Hi all,

I have decided to try and do my install on the roof instead of the attic. Because I am moving outside, I've got a bit more room, so I want to add in a VHF antenna to help the CM4221HD.

I am looking for the right antenna to improve reception for VHF 6 and 13. I have read a bit about the VIP 302-SR in some of the threads and on another site... but I doesn't show up on the decision chart stampeder has prepared.

I want something that is not too big on the roof... the 302-SR seems to fit that bill at only 9ft.

This antenna will complement a CM4221HD installed on the roof with a CM7777 preamp.

TV Fool - http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wrapper&Itemid=29&q=id%3d8387aaadeb53aa

Channel 7 is a -12.1NM(dB) for me, so I assume that there is no chance of picking that up with even the best of VHF antennas... however, do you think it might be possible to pull in from time to time? Would that affect the direction I point the VHF antenna? If no chance of getting 7 at all, it is really only needed to improve reception of 6 and 13, which I guess means that the antenna should be pointed towards CF at 342 degrees.

Any comments welcome...

After getting this all up on the roof, I'll post my results.

Thanks!

Suggest you give things a try before buying other things that you may not need. I have a CM4221HD in my attic pointed at HC and I get Global from CF off the back of the antenna (or so I gather). Give it a try and see what you get.

I also receive global using a roof mounted CM4221HD.

tmac3599, channel 7 WWNY is the same as WNYF (18:28.1/28.2) so if you're going to get WNYF, you don't have to bother with WWNY-7. Unless you want a backup, because WNYF is a repeater of WWNY.

I have friends in Nepean who get Global with indoor antennas. So you may not need the 302 if you're lucky as others have just mentioned. If you do go with the 302sr, you can either point it at WWNY or CF at your heart's content, I think becks pointed it at WWNY and still gets Global fine. Yours might not be as well aligned 180 degrees, but this is something you can definitely try.

I live in the Craiog Henry area of Nepean, and I can get 6 with just an FM antenna and a preamp with the FM trap in.

But be careful - you can't extrapolate Kanata reception from Nepean reception (even if Bridlewood used to be part of Nepean Township :) ).

That's because channel 6 uses a very directional antenna in order to protect channel 5 in Pembroke, channel 6 in Montreal, and channel 6 in Deseronto. (yes as a digital station, it does not have to protect analog stations any more, but they're reusing the original analog antenna.)

According to TVFool, channel 6 throws at least 2.5 kW my way, but only 600 watts or less towards Kanata.

Thanks all for the advice...

Let me see if I understand this correctly... the WNYF-LD 18 listed in the TV fool report:

http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wrapper&Itemid=29&q=id%3d8387aaadeb53aa

is actually sub-channels 28.1 (Fox) and 28.2 (CBS) from Waterown? If so, I hadn't realized that...

Given that the TV Fool report is giving me a -7.3 NM(dB) for WNYF, I guess the chances of picking that up consistently will be slim? What have others in the area of Greenbank and Fallowfield achieved?

I am going to install the CM4221HD with the CM7777 preamp on the roof and see what I get. Hopefully the CM4221HD will pick up the VHF stations as others have suggested.

I'll post an update when things are installed.

@tmac3599

I'm noobie myself. I recently bought a HD8800 and quickly installed it in my main attic. Unfortunately I couldn't get any 18.1 signal. I haven't tried using 7777 because it is mounted/installed in my small attic over garage with 4221 knock-off and it gets me all the local channels (except Global, which I can catch on rabbit ears only in my bedroom, no where else).

I'm planning to try HD8800 with 7777, perhaps later this month. Hence please post your results.

BTW... I live in Stranherd/Woodroofe area (not that far from you :-))

I've lost 11.1 (CHCH), 14.1 (Omni2) and 65.1 (CityTV) tonight. All other HC stations don't appear to be affected at all.

Anybody else?

Tmac, I get WNYF most of the time in Orleans with no obstructions. My tvfool rates it at -7 or -8 NM. I have a 4228hd and cm7777.

You can get it with good aiming, good preamp and good tuner, but it might not be reliable all day. Expect to see it better at night.

I've lost 11.1 (CHCH), 14.1 (Omni2) and 65.1 (CityTV) tonight. All other HC stations don't appear to be affected at all.

Anybody else?
No, they're still coming in strong in this Beaverbrook location.

I've lost 11.1 (CHCH), 14.1 (Omni2) and 65.1 (CityTV) tonight. All other HC stations don't appear to be affected at all.

Anybody else?

No problems here in the market.

They'll all back as of this morning. Strange. They all cut out at the same time yesterday, some time after 19h.

Tmac, I get WNYF 24/7 with a roof mounted 4228HD and a CM7777 from Bridlewood.

Tmac, I get WNYF year round 24/7 with an outdoor 4228HD and a CM7777 in "Old Barrhaven" about 1/2 way between Greenbank/Cedarview near Fallowfield rd.

My brother who is also in the area gets it as well with the CM4228HD and HDP-269 -- he only recently got set up so I don't know how well it will do come winter.

This is directed to those of you in Bridlewood...

I'm trying to figure out if I need a VHF antenna just to get Global (CIII / channel 6). I still haven't moved my antenna setup to the roof; it's still in my backyard. With just the CM-4228HD and the CM-7777, my plasma TV could not find Global. But, when I added a simple rabbit-ears antenna to the VHF input on the CM-7777, I now get Global with about 84% signal strength. You can see the rabbit-ears antenna circled in red here: http://www.timo.ca/home/home-vhf-antenna.jpg

When I move my CM-4228HD to the roof, will it be enough to try and grab a Global (channel 6) signal, or will I need to look at a VHF antenna? Is using one of these rabbit-ears antennas a viable option (like the $5 one you can buy at TheSource.ca), or do I need something stronger to withstand the weather?

Timo

I've used indoor rabbit ears outside for many winters. Just the simple one without the knob or loop. No problems. But it wouldn't hurt to spray a little wd40 and cover the obvious with a little bathtub silicone (instant custom boot and gromet)

I've lost 11.1 (CHCH), 14.1 (Omni2) and 65.1 (CityTV) tonight. All other HC stations don't appear to be affected at all.

Anybody else?
Strange, I've lost them again tonight, on both my TVs (and LG and a Samsung). All other channels are great, including the ones lower on the tower at HC. I'd never had problems with them before.

Curiouser and curiouser.

UPDATE: I get them with a Silver Sensor I've got stashed in the attic (but lose CHRO, Omni1 and CITS which are lower on the pole...) so I guess it's time for me to get back up on the roof and try to aim the antenna better.

UPDATE2: Yep. Now I feel stupid. Those high winds we had over the weekend must have nudged the antenna to the side just enough.

Timojaak: 4228HD is VHF-Hi (channel 7-13) and UHF (channel 14-69). You're in the same boat as the rest of us in finding a suitable VHF-Lo (channel 2-6) antenna just to get Global. Rabbit Ears outside isn't an option unless you can protect it somehow by mounting it under the eaves or soffit to give it some kind of protection. Even then I still don't think I'd do it. Then you'll have run another coax & combine them with the feed from the 4228. If you can stick the Rabbit ears in the attic & still get Global, then that's your cheapest/easiest solution.

I'm thinking about building one out of small copper tubing (a folded dipole) but it will still be about 6 feet long.

When I move my CM-4228HD to the roof, will it be enough to try and grab a Global (channel 6) signal, or will I need to look at a VHF antenna? Is using one of these rabbit-ears antennas a viable option, or do I need something stronger to withstand the weather?

A month ago I would have said you won't have a chance with the 4228HD, but I have been surprised how many people have been pulling Global in with an outdoor UHF antenna. On the other hand many people with VHF-LO antennas are having troubles so I wouldn't count on it working either.

Using rabbit ears outdoors may work, but they aren't designed to be weatherproof so it may not last, but if it works, given the price you can afford to replace it every year or so.

There really is a market for and outdoor, VHF-LO dipole antenna. It could be scored with markings for the different channels so it could be cut for the desired channel. It would range from 6' (for channel 6) to 9' (for channel 2) long, but would be short so more discrete than a Y5-2-6 (though obviously with much lower gain). Great for people in urban or suburban range though.

I came across the ad cs2 complete this week. It's a simple dipole plus cs2 plus outdoor combiner plus mount package. I wonder, if they'd sell the dipole plus combiner or just the dipole for upgraders...

EDIT: this is a bad example this is for VHF hi but it's an idea nonetheless