Is it possible that I will not have WGRZ & WNYO over the winter? This will be my first winter with OTA and was not anticipating losing either of them, given they have been fairly regular for the past several months. My antenna is a CS2 mounted indoors. Should I be considering another antenna?

I still have had no luck with getting CKVR (3.1, RF10). This evening I lost WBBZ (67.x, RF7), ION (51.x, RF23) & WNYB (26.x) but maintained the rest of my lineup including WNYO (49.x) & WGRZ (2.x, RF33). Last winter WBBZ and ION were no shows for the entire winter but the rest were pretty dependable.

My set-up GH10n3 - CM7777 - CM 3 season rotor - 25 feet above ground

Is it possible that I will not have WGRZ & WNYO over the winter? This will be my first winter with OTA and was not anticipating losing either of them, given they have been fairly regular for the past several months.It is a very real possibility that you may lose those two channels. Colder weather makes for more consistent reception (tropo goes away) but results in a lower overall received signal strength.

My antenna is a CS2 mounted indoors. Should I be considering another antenna?The antenna is very good for VHF-hi. Not sure how well it performs on UHF. If you can get your antenna outdoors and high in the air you'll have the best chance of getting consistent winter-time reception.

WPXJ was in and out for me last night. Until now it's been a solid channel. This is what happens when the cold weather returns.

mr. weather...actually the CS2 isn't very good for VHF, at least in my location. I am also using a CS5 (indoors) for VHF and get CTV Toronto and CHCH quite well.

I never had any issues with WGRZ and WNYO at all. They were coming in tropo all summer long? According to TV fool (maybe I'm not reading it correctly), both the above signals should be strong. I get all the other Buffalo stations without issue (have never received ION or WBBZ except due to tropo), so I'm surprised about losing channels 2 & 49.

Here is my TV Fool: http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wrapper&Itemid=29&q=id%3d8387095858e6fa

I am in a condo with no balcony, so moving the antenna outdoors is not an issue. I am on the second floor of my condo building, however, the building is up on a ridge above Huron Park in Mississauga, so it's like being at least 50 ft up.

Post transition update from my location. Changed my antenna from stacked 4221HD's to top antenna 4221HD and bottom AD C5. These go to CM7777 same as before with switch on separate. C5 pulls in CH no problem with very strong signal. CTV 9-1 comes no matter where the antenna is aimed so C5 aimed at Hamilton tower and 4221HD aimed at Buffalo. Everything comes in with a much higher signal than before. ION seems to be more stable with less drop outs. Checked for WBBZ on 7 and get some signal but not enough to lock. No signal when aimed at Barrie or Kitchener. Also checked the C5 for UHF on its own. It received everything from CN tower but nothing from Grand Island or Buffalo. (CM7777 in combine setting). Also tried C5 in attic and got no CH reception. I don't think VHF HI penetrates building materials all that well, but had to try. 4221HD stack showed signal for CH but would not lock, CTV 9-1 very strong signal. VHF signal on 4221HD strongest when antenna rotated 45 degrees away from the tower.

Coming in fine this evening between 60 to 70 %.Showing Adam Sandler in HD.Could really use more power to be more reliable during the daytime.

Result update WGRZ 2.1 100%
CKVR 3.1 60 to 70% % drops to 30% daytime with drop outs
WIVB 4.1 100%
CBLT 5.1 100%
WKBW 7.1 100%
CFTO 9.1 92%
CHCH 11.1 92%
WNED 17.1 100%
TVO 19.1 100%
WNLO 23.1 100%
CBLFT 25.1 100%
WNYB 26.1 52 % varies somewhat
WUTV 29.1 100%
CITS 36.1 100%
CIII 41.1 100%
OMNI 1 47.1 100%
WNYO 49.1 100%
ION 51.1 40% varies,usually disappears in winter,comes stronger summer
CITY 57.1 100%
CKXT 66.1 68%
OMNI 2 69.1 100%

mr. weather...actually the CS2 isn't very good for VHF, at least in my location.Sorry, you're right. I was thinking of the CS5.

I have WGRZ & WNYO back again. I had to do a rescan last evening and they were back. Don't know what happened to them in the first place.:o

I am at 9th line/Brittania in Mississauga. I lost CHCH reception. I were to get a CS5 and point towards hamilton would it also pick up toronto hi vhf channels from the back of the antenna?

Would it interfere with the DB8 channels above 13?

I plan on using the VHF/UHF combiner on the CM 7777 preamp.

My DB8 is in my attic and was able to get 23 channels but now lost CHCH but did pick up TVO.

Freeair,

Could you post your TV Fool report so we can see where the transmitters are relative to your location?

I think your idea sounds like a winner, in theory.

http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wrapper&Itemid=29&q=id%3d8387cab7b6a141

Right now the DB8 is pointed towards Channel 49 (wnyo)

freeair,

You're in the attic, right?

Why a C5? Much more expensive and less powerful than a five or ten element vhf-high yagi like a Winegard 1713 or Antennacraft 10-7-13?

If it's not going to be seen, then why pay extra for a small vhf antenna?

If your DB8 is doing that good of a job with a TV Fool like that in an attic, then don't even budge the antenna. You've found the sweet spot.

Do like you said and add the vhf antenna using the pre-amp.

Report back. I'm curious!

i figured it was easier to get the CS5 into the attic already assembled. With the DB8 I had to assemble it while up there...not fun with all the insulation and low headroom with those wood beams.

The other antenna's u mention are larger in size...but cheaper.

I am new to the forum and wondering how people have fared with an antenna in the basement.
I am unable to put the antenna outside or upstairs due to some tenant issues. (And no I do not live in my parents basement :) )

I just tried a scan with my TV and was able to pickup 3 stations with just a coax cable (CBC, Global and TVO). They all come in perfectly with no drop outs in HD.

Does anyone have a similiar situation? What is the max # of stations I should realistically expect with a basement antenna? BTW, I live in Peel near the Halton border on Burhnamthorpe.

Thanks,
Shabaaz

freeair...I have my C5 facing southwest, more or less pointed towards CHCH. I pick up CFTO with no problem. Actually, if I move my C5 just slightly I lose CH, but keep CFTO. I'll hazard a guess that you will have similar results. By the way the C5 comes with UHF/VHF coupler.

Here is my post transition update from my location. I changed my combined antennas, CM4228 (old) and CM4221 (old) plus 7777, into a single antenna CM4228 (Old) plus 7777 preamp. :p

I managed to find a good balance between US stations and Canadian stations.
If you look at the CM4228 polar diagram, one of the side lobes receives CHCH 11 and other side lobe receives all the Toronto stations, with the main front lobe pointed at the all the US stations.

The only stations I don’t receive constantly is Channels 51 and 67, but I do receive them during Tropo.

Because I am located basically in a (hole) valley surrounded by large trees I cannot receive Barrie. (North is large hill), the antenna is mounted 30 ft. high. It seems the old CM 4228 Hi VHF capability has pretty well for me.

The CM4228 antenna plus 7777 supports 10 tuners and TV sets, throughout the house via another distribution amp.

Overall all Canadian and US TV signals have increased for me, notably the Canadian ones. I pretty sure it a result of the analog shut down (less reflections conflictions)

I am hoping things will improve when the trees loose their leaves of course the large evergreen in front of my home won’t but that block the CN tower and helps reduces the signal. (Helps prevent overloading)

After watching some movies Ion channel 51-3 and some old Patty Duke shows on channel 67 I might try to get them, but overall I am generally happy with digital transition.

I have a cheap indoor monoprice antenna and can get about 5 channels, but they are not consistent. I was going to buy the DB8 or the CM 4228 but now I've read on this forum that it's actually better sometimes to get a 4 bay, like the 4221? Is that right? Better not only that it's cheaper, but you can actually get more channels sometimes by using a 4 bay as opposed to an 8 bay? That doesn't sound right to me...I'm confused!

Also, the guy at the store said I'd have to get an 8 bay and a pre-amp if I wanted to get the Toronto and Buffalo stations hitch-free. Is he right?

The 4228 is better because it has higher gain which gives you more consistent reception of distant stations (i.e. Buffalo). The downside is the beamwidth is much narrower such that if you point it one direction you'll probably lose stations in another direction.

The 4221 is a UHF-only antenna which will get you most of Toronto. VHF stations CFTO and CHCH may or may not be receivable with the 4221.

Hi folks,

Can anyone tell me where I can find a flat, ribbon style, coaxial cable that can sit under a balcony door. I am in a condo and can't mount anything on the balcony. I did have one before and my antenna did get a little better reception outside. I am looking for a shop in Toronto west or Mississauga.

I have found them pretty cheap online in the US, but I thought I'd check here first.

Thanks,
George

rig4365...I bought a couple at Home Depot (in Leaside). They had them on clearance for 3.99 each. It is coax with two connecters and flat in the center for a good 4-6 inches. I'd try The Source, as well.