Here we are a year away from the transition. When are we going to see Winnipeg stations starting to light up in digital. Most other large markets are done or close to done.

well, CBC just laid out its plans for switching over to digital, and with the august 2011 deadline one year away for Winnipeg and various other must switch markets, the CBC plans to have Winnipeg up and running as soon as August 2012 (http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=123571). (link is to the CBC thread on digitalhome.ca)

Global seems to be aiming for the end of this year for their digital signal, and I've heard nothing from CITY TV Joy TV and CTV. All three will probably jump on the CBC bandwagon and cry for extensions if they feel the CBC can get away with it. Which is why the CRTC should put its foot down IMHO.

While I am extremely disappointed with CBC's delay in Winnipeg, we may yet have some good news this week -- I see Global's application for post-transitional digital is on the list of CRTC decisions to be issued this week.

it was also on the list of CRTC decisions to be issued last week.. so.. grain of salt :)

According to the mirror of the IC database maintained by Stampeder (http://www.user.dccnet.com/jonleblanc/Canada_TV_Stations/DT.html), two new "approved" DTV listings for the Winnipeg region have appeared.

Portage La Prairie; Channel 13; CHMI-DT; 324.3 metres; 8300 watts
Winnipeg; Channel 7; CKY-DT; 280.8 metres; 24000 watts

The same database also lists a few approved DTV stations for Regina and Saskatoon.

Regina; Channel 11; CFRE-DT; 300.0 metres; 17300 watts
Regina: Channel 8; CKCK-DT; 187.2 metres; 23000 watts
Saskatoon; Channel 8; CFQC-DT; 268.8 metres; 10000 watts

I see Global's application for post-transitional digital is on the list of CRTC decisions to be issued this week.

It was approved today:

http://www.crtc.gc.ca/eng/archive/2010/2010-576.htm

What technical problems would stop the CBC from acquiring the channel 9 antenna from Global and converting it to digital? I was under the impression that part of the high cost of the DTV switch in winnipeg was the fact their antenna was channel 6 and thus VHF-lo and would have to be completely replaced.

If I have an electrical substation across the street to my south, do I have any hope of getting an OTA signal from that direction?

well, CBC just laid out its plans for switching over to digital, and with the august 2011 deadline one year away for Winnipeg and various other must switch markets, the CBC plans to have Winnipeg up and running as soon as August 2012 (http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=123571).

At least that isn't as bad as the news for Saskatoon. It looks like they will be losing their CBC station altogether.

Spidermoore, unfortunately a nearby electical substation can seriously degrade your OTA signal from that direction as you get closer to it. In your case, if it is literally across the street, you need to test for KNRR but don't be surprised if all that metal and the electrical field(s) around that substation mangle the signal coming from the south.

Spidermoore, unfortunately a nearby electical substation can seriously degrade your OTA signal from that direction as you get closer to it. In your case, if it is literally across the street, you need to test for KNRR but don't be surprised if all that metal and the electrical field(s) around that substation mangle the signal coming from the south.
So what are you saying about KNRR? Is anyone in Winnipeg getting KNRR-DT with a rooftop antenna in Winnipeg?

Can anyone confirm this and so a report? I googled and found no confirmation of KNRR-DT working in Winnipeg.

Is anyone in Winnipeg getting KNRR-DT with a rooftop antenna in Winnipeg?

I do not know about anyone else I have had NO success with KNRR-DT. I went up on the roof a while back and did a test by aiming the antenna according to tvfool and still had zero signal.

I have seen KNRR with a 10 element ch 12 antenna at 25 feet and a preamp last fall/winter. Not so much now that it is summer. I blame "The City of Trees" for the problem. Right now at 2pm on a rainy day I see a signal quality of 47%. It will likely get better in the evening but will probably not be all that watchable. I have toyed with the idea of putting a 30 foot pop up mast on the roof but KNRR isn't broadcasting in HD yet so I have not been all that motivated.

I just noticed that a digital transmitter for CFSK (Global Saskatoon) has been approved, according to Industry Canada's database: http://www.user.dccnet.com/jonleblanc/Canada_TV_Stations/DT.html

It will broadcast on channel 42 at 30,000 watts. As far as I know, this will be Saskatoon's first UHF station.

According to Stampeder's mirror of the Industry Canada broadcast database (http://www.user.dccnet.com/jonleblanc/Canada_TV_Stations/DT.html), CIIT-DT Winnipeg has been approved by the CRTC.

Winnipeg; Channel 35; CIIT-DT; 494520; 970753; 240.0 metres; 6,000 watts

well, its currently Joy TV Winnipeg operating in analogue on 35, so one would assume they plan to flash cut at some point. Doesn't mean they're going to switch right away, though I think itd be better for everyone if they all did. It'd be nice to see Global not being on their own in digital.

Honestly screw August 2011. It's less confusing for everyone involved if they all switched to digital ASAP. I recently happened upon someone attempting to buy an antenna at the source and I felt unfortunately compelled to butt in, but sadly could give no good news vis a vis the usefulness of digital converter boxes right now.

It'd be nice to see Global not being on their own in digital.

Is Global DT operational now in Winnipeg?

It cannot until it has the AU, TO, or OP tag in here:

http://www.user.dccnet.com/jonleblanc/Canada_TV_Stations/DT.html

Is Global DT operational now in Winnipeg?
They're just waiting on Industry Canada approval to operate on UHF channel 40, they'll probably be operational before the end of the year.

Hello and forgive me I'm a newbie :)

I'm wondering if anyone in Saskatoon has picked up any US OTA digital signals. Any at all. Or is it even possible to get US OTA digital signals that far away from the border?

Tempted to cut my cable, but I've never been impressed with my local Canadian channels (CBC I hear will just disappear) and would only cut my cable if there are US channels I can pick up (would love to be able to pick up PBS).


Forgive me if I've misposted this question. It's actually the only info I really want to know.