Thanks DLPFreak.

Hmm, I'm wondering if it's even worth getting the 4228 now. I like the fact that the 4221 is smaller overall, I don't think the 4228 would give me more (in terms of channels and signal level) even with it's higher gain. There were only two channels (9.1 and 2.1) that were at 2-3 bars out of 10. Those are the only two I have concerns about. It would be nice to get them in stronger, but I can't justify paying double the cost of the 4221 to do that. (btw, that was at ground level. It's sure to have a stronger signal once the 4221 is on the roof.)

Now as for a rotator... what do you guys think?

what other channels are you getting when you point your antennas in different directions? I would assume you guys would be getting more right? What channels and where? (this will help me deceide whether or not to get a rotator).

ASA,
Try it without the rotor first. YOu can always add it later. Putting the antenna on the roof will help (I hope :) )

I don't think the 4228 would give me moreProbably not much difference in your case, so the decision might need to be about "value added" i.e. the CM4228's ability to get VHF High and FM Radio stations. If those are important, go with the CM4228. If not, the CM4221 will serve you well from your location once its up higher.

Try it without the rotor first. YOu can always add it later.

Well that's the thing. I would rather do it all in one shot. I don't have a ladder long enough to reach the roof. I would have to borrow one. If I don't have to go up twice...

That's why I asked what other's are getting with a rotator in addition to the channels I already listed.

Probably not much difference in your case, so the decision might need to be about "value added" i.e. the CM4228's ability to get VHF High and FM Radio stations. If those are important, go with the CM4228. If not, the CM4221 will serve you well from your location once its up higher.

My thoughts as well. That's why I asked about the rotator. The difference for me in price (about changing to a 4228 or adding a rotator) is about the same. (becasue of the deals I've found)

This would be much easier for me if someone had a 4228 I could borrow for a day or so. (anyone?) ;)

That's pretty much the dilemma I had when deciding on whether to get a 4221 to try or just do the 4228 once and know it would do the job. Yaamon was very helpful in that respect as I bought the equipment from him this weekend and he gave my friend who picked up the equipment some good pointers.

My next question is whether splitting the signal will degrade it enough to need a preamp? Is this also something I just need to try, or are there rules governing this that I could apply?

The splitter would literally be at the two tuners on my PC, so the split runs would be a few inches at most.

That's pretty much the dilemma I had when deciding on whether to get a 4221 to try or just do the 4228 once and know it would do the job

Since I can get most of the channels with the 4221 (minus MY TV), I don't see the 4228 helping out all that much (maybe with the reception strength but that's about all imo). FM and VHF are not that big of a deal for me right now. A rotator on the other hand would be different. It would allow me to get other channels. Considering I can get stuff almost 70 miles away with half decent signals with the 4221, I would assume the same to be true if i used it with a rotator.... but what other channels are people getting with this setup in my area? (that's the question) ;)

By the way MyTv has on tonight, Miss Hawaiian Tropic International Beauty Pageant and in HD Ujena Bikini Jam. :)

Yeah yeah... well I saw something simular on SunTV. lol

Hey Yaamon, do you have a rotator? If yes, what channels do you get in addition to the ones already listed?

Same channels and when it warm if I swing it east get Rochester.

But that is not a big deal as they carry the same stuff as Buffalo

Same channels and when it warm if I swing it east get Rochester.

But that is not a big deal as they carry the same stuff as Buffalo

Thanks Yaamon. I guess I'll just use the 4221 without a rotator. (saves me money). : )

Have a Sharp AQUOS 32"

Bought a TERK ZSS clone from the Sayat location in Mississauga
At the University of Toronto, Mississauga Campus (West Mississauga, Mississauga Road & Dundas area)

Ran 50 feet of poor quality coax (all I had) in townhouse from living room downstairs to bedroom upstairs facing south

Placed antenna right next to window pointing south and angled antenna with the intention of receiving a maximum number of US stations

Able to receive reliably at around 40-60% signal:

NBC
CBC
CBS
ABC
CW
CITY

Can also receive the following if antenna angled differently, but then will lose some of the above:

CTV
PBS

Three questions:

1) Ended up pointing antenna South-South-East (doesn't make intuitive sense on map as Buffalo (not Rochester stations) stations only show up this way) ?

2) Since I don't have any of those connector thingys handy for joining two pieces of coax together, I'm using splitters I do have laying around to join pieces of coax... am I losing significant signal this way or not really (antenna goes in the "in" end and the extension coax goes into one of the "out" ends, leaving one empty) ?

3) I have never even seen the slightest sign of WUTV FOX 29, even though I'm pretty sure they're broadcasting from Grand Island, like the CW channel I can receive (stronger than all my other US channels, might I add, at 60-65%) ?

I'm having problems getting channel 40-1 CTV, my receiver (hisense DB-2010), scans for all channels, and always gets stuck at channel 40-1, I have to disconnect my antenna (homeworx active antenna model 6704) from the receiver before it will continue.

I'm in Caledon ON (NW of Brampton) and get these channels without any problem

CITYHD 57-1
CBLT 5-1 (20)
WNED 43-1,43-2, 43-3

On a good day also get

WNLO 23-2
WNYB 26-1
WUTV 29-1 & 29-2..

Any suggestions why I can't scan in the CTV station?

Hi all, I read as much as possible, including the FAQ's and OTA knowledge base info.

I live up in Georgetown and I can see the top half of the CN Tower from my front porch. I would love to get into the OTA scene and start watching digital television. I have at Samsung tv with a built-in ASTC tuner ( its about 3 years old)

Thanks

apobenfica, if u have line on sight to the CN Tower, the Toronto digitals will be easy to get with anything, find the cheapest indoor antenna u can find, that will work. canadian tire, walmart, anything will do. For the Buffalo digitals, your going to need an outdoor antenna to get them reliably. Maybe a 4221? The good thing is that you'll probably be able to aim for Buffalo and pick up the Toronto stations anyways because they will be so strong.

I never recommend buying the cheapest indoor antenna to be found. Why buy junk when you can buy high quality products for not much more money?

I agree that a CM4221 or Delhi 4BT-1483 would do fine, and a CM4228 would be wonderful.

I really dont mind paying a little more for a quality antenna ! I have a line of sight to the CN Tower but it must be 40-50 km away. In order to capture both Toronto and Buffalo should I get 2 seperate antnnae ? or can i have one on the roof that will recive both. The tower is due west and Grand island / Buffalo is south west, they are about 45 degrees apart.


thanks

according to the scale on Google Earth, the CN Tower is 35 - 40 km away. If it makes any difference ?

If you aim a 4221 toward Buffalo then the Toronto stations should be fine with 45 degrees off the side or aim in between the two.

I never recommend buying the cheapest indoor antenna to be found. Why buy junk when you can buy high quality products for not much more money?

I agree that a CM4221 or Delhi 4BT-1483 would do fine, and a CM4228 would be wonderful.

When I first got into OTA I wanted to see what I could catch, so I went and bought the Radio Shack (The Source) indoor amplified antenna. I was able to catch most of the Toronto stuff, but had a very hard time getting the US stations. I then went and bought a 4221 and returned the Rad Shack one. Now both locations come in without problems. (btw, the cost of that indoor Radio Shack antenna was the same as my 4221) ;)

Oh, and I'm now at 19 OTA channels. (that is once Omni 1 and 2 go constant... and 20 if and when Global gets off it's fat azz) :rolleyes:

I've just merged Post #447 into this thread in case it hasn't been read yet.

This is my setup:

Receiver: Samsung DTB-H260F (borrowed)
Antenna: Channel Master 4221 (borrowed)
Cable Run : 75 ft RB6 with two joiners to a 5-1000 MHz splitter, which feeds the Samsung and an analog TV
Antenna Location : Attic (can’t put on roof as renting)
Location : Winston Churchill and Eglington in Mississauga

Antenna Direction: Directly East (antenna pointed approximately 10° south of the CN tower (29 km) and 60° north of Buffalo (100 km)). Pointed for best reception of TVO analog and to receive SunTV and CityTV in digital.

Channels Signal out of 10

Channel Signal Network
2-1 4 NBC
2-2 4 NBC - Weather
4-1 6 CBS
5-1 8 CBC
7-1 5 ABC
7-2 5 RTN11
9-1 6 CTV
23-1 8 CW
25-1 6 CBC (F)
29-1 4 Fox
29-2 4 Fox
43-1 8 PBS
43-2 8 PBS – SD
43-3 8 PBS – Think
49-1 My TV
49-2 My TV
57-1 4 City TV
66-1 4 Sun TV


If I turn south I can get MyTV (5/10), but I will lose CityTV and SunTV. As I add cable and a splitter, joiners I lose signal strength on RTN11, Fox,CityTV and SunTV such that CityTV will pixulate (3-4).

I also get analog

Channel Signal Network
2-1 4 NBC
2-2 4 NBC - Weather
4-1 6 CBS
5-1 8 CBC
7-1 5 ABC
7-2 5 RTN11
9-1 6 CTV
23-1 8 CW
25-1 6 CBC (F)
29-1 4 Fox
29-2 4 Fox
43-1 8 PBS
43-2 8 PBS - SD
43-3 8 PBS - Think
49-1 My TV
49-2 My TV
57-1 4 City TV
66-1 4 Sun TV

Of the following options which would give me the best reception:

1. CM 4221 (as above)
2. CM 4228
3. CM 4228 with rotor
4. Combining two CM 4228 (one at buffalo and one at Toronto)
5. Combining two CM 4221 (one at buffalo and one at Toronto)
6. Adding a pre-amp to CM 4221