Stampeder: Jon Leblanc's page still has CFRE listed as AU rather than OP for their digital channel 11, he also has the same power rating at 17.3 Kw.

Stampeder's page is as up to date as Industry Canada is.

- Trip

Regina, very near McIntosh Street/9th Avenue North.

I have an attic-mounted yagi antenna pointed toward CBC's tower (due east) that's been there since the '70s at least. Fantastic CBC/Radio-Canada reception, poor CTV, very poor Global analog before August 10th.

I get pretty variable reception of CFRE-DT now. At times it's flawless (~60-65% signal strength). At times it's completely unwatchable (~40% signal strength). I'm not certain what is causing the signal fluctuation. I might just need to run new RG6 cable from the antenna to the splitter (I've put a new end on the cut RG59 cable and then split to my TVs from there). The antenna's direction isn't helping, but I don't have a lot of options in an attic. (Plus, the antenna was free since it was already there.)

I tried using a new pair of RCA rabbit ears. If I hold the antenna near the ceiling of my living room I get watchable signal. At TV level I get zero signal.

I suspect attic antennas, at minimum, will be needed for most; rooftop will be best.

My TVFool report:

http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wrapper&Itemid=29&q=id%3d9e74db46b1451e

Wow, you almost have line of sight where you are. If you can barely get it with indoor, then it's unlikely for the rest of us.

Yeah, I'm disappointed that I'm not getting better reception but the antenna is ancient and had sat idle at least 19 years (we bought the house in '92). I might see if pointing the antenna so that it's oriented more southeast-northwest (so that it points roughly toward CKCK-TV and its back faces CFRE-DT) helps the signal. The CBC signals I get are strong enough that I doubt they'll suffer.

I'll try the recabling first, though. I have no idea how noisy the cable is from the antenna to my basement (it comes down the chimney). It's likely original and who knows how good the connection is at the antenna. A new piece of RG6 ought to clean it up (and give it more bandwidth over the RG59 that's there now). I'm already using RG6 to the television.

Still, having to have a giant attic antenna to get it at all means rabbit ears are unlikely to have much of a hope in any reasonably normal setting.

It might be a better idea to aim towards the Global tower. CKCK suffers because of where it is in the spectrum, not how much power it outputs. On the 1st, it should be crystal clear with minimal effort.

I'm not sure how easy it would be to totally reverse the antenna - I'll have to see how big the antenna is compared to the attic space.

Options to try, at least.

Well, got an outdoor antenna. Picks up CTV and CBC fine. Does not pick up Global Regina. Frustrating, to say the least.

Phillips unamplified dipole, if that's any help.

http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wrapper&Itemid=29&q=id%3d9e748b15b989bf

Yeah, so, unimpressed with Global's signal strength

Talked to someone in the newsroom at my local Radio station (which serves a large rural market).

Mentioned that the coverage after the transition may not be as large as it currently is with analog and many people will be forced to buy/build new/different antennas. This was a surprise to them. Suggested they call local TV stations and ask point-blank what coverage will be.

May not hurt to give your local radio station and/or community newspaper a call -- especially for communities on the fringe of signal reception.

Which way is your antenna pointing? What kind is it?

You might need to add a yagi or other type of directional channel, pointed to the northwest/west (depending on where in the city you are). The Global Regina tower is at Disley, SK, northwest of Regina and northeast of Moose Jaw.

I'm going to try to experiment with some adjustments to my attic antenna and see if I can improve my reception this weekend.

Tried the Walmart indoor antenna today and got a crystal clear picture (11.1 on my tv dial). I live in the far NW just off Courtenay and Mapleford Gate.

Amplified my antenna indoors, and finally got a 30% signal when I stand "just so", no indoor mounting for me. I expect that the roof will give me something worthwhile. So annoying.

<edit part>

Managed to get the antenna on the roof. Not mounted properly (weekend task), but I am getting Global Regina at 47%. Success! Lots of bells and whistles to make it work, but it does work and if you are able to get CFRE, the rest will be gravy.

Recently picked up a Terk HDTVA amplified antenna from the Source. Its on sale right not for $47. I ran the output through a stand alone signal amplifier and placed the antenna half way out the window facing towards the station. After some adjustment I managed to place the VHF dipoles outside the window and leave the antenna sitting on the window ledge. The rods are placed in a "v" position almost parallel with the horizon but slightly upwards. The UHF antenna just gets in the way so I removed it. I am now able to get 60 to 80% signal strength. 11-1 is CFRE-HD broadcasting in 1080i with 16x9 aspect. 11-2 is the 4x3 version of the same program.

So I spent all weekend trying to pick up channel 11. I live near Arcola and University Park Drive. I'm on the South side of the second floor of a three story wooden apartment complex. I purchased FIVE different antennas ranging from $12 to $100, some with amplifiers, some without. No dice. This is really quite annoying. An outdoor antenna isn't really an option (they aren't allowed). And besides, I'm on the south side of the building.

Took my "test" SBGH up to the attic. It's just stripped 14 gauge wire, literally thumbtacked to a piece of 1/4-inch plywood. No reflector.

In the attic, I'm getting anything from 38 to 62% signal strength (weakest during the day).

I am 32.4 miles away from the transmitter. Attic is would and asphalt shingle construction.

25 feet of RG6 from the antenna, down along the plumbing stack to the basement, then a straight connector to another 25 feet of RG6 to the surge protector, then 3 feet of RG6 to the TV.

Attic is in a bilevel, so antenna is about 20 feet off the ground. Station orientation allows me to aim through the shingles, instead of the stuccoed gable end, which has wire mesh. Newer neighborhood, so no large trees at this point.

Well, changed nothing and Global Regina went away. I noticed over time that the signal was getting weaker. From 55%, to 40, to 25% and now nothing. My end is fine.

Yes Krydor, I noticed my reception over the weekend was terrible. I climbed into the attic to see how hard it would be to reorient things. I notice my masonry chimney is blocking the signal but the antenna is pretty unwieldly and I have blown-in insulation up there. I'm not sure how smart it is to crawl around up there.

I think Global Regina is probably still tweaking things. The signal is very inconsistent and it just doesn't seem too likely that it's environmental conditions that would cause it to change that much.

I live in Southeastern Manitoba and I was wondering if you can tell me my "fate" re: digital T.V. after the end of this month. Do you think I will have any OTA reception? Sorry - I don't quite understand the maps and so I thought it would be easier to ask a pro. :confused:

Thank you!

I recently took my amplified antenna and HDTV with me to work at the airport. Again, no reception unless the antenna is outside and "double" amplified. I am thinking that an outdoor or attic antenna is a "minimum" to pick up CFRE in most places of the city. Have had CFRE on all day while at work and it is inconsistent. For the most part the signal stays at 60% but every 15 to 20 minutes it digitizes and dissapears before coming back again. Perhaps they "are" tweaking. If that is the case one can only hope that they will either direct more signal to Regina or crank up the power. An outdoor antenna is not an option for alot of people.

@countrymanners

The TVFool for Piney shows:

TVFool for Piney MB (http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wrapper&Itemid=29&q=id%3d9e74c966af3628)

It looks to me that things will not really change for you after the transition unless you are somehow able to receive CKY on 7. You will still have a strong CBC NE on channel 29 and the 5 digital stations SW from Roseau, MN.

If you were to aim a UHF antenna at Roseau you would likely be able to get CBC off the back and the 5 US stations off the front. You don't even have to wait until the end of the month... :)