The SBGH is somewhat smaller, so check into that version instead of the DBGH. The SBGH outperforms the CM4221.

Regarding the Digiwave ANT-2084, it is comparable to a CM4221 in that both are 4-bay bowtie reflectors, but the CM4221 is king of that type and is structurally very solid.

Also be sure to read the OTA Forum Knowledge Base & FAQ:

Haha, I just found out something (that probably 99% of the people here know).

I had an A-B switch for my Cable and my Antenna to switch between. I also have Satellite, so because of it, I barely used to watch my cable, so I got rid of it, so I had to the Antenna plugged straight into my TV. I did a rescan and I picked up more channels than before, it seems that the A-B switch was holding me back!

Interesting finding for me haha

So - around the end of June, I lost most of the signal from my attic-mounted antenna, in troubleshooting I found some animal had been chewing through the outside portion of the run, over a length of about 10 feet, and had gotten almost all the way through at one point.

So I knew I had to repair it, but I put it off all summer as it wasn't really going to be an issue until the fall tv season started.

Well, yesterday I realized that it started right away (Prison Break last night). So I got everything going and was looking forward to getting Global set up, but no go.

This was especially unfortunate as the Buffalo Fox station (the other alternative for Prison Break) doesn't work so well in my setup, the signal varies between 3 and 5 bars. About half the time I can watch a whole show.

Anyway, I figured I'd look around for pnear and see what he had to say, as it was his activism that got CTV up and running on Vista... I found this thread, so:

pnear, I guess no luck yet?

g.

I still have no Global on my HTPC either. It is not the antenna setup, since I watch it on LG TV upstairs. The PC tuner just doesn't lock on at all. And FOX isn't a perfect choice for recording in my area, 'cause all the stupid planes are turning to the landing path right above me.

name777 - I'm in the same boat, in fact I'm at Derry & Creditview...

What's the frequency your LG picks Global up on? Earlier in the thread I saw a mention of a different/incorrect frequency, I'm wondering if by playing around we might have some luck on the HTPC side until they get things fixed? We had similar issues at the beginning of the CTV broadcast.

g.

Yup - I figured if anyone knew whether it worked and how it would be you...

No kidding about the frustration! I also get HD via satellite but no DVR-ability there, and my lifestyle (half a dozen kids or so) doesn't allow for "live" tv. (after realizing I wouldn't get global I did set up an SD recording as well - I managed to get through the first hour on the OTA broadcast but it simply keeled over after that, so watched the 2nd hour on SD, and gave my eyes a good massage when it was done)

g.

groovejumper, afair LG picks it up on physical 41, with no remapping so it stays as 41-1, but I may be wrong since I haven't rescanned for quite a while.

Did you need to adjust your antenna? I just tried on my LG's tuner and didn't pick anything up on 41. Someone else mentioned 65, I tried that and got a very low signal (no video or channel data) but there was something there.

g.

I'll let you know tonight. I have two antenna attic setup, so I really don't have to change anything to get CIII. I've been watching it from the day one, LG was able to trace all the jumps and remaps that Global did ever since. But HTPC lost it after the last remapping (I used to receive it in the beginning as 65-1).

Thanks - by the way I've been considering adding another antenna to see if it helps with the Fox situation - I see you have two in your attic, but you still have the Fox problem? (I have a 4248 up there and it does quite well with most Buffalo and Toronto stations). Anyway, sorry, this may be getting off topic. But I also want my setup to work well with Global (eventually?), and you're in the neighbourhood, so I figured I'd ask.

g.

groovejumper, LG picks it up on physical 65. I'm still trying to set it up manually through BTV. Will update you soon. And I'm gonna be trying to build a SBGH this weekend ;)

Hey Guys,

I finally got my setup going!
Let me know if I did this right???

4228 antenna
Channel Master CM9521A Antenna Rotator System w/ Remote
Chimney Mounted straps
10ft 1.25" pole/ 4ft. Antenna mount pole
50 ft of rg6 cable
cable ground block
6 ft of rg6 cable (into the house)
4ft grounding rod
6 guage grounding wire (antenna to rod)
10 guage grounding wire (cable ground block to rod)

Total height around 30ft from the ground
Total for everything just under $400.

Here are my results:
===============
2-1 60%
2-2 60%
4-1 90%
5-1 100%
7-1 100%
7-2 100%
9-1 90%
17-1 90%
17-2 100%
17-3 100%
18-1 90%
21-1 NOTHING
21-2 NOTHING
21-3 NOTHING
21-4 NOTHING
23-1 100%
25-1 90%
29-1 90%
29-2 90%
31-1 NOTHING
36-1 80%
44-1 80%
57-1 70%
64-1 100%
65-2 100%
66-1 100%

How often do you guys "autoprogram" your channels?
Does anyone ever get the Rochester channels?

Thanks for all the info from everyone on this forum,
Eddie G's

Here are my results:
===============
[snip list]
You've got everything I have. About the only one to add is analogue 19, TVO.

How often do you guys "autoprogram" your channels?
That depends on your tuner. Most TV sets can acquire a new channel automatically when you punch in the channel number. However, when an existing station changes its PSIP info, some tuners require a complete rescan.

Does anyone ever get the Rochester channels?
In the GTA, that's considered "DXing". If you get a directional, high-gain antenna and aim it properly, reception might be stable. 21.1 through 21.4 are Rochester PBS and 31 is Rochester FOX. Try punching in 45 on your remote and see if you can get Rochester CBS.

Hi Eddie G,

The only one I have that you don't is 49.1 which is myTV from Buffalo. I only get 1 bar out of 10 and it breaks up a lot, so I watch the analog 49. That and 19 (TVO) are the only analogs I program.

2.1 (NBC) drops out for me sometimes, especially as the weather gets cold.

Hi Eddie,

Looks like you hit a home run :) nice job! Happy to hear you got it up in running.

With all those channels you are receiving I can only assume you rotating the 4428 to get your results, or maybe not? Sounds like you did a real good job putting everything together.

Here are a few channels still missing that I am sure you can get, assuming you haven’t got a lot obstructions?

7-3 Carrier Signal (use to be Sports Channel.)
26-1 US WNYB Jamestown (I seldom watch)
36-1 CTS HDTV
49-1 WNYO HD
49-2 WNYO SD

I have not included any of the analog channels that you should get, I pretty well only watch TVO as they haven’t went digital yet. Have you scan for the analog channels yet?

In the summer I occasionally in the morning or later evenings, surprisingly I receive very good signal from all the Rochester stations. I notice I can even get the analog broadcast on Rochester channel 8, but they seem to last about hour, before the conditions change.

“Auto Program” depends on what you’re using to receive your signals. BTW what kind of TV you are using?

Con Grads Eddie, now you can sit back and enjoy the game :) I don’t think we live to far from each other so let me know if you need any help, I can pop by.

All the best!

Biggy

Receiving Rochester channels is not a consistent thing and totally dependent on atmospheric conditions, at least from around here. If you were out in Durham Region on the lake you might be able to watch them.

Good job on the setup. You're getting everything I have. I'm using a 4221 up about 30'.

Thanks Guys!

Okay, I reprogrammed everything and I got the 49-1 and 49-2 stations!
It's clear but the signal is only at 30%.

After auto programming again I lost the 21-x stations which I couldn't get anyway.

Hey Biggy, I have a plasma Samsung and when I press to get a station that isn't on my list it WON'T go to it! ex. I pressed in 7-3 and it just went to another station that is on my list. I don't know if it goes there because it has no signal or that it goes there because it wasn't received on my autoprogramming? Yep I use the rotator all the time to maximize the signal. I made a list of the antenna location for the strongest signal, per channel.

I get a lot of analog channels too but I delete them.

Thanks again,
Eddie G's

Eddie G,

Happy to hear are now able at least detect 49-1 & 49-2 that’s good step forward.

Don’t worry about 21-X they are most like just odd pickup from your Samsung tuner. There aren’t any DTV signals available on those channels in are location.

Again don’t worry about Channel 7-3 it’s now obvious to me now, your Samsung TV can not detect carrier signal alone. That’s why I ask you for what TV you have, some TV’s have the ability to detected carrier signals even if there is no composite signal being broadcast. As of about month or so ago 7-3 the sport channel stopped broadcasting. But my system is capable of seeing a strong carrier signal is still present on 7-3 hopefully they may introduce some other programming in the future. Maybe some of are US cousins might be able to shine some light on this subject.

You should be able to receive 49-1 & 49-2 (one of the farthest distant broadcasting stations from our location) well I suggest you keep trying, most of the time I get a good solid signal from them sometimes it drops out as result of poor weather conditions. Even if the weather here is good some rain etc. on the lake can cause weaker signal. It also could be the sensitivity of your TV tuner and they vary different manufactures. My LG sometime is overloaded from signal Channel 29 yet my other TV is just fine.

From what you have describe of your setup I think you have pretty well hit a home run when comes to receive all the stations avalible to us in are location. The next step is combine your 4228 with 4221 but that’s another story which can be very difficult or maybe not. That’s what I have done, but just sit back an enjoy what you have now and say goodbye to cable :)

One final note it will be interesting on what channels (signal strength) you get in the winter. I have found it seems to be overall weaker so keep tabs on it and please let us know what your experiences are.

Biggy

Interesting comments on 49.1 and 49.2. I was able to get both several months ago but have since had to fall back to analog 49.

I don't think I've changed anything in my setup. Has anything changed in terms of their transmitter power/pattern?

Eddie G,

I forgot to mention something you might want to try, since you can detect 49-1 and 49-2. Pickup distrubution amplifer 20 db (single input single output) at Home Depot or CTC. That might just do the trick give you a little boost on those channels.