Thank you for the replies.
I actually went ahead this weekend and got 2 Digiwave CM4221 clones and a pre-amp. Installed them in the attic and I'm getting HD in the bedroom now. I have some drops on the TO channels (CBC) and on the Grand Island ones (no FOX). I get ABC and NBC rock solid so I'm guessing I gotta rotate both of them more towards 12 o'clock because the TO antenna gives me FOX in Rochester and the Buffalo one gives me strong Buffalo south signals. Will post final results once I aim them right tonight.

Thank you for your responses.
My understanding is that the Mini State can be directional, it comes with a rotor, correct? I was thinking of using a CM 4228 (?) for the buffalo digital channels, and something smaller for the TO channels, like CM 4221 (?), or maybe the directional ministate. I have experienced getting WICU 12 analogue from erie with a ministate on hamilton mountain. My house is two storey, so maybe something just past (5 ft) over the roof line would be ok? Also, if digital signal strength is 70%, does that mean you get a clear picture and signal most of the time, with occasional no pic/no sound.

Also there is a local guy (to be nameless) who took over his father's biz of installing TV, radio antenna, and now sat. I asked him a quote a number of years back before digital, and he gave me $900 for TO and buff channels, I wonder what he would charge me to get the digital? Should be cheaper since I wouldn't need the VHF antenna... I appreciate your thoughts. By the way I'm on Hamilton mountain (east) upper kenilwoth/ottawa, south of mohawk, line of sight should be good for TO and BUF. Thank you.

Its not the worst idea to get a VHF/UHF combo though for the future. WNGS is going to be on VHF 7 using the WKBW contour come the February swap and eventually CKVR intends to be VHF although that is still years away. With that siad, if you are doing this as a long term investment, may be worth looking into. I know that in the next 12-16 months I will be moving and at the next house I will defenitly be looking at a VHF/UHF combo.

Finally aimed the antennas right (I hope). First, this is what I have: 32" 32LG30 HDTV, 2 Digiwave 4221 clones, 1 Philips PH6111 pre-amp (amazingly it works), Ideal splitter (Home Depot), 35ft RG6 run.

2-1 WGRZ
4-1 WIVB
5-1 CBLT
7-1 WKBW
7-2 WNGS
9-1 CFTO
11-1 CHCH
15-1 CKXT
17-1 WNED
23-1 WNLO
36-1 CTS
44-1 OMNI2
57-1 CITY
64-1 OMNI2

On these channels I have over 50% reception, there's a few others that are unstable. I found WUTV extremely hard to get from my location, no stable lock no matter how I move the antenna, I'm trying to live without it because I don't want to loose NBC, ABC and CBS for FOX.

Would using the CM 4228 give you more channels?

I would assume so because it's twice the size, the other thing is that my two 4221s are in the attic, probably if I'd have them outside on top of the house I'd get stronger signals.

Would using the CM 4228 give you more channels?From what I can tell in previous posts to this thread you'll get the same stations where you are in Hamilton.

A CM4228 typically yields about 3dB more gain than a CM4221, but on the other hand it is much more directional so it is pickier to get the aim right. I think you'll be fine with a CM4221 or similar high quality 4-bay Bowtie Reflector like a Delhi 4BT-1483.

I would assume so because it's twice the size, the other thing is that my two 4221s are in the attic, probably if I'd have them outside on top of the house I'd get stronger signals.
You'll see improvements if you put them outside. You may not receive any more channels than what you have now but the advantage will be stronger signals overall so you'll get more consistent reception.

Roofing materials (shingles, weather/ice shield, tar/felt paper, decking) will attenuate signals, particularly those in the UHF band.

I totally agree, it's just that a roof option is not good for me (roof just redone, wife, etc).
I've got solid WUTV for the last two days, can anybody tell me if except for weather conditions and other factors the stations adjust the power of the transmitters during the day or do they perform any maintenance that might influence our reception? The reason I'm asking is because some channels on which I had 90% sometimes vanished this week.

It is almost always tropospheric - weather. There is super thread here where we all moan about it or cheer about it regularly.

Stations don't alter power or patterns that I know of. Not like the old AM radio days...


I understand the issue with your new roof and spouse - but what about a chimney mount? Do you have a chimneys on the side? If so, it is the easiest to pull off in most cases.

Stu

I don't have a chimney to mount them on.
I'll leave them in the attic for now because I'm happy with what I get so far. Of course I want more channels but the ones I'm getting consistently make me happy:D

Hey Rothas,
R U getting Global HD (65-1)?
How strong is Omni 2 (64-1)?
My Neighbor (in his own way) complained about the two antennas. I made the choice and reduced it down to one.
I looked at what programs I was getting and narrowed my choice to pointing the Antenna at Toronto. Most of my shows are between (PBS, CW, CTV, Global, Suntv, and Omni's) Funny enough is that with my antenna pointed at toronto, I still get CW and PBS in between 90 to 100%.
BTW, The Toronto stations all come in at 100% (on bad weather days between 80 and 90%). I was not able to get 100% with the Digiwave clone. That is why I rebuilt the clones into individual SBGH.
I do miss the retro TV programs on ABC 7-2 (WNGS), most of the shows from the US are played on the canadian stations.

D

Hey Dandaling
I've never got Global HD with my setup. OMNI2 is always watchable at 60-80%. You are right about getting Toronto and CW and PBS with only one antenna pointed at Toronto.
I loose gain overall if I connect both antennas but it gives me stable signal on more channels as I've mentioned before. I'd rather have 60-80% on more channels than having 100% on just a few. Oh, I also warned about taking the connection boxes off the clones and replacing them with baluns which is the first step in installing Digiwaves in my opinion.

I am contemplating going OTA but live just below the escarpment near Stoney Creek. If you live in the lower city and you are receiving the Buffalo stations, then it looks promising for me.

Jim4322 I'm around Upper Gage and Rymal Rd, East Mountain. I think I've seen some posts around from people living below the escarpment.

Rothas,

I live in the same area as you and have two 4228 attic antennas. I receive all of the channels exactly the same as you, and have trouble with FOX as well. I think it's because SunTV is so strong on 15.

I'd like to get the antenna out of the attic and mounted either on a tripod or a tower. The signal strengths go way down when there is snow on the roof in the winter.

Cheers,
Gumshoe.

Hi Gumshoe

SunTV's signal in our area is too strong for sure.
Aiming and positioning the two antennas in the attic is another issue.
I had some problems with CFTO for example, I was getting 90% with the Toronto antenna only. After connecting the Buffalo one to the splitter, the signal was gone. I had to relocate the Toronto antenna by 15" and rotate it a bit in order to get back CFTO. The 2 antenna setup IMHO is tricky and the direction is not always what the coordinates say.

Rothas,

If you are having trouble with coordinates, I would suggest finding out your exact longitude and latitude and plug it in to TVFool (Do NOT alsa add your street/city info or it will not work). I used Google Earth satellite view and selected the coordinates as the at the exact corner of my house where the antennas are.

The results for pointing are then extremely accurate.

Gumshoe,

I have successfully combined two antennas here in Oakville - one at Toronto and one at Buffalo. If you run in to issues - let me see if I can help.

Stu

Stu I've got a print of TVFool's compass even before thinking of going up in the attic.
The issue i've had was the actual positioning of the antennas, not the aiming. Moving one antenna a few inches away while keeping it aimed at the same angle gave me different reception.

I just checked with v and e antenna out of thornhill, their basic set up is below.

I think the 4248 might be a little weak in getting the buf channels, and I'm not crazy about a roof mount. I also think separate antennas might be better- to and buf.

Thoughts by others?


Tower, tripod on the peak of the roof or a chimney mount
Channel master 4248 High gain UHF antenna
All required RG6 coax cable
1 in line ground block
Set up and confirmation of signal
1 year warranty on all parts and labour
A channel master 9525a router and wireless remote (required in some parts of the GTA)