In Whitby/Oshawa, we're in an interesting position for channels.
If you've got a working rotor, you can often pick up the Rochester stations too (I am permanently aimed at Buffalo, yet I was tuning PBS (Rochester) and picking up some faint signals for the others yesterday afternoon)

I've also received WQLN on occasion, but that's mostly due to tropo/weather effects from Erie, it's too far away for consistent reception.

If you're aimed at buffalo, Darth, CTV can be a pain.
I've adjusted the antenna a few times (no rotor) over the past couple years, but I think I have it in just the right position to receive everything effectively.
I have a 4228, though, so it's a little pickier on where channels need to be (as opposed to a 4221 with a wide pattern)

mom2teens - start with fixing/replacing your rotor as you may not even need an amp with proper placement. You're getting excellent reception, just missing OMNI1 and SunTV as previously mentioned (64/66)

Thanks for the tips recneps77!

I went according to the antenna chart here in choosing 4221. Would there be any major differences in the end result going with th 4228 instead?

Not really, as the new 4228 seems to perform worse than the new 4221 :p
I'd suggest just fine tuning it until you get it just right, it may take a while, but you should get it eventually.
Right now, I'm aimed almost directly at WUTV and it seems to work best for me.
What I did was go to google earth, plot all the transmitters and myself, then used the measuring tool and a little trig to find the angles and the best place to aim for

You may even get it if you put up a real mount for your antenna (i.e. mast)
That little bit of extra height may very well get you the extra bit of signal that you need.

Cool - thanks again.

I realize this is a transitional period, and dependent on the source material, but man the constantly changing aspect ratio from 16:9 to 4:3 is annoying.

Today I am getting crap signal drops. I don't know if it is the weather or what. I am under the understanding that the summer is better for signals as well.

I am having some trouble with CTV so it must be how I am aimed.

I am noticing the screen size is different from channel to channel. Are they going to change them all to one size eventually or how is that going to work?

Hi,

With great many thanks for the information posted from the very knowledgeable folks here, I took the plunge into OTA yesterday and am more than happy with the early results.

I picked up a 4221HD and Tivax T8. A new HDTV is on the list for later this year, but I figured I'd experiment with this for now, and if it didn't work, I wasn't out all that much for the kit, and I could probably ebay it for a good chunk of my money back if need be.

I was shocked when after simply putting the antenna out of the box on the front porch (a whopping 6 feet of altitude with my camera tripod acting as a makeshift tower) and aiming it around a bit, I was able to pull in 23 channels, subs included!

Although I'm on some of the highest ground in the town, I figured the 2-3, 40-60 foot maples directly in line and in my line of sight to Buffalo might hurt my chances of getting anything. So far, I seem to be wrong. I'm looking forward to getting it mounted up on the roof with a wall mount, 10 foot mast and a rotor in the coming weeks to see if there is a little more available out there, or my bouncy signals get a little clearer.

Channels:

2.1, 2.2, 2.3
4.1
5.1
7.1
9.1
11.1
17.1, 17.2, 17.3
23.1
25.1,
29.1, 29.2
36.1
41.1
44.1
49.1
19.2
47.1
64.1
66.1

With minor aim adjustments, all can be had with better than 75% signal, and many of the Buffalo ones were 95-100%. Global 41.1, CTV 9.1 and WNYO 49.1/2 appear to be the only somewhat flaky signals yet, and even with good aim they would often yo-yo from 0-80%. I hope the higher mount above the roof line clears this up. Are there any channels I seem to be missing that should be commonly available?

Thanks,
Bob

Hi Twinz;

With the exception of ION 51.1-4 your getting pretty much all of the signals for our area without turning toward Rochester. If your going to get a rotor I suggest you look at getting a pre-amp also. The rotor will just make it easier to find a perfect spot for all channels. Hopefully with some good tropo conditions coming you will see what the Rochester channels have to offer and may not want to bother changing from what you have now (once it's mounted on the roof of course).

Cheers, Richard.

My story echoes your's twinz. I'm down by the lake in Ajax - ie the quiet side of town ;) - and pick up 36 channels with the antenna just sitting out in the back yard!

Amazing that this 6 inch by 2 foot antenna can pick up so much.

I am noticing the screen size is different from channel to channel. Are they going to change them all to one size eventually or how is that going to work?

Changing aspect ratios on material will be with us for a long time. Unless stations start cropping material to fit the 16:9 frame. Personally I am against it as I am a firm supporter of original aspect ratio for shows.

Its only annoying when news shows etc, promos, and commercials flip between the two ratios. Which seems to happen a lot more than I anticipated.

BTW any comments on the 5.1 audio from these OTA signals? I am awaiting delivery of an optical digital cable. In my movie viewing experiences 5.1 audio is of bigger impact than the video.

Right now I can only receive the stereo signal but am very impressed with clarity of the audio.

Darth, 5.1 works great when the original material is 5.1
Most major shows are originally 5.1
The problem is when they fake process the original audo to make fake 5.1. To me, its just like the original aspect ratio, I'd rather they just play it as it comes. I can make fake surround if I want.

Excellent Tom. Thanks - figured that scripted prime time shows would use 5.1 to the best results.

neat. I just rescanned and now got 10-1 and 2 as well as 13-1 and 2.

:)

so if I get an amp and router will I gain anything beyond what I get now?
Hi Mom,
If you have one stationary antenna, you can compromise to try to get all signals from all directions, but its a compromise. Signals will come and go, seemingly for no reason, and will go away altogether in bad weather.
With a rotor, you can point directly at the transmitter and signals will be A Lot more reliable, even in less than perect weather.
The other option is 2 identical antennas combined, one for toronto, one for buffalo. This is also a compromise, but a lot better than one antenna not aimed perfectly for either direction.
saveandreplay says he has CM rotors coming this week but will sell out quick as people have been waiting.
P.S. If you get Buffalo, you don't need rochester, all the same programming, unless you have a particular fondness for local rochester news.
Good Luck!
Tom

twinz,

The CM4221HD is an excellent antenna based on my experice...For stable channel receptions (2.x, 49.x, 9.x, 36.x, 41.x ) , mount it above the roof. I had mine mounted 7' above highest point of the roof and had execllent and stable receptions without a rotor.

However, having rotor is good choice, you don't have to go up and down to adjust the antenna for optimal reception.

Thanks for the tips! It should all be up 10 feet above the roof top later this week on my day off, and that is top priority. I'll try it without a rotor to start, and if all goes well, I might just leave it all as is (who is kidding who...I never known when to leave well enough along :D). Either way I'll update the channel list when optimized!

twinz,

Remember to keep the setup as solid as possible since we do have some freak thunderstorm in our area.

My following setup survive a freak thunderstorm in early May...
- CM9032, 6" wall mount
- 10' 1 1/4 EMT pipe (it is 1.5", OD) from Home Depot
- a 2x6 in attic for the mounting screws to hold on to

Don't forget grounding!

after several weeks of research mainly in this website, i took the plunge and
installed a CM4221HD (modded) on the wall of my house. pointing it towards the CN Tower i got the following channels:
WIVB 4.1
CBLT 5.1
WKBW 7.1
CFTO 9.1
WNED 17.1, 17.2, 17.3
CHCH 18.1
CBLFT 25.1
WUTV 29.1
CIII 41.1
OMNI2 44.1
CITY 57.1
OMNI1 64.1
CKXT 66.1
+ a handful on analogue signals.
here's a pic

http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/showpost.php?p=942489&postcount=371

some signals drop depending on weather.
am i still missing channels with this set up?
how do i improve this?
interested in kooguy's set up. would
you mind posting pics?
thanks.
WHeeeee
super noob
BTW my location is on rossland and westney.

Hi WHeee,
You're missing 2.1 and 49.1
2.1, 2.2 & 2.3 are hard to recieve in this area.
Above the roof would help, a 4228 would also help.

Wheeeee,

You are missing 2.x, 23.x, 26.x, 36.x and 49.x. If you have the height and good aim, you will also get 51.x.

You mean this setup?

http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/showpost.php?p=942491&postcount=372

thanks for posting kooguy.
i was thinking more of a roof mount.
anybody using a 30" j mount on their roof with
success?