Are you able to receive channel 7 from your location with a similar NM? While -5.1 dB NM would likely be receivable on UHF, I am not so sure about VHF. My rule of thumb is to subtract 10 dB from the NM for VHF-HI (channels 7-13) and 20 dB for VHF-LO (channels 2-6).
Yes, right now (2pm) my Sharp TV is reporting a signal strength between about 45 and 54; 35 is typically the dropout point. Generally better than this after dusk. TVfool estimates my NM as -4.7. I do have a CM3671 antenna, which claims a gain of 11 dB on 7.

While 13 may be receivable off the back, I am not so sure about channel 6 as it will likely be the most challenging station to receive here in Ottawa due to the very unfavorable characteristics of VHF-LO for DTV (especially channel 6).
Edit: Looking again at his TVFool results, CF is about 120 degrees from channel 7, which will make things even worse for receiving off the back end.
Agreed, it may be a stretch, and he may have to give up on RF7 and swing the antenna towards CF. But two of the main issues with Ch 6 reception in the Ottawa area are the low transmitter height and FM interference. He has line of sight, NM of 29.3 (post transition), and the CM7777 has an FM trap. So, I think it's worth considering.

Actually, if Rudster can get his CM-0064 working by re-running the coax, then he should aim the antenna at Watertown and see if there is any signal on 7, before spending any money. No signal, then swing the antenna back towards Ottawa, and try to find an optimum direction between CF and HC.

I did get channel 7.1 and 7.2 when I lived in Carleton Place but it pixeled out quite a bit and my tower was higher there (40') and I had a yagi pointed at watertown.

I think I will pass on Watertown for now and try the easy stuff you guys suggested first and then go from there.

Thanks again for all the tips!

RD

Nice day today in Lanark Highlands! I took the antenna down this morning and replaced the twin flat lead from antenna to preamp and also replaced the coaxial down to the power supply. BINGO! The CM 0064C preamp is working fine. The Camp Fortune channels came in perfect without the preamp but the Herberts Corners reception improved with the preamp on.

CBC, TVO, CTV, SUN, City, OMNI 1 & OMNI 2 are perfect!
A-channel, Global and CHCH 11 are not perfect but are very watchable.
TVFOOL says Camp Fortune is 56 degrees Magnetic and Herberts Corners is 94 degrees Magnetic. I set the antenna at 83 degrees Magnetic which seemed to give the best picture for Herberts Corners. The Camp Fortune channels came in perfect with almost any antenna direction between the two.

I think it was the twin flat lead connections...very corroded inside the preamp. Surprisingly the connections at the antenna were not too bad even thought they are exposed to the elements all the time. Probably moisture gets inside the preamp and it takes time to dry out...

I did try aiming the antenna at Watertown but all I got was snow.
No big deal...I am very happy with the channels and reception i am now getting.

All the best...RD

jrmclean, did you ever look at what your analog reception of Global and CTV was like from your 1713 in the attic, when the antenna was pointing at CF ?

Thanks !

On second thought, the 1713 might well be good enough if on the roof, pointed at CF and preamped...
EDIT: i have no clue. I was reading raw gain and not net gain charts when i said this. Someone from the Kanata thread has a 1713, that would be a good gauge.

I have a Winegard 1713, I'm in south Kanata and I can confirm it does pick up Global on channel 6, but not very well. It's watchable, but you wouldn't want to spend alot of time watching that channel. It's just not designed for that frequency. Ch. 6 is around 85MHz and Ch. 7 (the lower end of 1713) is designed to pick up starting around 175MHz.

Reception of Global is barely watchable...OK for a half hour or so, but I can't sit and watch for too long. CTV is strong enough signal, but I have some ghosting, possibly due to multipath being in an attic mount?

jrmclean, thanks a lot for coming by ! :)
Still thinking of moving that setup outside ?

Still thinking of moving that setup outside ?

Yes, I'm in need of some help with that, and not sure where to go. Anyone know of a company that can do tower installation? I know of a good 5 year old 40' Delhi tower that I can have for free. Catch is that I have to take it down where it is now and move it to my place and then reinstall.

I think I'll get much better reception outside and up higher. Plus, the wife won't be able to complain as much about the tufts of insulation on the carpet upstairs everytime I climb in and out of the attic....:D

jrmclean, use the following thread to look for an installer: OTA: Ontario Parts, Sales, Service, Installers (http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=23984)

At my location in Montague, Ontario. I get 7.1 & 7.2 all day & night with a SBGH antenna with no NAROD's or reflector's facing direct South. With a DBGH 10 w/NAROD's tuned for mid to high UHF, I get 28.2 & 28.2 without trop scat. 50.1 & 50.2 are rock solid with both designs. Mind you, I have a "30db" RadioShack distribution amp connected inside my home. The antenna is 40ft. in the air. The antenna point's directly south. Facing SW, I get a stronger 50's but the 28's fade from time to time. The funny thing is with the simple SBGH I also get Herbert's Corner channels clearly (17.1, 20.1, 27.1 & 66.1 are low power its rare). The only I pick up from CF is CTV & CBC. A Channel is fuzzy. Once I get the second tripod up with my SBGH and a circular barbecue grille behind it for directivity, Herbert's Corner's & Camp Fortune should be a go (I hope).

Hi all,

I've recently moved out of the city. I'm just off Panmure exit about 10 min south of Arnprior.

I can get 4, 4-1 and 13 should I be able to get more than this???

Any other HD Channels that I should be able to receive?

Hi Wing and welcome.

You should definitely be able to receive more than that from your location. What type of antenna are you using? Also, it would be helpful for you to generate a TVFool (http://tvfool.com) report (Radar Plot) for your exact location and post the link to it here (don't worry your address will hidden). Optimally, use the maps tool and Satellite view to pinpoint the location of your antenna.

If you don't get analog 24, 30, 34, and 40 from Camp Fortune, I suspect that you have your TV in "cable" mode. To receive UHF analog stations OTA you need to be sure you have the TV set to "antenna" mode.

To get CITY and the OMNIs in digital from Herberts Corners, you'll probably need a good outdoor antenna. A good outdoor UHF antenna will also get you digital 9.1 and 20.1 from Camp Fortune.

Hi guys. This thing?
http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wrapper&Itemid=29&q=id%3d8d1765f371b895


I am using a really crappy antenna that didn't seem any better than just sticking a wire on the TV.

I'm going to get myself something a little better, but didn't want to spend the time and money if I won't get much more.

According to that map even a good indoor should get me some channels.

Maybe someone can answer me why, when I screw my cable into my TV I get nothing but when I just stick the coax without the shielding I get a bunch of channels? TV is on antenna mode.

Hi guys. This thing?
http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wrapper&Itemid=29&q=id%3d8d1765f371b895


I am using a really crappy antenna that didn't seem any better than just sticking a wire on the TV.

I'm going to get myself something a little better, but didn't want to spend the time and money if I won't get much more.

Get at least a good indoor antenna, like an HDTVa, or better yet, an antenna on the roof.

According to that map even a good indoor should get me some channels.

Correct. The stations from Herberts Corners may be a little finicky from the first floor indoors, but may work if you're facing the right direction.

Maybe someone can answer me why, when I screw my cable into my TV I get nothing but when I just stick the coax without the shielding I get a bunch of channels? TV is on antenna mode.
What is the cable connectred to? 75 coaxial cable by iteself is a shielded transmission line, and iin general, won't pick up anything. Removing the shield turns it into an antenna which CAN pick up signals.

If you repost your TVFool with the correct height above ground level for the top of your roof, we can tell you whether you have a chance at the American PBS stations. Right now, the proediction for the standard 10 feet above ground says no. However, a decent antenna in your attic, or a good indoor antenna, should get all 15 local digital channels come September.

I've plugged it into an antenna with no luck, but the antenna may be foobar, my father in law gave it to me, it's probably 40 years old.

I'll get myself a better antenna and run it to the roof, they just installed the internet antenna on my roof so I can follow the cable down and through the wall. :)

I've redone at 25' about the height of the house.

http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wrapper&Itemid=29&q=id%3d8d1798a479a87a

If I'm reading the map correctly I should attempt to face the antenna N-E?

Don't junk that old antenna! :eek: If you could please take some photos and post them in the following thread we'd love to have a look at it: Antique, Used, and/or Mystery Antennas! (http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=107706) :)

wing, you should try to aim at your harder to reach channels from HC, and that would be south east east. you can also try in between your main 2 towers (CF and HC, Camp Fortune and Herberts Corner). Your goal should be to try to get all of them without having to move the antenna around.

I suggest you aim directly at HC (105 degrees True) and see what you get. Then slowly move towards north east and find the best spot.

Wing, Given that the antenna is 40 years old, it is highly likely that it is VHF only, which would somewhat explain your results. Not useless, just needs to be supplemented.

Any suggestions / links to an antenna I should be buying?

I don't want to spend a fortune.