mebad247, there is a split into 3 runs, first to my bedroom, this is never used so I put F terminator on the outlet (not on the splitter), second to a regular tv and third to the HDTV. Because of the split, I am not able to put the power supply of the pre-amp close to the tv. I have to put it at the point where cable goes into the house. From this point to the splitter, it may be about 15 feet, then another 6 feet to the HDTV.

So, may be this is what's causing the weak signals. However, as my basement is finished, it's kind of difficult to locate the splitter so I won't be able to remove it (at least for now).

jktan99, if you're using a 3-way splitter one of the outputs has a 3.5db loss and the other two outputs each have a 7db loss. Some splitters but not all have it marked on the outputs. Try and make sure you have the HDTV connected to the 3.5db output.

Okmed, thanks..if only I can remember where I put the splitter in the basement ceiling, I would certainly check it. I have to try to locate it first.

jktan99

I am level with the Lake Erie waters and I have found a little trick that helps to overcome some of the multipath effects coming from the Erie broadcasts that are caused by signal reflections from the surface of the water and morning lake fog. You are level to the waters of Lake Ontario, so the following may give you some gain by overcoming the effects of the reflected multipath signals.

It is important to make sure your antenna is angled slightly upward over the horizon to avoid the lake fog and lake effect multipathing and aim your antenna for best signal on 49.1,.. the rest of the Buffalo channels should fall into place. You may need to add a separate 4bay antenna independently aimed for a good lock on the Toronto stations.

ota canuck, thanks for the tips. Can you tell me how much the angle is approximately?

Okmed, I found the splitter. It's a 3-way and the loss is 5db per channel. For analysis purpose, I've removed the splitter so that the signal only goes one way to my HDTV. I noticed that the signal jumped about 10% to 15%. Not bad...I am using CM 7777 and I got everything except 49.1. It's kind of difficult to get 49.1 although I get Fox quite strong (and checking on TVfool, it's pretty much in the same direction as FOX).

ota canuck, I haven't angled the antenna yet. I am not sure how much it should be angled.

Thanks for everyone's help.

"It's a 3-way and the loss is 5db per channel. "
That seems strange. Usually when a signal is split there is a 3db loss plus 0.5db for insertion, then if you take one side of that split and split it again ( which is what is usually done in 3 way splitters) you get 7db loss (3.5 + 3.5) out of those two (so a 3 way is usually labled 3.5db, 7db and 7db). Maybe someone does make a balanced 3 way splitter or maybe its mislabeled. In any event 10 to 15% seems significant so if you don't need the 3 way use a 2 way. Good work that you found it.

I saw the 5db on the sticker. I am not sure if that's an error. I will change it into 2-way.

The problem now is that this morning (Saturday), some US channels (2.1, 2.2, 4.1 and 7.1) are gone (no signal). I still get Fox quite okay (35-40%). May be this is the effect of the weather or the multipath effect ota canuck is talking about.

jktan99, it must have been the weather. I had the same channels disappear for me. This was the worst reception day I've had in 2009. It improved significantly late afternoon and evening.

It can be frustrating to work on your system when things like this occur - pretty much impossible to isolate what the problem is.:confused:

El Gran Chico, yes it got better in the afternoon and evening. I tried to add digital channels and now I got even the 49.1 and 49.2 at about 20%.

the best indoor antenna I ever had was a phillips mant 940, you can buy it online or go to warepark located around steeles and keele in a warehouse unit. It outperformed any rca amplified scam, even though this antenna comes with a little power booster that you need, anyways I am around dixie and dundas and hanged this antenna 2-3 stories high pointing it flat like lying on a table, and the curvy part is pointing south to buffalo, also there are walls and 6 houses blocking line of sight to buffalo. I would get most in high def.

2-1,2-2 on and off
4-1 most the time
5-1 all the time
7-1 sometimes
9-1 all the time
11-1 most the time
17-1, -2, -3 most the time
23-1 all the time
25-1 all the time
26-1, 26-2 rarely
29-1 most the time
41-1 all the time
44-1 all the time
57-1 all the time
64-1 all the time
66-1 all the time.

pretty impressive and dont have to move it once hang just find a sweet spot,
with 17 stories high you will get all these channels for sure and even expect
rochester channels to pop up with that hight and this antenna, it is a UHF antenna
but all digital in GTA is UHF.

so earlier in the week I tried a coat hanger on the analog TV in the bedroom (2nd floor). Placed the coat hanger by the open window (facing south - we're quite close to the lake).

Got 9 channels and 7 of them were actually good picture quality. All were Tor/ Hamilton - no US channels with the coat hanger (wasn't a good quality hanger I suppose).

Also visited the Save and Replay store to get an idea of the initial cost and it seems quite reasonable - couple of months of cable bill (if that). He seems to be quite busy after all the media exposure - nice friendly folks.

I find I'm being drawn steadily towards OTA - still need to convice the family though.

I had to convince the family as well last year - so if you need some "pointers" - lemme know! (Especially with regard to what they might feel is the downside)

d2e8b8, which major street corner are you nearest in Mississauga?

I live on dixie and dundas area and can see line of sight to cn tower and Toronto is no big issue same with hamilton, I am pointing a channelmaster4221HD south to around a little east of Buffalo to hit batavia and get ION in HD I get the analog fine, when it goes digital.
I get all Buffalo channels except have a problem locking in 49.1 mytv on and off. I get the analog 49 perfect. I heard that after june 12 mytv will stop using dtv 34 and use the 49 tower for the DTV signal and also claimed increase in power and they said anyone recieving a good analog 49 signal that they will get the HD channel. So is this true and really good news for the GTA, also any more info if other channels will be added from buffalo?

Anyone notice that 26-1 & 2 are coming in quite a lot since they moved to 26? I've been getting them for the last 2 weeks, but oddly only on my Samsung DTB-H260F. Sharp and Sanyo TV tuners mostly show no signal unless coming in very strong on the Samsung. These are bad channels for my Tvix PVR. It actually reboots if I select. Must be something odd with their PSIP info.

I can just barely pick it up at times. I'm in no rush to pick it up reliably though :P

By the way, what's on channel 51.1? I'm picking it up clearly but there's no picture. Media Center shows it as Ion HD (WPXJ-DT) but it's listed as TV Ontario on Remote Central.

It won't be TVO since they're not going digital until the Canadian switchover in 2011.

Is IonTV (WPXJ) broadcasting in digital now? I did a rescan last night and am still only receiving them on analog 51.

I've just finished setting up my OTA with a Channel Master 4 bays and DAC (Artec T3AP-LL).
After scanning many times and spinning my antenna around and finally put it back to facing south, I only get 10 channels and none of them is in Buffalo.
I see people have much many more channels than what I got. :(

Do I need to buy a signal amplifier to receive the Buffalo channels. I really want to get NBC, CBS and ABC.

Any suggestion is greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

tnt321: Give us some more details. Where have you mounted the antenna and how high? Do you have obstructions in the direction Buffalo? How long is your cable run? Have you checked your connectors?