Well, after talking to about half a dozen GTA vendors and reading all the threads on DHC, I sure am frustrated. Every vendor had different opinions on the best way to mount, the best antenna...some said only the CM 4248, others said the 4228, and yet others claim putting TWO antenna--one for pointing to the CN tower, and another for Buffalo stations!

My tuner in my JVC 61FH96 is also "too weak" to receive signals properly--I need a setop box, they claim.

As for mounts, a few REFUSED to do anything but rooftop peak, others said I could put the CM tri-mast slope-roof mount, and others said ONLY a tower.
And as I have seen in a few posts..almost ALL refuse to call back and act like they are too busy to listen to you.

One vendor who claims over 30 years experience and was sounded interested in talking to me said that rooftop mounts always fail..and to do a side (wall mount) that goes up past my evestroughs.
I read in a previous thread here (I think from YAAMON) that the weight of the 4228, rotor, and mast is too much for a side/wall mount.
Do you guys still concur? (Esp. since I have stucco outside walls, not brick, and as such I would have to bolt into wooden framing studs behind the stucco...)?
Comments?
Thx
:( Mik @ Avenue & Eglinton

Well, after talking to about half a dozen GTA vendors and reading all the threads on DHC, I sure am frustrated. Every vendor had different opinions on the best way to mount, the best antenna...some said only the CM 4248, others said the 4228, and yet others claim putting TWO antenna--one for pointing to the CN tower, and another for Buffalo stations!

My tuner in my JVC 61FH96 is also "too weak" to receive signals properly--I need a setop box, they claim.

I am going to stay away from antenna selection and internal vs. external tuners as these questions belong in different threads.

As for mounts, a few REFUSED to do anything but rooftop peak, others said I could put the CM tri-mast slope-roof mount, and others said ONLY a tower.
And as I have seen in a few posts..almost ALL refuse to call back and act like they are too busy to listen to you.

Here are the pros and cons of the 4 common ways of mounting an antenna:


Tower

This is arguably the best way to mount an antenna, but it is also the most expensive. If you are going to have multiple antennas, or need a lot of elevation, a tower is the way to go.

There are two types of towers: free standing, and bracketed. Free standing towers are cemented into the ground and are designed not to require guy wires (up to a certain height) or be attached to a building. A bracketed tower is not designed to stand up on its own and needs to be attached to the side of a building (or some other solid structure).


Tripod

If you don't need a lot of elevation and only have one antenna, a tripod is a much more affordable solution. It is quite stable as long as you keep the mast short and secure it well to the roof. Using guy wires you can get extra elevation and support more antennas, but you would be better off with a tower in this case.


Chimney mount

If your house has a brick chimney, and it is in good condition, attaching the mast to it is a good alternative to a tripod, but the smoke coming out of the chimney might affect the antenna and the connections over time.


Eave and wall mounts

This is the easiest way for a home owner to mount an antenna, as he doesn't need to get onto the roof. They are also the least conspicuous for those who are afraid of changing the aesthetics of the house, but they won't support much weight or allow a very long mast and thus can only be used for short, small antennas.

One vendor who claims over 30 years experience and was sounded interested in talking to me said that rooftop mounts always fail..and to do a side (wall mount) that goes up past my evestroughs.
I read in a previous thread here (I think from YAAMON) that the weight of the 4228, rotor, and mast is too much for a side/wall mount.
Do you guys still concur? (Esp. since I have stucco outside walls, not brick, and as such I would have to bolt into wooden framing studs behind the stucco...)?

I suspect that this vendor was referring to a bracketed tower. If this is the case, it is a very good option if he uses a good quality tower. However, if he is talking about an eave or wall mount then he is out to lunch.

Well, after talking to about half a dozen GTA vendors and reading all the threads on DHC, I sure am frustrated.Mik, this is true not just for OTA gear, but for HDTVs, Computers, and almost all consumer electronics. If you listen only to the salespeople you will get confused and frustrated. After being on DHC for the last few years I already know volumes more about HDTVs than almost every big box electronics store salesperson I've ever met.

Regarding OTA, most of the seasoned veterans of the business have retired after the long OTA die-off in Canada, but now that Digital OTA is alive and well they've handed the torch to our generation, and so now its our turn to help folks get the most out of their gear and situations. Luckily the people we get here in the OTA Forum have amazing knowledge and are very generous with proper advice.

Keep coming here and you will get the straight goods. :)

My tuner in my JVC 61FH96 is also "too weak" to receive signals properly--I need a setop box, they claim.

I read in a previous thread here (I think from YAAMON) that the weight of the 4228, rotor, and mast is too much for a side/wall mount.
Do you guys still concur? (Esp. since I have stucco outside walls, not brick, and as such I would have to bolt into wooden framing studs behind the stucco...)?
Comments?
Thx
:( Mik @ Avenue & Eglinton

Mik sorry that the tripod mount that I used on my roof is not in stock.

Who ever that sales/installer said that the tuner in your Jvc is not good enough, I can confortable say he is NOT well informed and should not be making a statement like that without knowing or having first hand experience.

The Jvc tuner is good enough, never had a problem with my Jvc.

That is just so ignorant to say somethign like that.

Definately I do think mounting on the side of the wall going into the wood beams and using regular wall brackets 12" or 18" from channel master is not designed to really support a rotor setup. At this height just above the eves is the veiw towards Buffalo clear?

If you want to go with a rotor my advise would be a roof tripod mount and if Iam not mistaken you house does not have a chimney.

To recommmend two 4228 without trying even one is beyond me. :rolleyes:

Mik: there is a place in Mississauga that had rooftop tripod mounts for $39.99 in stock a couple of weeks ago. I can't remember the name, but it's just West of Dixie on Matheson, it might have been Sayal Electronics.

Tom

Thanks, Tom. But my application I am looking for a tripod that can mount on a sloped roof (not the peak). So it has only two "legs", with the third leg being the mast of the antenna itself...Some dealers I've called have never heard of it, yet Channel Master sells it (or at least, Summitsource.com).

Thx
Mik

I made my own mount with a mast of 1-1/2" galvanized pipe, 12 feet long and two 1-1/4" angle supports about 8 feet long. All it took was some U-bolts to hold it togetether and some angle brackets to bolt it down to the roof. I used 2-1/2 x 3/8" lag bolts and made sure i hit the roof joists.

All this is readily available at home depot. It took me an afternoon of sitting on the roof, like playing with a mechano set... If you're not going over 10 foot on the mast, I'd stick with 1-1/4", or you'll need bigger U-bolts for the antenna.

Mine is even cheaper than that! I used a 6 1/2' piece of galvanized pipe ($8.65) and a couple of U-bolts bolted to the basketball net on my garage. :)

Tom

Good results. Where are you located and what do have installed?

I'm getting good signals today also, but not like yours and I can't get 49-1.

Stampeder, thanks for your help .. sorry if I have cause you head ache..

Not headaches, just some smiles and some confusion. :) I'm very happy you are getting such great results.

Ok,I got a good deal from Karim at Nu-tech in Hamilton on a CM4228 and a
3' tripod roof mount (thanks for the tip Stampeder!). I will add a rotator later if I need to. (Oakville west of Toronto)

I am hoping to tackle this later today. Here are my concerns with the installation on my single story home after reading and searching prolly hundreds of posts.

I am in a semi, and should prolly avoid lagging my tripod on the topmost horizontal roofpeak as my neibour might not appreciate it!:o Am I going to have a difficult time getting the mast vertical using the diagonal peak (not overly steep)is there some trick I may be able to use? ( I expect to be working solo :( ) I am also a little concerned about finding a 'sweet spot' under the circumstances and am considering a 'Hail Mary' selection process ! (I used to get quite a few channels from bunny ears in my bedroom - I am hoping that dead spots are unlikely, but then again I am a noob!)

As far as hitting the joists, how critical is this? I know the joists might not line up that great at the peak, and who's to say I'm going to be able to get all three legs over a joist? I think I have 3/4" plywood on the roof, won't
5/16" lag bolts be strong enough if I miss the joist?

Thanks for any advice .

It is critical to hit the joists. If done right the first time the installation will be secure and dry for the life of the rest of the shingles.
Don't install the tripod until you are confident you can do it right. (in the joists, black roof tar, grounded correctly)

You don't want to see the roof and the CM 4228 damaged when high winds rip everything out of 3/4 inch plywood.

electrocutioner, I spent a little longer than I originally planned with a temporary set-up until I could get it done right.
Initially, I was going to watch Super Bowl 2006 in HD ota. However, I resisted the temptation to wing it at the last moment. In the end, my temporary set up (10' pole with tripod on the ground) sufficed until November 2006. The final result is a secure, properly grounded install that won't require any 2nd or 3rd climb up for adjustments.

With regards to an alternate to the tripod; there is a two-legged stand (with the antenna mast making the 3rd leg). However, I believe it is difficult to find.

If by any chance you don't get up on the roof today, plan on having a helper when you do. Of course it is safer, but it really is great to have someone pass up that part/tool that was left below. Also, the 'Hail Mary' selection process falls flat when compared with the 'Two Man, How's it look Now?' method.

All right, I will do my best to take your advice-how well do stud finders work on the roof?:p :p (I prefer to stay out of my attic as I am a big fellow,and pefer not to fill my roof with pilot holes if it can be helped) Will a 3' tripod reach joists on all legs?

Most importantly,how bout my sloping peak situation?

I was thinking to either lengthen one of the lower braces to extend one tripod leg,or else cutting one leg short to make a level mount on one of the two angled peaks on my side of the building.Will this work?I have seen pictures of the 2 legged/mast installs but also imagine they are harder to find.

Maybe I could chop one leg out....?

Thanks,
Rick

actually,upon re-examination-could this be a tripod with an amputated leg???
http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/showpost.php?p=221083&postcount=25

I made my own tripod using a mast and 2 angle support legs. U bolts hold it together and anlge brackets hold it down. Home depot and afternoon of sitting on the roof, like playing with a mechano set. That works well on a sloped roof.

Finding the joists isn't hard by carefully pealing up the edge of the shingles and finding the roofing nails. Most house roofs I've been on are fairly soft, you can find the joists by walking on it.

Finding the joists isn't hard by carefully pealing up the edge of the shingles and finding the roofing nails.

I would be very carful pealing up the edge of the shingles as they can be very brittle. They are softer when hot and are less likely to break, but you still need to be careful.

:p :p
well it i am currently set up in the driveway-getting pretty good results already,can't wait to get her on the roof and see what i get!!!
I will post results in the Oakville thread

I am in the process of upgrading my antenna setup on to the roof (from my deck). I just bought a tripod mount, but made the incorrect assumption that they were adjustable for mounting on an angle on the side of the roof (I want to do this so I can at least hide the tripod as the whole setup isn't pretty). I see in the pimp my gear thread that a two leg support is used for this with the third leg being the antenna mast - although this does not look nearly as stable.

My question is - should I go ahead and see if I can find a two leg support (I don't think the store I bought mine at carried one), or should I modify the tripod by cutting one leg and reattaching the foot for the proper roof angle? (has anyone else done this?)

Kevin S the tripod that you mention is just as stable if you are mounting the antenna on the 5' pole it comes with.

The advantage is that it allows you to mount on any part of the slope of the roof.

The regular tripod has to be mounted on the peak of the roof and will support a 10' pole.

Thanks Yaamon. I think I am going to try modifying the one leg on the tripod as I do need a 10' pole for my application. If I can find a pipe that fits directly inside or outside of the tripod leg pole, I will be able to make it adjustable as well.