I was wondering if anyone could provide any insight into what commercial or

home brewed antenna would suffice for receiving channel 8.1, it at all possible.

Here is the signal analysis for my location.
http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wrapper&Itemid=29&q=id%3d8d1714b9649327

Would a good old yagi pointed in that direction have enough gain to receive it?

I thought I would ask before going through the headache of actually putting

one up. Thanks for the input!

@ Haybomber

Well a Winegard YA-1713 has something like 10dB of gain at ch8 so in theory that could work if you have absolutely no other losses. A really good preamp would be order. Perhaps you could try stacking several YA-1713s together. A really high tower could also help.

From my experience in attempting to get KNRR from Winnipeg I would suggest that the local noise level at VHF-high would be critical. Also you would have to live with the fact that you will probably not see the signal all the time. Every time there is the wrong kind of inversion between you and the transmitter the signal goes away.

@adhallick

Your worst channel is 13 with a margin of 30dB. If we assume that the antenna will have enough gain to overcome balun/cable losses then the extra 7dB of loss due to a high quality 4 way splitter reduces the margin to 23dB which should be OK.

This does not take into account things like attenuation due to trees and buildings. Local noise sources can cause problems with a low gain antenna such as the ANT751. If you really are only interested in the UHF channels there are better antennas available.

I suggest you just try it and add a preamp only if you have trouble.

@ Haybomber

Well a Winegard YA-1713 has something like 10dB of gain at ch8 so in theory that could work if you have absolutely no other losses. A really good preamp would be order. Perhaps you could try stacking several YA-1713s together. A really high tower could also help.

From my experience in attempting to get KNRR from Winnipeg I would suggest that the local noise level at VHF-high would be critical. Also you would have to live with the fact that you will probably not see the signal all the time. Every time there is the wrong kind of inversion between you and the transmitter the signal goes away.
I think that the consensus is that TVFool's Longley-Rice analysis may be underestimating the noise floor for VHF-Hi, so I wouldn't put too much hope in reliable reception of 8.1, even with a 10dBd gain antenna. (Don't forget that TVFool's Noise Margins are referenced to a standard dipole, not isotropic antenna.)

I agree with tvlurker. Also, I think Winegard's claims of 10 dBd gain on channel 8 are a bit dubious. HDTV primer seems to indicate the Net Gain is closer to 7 dBd.

The best antenna for the job would be a Wade 10Y8S (http://www.wade-antenna.com/Wade/cutchannel.pdf), but it has been out of production for a while so it could be tough to find (I know of a supplier that has a 5Y8S and a 10Y9S, but no 10Y8S). Even with that, it is uncertain if you will be able to receive it reliably.

Okay thanks for the inference. Basically all I've been using is a homemade dipole mounted above a Gray Hoverman that I built. I guess tvfool is good for antenna aiming and a brief reference, but that's about it. I know in the evening I can pick up 40.1 GTN with an steady 50-75% signal strength, even though according to the signal analysis and map it isn't possible.:confused:

Okay thanks for the inference. Basically all I've been using is a homemade dipole mounted above a Gray Hoverman that I built. I guess tvfool is good for antenna aiming and a brief reference, but that's about it
There is a thread giving dimensions of some 10 element single channel yagis over in the Antenna R&D thread, so it would certainly be worth your while to build a channel 8 special.
A directional antenna would certainly help, as you would want to mitigate any adjacent channel interference from channels 7 and 9 to your north.

I know in the evening I can pick up 40.1 GTN with an steady 50-75% signal strength, even though according to the signal analysis and map it isn't possible.:confused:
The point about propagation predictions is that they are based on a statistical model that predicts propagation for a percentage of locations for a percentage of the time. The fact that you only get reception in the evenings does in fact corellate to the low Noise Margin figure that TVFool predicts for your location.

Also, use the "online TV Maps" feature of TVFool to precisely position your antenna location -- don't just rely on the Google Maps API to figure out your address precisely. Even if it knows exactly where your address is, it will place your antenna on the road in front of your address.

The reception of both WDAZ and CKND varies a lot in the area between Morden and Winkler.

The best antenna for the job would be a Wade 10Y8S, but it has been out of production for a whileHaybomber, given that you've already built a GH you should probably check out the following thread in the Antenna R&D Forum in which we're blueprinting/documenting/modeling the Wade-Delhi 5y and 10y antennas for DIY builders, now that those antennas have disappeared from the marketplace:

Delhi 5y & 10y Channel Cut VHF Yagis - Saved From Oblivion For DIYers (http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=139654)

Right on guys thanks for the help!:)

Haybomber,
You might want to try for the PPT station on UHF 16 as well as WDAZ, PBS has some decent programming. I get it here most of the time in the Morris area.
Happy DXing!
-C.

You might want to try for the PPT station on UHF 16 as well as WDAZ, PBS has some decent programming. I get it here most of the time in the Morris area.
Happy DXing!
-C.

What direction roughly do you have your antenna pointed?

I have a 12 element home made yagi that I use for that one pointed SSE approximately 160 degrees true. If you are in Morden you will likely have to point farther east. Check TVFool for KCGE DTV from your location. Another good find is KXJB south of Grand Forks, a bit more west but weaker, maybe a better signal where you are.
Good luck..
-C.

CTV Winnipeg is in the process of installing their antenna.

http://winnipeg.ctv.ca/servlet/an/local/CTVNews/20110613/wpg_antenna_110613/20110613?hub=WinnipegHome

how long does a job like this usually take i wonder. i doubt theyll want to keep running at reduced power on analogue until august. hopefully it'll be up and running soon.

The riggers had the new antenna up and looked like it was installed... next thing I see if is down again. No antenna on the tower right now (other than their backup). I posted some pictures of the old antenna in one of the other topics; "transmission towers and equipment". Maybe they ran into a compatibility issue or bad feedline... Looks like there might be spools at the side of the building today. They have had a few good days to work with low wind and sunshine, perfect for tower climbing. Hope the weather holds for them!

I would really like to get some pictures of the new antenna and transmitter so I hope I can pass by there one day when one of the engineers is at the site.

-C.

are there any, please help

where in saskatchewan are you? Digital OTA may be available to you. And its free.

Check your address at TVFOOL.com

@oldschool: Please take a look through Stampeder's welcome message.
http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=125161
It contains invaluable instructions that will let you help fellow members help you better.

Is there anyone here in or near Steinbach receiving Global DT or KNRR DT?

Just picked up a new TV, so I'm going to start messing around with antennas. If anyone is already receiving OTA DT in the area, it would give me a starting point.

If not, I'll post what I get in the weeks ahead so anyone else in Steinbach can have a starting point! :)

I was/am getting over the air analog with a couple of homemade antennas up in the garage attic -- those aren't working for Global's signal though.

Will probably start with the infamous coat hanger antenna. If I get Global, I'll wait til everyone else transitions and see if I need a VHF antenna as well.

----Whoops, just read some of the comments on the coat hanger antenna... guess I'll start with a Hoverman ----

I may try a VHF just to see if I can get KNRR. We used to get the analog.

(and yup, I'll be cruising the Antenna Research Thread)

Great forum/site here! Hope I can contribute.

Take care all!