My WGRZ reception is great. My TV doesn't have a signal meter, but I haven't had any audio or video issues at all.

All 3 sub-channels (2.1, 2.2, 2.3) are coming in with no issues. Morning, evening, rain, shine, crazy heat with thick smog... nothing seems to cause any issues.

little_infinity,

You were inquiring about building something to use at your cottage. Try this simple build if you can find some 1"x 1" sceen mesh.

http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=127205

Hey!

A few questions rcammoore.

1. How far apart were the 2 4221HDs placed? How high up?
2. Are the 2 antennas hacked?
3. What splitter are you using?
4. What amplifier (if any) are you using?
5. How much coax do you have running
a.) Between antennas and splitter?
b.) Between splitter and amp (if applicable)?
c.) Between amp and power (if applkicable)?
d.) Between power and TV?

Sorry for asking you these questions. I tried something similar and I had trouble with the two antennas interfering with one another (WNED and WUTV). And WGRZ.

Right now I am operating a stack aimed at Buffalo and only getting problems with WGRZ (Weak Toronto and Hamilton though).
Little-infinity,

See the picture at #746, http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=109671&page=50
I am in Oakville, northwest to Clarkson. I never had trouble with WNED, WUTV and WGRZ, but it is not stable to get 51.1, 51.2, 51.3. I am not using an amplifier, just a splitter reverse, then coax to TV in the basement.

Being northwest you probably have a slight elevation advantage. I'm literally right at the lake shore which means the enscarpment is a mountain. I also have the lake waters and Petro Canada refinery tanks to contend with so I'm probably dealing with multipath.

That said alot has changed from my last few posts. I've been running a hacked-4221HD stack at WNYO for a month and the results are satisfactory for the most part.

Toronto and Hamilton are around 50-60% because I put my side lobes onto them. Local analogs all ghosty (including TVO).

55 analog from Ft. Erie near-mint, WBXZ-LP 56 and WBNF-CA 15 watchable with bars. 27 analog from Peterborough watchable (with ghosting).

Buffalo is around 75-85%. Exception being WGRZ which randomly fluctuates (some days I have the station no problem, others are crazy).

And of course ION which comes in at around 50-60% during non-tropo summer.

My next move is probably to just wait until the 2011 transition. Perhaps when the analogs go off my amp will have less chance of overload and bring in WGRZ all year (I noticed a good boost during that power outage downtown a few weeks back). A lower-gain Stealth Hawk might also do the trick (multiple lobes, plus I have good +ve NMs for all desired stations)

Good Day all
I just bought an antena and it is working in my home.
i want too put on my old tower.
how do I point it? It has two sections split in the middle so i guess I can point it in two directions but where to point it.

the tower is at least 30 feet in the air and I have allready removed the old antena
because the were damaged.
I like the idea of not paying for cable any more.

Thank You
elmo

Hi Elmo, if its one of those foldable antennas, I've heard they aren't real good, but it it might save you from needing 2 antennas or a rotor. You could try it and let us know how it works.
I would point the section for Buffalo stations directly @ WGRZ, since its usually the hardest to get reliably. 147 degrees magnetic.
I would point the toronto section about 1/2 way between that and CN Tower. (You don't want too much signal from toronto or it will wash out the Buff stations) + (You want the T.O. section to add together sum with the Buff). I'd go with 116 degrees magnetic.
The OTA FAQ section has instuctions on how to use tvfool dot com to get info for you exact location.
I've installed in Credit woodlands area and it worked good because he was at the top of the hill. If you're down in the valley the Buffalo results won't be good.
Good Luck and be careful.

Elmo,

Just go to tvfool.com and run a report for your area. You can just enter your postal code as your location. The report will give you a list with stations and compass aiming points.


Here is your tvfool report:
http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wrapper&Itemid=29&q=id%3d9fbeacb685ee54

I used to live about half way up the woodlands. OTA reception was awsome in that area.

This thread discusses those foldable antennas: http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=114608

Hey, welcome!

Tower is a great option. Good height.

You should be a little better off than I am. Expect around 23 digital channels reliably, and on good days (usually the summer), I wouldn't be surprised if you got 26 (51 ION from Batavia being the one with 1 + 2 subchannels, hard to get in our area). WGRZ is indeed the big pain for me anyways.

And also 10 analog channels (most are broadcasting in digital so this shouldn't concern you except TVO on 19). Be careful you do not overload them as per Tom's suggestion. I find that 5 and 9 are the biggest culprits that could kill off weaker signals stateside. Especially if you use any sort of amplifier. (I should actually try that aiming configuration myself...)

Best of luck.

If I recall his key aim would be only SE [SouthEast]. He shouldn't have to aim at toronto or hamilton at all. Focus on the Buffalo area at approx. 135° compass setting an then fine tune the aim in that area.

TIP: If you don't have a compass, and your an early riser, just basically aim for the sunrise at dawn ;)

I don't know.

See it depends just how close to the lake you are. The closer you are, the angle between Hamilton and Toronto increases. A direct aim SE would put those stations closer and closer to the null in the side lobe.

a.) Puts a big -30-50 dB on signals. Even with 60+ dB signals out of the CN Tower, think of it as putting those stations in the red zone on TVFool. That could help with signal overload if you are indeed using a pre amp, but I strongly caution against this.

b.) Causes serious multipath issues/unwanted reflections. Now what you get with the stronger analogs is basically crazy ghosting/wobbling (with no snow), so there's enough signal still. With digital that could mean lock with weak signal, instability for the pea shooters, or even complete loss of lock. And judging by the fact that you have a folding antenna, my guess is that it would behave more like an 8-bay with less beam width, so it's quite risky. Your Buffalo reception should be great though.

I'm closer to the lake, and Toronto/Hamilton is literally holding on by a thread here with my 4bay stack.

Try both Tom F.1's and ota_canuck's suggestions and see what works best. You might be luckier being on slightly higher ground in the Woodlands.

Hi,
I am in Brampton (Bovaird & HW10), my antenna is about 30ft height.

I sometime have issue with some channel like 8.1, 26.x, 49.1, 51.x

They are watchable most of time in the day, but some time the signal drop very low and not watchable.

Can some one tell me why and how to fix this issue?


I already have CM7777.
I can't make the attena higher :(

Here is signal meter for these channels with my Sharp Aqos TV (when signal is good):
8.1.......................50%
26.x......................45%
49.1......................45%
51.x......................47%

Thanks.

http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wrapper&Itemid=29&q=id%3d9fbe3364f18cfd
Hi xbacala, if those are the only stations you have problems with, you're getting better reception than you should. :)
8.1 is CBS rochester, maybe your antenna points too far east. I would rather have CBS buffalo.
26.1 is TCT, if you want that reliably, maybe adjust your antenna a little to the west.
51.1 is way down in the Tropo zone, you won't get it reliably even if you do point right at it. Might disappear all winter and come back next summer.
If you want to be able to maximize signal on stations in different locations, you'll need a rotor.

Thanks for answer.

I'll post full list of my channels when I get home.

tvfool lists 2.1 bellow 26.1 but my 2.1 is always consistent above 80%

Yes, it is how your antenna is aimed....it is primarily aimed towards your 2.1 channel and picking up 26.1 off center.

Hi Everyone,
newbie here. Does anyone have any thoughts for the channel master 4221hd? i;m hoping to get the US channels for NFL season :) thanks for your help. Also my tv has a tuner built in, do need anything else?

Mayfield and 10 is going to be a challenge with the 4221HD. You'll probably need something with more gain like a 4228HD. And something to get the antenna high in the air.

I'd suggest paying a visit to Save and Replay on Kennedy near Courtney Park and talk to the people there. They're very knowledgeable and will give you a straight answer.

If the tv already has an ATSC tuner then you're good to go. No need for an outboard box.

If you browse through this thread, I'm sure there was some other members at the Mayfield area in Brampton. Reception seems to depend on what side of Highway#10 they were located, but I can't recall the reasoning.

I had 2 no name 4-bay antennas ganged together and a Channel Master pre-amp. The set up worked fine for me until a few days ago when the CM pre-amp dropped dead on me. A CM pre-amp and a CM 4228HD cost about the same at around $100. Should I simply replace the pre-amp or go for a 4228HD without a pre-amp? I defintely prefer the 4228HD if it works for me without a pre-amp. The antenna is installed on the second storey of a south facing wall. The cable is about 80 feet long.

Any suggestion or advise would be appreciated.

Could you please post your TV Fool Reception Report for your exact address? Don't worry. Your address will not be displayed to everybody.

http://www.tvfool.com/index.php?option=com_wrapper&Itemid=29

If you have been satisfied with the results of your ganging, it might make sense to go out and buy two Channel Master 4221hd antennas and place them exactly where your existing antennas are.

If your current set-up has been working, then maybe a 4228 might introduce new challenges (more directional beam width).

You can find 4221's in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) for around $40 new.

I'll be watching for your TV Fool Report.

If your 2 clones were working fine with the preamp, then try running those clones without any preamp,.. that's about what you'll get with the 4228 without a preamp. The 4228 is not a magic bullet and the beamwidth of a 4228 will likely be narrower than the 2 clones.

80 ft of cable is a marginal length to determine if a preamp is required. There are other factors to consider. How many, splitters/TV's etc are running on those clones? How many other lengths of cable are running through the house?

[NOTE: are your certain that the preamp is dead or do you possibly have a short circuit or no circuit in your downlead cabling between the mast amp and the power supply. If there is a short circuit, bad connection or corroded connection in the cabling, then it's possible that insufficient power can get up to energize the amp-unit that is mounted up on the mast]

IMO, Bottom line:
You said it has been working fine up until recent loss of the preamp. If you don't like what you get running those 2 clones without a preamp, then simply replace the preamp.