Hi,

Last weekend, I installed a CM4221 that I bought from Save and Replay outdoors on a j-mount on the side of my house. The antenna is pointed in the general direction of Buffalo (about 150 deg) about 20 feet high.

I don't have line of sight since a neighbor's house is in the way. This is what I get in terms of signal strength:

channel strength

4 CBS WIBV 47
5 CBC CBLT 67
7 ABC WKBW 44
9 CTV CFTO 56
11 CHCH 52
17 PBS WNED 54
23 WNLO 59
25 CBLFT 56
44 OMNI2 54
49 WYNO 15
57 CITYTV 5
65 OMNI1 56
66 SUNTV 33

I'm getting decent reception on alot of channels. All channels over 45% signal strength, I get a lock on. The problem stations are WYNO, CITYTV, SUNTV, and once in a while WKBW. My question is whether it would be a good idea to get a preamp (like a CM7777).

My worry is whether it will overload the channels like CBC or WNLO. I'd like to get the extra channels, but not at the expense of CBC (I like to watch Hockey Night in Canada sometimes). Thanks for any help.

A pre-amp might help but your main issue is your neighbour's house is in the way.

A pre-amp won't get you signals your antenna isn't already capturing. You really need to get your antenna higher.

If you can get high enough to get LOS that would be the way to go. A preamp cancels signal loss from cable run. So if your antenna receives a weak signal you can get it to the tuner. I use CM4221HD and CM7777 and get very high signal strength on main Buffalo channels. I don't think overload is an issue if your antenna is pointed at Buffalo. Toronto and Hamilton come in on side lobes.

Similar setup here except I've got the "classic" 4221. With the antenna pointed at Buffalo (135'ish degrees) I get 80%+ signal strength on all the Buffalo channels, even WGRZ.

The only marginal one is WPXJ. Perhaps if I had a 4228 that would be more consistent.

Nice!

mr weather, are you also pulling in CKXT and CIII, and you are using a preamp right? My antenna is around 135 degrees, probably a wee closer to 140?

I'm getting most of the TO signals off to the side, and even WNYB sometimes. The EagleStar clones are actually very strong performers!

And my antenna is attached to a pole about 3-4 feet above the tower. I can't touch the pole because the bottom edge of it is where it is clamped, and I am deathly afraid of touching it.

Is there a tutorial or something here that can help me do the job with F-connectors? Preferably with one hand because the other has to be hanging on to the tower. It's pretty high :/

Nice!

Is there a tutorial or something here that can help me do the job with F-connectors? Preferably with one hand because the other has to be hanging on to the tower. It's pretty high :/
This chart has instuctions for installing connectors.
http://www.idealindustries.ca/media/pdfs/products/charts/p-2757_coaxial_selection_chart.pdf

I wouldn't recommend trying to put connecors on with one hand. A fall protection harness and a pole strap is the way to go, so you can use both hands.

+1 You need a proper tower climbing belt to do this safely.

I have no problem receiving CKXT but CIII disappears completely if I turn the antenna too much west of 130 degrees. Guess it's in a null for the antenna.

Plus it doesn't help that CIII broadcasts at something like 3 kW ERP.

Hello, I'm new and just moved into my sisters place for a few months. I have a WinTV HVR 950 for my laptop and managed to get the following channels at 8:00PM last night with the very basic antenna that was supplied:


20 - CBLT-DT/CBC
32 - WNLO-HD/CW23
38 - WKBW-HD/ABC7
39 - WIVB-HD/CBS4
40 - CFTO HD/CTV
43 - WNED-HD (17.1)/PBS17
43 - WNED-SD (17.2)/PBS
43 - WNED-TH (17.3)/PBS ThinkBright
44 - OMNI 2
64 - OMNI 1
65 - CIII/GLOBAL
66 - CKXT/SUNTV

I am looking for a cheap indoor antenna to replace the one I have as some of the channels are not very reliable.

I was looking at the CM-4040 but also saw that monoprice sells HD antennas too. What would everyone recommend?

DPyro, use the Search This Thread tool to the upper right beside Thread Tools and put in your neighbourhood name or local street names as search terms, then you can see which OTA gear has worked best for others nearby over the past few years.

Also, if an antenna is not on the Antenna Chart I would not buy it. ;)

Update as of 11:30PM tonight, here are the channels I'm receiving with the basic antenna:

20.1 - CBLT-DT/CBC
32.1 - WNLO-HD/Cw23
33.1 - WGRZ-HD/NBC (2.1)
33.2 - WGRZ-US/UNSPO (2.2)
33.3 - WGRZ-RT/RTV (2.3)
38.1 - WKBW-HD/ABC7
39.1 - WIVB-HD/CBS4
40.1 - CFTO HD/CTV
43.1 - WNED-HD/PBS17 (17.1)
43.2 - WNED-SD/PBS-SD (17.2)
43.3 - WNED-TH/PBS ThinkBright (17.3)
44.1 - CJMT-DT/OMNI 2
53.1 - CITY-DT/CityTV HD
64.1 - CFMT-DT/OMNI 1
65.1 - CIII/GlobalTV HD
66.1 - CKXT/SUNTV HD

Note I'm having issues with GlobalTV and SUNTV. Also, I searched the forums like you suggested and haven't found anything relevant.

EDIT: I found this portion of the OTA FAQ very helpful to get Global/Sun TV(antenna I have now is a single rabbit ear).

The lower the channel number, the more you need to extend them outwards. The higher the channel, the more you need to push them in.

Glen Erin and what nearest cross street?

I'm at Glen Erin and Britannia. I read most of the OTA FAQ and even there it mentions the 'V' shaped antenna for indoors. I'm guessing the channel master is similar to the one listed there?

EDIT: I read on here that I'm near the highest point in Mississauga, is that correct? I'll also post the TVFool report (http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wrapper&Itemid=29&q=id%3dbc2784bc9e1239) if anyone's curious.

I read most of the OTA FAQ and even there it mentions the 'V' shaped antenna for indoorsPost #6 in the OTA FAQ actually shows a picture of a Zenith Silver Sensor, a highly regarded indoor antenna. Main brand clones of the ZSS are just as good.

On the Antenna Chart you'll find that a small outdoor 2-Bay Bowtie Reflector antenna like a CM4220 or Antennas Direct DB-2 brought indoors may be superior to a Zenith Silver Sensor (or clone), which itself is better than most any indoor antenna found in stores.

EDIT: I read on here that I'm near the highest point in Mississauga, is that correct?
Almost. The highest point is actually Britannia just east of Hurontario. Your TVFool report will be quite similar to mine (I'm near Erin Mills and Thomas).

Hopefully the co-op highrise on the SE corner isn't blocking your view of the CN Tower or Buffalo.

This is my TVFool report.

http://www.tvfool.com/modeling/tmp/bc27/cdb/d885297/Radar-All.png

Bought a new antenna. I got talked into buying a Antennas Direct C2 from save and replay. Not sure it's any better than what I have now. Didn't have any RG6 cable around, is Belden-T F9116 cable any good? Antenna is pointed south from my bedroom window. Still not getting Fox, although if I point the antenna right the signal goes to at least 50%.

EDIT: Pointed the antenna a little left and higher up and get the fox channels now. Need some type of ceiling hanger to keep it in place.

Belden is a great brand for RG6, and you can read about it and ask about it in the following thread:

http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=104308

Oh, so the cable I have is RG6? Good to know, although I didn't see RG6 written on it. It says BELDEN-T F9116 DUOBOND® II 75 OHM. I believe it's 6 feet and left over from Rogers for the digital cable. BTW, what are some other channels that I should get that are worth adding to my channel list?

EDIT: Just added WNYO channels :D

Updated List:

Displayed Ch. Network Actual Ch.

20.1 - CBLT-DT/CBC HD - (5.1)
29.1 - WUTV-DT/FOX29-HD - (14.1)
29.2 - WUTV-DT/FOX29-SD - (14.2)
32.1 - WNLO-HD/CW23 HD - (23.1)
33.1 - WGRZ-HD/NBC HD - (2.1)
33.2 - WGRZ-US/UNSPO - (2.2)
33.3 - WGRZ-RT/RTV - (2.3)
38.1 - WKBW-HD/ABC7 HD - (7.1)
39.1 - WIVB-HD/CBS4 HD - (4.1)
40.1 - CFTO HD/CTV HD - (9.1)
43.1 - WNED-HD/PBS17 HD - (17.1)
43.2 - WNED-SD/PBS17 SD - (17.2)
43.3 - WNED-TH/PBS ThinkBright - (17.3)
44.1 - CJMT-DT/OMNI 2 HD - (44.1)
49.1 - WNYO-DT/MyTV-HD - (49.1)
49.2 - WNYO-DT/MyTV-SD - (49.2)
53.1 - CITY-DT/CityTV HD - (57.1)
64.1 - CFMT-DT/OMNI 1 HD - (64.1)
65.1 - CIII/GlobalTV HD - (41.1)
66.1 - CKXT/SUNTV HD - (66.1)

Dpyro: Your cable is RG6, with at least a 60% braid. It's good for what you're using it for. Either way, 6' length is very short...even a 59 would work well for you.

How are you guys doing with Fox HD (29-1)? This seems to be the only channel that gives me problems all the time (frequent dropouts, or no signal at all). I don't have any issues with other Buffalo stations, and the Canadian ones are okay too.