I live near downtown Ottawa and I want to get an antenna for indoor or attic mounting. From looking at the antenna decision chart it sounds like the CM4220 or the zenith silver sensor would work, although in order to satisfy the wife I'd have to mount the CM4220 in the attic and run wiring etc. I have a few questions:

Hi djackson and welcome!

1. Would the improved reception be worth the effort to mount a CM4220?

As compared to a silver sensor or other indoor antenna, yes. The biggest problem with indoor antennas is they can be affected by people walking around the room. The extra height helps as well.

2. Would this antenna pick up signals from both transmitter locations which are about 180 degrees apart for me (Mannotick and Camp fortune)?

Possibly, but if they are close to 180 degrees apart, I would lean towards a 4221 and remove the reflector so that you can get equal gain front and back. Others in this thread have done that successfully. Are there any tall buildings in the way of either of the towers?

3. Does anybody know where to buy these in Ottawa or order online from within Canada?

We can't discuss retailers in this thread, but they are hard to find in Ottawa but there are online retailers in Canada.

4. Do we need the full range (VHF low, VHF high, and UHF) or only some of that range to pickup all of the stations that are broadcasting in ATSC now and in the future? Maybe I could get one that is UHF only without losing anything?

Currently only UHF is used for DTV in Ottawa. After the analog shutdown things are a bit foggy. VHF-HI (7-13) will almost definitely be used. Industry Canada's draft plan has Global revert to 6 here in Ottawa, but there are rumours that channels 5 and 6 will be used for digital radio, so that may not happen. You can always add a VHF antenna later and use a band combiner (or pre-amp with one built in) to join the signals though.

Also djackson OTA reception is very location-based, so which major street corner are you nearest, or which neighbourhood?

Thanks for the responses. I'm pretty close to here (without giving the exact location):
http://maps.google.ca/maps/place?cid=14946000584964400399&q=parkdale%2Bave,%2Btyndall,%2Bottawa,%2Bon&hl=en

which is the intersection of Parkdale Ave. and Tyndall in the Hintonburg neighborhood of Ottawa. I'm not sure if any buildings would block the signal but we have a Queensway overpass (raised highway with walls above my roof level) to the south which probably block the signal from the south.

but we have a Queensway overpass (raised highway with walls above my roof level) to the south which probably block the signal from the south.

That would be my biggest concern. The signals will bend around it to some extent, but if you are close, it doesn't give them much room to "bend." Here elevation is your friend. If you can get the antenna up in the attic it will help and on the roof would be even better.

Hi All,

I am brand new at this so can someone help
me.

I live in Osgoode village in Ont and I,m thinking
of putting a digital antenna on my roof of a bungalow

I now there is a tower in Manotick how can I go
about with this project.:confused:

Go to tvfool.com and check to see what stations you can receive.

Post your location and a link to your tvfool report.

Hi All,

I am brand new at this so can someone help
me.

I live in Osgoode village in Ont and I,m thinking
of putting a digital antenna on my roof of a bungalow

I now there is a tower in Manotick how can I go
about with this project.:confused:
In Osgoode village you should be able to get all five local digital stations with an indoor antenna as well as all 14 analog stations. (some people have trouble with the lower power Herberts Corners Stations, but you're real close to the tower!).
An outdoor antenna will help with PBS, and probably clear up ghosts on the analog stations.

As otacanuck suggests, post your
TVfool results to be sure and we'll comment on them.

That would be my biggest concern. The signals will bend around it to some extent, but if you are close, it doesn't give them much room to "bend." Here elevation is your friend. If you can get the antenna up in the attic it will help and on the roof would be even better.
I got a CM4221 this week and managed to get 4 channels with it leaning against the wall upstairs. TVFool seems to say I should be able to get at least 10:
http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wrapper&Itemid=29&q=id%3db7c8a924533804

I think you're right though, the queensway seems to be blocking stations from the South. After the snow melts I think I'll mount it on a mast on the chimney and maybe get a preamp.

I got a CM4221 this week and managed to get 4 channels with it leaning against the wall upstairs. TVFool seems to say I should be able to get at least 10:
http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wrapper&Itemid=29&q=id%3db7c8a924533804

I think you're right though, the queensway seems to be blocking stations from the South. After the snow melts I think I'll mount it on a mast on the chimney and maybe get a preamp.
Don't expect to see the five CRC stations, as they are Governement-run experimental stations that come and go.

There are only 5 digital stations on the air in Ottawa right now, so you're only missing one.

Is CKXT (SunTV) the one you're missing?

tvlurker is correct. Which stations are you receiving? Many people (myself included) are having troubles receiving CJMT-DT-2 on 66 for some reason.

Hi!

I have a SBGH in the attic.
No pre-amp.
50' of RG6 from the attic to the basement,
then about 15-20' of cable to the ATSC TV on the second floor.

I get CBC HD(4.1,9.1), SUNTV(20.1), OMNI.1(27.1) no problem.
I get CTV(13) excellent.


BUT,
I get Global poorly. (an FM trap might fix this?)
I get TVO, and other analog channels poorly. (Herbert's corners)
A-Channel (43) is ghosting and in green and unwatchable.
CityTV (65) signal is mostly static.
OMNI.2 (DT66.1 is too weak)
U.S. stations are maybe impossible.
Yes I have a building that may be blocking signal to the South East.

I wanted to improve things for the channels I could get.

My understanding is the SBGH antenna is poor reception after channel 60.
My understanding is that in 2011 the canadian channels *MAY* broadcast in the 60-66 range and even VHF-Hi? (but not the U.S?)


1. Should I get a different antenna to handle the full range of UHF? (including 60-66) for the future?

2. Should I get a pre-amp? A pre-amp with FM trap?
I was wanting to split the signal to 2 more TVs other than the main one and I fear the signal will get too low? Is that correct?

What about all the strong signals in the city overloading the TV tuner with a Pre-amp?

It makes me think that if Analog won't matter anymore, perhaps a pre-amp like the Winegards latest pre-amplifier, the HDP-269

My understanding is that in 2011 the canadian channels *MAY* broadcast in the 60-66 range and even VHF-Hi? (but not the U.S?)After the transition the core OTA channels will be from 7 to 13 VHF-HI and from 14 to 51 UHF. Industry Canada has not allotted any post-transitional VHF-LO channels or UHFs higher than 51.

After the transition the core OTA channels will be from 7 to 13 VHF-HI and from 14 to 51 UHF. Industry Canada has not allotted any post-transitional VHF-LO channels or UHFs higher than 51.
Actually, IC has allotted some channels 5 and 6. Specifically for Ottawa, Global is allotted 6 post-transition. But just because there's an allotment, it doesn't mean that that is where the station will end up. (And for the case of Global, they have yet to commit to broadcasting digitally in Ontario anywhere other than from the CN Tower.)
I don't see whay Global would want channel 6 over channel 12 (their pre-transition digital allotment), unless they plan to go high power on it, now that Deseronto and Montreal will no longer be broadcasting on 6. (Yes, I know that allotments are there, but AFAIK in-country allotments can be changed. The only issue will be WRGB-DT in Schenectady)

Yep, several IC allotments have been overwritten already.

I doubt that Global Ottawa will ever be on 6 or that any Canadian DTV stations will ever be on VHF-LO because of the serious talk that has been ongoing south of the border of adding 5.5 and 6 to the FM radio dial. I don't believe that FM radio business interests in New York State would take too kindly to Canada wiping out most of that new spectrum down their way when it would be so easily avoidable by Canadians, so there's my reasoning. ;)

Yep, several IC allotments have been overwritten already.

I doubt that Global Ottawa will ever be on 6 or that any Canadian DTV stations will ever be on VHF-LO because of the serious talk that has been ongoing south of the border of adding 5.5 and 6 to the FM radio dial. I don't believe that FM radio business interests in New York State would take too kindly to Canada wiping out most of that new spectrum down their way when it would be so easily avoidable by Canadians, so there's my reasoning. ;)
They already have to deal with digital 6s in Schenectady, NY (30kW) and New Haven CT (400W), as well as the fact that they have tentatively agreed by exchange of letters to channel 6 allocations in Montreal and Ottawa.

The FM radio band expansion into the VHF-LO band is still in discussion phase but apparently its quite serious, so I would assume that the U.S. TV stations would have to vacate too. Keep an eye on the various HD Radio threads at this site and I'll keep posting any updates I get on those talks.

I doubt that Global Ottawa will ever be on 6 or that any Canadian DTV stations will ever be on VHF-LO because of the serious talk that has been ongoing south of the border of adding 5.5 and 6 to the FM radio dial.

I hope you are correct, but until it is official, anything can happen. As tvlurker said, there are several DTV stations on channels 5 and 6 (12 if I remember correctly) and most if not all of them would need to be moved. IC may pro-actively decide to not use VHF-LO post transition, but that would take foresight. ;) Of all the transmitters with post transition allocations on VHF-LO in Canada, I believe Global in Ottawa is the only one that is likely to stay on the air post transition (and even that isn't guaranteed) so it wouldn't be too difficult for us to abandon its use here. It is also possible for Global to start using channel 6 post transition and then later be forced to move to another allocation.

One other thing, we don't know the effect Shaw's purchase of Global TV will have on its migration to DTV.

It is also possible for Global to start using channel 6 post transition and then later be forced to move to another allocation.That is my assumption about all VHF-LO DTV stations in North America.

tvlurker is correct. Which stations are you receiving? Many people (myself included) are having troubles receiving CJMT-DT-2 on 66 for some reason.
I'm getting:
CBOT-DT
CBOFT-DT
CKXTDT3
OMNI1HD

but not CJMT-DT. CKXTDT3 comes in even though it's from the South. I guess it's not worth it for me to invest much more just to get one more station. I'm glad you guys told me about the CRC stations before I wasted money on trying to receive them. :)

CKXTDT3 comes in even though it's from the South.
It's actually broadcasting from Camp Fortune, in Gatineau Park.

-ml