DT
I took a lot of pictures and my memory card is full so I need to transfer them to my Flicr account. I hope to get around to this by the end of the weekend.
I have the RG6 cable now, I just need time to run it. Also I will be in Toronto tomorrow and I am thinking of picking up a preamp at Save and Replay.
The loss of FOX 2 WJBK 2.1 will suck but hey, up to this point I didn't even think I would pick up any Americian OTA DTV
These are my conditions during reception as reported from London Airport on the Weather Network
Temperature- 6 degrees celcius, Condition-clear, Pressure-102.93 kPa, Visibilty-24km's, Winds-W 9 KM/hr, Humidity-55 %, Dew Point- -2 degrees, Ceiling-unlimited, time 11:55 PM
enjoying every minute of it
Mark:p

Is it possible to get FOX out of Erie? 850 KW and I think Omni-directional. Maybe FOX Cleveland (625 KW).

WFXP-TV from erie and WEWS-DT in the london/st.thomas area? should be doable if you're close to the lake. If you're trying to pick it up in Hamilton, don't bother: the escarpment will act as a slight barrier becuase hamilton sits RIGHT below it and the signal will bounce off above your head. As for picking up WMYD-DT in London... that's somewhat surprising, as its frequency borders CIII-TV 22 and CJMT-TV-2 on 20... i suppose as long as they don't interfere, it's good. It's so nice to see WTVS show support for its vast canadian audience, though it's not unique, as most PBS stations near canada do this.

As I posted earlier in this thread, there is no reliable year round NTSC or ATSC American channel reception in the London area.

I am 15 miles SW of London with a 6 foot Channelmaster parabolic UHF antenna + 2nd largest Delhi VHF antenna + booster atop a 64 ft Delhi tower.

Tropo time can be a lot of fun - I logged 85 NTSC signals once from as far away as Chicago. I often get Ch 7 Wheeling West Va.

ESkip is capable of much farther signals on ch 2 to 6. I've often got various Florida stations, New Orleans & Houston plus Winnipeg and even Denver once.

But one must have cable or satellite to get what you want throughout the whole year.

hmm, good night for Dxing. picked up
ch 28 WUAB 43-1 ~ 720p (hd i guess)
ch 28 THIS 43-1 ~480i (sd i guess)
ch 34 WQHS 61-1 ~ 480i
i dont get why i didnt get ch 30 WBNX.

I would like to point out
Every day i do have ch 43 WUAB & ch 55 WBNX. (and with better equipment. The reception would be viewable all the time.)

And at my sister place (white oaks) according to TVfool.com. She has quite good US reception. [her stats all (85 miles) 2 edge = ch 12 -9db, ch 16 -11db, ch 50 -13db]

Read ya l8r,
Al

PS. Even after CKCO finishes test on ch 7. SRC has been assigned on ch 7.
So either way we may lose ch 7.

Hi guys,
Today was antenna project day. I purchased 100 feet of RG6U cable from the local Home Depot. I purchased an Ideal econo compression crimper (30 bucks) and 10 pac of RG6 compression connectors. I ran the cable from my attic down threw the return air space all the way down to my unfinished basement. Then I brought the cable back up the wall behind my television and terminated it to a wall plate. I made a small piece to go from the wall plate to the television. The total run was about 75 feet. While I was in the wall behind the television I repaired a bad crimp I had for my Cable connection and neatly placed it on a wall plate with my telephone line. My wife liked the clean finished product.
I had no digital picture from the Detroit networks till about 11:00 PM but I noticed a trend. As the evening goes on the R.H.% increases in the air. I find right around 40% I begin to get signals
Conditions from the weather network as of 11:15 P.M. taken from London Airport
temperature: 17 deg C
winds: 9 SW
pressure: 101.49 kPa
dew point: 3 deg C
visibility: 24 KM
cieling: 16000 Ft
R.H.: 42%
results
channel 2.1 WJBK signal 86%
channel 4.1 WDIV signal 98%
channel 7.1 WXYZ signal 71%
channel 20.1 WMYB signal 6%
channel 39.1 WADL signal i have never got this channel
channel 50.1 WKBD i have never got this DT channel
channel 56.1 WTVS signal 71%
channel 62.1 WWJ signal 79%

I have been watching since 11:00PM and the only one that has not lost picture or pixalated was channel 4.1, my second best would be 2.1.
Forum member 12345678... spoke of non reliable DTV OTA in our area and I would tend to agree.
I have most of these channels on my Rogers cable, which I have no intention of canceling. Rather I am just doing this as a hobby that I have loved since I was a child. A person could be flustered from the numerous signal drop outs especially if they are trying to watch a whole program.
My results are not intended to be taken as reliable. This would be misleading.
Rather I am a hobbiest just passing on info for the great people of our area.

@ Emerald Boar I purchased another Phillp's pre amp there from Forest City Surplas but it is overpowering my strong signal on DTV 19.1. It went from 100% to 58%. With my simple set up I don't need one so I'm not gonna use it. Also when I was farting around with the antenna direction for my final set up I turned it more towards Cleveland and noticed that both channel 25,43 and 55 were pretty good, but I chose on towards Detroit just because it seems my best chances for DTV. I don't have the stamina to keep going back up there every day to see what direction is the best on any given day.

take care guys
Mark:)