Still getting pretty good results with my GE Future antenna (grey paddle) mounted inside my 2nd floor office. Digital channels are:

2.1 SRC 8-10 bars
3.1 CBS 4-8 bars
3.2
5.1 NBC 2-6 bars
5.2
6.1 CBC 8-10 bars
12.1 CTV 3-7 bars
17.1 TQ 8-10 bars
33.1 PBS 2-6 bars
33.2
33.3
33.4
44.1 FOX 2-5 bars
44.2 CW
57.1 PBS 1-3 bars
57.2
57.3


57 is by far the most sketchy, it's been more stable lately probably due to tropo effects. I rarely got a solid lock on it before.

Can't wait for Aug 31st! C'mon ABC!

i realize its too early to evaluate definitively,

but looks like CBMT will be a disappointment for off-island points to the southwest, the signal is not stable, and very fragile (comes and goes), not sure it will come in with amplification either, im still testing

i hope CFCF, and the others go better, but so far reception on UHF is disturbing :eek:

Remember that there is yet one more round of power upgrades for CBC and Radio-Canada. By 2012, they are moving to the TOP of the Mount Royal tower and their ERP will jump to more than 400 kW. (Currently, they are lower on the tower and are using only about 60 kW ERP.)

Balm in Pointe-Claire you should not have any problem receiving CBMT or CFCF. Here in Vaudreuil CBMT is coming in with constant 8 bars on Samsung tv and CTV with constant 4 bars. Tele-Quebec 17.1 is the best at 9-10 bars.
All this on the outside antenna.
We will be able to see the final results when all stations will be transmitting with the final power on the assigned channels. Digital signal is highly directional and sometimes moving the antenna slightly makes all the difference.
Usually the results will be disappointing if you will try to point one antenna between Mount Mansfield and Mont Royal to catch signal from all directions. for best results you will need a rotor or two antennas. My 8 bay antenna is fold-able. Half (4 bays) is pointing to Mount Mansfield and half to Mont Royal. This is working good but it is not ideal. In the future I would like to put a rotor and have all 8 bays pointing to chosen direction.

Those foldable 8 bay bowties are not recommended antenna from the chart.

You should be able to receive all the local channels with an 8 bay point straight at Mount-Mansfield and even better if it is pointed between Mont-Royal. CBMT and V is still every weak this month, they are doing something for sure because CBMT 2.1 was pretty strong for the past 3 months.

Recommended or not it does a good job of receiving all US channels (except for WVNY 13.1) and all viewable digital channels from Montreal. All analog channels also come in crystal clear. All this without any pre-amplifiers. I have an 10db 4 way amplifier but mainly to distribute the signal to more than one tv.
Like I said in previews post it is not ideal setup but it pulls in stations very well. I think rotor and 8 bay antenna is the best.
By the way I paid on special $39 for this 8 bay fold-able antenna. The CM 8 bay is $99. I have quality reception for minimum investment.

Those folding antennas have a known set of problems with their design:

Clones of CM4228 That Fold / Bifurcate (http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=114608&highlight=bifurcate)

As I've said here many, many times over the years, I am delighted when a member gets satisfactory reception even if it is with an antenna that is not recommended, so really this is just a reminder that problem antennas may work fine for one person while not doing well for others. We have seen this pattern over and over again.

If it is not on the Antenna Chart I would not buy it. ;)In the future I would like to put a rotor and have all 8 bays pointing to chosen direction.That would eliminate the majority of the problems seen with that design. :)

Just wanted to update my reception results now that we're closing in on the full transition. Bear in mind, my Rotor does not work so my big RadioShack outdoor antenna remains pointed at Mt. Mansfield.

Reliable - Always available and Clear:

3.1, 3.2, 5.1, 5.2, 6.1, 12.1, 15.1, 33.1, 33.2, 33.3, 33.4, 44.1, 44.2, 57.1, 57.2, 57.3

Occasionally Clear:

17.1, 18.1, 18.2, 18.3, 22.1, 22.2

Came in a Few times (Tropo):

2.1, 28.1, 28.2, 30.1 (Yes, from Sherbrooke)


All in all, I'm pretty happy with these results. The American channels I've been testing for a couple years now so they are reliable even through the winter.

Gerrit77, those results are truly impressive. I have an old, big VHF/UHF antenna which I am tempted to put up. With your results I am even more tempted. I just have to change my mast from 1" to 1.5" or 2" for stability as I do not have dedicated antenna tower, just 1" x 10' fence pipes joint together. I was thinking of putting my 8 bay on a rotor, but I think putting this old VHF/UHF would be the best solution.
Your setup is even more impressive that despite the distance you have solid signal on 15.1, were here in Vaudreuil I am struggling with 1 to 2 bars and signal dropouts.

Hi everyone,

Been lurking for sometime on DHC and what I have read here convinced me to go OTA with the impending digital transition.

My TVFool: http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wrapper&Itemid=29&q=id%3d9e748c4c969380

I am located about 40 KM northwest of Montreal.

My setup: A roof-mounted 8-bay folding UHF antenna on the back of the house (which faces southwest). I got a Clearstream C5 VHF-hi antenna to get WVNY 22.1 on Channel 13 - it is installed about 1.5 meters away from the UHF antenna and connected with the supplied UHF/VHF diplexer.

My problem is I get wildly fluctuating reception on 22.1, 12.1, 17.1, 44.1, and 2.1. Sometimes they come in perfectly and sometimes not at all. It is driving me crazy and I can't figure out why. For instance, on 22.1 (VHF 13 from my C5 antenna) I get a signal strength of 40% but the signal quality varies between 10% (unwatchable) and 90% (rock solid). The other stations (3.1, 5.1, 6.1, 15.1) come in reliably.

Does anyone have an idea why reception on certain channels varies so much?

How come I am getting a relatively strong signal on 22.1 but dropouts that make it unwatchable for hours at a time. Is it adjacent channel interference from analog CFCF-12?

Mind you, the same happens with 44.1 and as far as I know there is no c-channel or adjacent channel ussue there.

Is it atmospheric conditions? Interference?

Anyone have any ideas?

Thanks for your help!

Soupdragon...

I would suggest you look at one of the following items...

CM3410
CM3412
CM3414

I personally use the CM3414. I have used the CM3412 in the past as well.

I as well use to have some wild Fluctuating signals on some channels. Those Channel Master units helped solve some of the problems.

As always, do your homework before you buy anything.

soupdragon

im in a similar situation southwest of montreal, its because its "edge" channels, and the NM doesnt make a difference,

the key is to do A LOT of experimenting (Like months of it) to find the exact best spot and antennas combo for YOUR location

my tests showed amplifying wont make the channels reliable

i recently discovered choosing the right ATSC tuner makes somewhat improvement but still wont be stable reception, i tried a Zinwell ZAT 720 converter, and it beat all the HDTVs ive tried

also, in broad terms you need the most directional antennas available, and dont rely solely TVFool as a predictor

in broad terms, about 55 miles southwest of montreal west island, so far,

ATSC reception of montreal channels are disappointing, of all the Montreal channels testing or on air (V, CBMT, CBFT, CFCF, CKMI, TQ) only CBMT is somewhat receivable

silmilarily for the ontario, and vermont channels, in general not reliable enough to watch

this wont matter to most rural people there, because they use satellite anyway, and use antennas (OTA) as a back up only for when satellite is flacky

this certainly wont attract people to using only OTA

I started receiving Global 15.1 in Vaudreuil this week!!! :)

Just missing TVA and V now... :)

CFCF12-HD and CFMT 10-1 won't be a problem once Sept. 1st rolls around, they are both on Mont-Royal and their late night testing already confirms their signal is strong.

Only V 35.1(42) is a concern as they will be transmitting from the roof of a warehouse on Amherst St. because they can't afford to transmit from Mont-Royal.

beware,


there is a HUGE difference (negative) in reception quality when OFF the west-island (SouthWest QC), seriously, HUGE

past ile-perreault everything becomes 1,2nd edge channels, and will be near impossible to rely on,

you might get them one second, and then not the next second, this means program viewing will not be possible unless you enjoy the frustration

most people i know southwest have also given up, its very annoying experience

Balm, I live well west of Ile-Perot (Ontario-Quebec Border) and I have been able to pick up the American channels quite reliably for the past 2 years (with the exception of WVNY which I can rarely get). I'm not sure that I agree that west of Ile-Perot is nearly hopeless.

Gerrit,

thanks,


i believe you are north of me, anyway it must come down to exact locations, this is very troubling with ATSC

i have major difficulty with 2nd edge channels, close or far,

CKMI #15, and TQ #27, are a problem here in this area, not a chance without highly directional antenna, major height, and kitztech amp. Of the montreal channels only CBMT #20 comes in

Further you are from the transmitting tower the more elaborate your antenna setup must be, but as many on this forum have proved good quality reception from far away is possible. Here in Vaudreuil with half of my 8 bay folding antenna pointing to Mount Mansfield I get reliable reception of all US channels except WVNY. Some channels from Montreal are not yet at full power or on their final antenna positions, so we just have to wait and see. Currently from Montreal with the other half of the antenna I get reliable reception of 6.1, 15.1, 17.1.
All this with el cheapo antenna without preamplifier.
TV reception equipment is same as computers. In computers, your computer is as quick as it's weakest link (memory speed, bus speed, hard disk latency etc.), same in TV reception. Antenna type and height, quality of the coax and its connections, amplifiers, ATSC tuner, balun, everything is important, you neglect one, you have poor or no reception.
Last weekend I was fine tuning my antenna for Global 15.1, at the time I lowered my antenna by one section 5 feet from 25 to 20 feet. This 5 feet made all the difference, I lost most of my channels.

Hello, in the other Montreal threads people are reporting that the CJNT-DT signal is now stabilized. Even this morning with clear weather I am unable to get a solid signal in Pointe-Claire (shows up on the scan but not able to get a lock).

Anyone able to pick it up? I'm in the Lakeshore hospital area.