@Dxer

Just using a CM 3212. The 4221HD gets VHF-Hi as well (CM doesn't advertise that it does this), so I get CJOH. The combiner is just to add Global from my ears. It's coming in with an SNR of 25 at the moment and I'm using a Pico/Macom UVSJ and a Delhi HLSJ with splices because I only need the one channel from the rabbit ears - all just to test. I used the splices because I didn't have a really short pieces of coax - 3 footers are too long.

This is only a temporary setup. I still have to physically move the balun on the 4221 (or replace it with a coax balun) and I'm thinking about adding an angled reflector but I may save that for the M4. All the channels form Camp Fortune come in really strong so I'm not bothered about loosing a couple of dB of SNR.

The WNPI 4 foot Yagi was just an experiment & also another field test for the preamp.

Is up on the chimney .... though not able to use chimney straps because on closer inspection, the chimney needs to be re-pointed. Straps were disappointingly just over 1/2 inch wide too, so I wondered if they could actually take all the torque. At the moment, the antenna is currently on top of the old sat dish j-pole with a smaller diameter pipe inside & the 10 foot mast slid over it. Added a come-along strap around the chimney for extra support.

Scanned in all the Camp Fortune & Herbert's Corners stations. I'm even getting CHRO, CityTv and both Omni's. Because of the extremely high pitch of the roof I wasn't able to try the experimental Global antenna. Much too hard to work one-handed. I wasn't worried about falling - just the sudden stop at the end!

I don't think that this is secure enough for the whole winter so will most likely take it all down in a couple of weeks. CM 7000 gives no indication for signal strength or quality and neither does the ancient Sony tv, so all I can say is that all the local channels are coming in fine so far with no pixelation or drop outs.

Discovering the "features" of the CM 7000 has given me a little more info.

Currently, CBC, CHCH, OMNI 1&2, TVO, CHRO & CityTv are all coming in at: 100 - whatever the value of 100 happens to be, and are transmitting in something referred to as "multi". All are currently transmitting programming in 1080i with the exception of CHCH (480i) and CBC (720p).

The big surprise was looking at the channel list and seeing Global. I don't remember seeing it scanned in but did NOT do a complete scan when the antenna was placed on the roof - just an add scan. I re-added it to the menu. The 4228HD is receiving Global at 100, 1080i & multi. Woo Hoo! :p

Have a plan to rectify the mounting problem just hope the weather cooperates. Now I can concentrate on the 4221HD - still tweaking & experimenting. Only missing Omni 1 but I'm not too bothered. The more I do to it, the more it looks like an M4! So an M4 is on the build list followed by 300ohmns' SGBH.

WWTI: Check jrmclean's setup as an excellent starting point...
I get WWTI 50.1/50.2 "almost always" IF I rotate my 16-bay UHF behemoth towards Watertown. I'm normally pointing at S.Colton so I have to go back and forth if there's something I want to record.

Better still would be to build/buy a ch.21 purpose built antenna like what backpackster (http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/member.php?u=66457) did...

Having trouble navigating all the resources to find the right rooftop antenna... please help!

We currently clearly get CBC-4, CTV-13, CTV2 (A Channel)-43, CHCH (Ind)-11, SRC-9, TVO-24, and a couple of other channels that we don't care about. We also get the analogue CBC on channel 36 from Kingston. We get these channels with a set up of a TV top antenna about 15 ft above ground surface on the south side of the house connected to a home made hanger/wood antenna in a second story window facing north. We loose CTV and CTV2 if we disconnect the second antenna.

Would love to get CBS and PBS.

http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wrapper&Itemid=29&q=id%3d4bba4f7d9e0f50

mmathedrader, Welcome!

Looking at your TVFool results, I would point a VHF-HI antenna to the south (towards WWNY) and a high gain UHF antenna to the south-east (towards WNPI). The VHF and UHF antennas can be combined with a pre-amp (like a CM7777 or CM7778). This should also give you all the stations you are currently receiving, and maybe more. Are you sure you don't want Global or CityTV?

For a list of recommended antennas, see the OTA Antenna Chart (http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=97121).

thanks!

I rescanned Tuesday evening and for the first time picked up 34.1 digital as 34 analogue had dropped off.
Also 18.1 etc. PBS showed up for the first time in weeks
The signal was good but on the margins in SNR and strength.

Notice of a second DHC OTA Members Meet: Kanata and Area has been posted in the relevant thread here: http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/showpost.php?p=1345683&postcount=30

Please respond in that thread if you are interested in attending.

DXer

Just wanted to give a little advice to all the newbies. Know the limits of your antenna tweaking. I discovered mine this afternoon. While adjusting the whiskers on the 4221HD (I had cut & bent appropriate lengths of coat hanger) it fell over. :eek: Undeterred, I stood it up again and straightened/aligned all the whiskers again. Needless to say, as soon as I finished , the antenna fell over again - this time taking out my computer monitor and knocking it off the desk.... :mad:

Fortunately my monitor only suffered a small scratch on the screen - barely noticeable - a big scratch on the surround though. Everything still works (OTA Gods must still be happy with me) but before I tune the antenna a bit better, I'm gonna attach some sort of anti-fall device like picture hanger wire or use what's left of my 12GA galvanized wire. Once all this is done I AM LEAVING THE ANTENNA ALONE!

lol, leave it for the winter, then the itch may start again when weather gets better ;) I decided my own setup was good enough for this winter, I have stable reception of most locals and this will be good until next spring. By that time, I'll see if CFGS, CHOT & CIII have changed anything.

Just a quick update on my setup. My antenna fell about a month or so ago... doh!

So I remounted it in a slightly different location which allowed me to add guy wires to stabilize it. It isn't falling anymore. It was cold the day I moved it so I just quickly stuck it up and had all the channels so I was happy.

Of course though Global was about 60% signal as usual. When it got warmer I went up to try to raise it up about 5 more feet. Funny thing, with it up 5 more feet I got global at 100% but CTV went from 100 to 30% :o

So I dropped it down again, ended up making a compromise and raising it another 3 feet where global is now 80% and CTV 90%.

Previously 2-3 times a month a program would not record because Global would cut out or not get tuned in. Since I have done this change I have yet to lose it! Finite adjustment could be a a huge difference!

Anybody have a source for a good VHF antenna in the Ottawa area?

I'm mounting my CM4228HD this weekend with pre-amp and would like to add a VHF antenna to the mix for Global.

luker0, be sure to check out the Where Can I Buy? (http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=164) forums for advice on where to purchase OTA equipment.

Anybody have a source for a good VHF antenna in the Ottawa area?

I'm mounting my CM4228HD this weekend with pre-amp and would like to add a VHF antenna to the mix for Global.

I put a DB8 with CM7778 in my attic today and was having trouble with Global, so I turned off the FM trap and that helped a bit but still had some errors, so I hooked up a $15 pair of rabbit ears I picked up at The Source the other day (item #1511863) to the VHF input and it works great now.

Not surprising gzero. The DB8 is a UHF antenna and Global is on VHF-LO. Kind of like using a pair binoculars to try to hear a concert better (though not that extreme). ;)

Anybody have a source for a good VHF antenna in the Ottawa area?

I'm mounting my CM4228HD this weekend with pre-amp and would like to add a VHF antenna to the mix for Global.

Hi luker0,

You can check out my hacked VHF antenna in another thread (http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/showthread.php?p=1320254). I basically took apart a rabbit-ears antenna and attached it to the VHF connector of my CM-7777 preamp. It improved my Global signal from minimal to very good (around 50-60% signal strength, the last time I checked). It was cheaper than going out and buying an actual VHF antenna.

I noticed that Antennas Direct added a dipole option into their "ClearStream 2 Complete" package, yet they haven't made this add-on available on it own from what i can gather. It's the kind of pro grade, for VHF rabbit ears + outdoor combiner a lot of people could consider adding to an existing UHF antenna.

The dipole in the "ClearStream 2 Complete" is for VHF-HI only, so it may not be good enough for Global. I would love to see someone make outdoor VHF-HI and VHF-LO dipole antennas.

There may be some movement in the medium term with some VHF stations across the country moving to UHF in problem cases. Global Ottawa is certainly one of the "problem" stations.

SRC is already in the process of moving ch. 12 Quebec City to UHF, and just received to approval to increase the power substantially on channel 9 in Sherbrooke.

It is certainly always a good practice to make sure the broadcasters hear from you if you have reception problems with their stations. I know that it is sometimes difficult to know if a private broadcaster is "listening", but it is worth the effort to try. You can always let the CRTC or the Heritage Canada DTV help line know if you are having any issues.