Welcome slot47! Have you had the chance to go through our welcome notes?
http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=125161

http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wrapper&Itemid=29&q=id%3d0b86666dc8127e

I have read that post, thanks guys.

Interestingly enough, tonight I am receiving a weak CBOFT(9) signal(breakups), but CIVO(30) is not there. Global(6) is also weaker, just on the cusp of breaking up. CFGS(34) seems to be stronger and more reliable. Considering that two of the channels are VHF, perhaps the rabbit ears would be of assistance. The CIVO weak signal has me stumped as all the rest of my CF UHF channels are strong, and CJOH(13) is full on, albeit VHF-HI. Perhaps a little more fine tuning of the direction can alleviate some of these problems.

I appreciate the time and assistance.

Later.

Slot47,

Although everyone raves about the CM7777 (and it is certainly a good amp), using one in an area of high field strength (which is your case with regard to CF, and probably HC as well) can cause overload of your TV's front end. This usually manifests itself in milder cases as degradation of the weaker signals (like Global). In more extreme cases, the stronger channels are degraded as well.

I would advise that you try your set-up without the CM7777 in circuit, and see if that improves things.

Another thing you could try for improving CF is to point the antenna at the side of any high buildings that might offer a good reflection of the CF signals. Many people have had good success with this when there is a close building blocking the line-of-sight. In the days of analog signals, this could give rise to a lot of ghosting (because of multi-path reception), but digital tuners are now quite good at dealing with multi-path.

Global (RF6) is in the VHF-Low band, and your antenna has no gain in that band. Incorporating a simple dipole with a high-low splitter-joiner (HLSJ) would show a big improvement for RF6. CBOFT (RF9) is in the VHF-Hi band, and the CM4228 has some gain there, so another antenna for the VHF-Hi band should not be needed.

Hi slot47, sorry to take so long to respond, but I lost track of your post when it got moved. I agree with DXer, and a CM7777 may not handle your strong signals very well. The only reason you may want a pre-amp is for receiving WNPI. All the other stations are strong enough that they will overcome pretty much any system loss you may have.

slot47, you can try to split your signal inside to make sure it's not your TV that gets too much signal. Some tuners are better than others to accept this. You should be able to split the signal to 8 TVs if you like.

As others have pointed, it can be a problem with either the 7777 overloading, but also with your TV set itself getting too much amplification from the 7777 gain, which in this case you can try to fix with splitting the signal.

Depending on how long of a run you have and how many splits, you may very well find it better with a preamp. It helps mitigate any loss there is between the antenna and your tuner. In my testing location when the signal was not high because i couldn't clear the other houses, my results were better with a preamp. Try it and see what happens... be also mindful that conditions can change through the day, you should get better reception at night in general.

Well here I am with my first post as the FAQ recommends.
http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wrapper&Itemid=29&q=id%3d0b866ba4c7bd6e

I am totally new to this whole digital OTA world but am old enough to remember the old "Rabbit Ear" days ... hold it up, turn left, lift your left foot ... perfect ... now stand still :)

I have started with a small RCA indoor antenna which can see 4 channels but none from Camp Fortune when the antenna is in my townhouse family room.

Thanks for all of the good info here, now lots of reading to do.

Hi cayemar, I'm a bit south of you ..near where Woodroffe meets Pr of Wales. I built a "Folding" Grey-Hoverman a year or so ago..get a dozen Ottawa channels that come in quite good. From both Camp Fortune an Herberts Corners..
I made it non folding out of 1/8 by 1 inch aluminum. I tried some old house wire ..# 14 on a two by four first and it worked well ..so I biult this one.

Hello Everyone

I have been enjoying this forum as a guest for about 6 months.

Thought it was time I share my experience with "you".

I live rurally a few km's south of Osgoode.

I have a Channel Master CM-3679 with a CM-7777 amplifier. The antenna is roof top mounted in a 5' tripod with a 10' mast.

I receive PBS , CBS, and FOX in HD out of Watertown, NY. Probably out of reach for most in Ottawa.

Here are the digital Ottawa stations I receive with the "back lobe" of my antenna (the antenna's main lobe is pointed at Watertown NY):
4.1 - CBOT (CBC) SD
6.1 - CIII-HD (Global Television Network- (GTN))
9.1 - CBOFT - (French CBC) SD
11.1 - CHCH SD
13.1 - CJOH (CTV) HD
14.1 - OMNI 2 HD
24.1 - TVO HD
30.1 - TELE-Quebec HD
34.1 - CFGS
40.1 - CHOT
41.2 - CIII (GTN) SD
42.1 - CTS HD
43.1 - CHRO HD (CTV2)
60.1 - OMNI 1 HD
65.1 - CityTV HD

Signal strength on all the Ottawa stations is "100%" (I do not own a signal strength meter). I suspect my setup over drives the front end of the ATSC tuner in my old ViewSonic HD TV - I have been looking for an excuse to upgrade the TV anyway should the receiver blow up)

Not sure if it is OK to mention: all of the antenna gear came from Trans Canada TV Antenna - they deliver for free in the Ottawa/Gatineau area.

It took a morning to install.

Don't miss the Xpressview bill at all.

Video and audio performance are far superior to Bell's satellite service - especially HD.

Cheeers
tdibro1

I carted my little RCA Indoor antenna up to the second story and placed it behind an east facing window.
Turned up the onboard amplifier and "scanned the sky".
The results were amazing ...
Channel = Station ID = Signal Strength
4-1 = CBOT = 100
6-1 = CIII-HD = 43
6-2 = CIII = 45
11-1 = CHCH = 100
13-1 = CJOH = 60
14-1 = OMNI2 = 65
24-1 = TVO = 100
30-1 = CIVO = 10
34-1 = CFGS = 15
40-1 = CHOT = 10
42-1 = CTS-HD = 100
43-1 = CHRO = 100
60-1 = OMNI1 = 95
65-1 = CITYTV = 100

Not too shabby for a first attempt. tried it again without the amplification and realized that I really do need it.

Thanks Chazz for mentioning the Grey-Hoverman antenna. I did a little research, that means a lot of reading, and came across a first try schematic at http://www.tvantennaplans.com that really doesn't look too hard even for an "all thumbs" like me. My son is really exited to give it a try as the RCA had an alternative antenna input.

I'm not missing Rogers or their bills at all. :)
As an aside I guess this means Rogers can't profile me by my TV viewing anymore either.

Hi cayemar, you are welcome. I started out by making a couple of those that are in that URL you posted. My current version looks like this one. ( it's not mine ..a pix I found)
http://img10.imageshack.us/img10/8343/dscn0767j.jpg

I used this site for the measurements
http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=97216&page=2

cayemar, I would lean towards building a SBGH (similar to what chazz pic shows but I would use wire instead) over a bow-tie antenna. Probably easier and will perform better. With NARODs it will also receive VHF-HI (channels 7-13) which a bow-tie won't do well (it is a UHF only antenna). You will still need something to receive VHF-LO for Global (Channel 6).

Newbie here, but I have done some research but I am running into a bit of trouble. I have a monoprice indoor antenna the 4730 model. I get great reception from both HC and Camp Fortune, Full green bars for CBC ottawa (4.1) but I get nothing for Global (6.1) and CBC French (9.1). I have the antenna in the second story of the house, with the provided amplifier plugged in.
Here is my info from tvfool, http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wrapper&Itemid=29&q=id%3d0b864ac1c8973c .

My mother in law is in town and needs her "Young and the Restless" fix during the week, please help :D

cheif rocker, try an FM twin lead dipole antenna for channel 6. It should work for 9 as well.

you can also play with rabbit ears if you have that... keep them horizontal and play with the length.

chief_rocker, that antenna is for UHF only. Both CBOFT and CIII are on VHF. Not only that, but they are the two weakest channels on your TVFool report. Pick up a set of rabbit ears (on clearance for $3 from The Source if you can find them) and use a UVSJ to combine the two antennas (or just get a better antenna that does both UHF and VHF).

Unfortunately i haven't found uvsjs anywhere lately, where does anybody find them except online ?

I have a some extra UVSJs in the basement that I can give away at cost if you need one and can pick it up.

I don't get why finding these common parts is so difficult. Someone pointed me to an exterior model carried by FTATronix. I myself am only looking for a couple of good Channel Master, Regal or equivalent splitter - the ones that are rated 3 or 3.5dB and not the satellite type splitters which can have a loss greater than 5dB.