I just purchased a DB8, and it should be home waiting for me after work! I was really torn whether to get the DB8 or the 4228... I've read graphs showing that the 4228 has better reception on lower UHF signals than the DB8, and the majority of the channels around here are broadcasted are in it's "sweet" spot. I'm not sure if I can post embedded links on this site, but I saw some good graphs @ antennahacks dot com. (where they have a page comparing the two).

I think either antenna is a huge upgrade over my outdoor Kross "stealthtenna" clone (which works for someone 30km's from the towers).

I'll keep the forum informed on my quest for a PBS!

Good day all.

mcbiggest, keep us posted. Our TVFool is similar, and i've had troubles with off-the-back reception of some CF channels (CHOT/TVA, CFGS/TQS) from the 4228hd post-transition. So the DB8 may turn out to be a good choice, time will tell. I also have the cm7777 and it's been OK when pointed at WNPI. Actually at the moment it's even OK when pointed roughly between CF and HC where it will stay for the winter.

I have been a proponent of the HD-8800 for Ottawa, but have come to realize that any slight difference in performance of similar, quality antennas could easily be covered by variations within build tolerances. This is not the case for cheap knock-offs where the build tolerances aren't as tight and will have even larger variations on top of the poorer initial design.

Do you plan on adding a VHF antenna?

Wow, so the DB8 may be able to get PBS more easily because it's not as sensitive to the CF Signals coming from behind... interesting.

Realistically I'd have to wait for spring to have a setup worthy of my antenna. Without roof mounting I fear that there are too many obstructions. My mast is on my deck and goes up about 15 feet, but alas, the neighbour roofline is much higher. The good note is that my house has the highest peak... perfect for a mount (when it's safe of course).

Yeah, I'll put a simple VHF... for blasted Global :s

+1 for the DB8, works awesome for me in Avalon.
I have mine pointed south in the attic and get all the locals plus 18.1/18.2/18.3/28.1/28.2 most of the time.

Global is another matter, I can't watch it anymore, time to hunt for a vhf solution.

No, the problem I had was weak reception of CHOT and CFGS because the 4228hd does not get a very good signal when receiving off the back of the antenna from the north. It has a big Front to back ratio, it is very directional and has good gain but from the backside if the signal is weaker it can be problematic depending on the angle it's coming in.

mcbiggest, what you can do while you are testing on your deck is to aim where there are holes between houses, and to give the antenna a slighty tilt upwards. I had a similar test setup on the backyard (see my profile pics) where I was surrounded by houses. The PBS channel I was getting best was the one in the direction where the surrounding houses were the farthest, giving refraction the best chance to reach my antenna.

Thanks for the advice flavoie! I'm fairly fortunate that the opening between houses happens to be in the rough direction of HC... unfortunately my neighbours house just encroaches on my ability to recieve 18, so I have to wait until I have a roof mount setup. I can pick up all the local channels now without constant adjustments... safe Global.

I still haven't recieved my CM 7777 (on back order until Jan 30th at the Source), but I don't think it'll help get PBS given the current obstructions. It will help with the VHF however, since it will allow me to combine a VHF antenna (and finally get Global... you'd think they'd have learned from the American transition, different topic I know)!

I'll post some pics soon, I wish I had today to work outside... seems warmer than the last few.

+1 for the DB8, works awesome for me in Avalon.
I have mine pointed south in the attic and get all the locals plus 18.1/18.2/18.3/28.1/28.2 most of the time.

Global is another matter, I can't watch it anymore, time to hunt for a vhf solution.
Are you using a preamp with your attic setup??

yeah, I have the cm 7778
I made a simple dipole for global yesterday. Works perfectly.

I plan on making a simple dipole myself... my CBOFT and CTV come in fine, so I'm not investing much for one channel!

I'm using an amplified indoor antenna (Terk HDTVa) in my upstairs bedroom pointing northwest and am getting global no problem. I live in north fallingbrook here in Orleans

My DB8 is meant to be a UHF antenna, but I don't think its worth investing in a Terk for only one channel (since I don't think VHF wwny 7 is reachable for me). I really think a radio antenna with the dipoles extended will do just as well, and cost almost nothing at a thrift store.

mcbiggest, rather than using a radio antenna, spend the $3 and get a pair of rabbit ears from The Source. Not weatherproof, but at that price you can replace it every few years (or make your own out of aluminum tubing).

I have three "problem" stations: CITY on RF17 and CHCH on RF22 and Global on RF6. City TV comes in most of the time, Global about a third of the time but CHCH only rarely makes an appearance. Unfortunately, I am very limited in terms of antennae I can use since I live in an apartment and can only mount an antenna indoors.

My goal: to improve reception of CITY and CHCH.

I currently have a CM4220HD, mounted in a window, with a CM7778. Would an Antennas Direct DB2e with a CM7778 make much of a difference? I notice that peak gain with the DB2e is >600 MHz but CITY and CHCH transmit at 488 MHz and 518 MHz, respectively.

Any thoughts/suggestions?

I'm not an expert, but my reseach suggests that a the CM4220 is a good antenna, and very comparable to the DB2, so don't waste your money (My opinion).
It seems like you're having a hard time picking up the Herberts Corner transmitter (located South of the city, between metcalfe and kars. Try shifting the antenna, while performing various scans. Can you put the 4220 on the balcony (If you have one that is... many people do it :s).

The CM4220 is a UHF antenna, and performs poorly in VHF low. For Global reception, you will need a VHF antenna (I had the same problem). Fortunately you don't need to spend much... just get bunny ears (used cheapies should do), extend the dipoles, and plug it in to your VHF input on the CM 7778.

Despite great marketing claims, The DB2e only has a 0.6dB improvement over the DB2 according to their own specs. Since I would suspect the DB2 will perform similarly to the CM-4220HD, I would doubt if the DB2e will make that much of a difference.

Update...

I just received my CM7777 for my antenna setup.
My goal is to get a PBS channel from N.Y. in Orleans.
I raised my backyard mast to about 18 feet, from 15, and intalled the preamp to my A.D. DB8. No positive results; the signals for 23 and 38 are far too poor for any reception, fluctuating only mildly.

My backyard setup has an almost perfect line of sight to Herberts Corner, with a slight obstruction from the east, provided by my neighbours house. that house stands in the line of sight for both attainable PBS channels.

I will have to wait until spring afterall in order to continue my quest. Roof mount is next. It was worth a shot!

mcbiggest, did you at least see a better SNR reported for the local channels ?

with a slight obstruction from the east
Mcbiggest,

If you move your antenna more or less 5 degrees you should get that PBS channel 38.
.