So, it's been about a week since I put the antenna up, and I can say that I am happy with the results so far.

I am getting all Buffalo and Toronto stations. The signals are steady on all of them, and the only 2 channels that I have intermittent problems with are 2-1 (NBC) and 29-1 (Fox). Even these 2 are okay most of the time, but occasionally they drop, sometimes for only 10-15 seconds, sometimes for a few minutes (which is not very good). While the other channels are around 100%, these two are typically around 80% of signal strength, as seen by the built in tuner in my HDTV.

I wonder if there are any other ways of getting a little bit more reliable signal on these channels. The coax cable from the antenna to the TV has 2 couplers (no splitters), and while I realise it is always better to have one coax cable, without any couplers, I don't think that this would matter very much. Or am I wrong? The total length of the cable is around 45 feet.

Another thing I am thinking of in the nearby future is getting an OTA HD tuner (either a Hauppauge 2250, or more likely HDHomeRun). Could I possibly expect better results with these tuners, with regards to reception, compared with what I have now (my HDTV is 4 years old Toshiba)?

Couplers should not be a problem if the coax ends are crimped properly. Hopefully the coax is all RG6? Did you go with a preamp as was suggested by kooguy?Could I possibly expect better results with these tuners, with regards to reception, compared with what I have now (my HDTV is 4 years old Toshiba)?Yes. My advice is to check through the ATSC tuner threads for devices known to have a Generation 6 ATSC chipset since there is more than likely a Generation 4 or 5 in your Toshiba HDTV at that age. We'll keep tuner discussions out of this thread though as there are existing threads for each type. :)

2-1 (NBC) and 29-1 (Fox) are just the hard to get stations in Mississauga.

So, it's been about a week since I put the antenna up, and I can say that I am happy with the results so far.

I am getting all Buffalo and Toronto stations. The signals are steady on all of them, and the only 2 channels that I have intermittent problems with are 2-1 (NBC) and 29-1 (Fox). Even these 2 are okay most of the time, but occasionally they drop, sometimes for only 10-15 seconds, sometimes for a few minutes (which is not very good). While the other channels are around 100%, these two are typically around 80% of signal strength, as seen by the built in tuner in my HDTV.

I wonder if there are any other ways of getting a little bit more reliable signal on these channels. The coax cable from the antenna to the TV has 2 couplers (no splitters), and while I realise it is always better to have one coax cable, without any couplers, I don't think that this would matter very much. Or am I wrong? The total length of the cable is around 45 feet.

Another thing I am thinking of in the nearby future is getting an OTA HD tuner (either a Hauppauge 2250, or more likely HDHomeRun). Could I possibly expect better results with these tuners, with regards to reception, compared with what I have now (my HDTV is 4 years old Toshiba)?
One possible way to get better reception beyond increased antenna height, is the addition of another antenna. You could get another 4221HD and stack it with the one aimed for Buffalo. Use exactly equal lengths of coax- about 5 feet- fed into a reverse splitter near the mast, then single coax out.

I'm not sure if adding another CM4221 would help. I tried rotating the one I have more to the south, ready to sacrifice some of the Canadian stations, however I wasn't able to get more than about 80% for these 2 stations, regardless of where I was aiming. And I didn't lose any of the Canadian stuff, which was good. It just seems that the signal for NBC and Fox is not strong enough.

Another thing would be adding a preamp, as kooguy and stampeder suggested, but I'm trying not to spend another $100, or so. If that is the only way, I guess I may have to do it, in the end.

DonR,

Before spending money on pre-amp, can you verify the signal drop is not related to:

1. airplane flying over your area
2. signal interference from walls of the building


80% signal strength for 2.x and 29.x is very good. However, just how bad the signal for 2.x and 29.x? For example, can you get steady signal from 10:00am till 12:00pm (stormy weather not counted)? Can you also try to move the antenna to different location and see if reception improve?

When I tune into a station, for a few seconds, my TV displays roughly what the strength of the signal is. There are five notches in the bottom corner of the screen, and they change the colour, from red to green, as the signal increases. With most channels, I am getting all 5 notches lit up in green, but for 2.1 and 29.1 it is usually only 4 of them (and they are yellow). Since it is 4 out of 5, I assume I am somewhere around 80%.

Sometimes, and especially on 2.1, I get all 5 notches lit up, but it usually stays like that for only a few minutes, maybe even shorter, and then it goes down to 4.

The signal actually seems to be pretty solid, but then there are these dropouts, where I can lose the picture completely for a few minutes, or more often, 15-20, maybe 30 seconds.

I witnessed the same thing tonight even on CBS (4.1). The signal I'm getting for this channel is one of the most reliable ones, but tonight I saw it drop out completely, not for very long, maybe about 10 seconds only.

Whether it is the airplanes flying nearby, or some interferences from other objects, hard to say. My overall impression, for all the channels, including 2.1 and 29.1, is that the signals are pretty strong, but then there are these occasional dropouts, which I can't explain.

Still, exceptional quality of picture (much better than most of these channels on cable). I just need to find a way to make it perfect (no dropouts), if possible at all.

And again thank you all, for all the suggestions and your help.

HDTV101, NBC and FOX are rock solid at my place. CityTV is a pain in the rear.

DonR,

I know one DHCer in your area was having some signal interference issue whenever airplane fly over his area which is close to where you are.

Just to be sure, when you have these dropouts, is your antenna behind window? If possible, can you do a quick test with the antenna on the balcony (quick test) to ensure it is not location issue.

Actually, my antenna is on the balcony now, because I couldn't pick up any Buffalo stations behind the window. As I said before, all the stations show maximum signal strength, except for these 2 (2.1 and 29.1) and they are the ones having these intermittent dropouts. However, as I mentioned in my previous post, I saw 4.1 (CBS) drop last night, for about 10 seconds, even though it is one of the strongest signals, among all the channels I'm getting.

Today, I got a Hauppauge HVR-950Q-USB, and tried it instead of the built in tuner in my TV. It picked up ION TV, without a problem, which I couldn't get before, and it seems to show stronger signal on 2.1 and 29.1 as well. Too early to draw any conclusions, because I've only used it for a few hours so far.

We've had thunder storms in the GTA/Buffalo/southwestern Ontario region everyday for the last few days. I'm confident these have contributed to reception problems recently...

DonR,

That's good that now you can do a comparison between the two tuners. Let's hope it is not an issue with the TV's build in tuner. One of the DHCer in my area had a weird problem on his build in TV tuner - got 2.x and 66.x but no sound!

I have 3 built in tuners and one external tuner. I find that some of them can lock signal better than the others.

Do some observation for the next little while and let us how it goes...

I am using a clone and a pre-amp. I can pick up all Toronto channels solidly and most major Buffalo channels except Fox 29. It is true that I may pick up Fox too if I change to the CM4221HD?

I am using a clone and a pre-amp. I can pick up all Toronto channels solidly and most major Buffalo channels except Fox 29. It is true that I may pick up Fox too if I change to the CM4221HD?
Hi AmowAgau,
I did an install near you last sunday. Two CM4221HD's with CM7777 pre-amp, 10 ft mast on a chimney mount.
Got all buffalo and all toronto stations solid. Hamilton was there but a little low, so probably will be gone in bad weather.

Tom, can your new install receive 26 TBN and 51 ION? What is the intersection of the install? I would like to drive by to take a look. Thanks

Hello,

Plan to pick my 4221HD antenna today and remember reading a few postings regarding recent quality control issues. Don't want to have to make more than one trip to the store, so does anyone have any ideas as to what to look out for when buying a 4221HD?

Also, i've been reading about people "mod-ing" and "hacking" their 4221HD antennas? Do i need to do that too or is that for the extreme users.

Thanks,

Mike

Location: Creditview & Wanless, Brampton, Ontario

Mike20001, regarding quality the CM4221HD is one of the most solidly built of the new crop of bowtie reflector UHF antennas I've seen and it performs very well.

Here is the CM4221HD hardware hack thread, and I would say that the small amount of time it takes to do those hacks, with simple tools, is worth it:

http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=104837

By the way, I figured what the biggest signal drops of CityHD are related too. Once again - airplanes! Whenever my City News start stuttering, in about 5 seconds I hear the plane approaching from the east. Which makes my setup a totally coolest plane detection radar system :(

name777 have you checked out the airplane flutter tips in this thead?

http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=103432

Could someone help me with this one, I live in Brampton Ontario. How do I receive all channels around me (360 degrees) in both short & long range.
Which of the Omni-directional antennas could go as far as Rochester from Brampton Ontario? Let's say a distance of abt 90miles.

Thank You.