Hiya all,

I'm not running a OTA setup, but I recently picked up a box for my grandmother who living out in the middle of nowhere used to get a good number of US stations. Currently she can pick up:

66-1
21-1
22-2

She's around about in the Verchoyle/Brownsville area. Or for those that know the area Springlake, RV park(along with the rest of the snowbirds). What'd I wouldn't mind if possible is trying to get something to get her a few more stations. There are a few where I could pick up the signal, but there wasn't enough strength for a lock. If anyone has any suggestions I'd really appreciate it, I managed to get through most of the thread, but with her in a gully-ish area I'm not too sure what would be best. She does have a 30ft mast with a rotater on the top already, but the old circular antenna just doesn't do it.

Hi Hitch,
welcome to the forum,
As I work just down the road from your grandmother. I recommend a Channel Master 4221HD antenna to replace that old UFO style antenna.
She should be able to pick up more DTV channel's like:
24-1 WJET-DT ABC Erie, Pa
a tough one would be 35-1 WSEE CBS Erie Pa, 35-1 CW Erie Pa, and 35-2 NBC Erie Pa.
66-1 WFXT-DT FOX Erie, Pa.
Aside from that if you use a rotor you could turn and point towards Buffalo, or Cleveland.
WEWS-DT 5-1 ABC comes in pretty decent most of the time if you point towards Cleveland.
Regards
Mark

WICU 35-3 [NBC Erie PA.] is now broadcasting on channel 12.1 HiVHF and it provides a much stronger signal than 35.3[16.3]

For setup, I'm probably in the same vicinity as Hamilton Mtn and I'm hoping to go to S&R only once as I don't go out that way very often... do I need two CM4221HDs for Toronto and Buffalo; or does Buffalo require an 8bay? I suppose a rotor is out because it means lag when switching between T.O. to Buff channels, right?
And do I need a preamp? One or two and which one?
Thanks

I would suggest starting with one 4221HD and see what results you get- point to TO, see what you get, and point to BUF and see what you get. At a minimum you could either go with one 4221HD, and then add a rotor, or two 4221HDs- one for TO and one for BUF, but no rotor. Higher and outside is always better, and remember the hacks. There is also a OTA store in Hamilton on Parkdale that could help you.

Good Luck!

Hi Hitch,
welcome to the forum,
As I work just down the road from your grandmother. I recommend a Channel Master 4221HD antenna to replace that old UFO style antenna.
Thanks Mark, that's really great. I'll see what I can pick up for her and give it a go. It'll make her happy once she gets her TV stations back. I'll post back once I get it all setup for her.

Thanks... so no preamp needed for Hamilton Mtn?
Can someone link me the hacks?

I intend to tripod with a mast off the highest peak of the roof. Is there such thing as a "Y" mast to separate them properly or can you gang them on top of each other. In other words, the minimum distance between two 4221HDs is width or can it be height?

You can gang 2 CM4221HDs up-and-down on one mast with at least 25" separation between them if you are pointing them at different targets, but read Post #16 in the OTA FAQ to make sure you get it right.Can someone link me the hacks?The CM4221HD Hardware Hacks link is in Post #3 of the OTA FAQ.

I am presently using a DB4 antenna and I am bringing in CTS, CHCH, CBLT, CKXT,WNED all in High def. from one position on the mast mounted on my roof. I am also receiving, CTV, Global, City in Analog. Since I am receiving digital signal for CBC from the CN Tower, I am curious why I would not receive a digital signal from the channels that I am only receiving an analog picture. I understand that most of the Toronto stations are broadcasting in high def. from the CN Tower. Could someone please help me with this. The picture quality compared to my satellite provider is awesome but I am at odds to my lack of reception of the Toronto digital stations. Thank you in advance.

Hi sleepi, are you in a part of Dundas where the surrounding hills might be blocking the view towards Toronto or northeastward? Also please read the OTA FAQ since it explains that not all digital tv signals are in HD:

Hi, I do live in the Dundas valley but I am curious as to why I would receive CBC in high def from the CN Tower and not get the other Canadian high def channels that are also broadcasting from the Tower. Thanks for your quick reply.

What I was getting at is that the surrounding hills might be preventing them. Not all of the CN Tower stations run at the same power level, and their different frequencies can sometimes cause some to come in while others cannot.

Use the Search This Thread tool to the upper right beside Thread Tools and put in Dundas as your search term to see results already posted from where you live you so that you can compare. :)

Thanks, I will give that a try.

Hi, I read the posts that you suggested and I see what yo mean about the different power levels transmitted by the respective stations. Is there any way to capture the signal? Would a pre amp help? I am open to suggestions or would I need a bigger or a better antenna? Thank you.

sleepi unfortunately I haven't been through Dundas in many years (always a lovely place) so I'll have to step back and let some of the other folks in this thread help with your situation. I know that the surrounding hills could be a difficulty depending on which part of town you are in.

Hi Guys

I am new to the site and while I have a 30" tower with an antenna and a seized rotor, I am looking to replace everything but the tower and just wondered what equipment I should get and if my location makes it worth while.

I can currently get KW CTV, Hamilton, London, CBC Toronto, and City. What are the chances of getting any USA channels in Woodstock if I put the deepest fringe antenna and an amplifier on?

I do appreciate any input at all before I invest in some new equipment.
Best regards,

Thank you for your help Stampeder. I will see if I can get more info from people in the area on this website. Yes it is a nice little town.

Sleepi

stargazr, just use the Search This Thread tool to the upper right beside Thread Tools and put in Woodstock as your search term. Also look up posts by tricky as they might apply to your area too. :)

finally connected my aerial uhf'

am getting channels now. the one problem is when I was testing directly through the house, was getting global 41-1 and another channel 66-1

when I connect it throught the lead that goes around and into the house, everything remains but these two channels.

can cable length and joiners affect which channels you receive?? do I need an inline amp??

Interesting note: I was able to get most of the same channels, with a weaker signal using my vhf portion.

am getting: 5,9,11,SUNTVx3,25,19,41(not digital),57,omni a bunch, etc.

can cable length and joiners affect which channels you receive?? do I need an inline amp??Yes, they have a direct effect on your reception. Make the cable as short as possible, leaving a bit of flex in it. To understand your amplifier options before buying one read Post #14 in the OTA FAQ: