Hi all,
We are frustrated with Rogers cable. A friend of mine in Whitby told me about OTA and this site. And at $55/month for basic cable, I figure I could save some money replacing them.

Would like to know what antenna I should buy for roofmount (forum seems to indicate CM4221?) to receive Toronto and US stations as well as amplifiers, rotor, etc. Would I need 2 different antennas pointed in different directions for best reception? I would like 3 TVs connected.

Thanks in advance!
Hermie

Hello hermie, you will find lots of earlier reports in this thread from people nearby you. Use the Search This Thread tool to the upper right beside Thread Tools and put in your local street names as search terms, and it will be easy to see what works best for that area.

Also when you are ready to take your requirements to an installer please check the following thread: OTA: Ontario Parts, Sales, Service, Installers (http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=23984)

Hi all,
Would like to know what antenna I should buy for roofmount (forum seems to indicate CM4221?) to receive Toronto and US stations as well as amplifiers, rotor, etc. Hermie
Hi Hermie,
I looked up the location and tvfool, i took a wild guess at 30 ft.
http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wrapper&Itemid=29&q=id%3d8d178ef18c1efc
Use this link and then click on 'digital only'
I see nbc 2.1 way down in the grey @ -108
For that, you need better than a 4221.
2 weeks ago we installed a DB-8 with a CM3412 distribution amp not far from you. Worked great.
Higher is better and you need the distribution amp not too far from the antenna.

Well hooked up my DB8 in the 2nd level bathroom facing south west slightly. I am plugged directly from the DB8 to the Magnavox converter then into the TV. Received almost all Buffalo channels except WGRZ.

Here is a listing of channels:

4.1 (WIVB) signal 18
5.1 (CBLT-DT) signal 49
7.1 (WKBW) signal 26
11.1 (CHCH) signal 28
17.1 and .2 (WNED)
17.3 (WNED)
23.1 (WNLO) signal 38
25.1 (CBLFT)
29.1 (WUTV) signal 24
29.1 (Country)
36.1 (CTS) signal 78
44.1 (OMNI 2)
64.1 (OMNI 1)

A little windy out so signal fluctuated a bit. I didn't have any pixelation etc.

I figure a good start since I am indoors and have aluminum siding. When I had outside on a temp 10 foot pole. I didn't pick up Buffalo or CHCH, so when I mount, I will gain another 5 foot. The mounting location will be directly above the bathroom window.

How are my results so far?

jfmcaninch
You are doing well from a window, if this was from today (monday).
I'm located north of you in Caledon. The last few nights were bad overall.
Springtime usually is. Lake Ontario fog causes problems with 2.1, 4.1 and
a few nights ago even 29.1 . It will be better when the lake warms up.
If your tuner has a signal to noise reading, its just as important than signal strength.
The two readings (strength vs noise) is good information.

Listed below is from my tuner, (about 2pm, warm, windy my worst case for most signals)
4.1 is not watchable and 17.1 is fine, with signal strength
being almost the same, but 17.1 noise reading is much better.

My signals up here are usually good (usable) to about snq=64(21dB) (64 percent)

2.1 this channel fails to lock today (monday at about 2:15pm)
tun: ch=auto:33 lock=none ss=72(-17dBmV) snq=0(-128dB) seq=0 bps=1144544 pps=0
4.1 shows just below usable level
tun: ch=auto:39 lock=8vsb ss=79(-13dBmV) snq=62(19dB) seq=100 dbg=9848-10142-1376
17.1 no problems
tun: ch=auto:43 lock=8vsb ss=80(-12dBmV) snq=84(26dB) seq=100 dbg=2048-10445-1411

I get analog CHCH-tv on my main antenna (DB8 aimed at buffalo)
I only get 11.1 digital on a separate antenna.

I don't understand how I can get WIBV and not WGRZ, yet the transmission towers are right beside each other essentially. Seems like I may need to turn my antenna a little bit. Else WGRZ needs to increase the signal ;). Once I can test my location on the roof on top of the bathroom window, I am hoping to get CTV and a few other Toronto channels I may be missing.

You can find all the info you need about why side-by-side stations can differ by reading through the OTA FAQ. This is so that we don't have to go all over it again and again. :)

Here's another thread that will be of help: http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=120780

I currently have the CM4221HD antenna on my roof, with a standard 21 inch J pole. I have tried pointing my antenna at south east 152 degrees. However, I am not getting CFTO channel 9 in digital, I have to switch to analog to get that channel. What could be my options to get that channel as well as the others that I currently have. Right now some of the buffalo channels do not come in as strong as I would like (though it could be a seasonal thing)

TV Fool Report
http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wrapper&Itemid=29&q=id%3d8d17fd0b83a92a

Should I get a second CM4221HD antenna and point that to the CN Tower?

A lot of folks will say that a preamp is not a good idea in our region. I find though that with a 4221HD pointed to Buffalo a preamp adds these channels for me that I can't get without one:

9.1
57.1
44.1
64.1
66.1 sometimes.

and from Buff:
2. 1, 2,3
4.1
7.1

These come in without a preamp:
5.1
11.1
29.1,2
17.1,2,3
23.1

I have cheap Philips preamp. Likely a better CM amp may produce better results.

Wonder if any of you that live in the Brampton area or from my distance, can help me pick out the best solution for getting
as many watchable channels possible. i've had enough of Robbers :p

I really don't want an outside or attic antenna. My idea is to put an indoor
antenna on the 2nd floor (2 story house), i have a window that faces
south-east (but a bit west of the CN Tower). So basically have the antenna
at the window (attach to upper window frame and hang down ?). The view is
not a direct line-of-sight, but no apartments either, houses only.

From researching these forums, good prospects are:

Winegard Square Shooter
Zenith Silver Sensor
Winegard SS-3000
Terk HDTVa

The square shooter appears to be the best of these, but appears it falls off
for the lower channels. The ZSS might be the best overall candidate ? Has
anyone tried an outdoor antenna in their window, i don't mind that if it
works much much better and not too big....i don't know if the wify would like
a CM4228 taking up a window pane though :P

Help appreciated ..thanks :)

arrow, I've had astronomically better results with outdoor 4-bay bowties indoors than with any indoor antenna. In my case aiming through a wall works better than through a window, but I have a vinyl sided house. Aiming west of CN tower is not going to give good results for the Buffalo stations. I'm aimed at buffalo, right thru the wall and I get:

2.1,2,3
4.1
5.1
7.1
9.1
11.1
17.1,2,3
23.1
25.1
29.1,2
36.1
44.1
57.1
64.1
66.1 (Sometimes)

This is with two cheap no-name 4bays, combined with homemade phaselines, fed into the 300 ohm input of a cheap Philips preamp on the second floor of my house. through both trees and buildings. (and the wall)

Good luck

Thank you for your reply, i guess you're talking about something like
the CM-4221HD ? or a DB4 ? ...actually a DB8 is not too huge...though
these models don't handle the lower channels ? ...maybe something around
that size but can get the lower channels to (ie. CBLT, CFTO)
...search continues ...thanks :)

arrow201 just use the Search This Thread tool with "Boivard" or other local names as your search terms. There are a ton of excellent reports in this thread.

It sounds like a lot of people are using the calmer weather to change their set-ups. Me too.

Unfortunately, I have an attic install (2 TV's -- each with their own set of antennas and RG6 cables and reverse splitters). The powers that be have told me to keep the stuff inside. Oh well.

As my space in somewhat limited in the attic, due to 4 story complexes directly behind, I can receive both the T.O. and Buffalo stations via certain angles (above 30 ft height) fairly well.

My Buffalo channels are usually very strong -- but no 49-1-2 and no 29-1-2.

My TO stations are all at 78% (57.1) and above (in some cases 97%). Computer tuner assists me with the best angle along with old window screens that have been fitted with tin foil for reflectors.

My reason for posting tonight is that I my new set-up seems to be bringing in 29-1-2 faily well (started about 6:00 pm and signal is now 55% quality).

My question is -- is there any tropo tonight. There is no difference for me on any other Buffalo stations, and Jamestown is not coming in (which is usually the case for tropo nights -- as well as 66.1 Erie).

Can anyone confirm -- I will be doing some more trial and error overthe weekend. I am trying to get things set-up for Aug 31st. -- where I think that I will need the Buffalo antenna (s) to receive 11-1 and the Toronto Antenna to receive 9.1.

My antennas are largely bowties (using a combination of McLapp's new and old and you tube designs). I will elaborate more after the weekend.

Again, anyone in NW Miss. receiving 29.1 and 29.2 tongiht which would not normally come in?

Thanks.

Update on my previous post.


29.1 and 29.2 still coming in. Not perfect since 6:00 pm last ight -- there are times when it will go out for about a half hour or so.

I understand from the Hamilton board that there may be some maintenance going on with the 15.1 Hamilton transmitter, so this might be the real reason I am receiving as opposed to a change in my settings.

I may change the reflecter to see if I can make it stronger (above 60%), and then just wait for further information from the board.

Obviously I am excited, because I have never had 29.1 or 29.2 for this long (only tropo events).

Stampeder, thank you for your reply ...i've done more search, and reading on my own.
I found through one of the posts of: http://www.saveandreplay.com/ which, is not far
from me (Brampton) and will pay them a visit. Now i'm leaning towards an attic solution,
maybe 2 x DB8 (stacked) or CH4228s and a Clearstream5 for the lower VHF. I don't
mind paying $$$ to put in a good antenna system. I will get my money back then paying
the $100+ i'm now wasting with Rogers ...thanks ! :)

They are excellent folks there! :) We are very fond of saveandreplay because they are our OTA Forum official sponsor and their chief installer is a well known member here.

Yes, i've read good things about SaveAndReplay, i'll probably have them install the system too ...thanks again :)

Britannia and 407 Area. I understand that there are a few off us up this way.

29.1 and 29.2 still coming in. Too bad Planet of the Apes is not in HD. Alternating with the golf and basketball and hockey and rugby. Too many sports to choose from today.

For now -- I did not change any of my settings from Friday. Too dark in the attic right now. I am running via a reverse splitter 3-DB 4's (with different angles, different lengths of bowties and varied length of cables) . Hard to tell what the 'out of phase' really is because each has been constructed differently for different frequencies. I really want to get the 67's (1,2,3 -- Yankees and Blue Jays). Came in during tropo last year.

Note for anyone wanting to construct their antennas own, I find the metal frames from abondoned side-of-the-road marketing signs very useful.

Wil;l keep everyone posted.

Thanks,

PS -- noticed that 36.1 seems odd -- sound but no picture on both TV's 36 is ok though.

Hwy 410 / Bovaird area.

Went to SaveAndReplay yesterday and explained my plan to put an antenna into the
attic. I didn't get the name of the lady i talked to there but what a great help she was,
a wealth of information, and enjoyed talking about many aspects of OTA.

From her suggestion, I picked up a DB8 and CM7777 preamp. Just for test, i put it at my
2nd story window and i got pretty well everything Toolmanstew gets plus 41.1 and a few
others ...i'm very happy with the results.

The down side is that SaveAndReplay don't do attic installs anymore, so i'm still looking
for someone to drop a cable from the attic to the basement