I was wonder if I should go up on the roof at night and try and adjust the antenna to see if there is a better position at night.

Hi Steve,

Personally I think it's a little premature to have to go up and change it’s direction especially in at night you could fall.

I think you’re on the right track by recording some weather conditions.

Here is what I have done in order to try to see how the weather effects my reception from where I am located.

If you have the time you can start collecting some basic data in order to understand how you antenna is performing. You don’t have to collect every day, but the more the better.

Since my setup is quite complex and I have a lot variables track I started serveral “data bases” to record any changes etc. over yearly bases. (Amps, attenuators, cable lengths types, splitter, antennas and much more, leaves)

One Example: Weather date base is over yearly bases:

Some basic information you can collect to better understand how the weather conditions effects your reception, from your location. Note this just one reading at 13:34 PM today (LG).


Date: Wednesday, March 18, 2009

Comments: Receiver LG

Weather Condition Temperature Time

Mississauga Part Cloudy 11C 13:34PM

Buffalo NY Rain 4C 13:34PM

Rotor Direction 230 degree

Lake Ont. Temp.

Channel Signal Strength


2.1 33.1 88%
2.2 33.2 88%
4.1 39.1 89%
…. ….
…. ….

Most important thing to remember is to “keep it simple” and try not to make to many changes, if you should record them. This will help you understand how weather and yearly seasons effects your reception.

I want to install OTA outdoor antenna and need an advice.

I want to get CH 4228HD because of the longer range but based on what I read, it is directional, so I may not get channels from CN Tower and Buffalo simultaneously. One of my friend suggested that I should get CH 4221HD instead. On the other hand, I found one antenna at canadacomputers which is multi-directional (up to 100 degrees) called ******** ANT-7286 with 70 miles range.

So, I was thinking that may be ******** ANT-7286 is better because it's multi-directional (up to 100 degrees beam) and long range (up to 70 miles).

I would appreciate it if someone can advise which antenna is best for my location.

Thanks,

@jktan99: The description of this ANT-7286 antenna is word-for-word the same one as the Antenna's Direct DB-8! Yet the picture of the antenna isn't what is described. For example, the description talks about a mesh reflector, and yet the picture clearly shows rods. I smell a scam.

You want directionality with an antenna--it improves it's gain.

If you don't want to install a rotor, I would suggest buying two CM4221HD's, pointing each in the proper direction, wiring them separately, then buying an A/B switch to switch the feeds at your TV. Or you could combine the two feeds with a splittler/combiner.

I would add to this by suggesting combining a 4228 for Buffalo and a 4221 for Toronto. I would also add that buying CM products in our market is a SURE BET 99.9% of the time. Why goof around??

Saving a few bucks etc.. can cause a lot of headaches. Sometimes the cheapest route costs the most!

On the other hand, I found one antenna at canadacomputers which is multi-directional (up to 100 degrees) called ******** ANT-7286 with 70 miles range.

I just had a look at it interesting looks like we have another contender, not sure how good it is performance wise. It's combined similar to DB8 two sides are combined via separate baluns to a combiner or splitter. The extra balun + combiner or splitter lowers the overall antenna gain. I am sure it could be modified to just have one balun output.

I have seen the four bay version of this before and looks like they have combine two to create an eight bay similar to CM4228. “Multi directional” I doubt it more like "highly directional", if anything a rotor will help. Then again I could be wrong, I like to see the antennas polar plot if they have one.

I am not sure about the triangle elements on how the will increase the band width? Maybe one of our members who assemble their own antennas might know.

If you purchase it let us know how you like it, maybe a good one.

Thanks guys. To be honest, I prefer CH than the other one. When I searched for the review of ANT-7268, there is nothing out there.

If I could get Buffalo channels with 4221HD with no problems, may be stacking two of them is the best solution because I heard that if we want to stack two antenna, they should be the same type. @tenstu, how do you install your 4228 and 4221?

Also, if I want to stack two 4221HD, how far apart should it be? I read somewhere that if stacking two 4221HD, it should be at least 3 feet apart. Is this correct?

jktan99 -

I have my 4228 aimed at Buffalo, my 4221 at the CN Tower - each with the exact same length coax then connected to a "combiner" which is simply a good quality splitter, used in reverse. The resulting single line is then connected to a 4 - way splitter and feeds four TV's/ No rotor needed, eliminating arguments about who gets the signals they want. I also use no amplification of any kind.

My antennas are located on joining walls with a corner of the house between them - this is hard for me to explain. But if you were to draw a corner of your own home, you would then have an antenna on each "wall" that met at that corner.

I think this is why I never had any issues with proper separation, multi-path, etc...

The reason that the name of the antenna brand in jktan99's post shows up in asterisks (********) is that the DigitalHome web site's automatic filters have been set to ban that company's name from appearing here. This is because that company knowingly plagiarized both the Digital Home web site's contents and my own personal works as well. Their responses have not been at all helpful. :mad:

Thanks guys, I think I will go ahead with one 4221HD first as markf suggested (my friend suggested the same thing). If I have problems, then I would get another 4221HD or even 4228HD. I want to install the antenna on the wall just under the eaves, so I need a wall mount (may be 16" or 18") and a 10 feet mast. When the weather is warmer, I will do it and post an update here.

There is one concern I'd have with attempting to to use one directional antenna in these areas: What happens post DTV OTA transition? Many stations will be reducing power--and that may present some challenges.

Agreed. I think though that most folks want to 'ease' in to this and try to start out small/slowly. From my own experience and from participating here for a while, most get frustrated and end up adding the gear they should have had in the first place adding to the workload and cost....

Most people West of the CN Tower need a rotor (and possibly a pre-amp as well in a one antenna setup) or two antennas. It is that simple.

jktan99 -
My antennas are located on joining walls with a corner of the house between them - this is hard for me to explain. But if you were to draw a corner of your own home, you would then have an antenna on each "wall" that met at that corner.

I think this is why I never had any issues with proper separation, multi-path, etc...

Hi tenstu,
So, this means that you have two separate masts right? How far is the distance between your 4221 and 4228? I would imagine it's not that far (may be about 1.5 m to 2 m?). Did you put them at the same height? I like the idea of having 4221 for CN tower and 4228 for Buffalo. Thanks.

jktan99,

Look ay my post #1140 in this thread for a bit of an explanation.

I am luck in that I have a corner of my house between the two antennas - so the CN Tower 4221 does not receive any signal directly from Buffalo (except whatever bounces off foliage, the neighbour etc...)

The 4228 is on tripod/mast mount on a porch roof at the back of my house (Thanks to my dear wife for allowing me!), while the 4221 is mounted to the wall around the corner using a mast and two wall mount brackets bolted to the brick.

The 4221/toronto 4228/Buffalo combo is working so well for me that I use no amps of any kind but truthfully, that may simple be luck of the location!

Hello everyone, as a newbie just installed cn4228 on the roof at first did not receive all possible channels, added a cm 7777 amp and am now receiving the following:
2.1 , 2.2 ,4.1 , 5.1 , 7.1 , 7.2 , 9.1 , 17.1 , 17.2 , 17.3 , 18.1 , 19 , 23.1 ,
25.1 , 29.1 , 29.2 , 36.1 , 41.1 , 44.1 , 49.1 , 49.2 , 57.1 , 64.1 , 66.1
the samsung pn42a450 is delivering an excellent picture .
I am located in Brampton, main intersection is Kenney and Queen.
was thinking about a rotor but not necessary now.

Hope this is helpful

dormike do you mean Channel Master CM4228 HD and not the original?I just bought CM4228 HD and am going to install it tomorrow,Friday on a 10' mast on a tripod at the peak of the roof and hopefully get the result you're getting.I'm located here in Sandalwood and Dixie,closest intersection.I'll try it w/o preamp first and see what happens,afterall CN tower is only almost 19 miles away from me and CM4228 HD is good for up to 60 miles,so it says.I'll keep you posted.Thanks for posting your experience,it's quite uplifting.:D

I am new here. Just joined and have a question re hd tv antennae. I am located in Mississauga, ON and just installed my hd tv antennae. I am getting 4 HD channels. Am I supposed to get more than this?

Any advice will be appreciated.:confused::confused:

Some questions for you, rumali:

which major street corner are you nearest
which brand and model number of antenna
in which part of your home is the antenna located

Hello folks from Brampton,just mounted my CM4228 HD antenna at the peak of the roof on a 10' mast and 3' tripod with CM7777 preamp and yes I got all 27 digital channels and some clear analog channels as well but the signal is overpowering, at 100% or more throughout the band,over kill.I'm going to add some kind of attenuator to protect my tuner from too much power.Located here at the corner of Sandalwood and Dixie Rd. in Brampton and at antenna height of no less than 35 feet and stationary.All Buffalo channels coming in crisp and clear and Toronto and Hamilton as well.Used Quad RG6 coax and waterproof connectors.Coax cable grounded to the main box inside the house. Will take pictures if the weather cooperates and hopefully post it here.:D

@flameangel: You should try the setup without the pre-amp.

I was once concenred about overpower my tuner- I have the 4228HD and the CM7777. I'm 2.6 miles from the CHCH tower.

I asked a reputable GTA OTA supplier about overload and getting a notch filter for attenuating the close signal to protect my tuner and possibly help my weaker stations (decrease adjacent channel interference). Here is the response:"We can provide a custom notch filter for ch. 15.1 for approx $xxx; however,
before even considering the effectiveness of a notch filter, please explain
how you plan to increase the WUTV level particularly since the CM7777 preamp
is the highest gain commercial preamp available? Do you plan to buy a more directional antenna?
Most TV tuners have wide margins not to overload with strong input signals.
You will recognize overload when your picture is distorted.
If you are indeed only looking to enhance WUTV when every other channel is
coming in OK, we suggest you look closer at the broadcast strength relative
to other buffalo stations, if it is weaker, it would be difficult to get an
improvement on WUTV without negatively effecting the channels you are
already receiving well."