Thanks for the responses. I'll wait a little longer for things to settle down. I have searched through a lot of the posts about teething pains with PSIP. I guess that could be it.

Later in the summer I'll climb up and tilt my antennae a bit closer to the CN tower. I hope that doesn't screw up Buffalo, although they are very powerful.

Maybe Global will turn up the power a bit too once they cease analog transmission. Another site listed them at 1KW, with 3KW allowable. The CN tower is way above the horizon from my antennae so it should be easy to receive them.

Greetings everyone!

As this is my first post please let me give you a few details about my setup. I have been receiving OTA signal with CM4228 plus a rotor with great results for little over two and half years now. I am located in Mississauga Mavis and Dundas area near Huron Park they’re lots of trees and houses. The antenna is mounted to the chimney which is supplying two HD TV’s via one splitter. Overall I have been very happy with this systems performance and would recommend this setup for anyone around my location.

As you may already know many people in the Mississauga and GTA have to point their antenna south to receive Buffalo signals and hope the antenna lobes will pickup CN tower signals. Which in my case I just rotate my antenna towards CN tower to pickup and the channels such as Sun, City TV etc.

I have recently I made a few modifications to my antenna setup. I added a second indoor antenna (Silver Sensor pointing towards CN tower) and another splitter via (acting as combiner) separate 70 feet of RG 6 cable. In addition to that I installed a two 10db indoor amplifier one on the line coming from CM4228 (pointed towards Buffalo) the other to the second antenna to compensate for second splitter attenuation.

It looks like I can retire my rotor :D but to tell you truth because of weather and trees etc. It’s sure nice to have the rotor just in case I need to fine tune any of the channels that are sometimes harder to get if I need to. Since the second antenna is indoors and on the first floor and I can access easily and directed it for highest signal strength.

One thing I really like about this new setup is, I can run a quick scan my TV tuner and I can check if there are any new channels broadcasting without rotating my antenna, it’s almost like having cable. At this point in time I can receive 29 digital channels (clear & stable) the weakest being TBN WNYB channel 26.1. Well I’m just waiting for a couple more when OMNI fires up their transmitters. Not sure if TVO if will go digital anytime soon.

Please note this setup took a lot of experimenting to get the results that I wanted and this may not work for everyone. I am still experimenting and trying to make further improvements. I hope you fine this information useful.

By the way, I have really enjoyed reading all the messages people have posted on this forum, thanks!

One question I have for Stu could you please post all the stations that you can receive and at what signal strength you receiving them at with your present setup, thank you.

Cheers!

Biggy

I just rescan channels and looks like my HD TV pickup 66.1 and also 66.2. same channel.

So total number of channels should be 23.

Biggy :confused:

It would be nice if I really get 29 channels maybe some day :)

I'm in brampton and I just can't get this station. I've tried 65-1, 65-2, and 41.1. I get weak signal on the 65's but no luck. My set up is a 4228 but it is a compromise sitting facing buffalo'ish out of a 2nd floor bedroom. Any thoughts?

kw........

If you get CN tower stations, you should get global as well, as I believe that's where this transmitter is. What signal strength do you get on Sun? They're of approximately the same strength, if I recall correctly.

Looks like my antenna location is an issue. I'm having trouble with Sun, and other Canadian stations. Some signal, but no reception. If I move this to the roof is it worth it to add a 4221 to the bottom of the mast pointed to the CN tower?

I have a 7775 preamp with a long coax run in the system.


thx

kw.......

KW,
I'd rather add a rotor instead of a 2nd antenna. ChannelMaster rotors are remote controlled and controller remembers pre-set positions, so you can easily rotate between Toronto and Buffalo sources.

If you use any sort of OTA PVR you will want a dual-antenna setup in order to have all the required stations constantly available.

Hi kw,

Here is what I would do in the following order.

Safely mount your 4228 antenna outdoors as high as possible with rotor well grounded. Check if this setup will pick up TO & US stations you want (keep your line length short as possible) your preamp will help for sure. If you are happy with this setup stop and enjoy it. If you want to go one step further and combine two antennas, you will not regret the purchase of the rotor, especially if you live in a two story home.

Warning from here on in you will have do some experimenting as combining two antennas pointing in different directions can be tricky and “may not work” for all. Read some of the previous posting like tenstu and others have posted they will help a lot.

After all of this you should have a better idea of what the type of antenna to purchase for the second one.(Used to receive the stations from the CN tower)

As an example, I am using a indoor Silver Sensor for the second antenna, to receive stations broadcasting from the CN tower. Yesterday I just replaced it with a 4221 “indoors” now I am getting strong signal strengths on all TO stations. The nice thing about having it indoor’s it can be easily rotate without going up on the roof. It’s like having two rotors, great for fine tuning the system. In your case you may need to place it outdoors to gain signal strength. On the down side my wife’s not crazy about having it indoors :-(

I hope this helps you a little.

Work safe and enjoy!

Biggy

Hey Biggy,

I'm at Queensway and Hensall and I'm looking into a setup to get OTA very soon. I have only 2 more months of the free rogers hd box.

Do you get all the HD NHL playoff games?

Thanks,
Eddie G's

Eddie G's, you are in probably the best location in Canada right now for digital OTA. With over 700 posts in this thread you will find all the info you need on getting started, so just read through it. As long as you are able to aim an antenna like a Channel Master 4221 directly at Toronto and/or Buffalo with no immediate obstructions near your home you will be fine. Once you've checked what others in your area are using successfully, you need to go to this thread to find all the info on getting that gear in Ontario:

http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=23984

As for NHL playoff games available in digital OTA, as long as CBC is broadcasting them you will get them.

Lastly, if you haven't had a chance to read through it yet, here is essential reading for everyone starting out with OTA:

Hi Eddie G's,

I took a drive over to Henssal and the Queensway, you should have no problem receiving all the stations with a rotor and 4228 antenna.

If you meet the following and you have the basic knowledge and tools. (A poor installation is a waste of time and money) Here are a “few tips”

... Check make there sure there is no larger obstructions (buildings) in front your home and trees etc.

... Mount the antenna plus the rotor on highest point on your roof. (Be careful) You want to pickup a clear signal from across the lake, over all the house's and trees etc. Watchout the wind can bring a poor installation down.

Why I prefer 4228 over the 4221 it can reach the weaker US stations and is more directive. (Let me say you won't regret you got the 4228).

... Keep the line from the antenna to TV as short as possible, take the time to plan the route.

When your finished run a test (plot) with the rotor first the US stations if I am write you should get Hamilton ones as well pointing south and then go east for the CN tower.

As for receiving Hockey games you have to purchase a descrambler from Rogers.

Na just kidding ;) you should get them all clear as bell!

The only channel that won't be quite up to snuff will be channel 7-3 480i (Sport Channel) it's a sub channel and it's still good. I am watching the 2008 men's World Hockey now :p

Oh yes, one more thing certain weather conditions will effect the reception especially "FOG"

Good Luck with you setup give us a update when your finished the job. All the best!

Biggy

Eddie G,

One more thing to add to Biggy's great reply: report back to us all! We love to know how things turn out for fellow OTA users - and you'll likely be helping the next person joining the group.

By the way, CBC HD hockey PQ is absolutely amazing. Beats my Cogeco cable feed by a mile.

Best of luck,

Stu

Hey guys, love the work you've done. I'm thinking of building my own antenna, but I have a couple of questions that hopefully will help guide my process. I am in Brampton, near Clarke Blvd. and Bramalea Road, I currently have a CM4228 mounted on my garage roof, with a CM7771 pre-amp. It is pointed pretty much straight at Grand Island. I can get CBC, CITY, PBS, CBS and FOX with no issues. I sometimes have issues with NBC, and I can't get ABC or CFTO at all. This is running into a dual tuner HD HomeRun. I have a few options

1) My neighbour has an old (maybe 10 years) antenna tower that he said I can have, I just have to take it down, this would add about 20 ft to the height of my antenna, and would get over the trees that are sort of in the way. Is it worth moving this tower over and remounting my antenna? It would add about 60ft to the current cable length.

2) If I build an antenna, I would have one pointed towards the CN tower, and leave the other pointing at Buffalo, and have each antenna feed into a separate tuner, so I wouldn't have to worry about combining antennas, but I may have to get another pre-amp. Would this be advisable? And if so, would the S/DBGH be better for Toronto or Buffalo? I am 13 miles from the CN Tower as the crow flies, and about 65 miles to Grand Island.

Lastly, if I do 1, will it be likely that I won't have to do 2?

Thanks for any input!

Tom

rpr, regarding your point #1, you could ask your neighboor if he would let you try out your antenna from his tower, so you'll be fixed on what you'll get, if it's worth moving it up to your property and if you need to do 2... Unless of course if you're affraid that after he sees the results he change his mind and wants to keep the tower :p

That will be difficult. The tower is on the far side of his house, towards the front, I think the view back would be blocked even more. Plus it would probably add 100ft of cable that would be draped over his house. He's got ExpressVu now (the tower was for Look) , he's not an OTA guy...

Plus it would probably add 100ft of cable that would be draped over his house.

I meant to test the tower by installing a D/SBGH on it with a 30 feet coax, plug your hdhomerun near the tower end with a power extension cord and a laptop just to verify that it's worth the work... Of course, if all this material is already handy. That should also be a good test to know if a preamp is required.

1) My neighbour has an old (maybe 10 years) antenna tower that he said I can have, I just have to take it down, this would add about 20 ft to the height of my antenna, and would get over the trees that are sort of in the way. Is it worth moving this tower over and remounting my antenna? It would add about 60ft to the current cable length.


Im surprised you would even think two seconds about this. Of course take it. Have you priced towers and shipping charges lately ??? :p:D


Cant you mount it closer ?

AWESOME info guys, now I know what to get!]
Will be on the hunt for a 4228 & rotor...

I'll post up when I'm done with the setup.

Thanks again,
Eddie G's

Just one more thing, Eddie G's - if you want to record shows, you better spend rotator money on additional antenna.